Comprehensive new Liverpool City Region guide to help people get online and build digital confidence

A comprehensive new guide has been created to help people across the Liverpool City Region build digital confidence, develop new skills and explore the internet.

Featuring a range of themes; from device setup to digital healthcare; the free booklet is the latest initiative from the Liverpool City Region Digital Inclusion Network. It brings together, for the 1st time, all the current guidance and support in an accessible format.

The 84 page Helping You Online guide is available as a printed booklet in most libraries and community venues and is also free to download.

It will help new and existing users make the most of their digital devices and explains in simple terms how to get started online. There is also information on how to access healthcare, apply for jobs, manage money, avoid scams and understand misinformation.

The guide has been published to coincide with End Digital Poverty Day, which highlights the barriers to education, employment and social inclusion for those without digital access. Around 15% of adults and 20% of children across the UK live in digital poverty, with an estimated:- 127,000 residents offline in the City Region.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Portfolio Holder for Innovation, said:- "So much of life is takes place online these days but for all the rich possibilities of the internet, too many remain in digital poverty. Digital inclusion is about giving people the tools to transform their lives; access to jobs, education, healthcare, and the ability to stay connected with their loved ones. This new guide complements the work we have already done to provide free devices, data and training; it provides everything you need to know all in 1 place and will make a real difference in our communities."

The Combined Authority (CA) set up the Digital Inclusion Network to bridge a digital divide which has left 25% of adults in the City Region without the essential digital skills needed to navigate modern life.

It brings together more than 250 partner organisations across local authorities, and the voluntary, community and business sectors. The Network has helped design the step-by-step guide, which collates all the areas of support currently available online into 1 offline, printed booklet.

This builds on the Combined Authority's commitment to tackle digital exclusion and support 10,000 residents by 2028.

Previous programmes have included the industry led Digital Inclusion Initiative, with Lloyds Bank, Assurant, Vodafone and FRC Group, which supported over:- 5,400 individuals with a free tablet, connectivity and training between:- August 2023 and May 2025.

Over £1.4m in UK Shared Prosperity (UKSPF) Funding has been provided as part of the Digital Connectivity Grants Programme, supporting improvements in over:- 170 Voluntary Sector Digital Inclusion Hubs.

Earlier this year the CA became 1 of the 1st authorities to sign the Government's IT Reuse for Good Charter, committing to recycle devices. Since 2024, more than:- 800 computers, laptops and monitors have been donated through the Good Things Foundation's National Devicebank.

More information is available at libraries and community venues. Anyone with an internet connection, can download the booklet at:- HelpingYouOnline.Co.UK.

More than £1.1 billion investment to boost growth, jobs and skills in UK's Coastal Towns and Cities

COASTAL communities across are set to benefit from over £1.1 billion in joint UK Government and industry investment for the maritime sector, which will unlock growth and jobs, including:- in the engineering, green technology and construction sectors.

Set to be announced on the 1st day, of London International Shipping Week, on:- Monday, 15 September 2025, that the funding includes:- £700m of private investment for major UK ports and leading industry players, as well as £448m of public investment to reduce emissions from UK shipping.

The almost half a billion pounds will bolster the Government's UK SHORE programme, which supports the research and development of new clean maritime technologies and fuels including:- electric, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind power and more. Previous projects have included electric chargepoints at UK ports for vessels developed by AQUA Superpower and smart technology developed by Waterwhelm which can produce hydrogen from recycled waste water to generate electricity. UK SHORE funding has already delivered £240m to over 200 projects across the country, some of which are now in active use, and has supported 750 jobs so far.

This new funding will be allocated to projects in due course.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:- "This £1.1 billion boost for the maritime industry will supercharge growth and jobs in our coastal Towns and Cities; making the UK 1 of the best places in the world to invest. We're committing almost half a billion to cut carbon emissions from shipping; steering us towards Net Zero by 2050 and cementing Britain's place as a clean energy superpower through our Plan for Change."

As part of the UK SHORE programme, the Government provides funding to businesses and academia, enabling them to take forward innovative, green projects and leverage further investment from the private sector to deliver real-life technology which reduces carbon emissions from shipping.

The newly appointed Maritime Minister, Keir Mather, has visit Cammell Laird Dry Dock, at Birkenhead in Liverpool to see how £3.6m of previous UK SHORE funding has driven a further £3.6m in private investment for the installation of a zero emission electric shore power system. This system allows vessels at the site, to plug into an electric grid source and run emission-free whilst docked, similarly to how electric vehicles plug into chargers to restore their battery. Cammel Laird estimate that once fully operational, the system aims to save the equivalent of the average annual fuel consumption of:- 20,000 cars and support:- 15 jobs.

Another success story includes:- AQUA Superpower who through almost £6m UK SHORE funding have successfully installed a network of chargepoints across the South Coast of England and London. The project estimates the network could reduce emissions by up to:- 2,800 tonnes of CO2 per year with 8 75kw chargers in full operation. Following UK SHORE funding, AQUA Superpower have successfully expanded, building local charging networks spanning 59 sites across Europe and the United States.

This is alongside £3.3m for FastRig wingsails, built in Scotland by Smart Green Shipping, which can reduce fuel and emissions on vessels by up to:- 40% a year.

Overall, previous maritime decarbonisation funding has delivered over:- £110m in direct private investment and benefitted over:- 500 UK companies including:- 250 SMEs. This enables the UK to continue charting a course to carbon free shipping by:- 2050, whilst supporting skilled green jobs, breaking down barriers to opportunity for workers across the country.

The Government has also been working closely with industry to facilitate greater investment in UK ports, supporting jobs, skills and innovation, and centring Britain as a global hub for international shipping.

As part of this work, Peel Ports have also announced:- £300m for its:- Liverpool, Hunterston and Great Yarmouth ports whilst NatPower Marine has unveiled:- £250m for shore side power, which is estimated to support over:- 2,000 skilled jobs in engineering, construction, and green technology services across the UK particularly within local port communities. Furthermore, the Port of Tyne's £150m North Side development site is expected to create up to:- 12,000 jobs in offshore wind and manufacturing.

To further propel prosperity for ports, the Government will complete a revised National Policy Statement, covering England and Milford Haven in Wales, to help ports save time and money on planning applications to expand sites, opening up jobs and opportunities in coastal communities.

Proposals aim to streamline the planning process for ports in England and expedite planning applications by more clearly outlining the needs for port facilities and how to design applications to avoid process delays

Claudio Veritiero, CEO, Peel Ports Group said:- "Peel Ports Group has invested £1.5bn over the past decade, future proofing our operations, strengthening vital supply chains and creating hundreds of jobs across the Regions where we operate. Looking ahead, we plan to invest a further £1bn over the next 5 years, with projects already underway that include:- new port centric warehousing, steel and metals facilities, and major upgrades at key ports. These developments underline our long term commitment to building capacity and efficiency across our network, while supporting growth and productivity in the wider UK economy."

Matt Beeton, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Tyne, said:- "Accelerating offshore wind, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing is a national priority and requires decisive action. Boosted by Industrial Strategy Zone status, our 230 acre North side expansion to the Tyne Clean Energy Park will help the UK execute its 2030 Clean Power target. Located close to emerging North Sea wind arrays, this nationally strategic site offers deep-water access and a major development footprint to enable the creation of world class infrastructure to support a growing supply chain offering."

Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine, said:- "We are investing over £250 million in the UK over the next 5 years to accelerate the rollout of shore power infrastructure; a game changer for both the maritime industry and our coastal communities. This investment is more than just ports and cables; it's about people and prosperity. The overall programme is expected to create over 2,000 skilled jobs, particularly within local port communities. These are real jobs with long term benefits, embedded in Regions that need investment the most. We stand ready to work closely with Government to accelerate this innovation in maritime energy transition even further."

Outside of investment in ports and maritime infrastructure, the Government also recognises the importance of the cruise industry to the UK economy, which contributes £5.8 billion and supports 60,000 jobs. As such, the Department is launching the UK Cruise Growth Plan during LISW which includes:- commitments from Government and the cruise industry, to further support the sector by securing continued private investment for growth, benefiting the UK economy, UK ports and coastal communities.

London International Shipping Week (LISW) will run from:- 15; 19 September 2025 and is 1 of the biggest maritime events in the world, bringing together industry leaders from around the globe to drive forward investment, planning and networking opportunities in global shipping.

To launch the week, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, will ring the bell at the London Stock Exchange. The Transport Secretary and Maritime Minister will attend several key events during the week where they will champion UK shipping on the international stage and showcase the UK as a global hub for growth, investment, skills and jobs.

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....