Citizens Advice are ready to help in tough times, says Bill Esterson MP

BILL Esterson MP is urging residents to reach out to Citizens Advice if they are struggling with the cost of living crisis, after hearing that there had been a 103% rise in people in Sefton Central struggling to meet their energy costs. Mr Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, met with the representatives of Citizens Advice in Parliament to hear how they are helping people across the constituency and country. The organisation has helped 392 people in Sefton Central with issues relating to the cost of living crisis since October 2021.

Mr Esterson joined Citizens Advice in urging the Government to do more to insulate homes to cut energy costs, to tackle poor practice by utility companies who fail to offer loyal customers their best rates, address mid-contract mobile phone price hikes and uprate benefits in line with inflation.

Mr Esterson said:- "Citizens Advice are such a trusted source of information, they are like an extra emergency service. They are ready to help in these tough times. I would urge any residents who are struggling at this time to contact Citizens Advice for help. You may not think you're entitled to anything but Citizens Advice can give you information about accessing food parcels or applying for one-off payments from the Council to help with essentials. You might be able to get an advance or a loan to pay for electrical items or clothes. They can help you liaise with companies you owe money to, or access grants to help pay energy bills. I fully support their campaign to press the Government to do more to help with energy costs and other utilities."

Across the North West, Citizens Advice found that 48% of people reaching out to them for help with debts had less money coming in each month than they needed to spend on essentials. In the North West the organisation found that 39% of all households had cut back on energy use in the last 6 months, 54% predicted that they would have to reduce spending on food and household goods in the next 6 months, 15% of people were already behind on their gas or electric bills and the average debt relating to all bills was £1,490.

Citizens Advice can offer help with debts, energy efficiency, benefits and housing.

You can check whether you are receiving all the benefits you're entitled to at:- CitizensAdvice.Org.UK.

More information about Citizens Advice can be found at:- CitizensAdvice.Org.UK.

The RedBall Project comes to Liverpool

ONE of the world's longest running street artworks is bouncing into Liverpool later this month. 'The RedBall Project' has already showcased in global locations such as Sydney, Paris and California;- will take over the City, from Friday, 15 July to Sunday, 24 July 2022. Across 10 days, the 15ft diameter RedBall Liverpool will appear in different areas around the City; some will be tourist hotspots, others more local or undiscovered locations meeting the audience on their own streets.

Areas the artwork will be visiting are:-

►   Friday, 15 July - Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.

►   Saturday, 16 July - Pier Head.

►   Sunday, 17 July - St George's Hall.

►   Monday, 18 July - Chinatown.

►   Tuesday, 19 July - Dale Street.

►   Wednesday, 20 July - Windsor Street, Toxteth.

►   Thursday, 21 July - Lord Street.

►   Friday, 22 July - Baltic Triangle.

►   Saturday, 23 July - Everton Brow.

►   Sunday, 24 July - Liverpool ONE.

For more information and times the work will be on display visit:- VisitLiverpool.Com, and to find out about the wider RedBall Project and its previous travels, visit:- RedBallProject.Com.

American artist behind the project Kurt Perschke believes the simplicity of the work is what makes it so impactful, giving audiences a moment of joy but also encouraging them to think differently about the places around them and view with fresh eyes places they may walk past or through every day. As well as the main event, a number of engagement projects linked to the RedBall performance will be taking place in and around Everton Park and Toxteth. This artwork has been brought to the City thanks to a partnership between Culture Liverpool, Arts Council England and Global Streets.

Artist Kurt Perschke, said:- "Art is about people, and I look forward to seeing how Liverpool responds to the invitation RedBall offers. The project is not about a ball; it's about what the combination of the site, the piece, and everyone's energy creates together in that day."

Liverpool's Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "You can always rely on Liverpool to embrace the unusual, and RedBall is ticking all those quirky and wonderful boxes. It's amazing how a simple concept can have such a huge impact, and without a doubt our City is going to provide an amazing backdrop to this artwork. We love public art which makes us think differently about locations which we know and love; it's about bringing new energy to the familiar and we will definitely achieve this for 10 days in July."

Toby Smith, Project Director, Global Streets, said:- "Over 10 summer days, thousands of Liverpudlians will come face to face with this big red ball, in the heart of the City or in their local neighbourhoods. Liverpool's architecture will provide a unique backdrop for a playful artwork that encourages people to look at the places where they live and work through fresh eyes. I can't think of a better way to launch a summer season of Global Streets events, internationally connected and locally rooted in neighbourhoods and communities across England."

News reports located on this page = 2.

Citizens Advice are ready to help in tough times, says Bill Esterson MP

The RedBall Project comes to Liverpool