Comments on Chancellor's Autumn Budget

BIG news for Liverpool cam in the Budget as it was confirmed that �20m from the Government's Growth Mission Fund is destined for Littlewoods Film Studios, helping turn Liverpool Creative Campus into a powerhouse for creative production and technology. Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric, the regeneration company appointed to develop the studios, shares his reaction.

Tim, co-founder of Capital&Centric, is available for interview and can offer wider observations on what the Budget means for infrastructure, regeneration and the economy. Otherwise, there is a quote from Tim below and an image attached:

Tim Heatley said publicly after the news broke:- "Every Budget promises new infrastructure. But not many budgets back the buildings we already have and have let rot. Mills, warehouses and landmarks sit empty across the UK while we plan brand new ones. Often the best infrastructure is already standing there, waiting to be put back to work. Littlewoods is the perfect example. It's a kilometre of art deco that sat unused for decades. With the help of the Government's investment, it will become over 275,000 sq ft of studios, work space and public space, with the potential to bring around 4,000 jobs to the region's creative sector. Liverpool hosted 301 productions in 2023. Give the industry proper studio space and that number will only increase. The North can compete with anywhere, without every big production having to start in the South East. That's why we're so excited to bring Littlewoods back to life. We're not just fixing an old building. We're giving Liverpool the facilities to lead the UK's screen industry and giving a landmark a second life as somewhere that builds careers. Thanks to the budget announcement, we can start to get on with the work."

Gavin Lane who is the President CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on Chancellor's John Healey's 1st Autumn Budget said:- "The Chancellor says he wants growth in every postcode, but once again, the challenges rural areas face have been overlooked. There are too many policies that stifle growth and entrepreneurship in the countryside, and there is still an ignorance of the unique difficulty of running a rural business. We welcome the extension to the red diesel tax cut and the increase in the business rates threshold. However, at a time when:- 9 out of 10 CLA members are cancelling investment in their business, it is hard to see what in this Budget will change their mind."

Chancellor has also made big changes for small beer, Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive also added:- "Fans of indie beer will be toasting the Chancellor's big pledge for small breweries tonight as he delivers on expanding access to pubs and improves the generosity of Small Producer Relief. This relief is used by small independent breweries to invest in their businesses, expand and compete against the global brewers that dominate the sector and today's announcement will give them a vital boost. Thanks to the Chancellor, pub goers will have a better choice of beers at the bar, including:- those from local independent breweries. The right to a guest beer will permit landlords in large pub company pubs in England and Wales to sell what customers want, which is a great tasting local beer. Accessing the local pubs has been a barrier to growth for independent brewers who say they can't sell to around:- 62% of the pubs in their local communities because of restrict market access. This is despite 80% of beer drinkers wanting to see local beers on the bar. It was a previous Labour Chancellor who kickstarted the indie beer revolution by launching Small Breweries' Relief nearly 25 years ago which has now become Small Producer Relief. This new right to a guest beer and the extra relief support will hopefully supercharge this revolution, helping them to grow and thrive. Lastly it is welcome to see positive changes to Small Producer Relief as it applies to lower strength beer. Small breweries were previously largely locked out of the growing market for lower strength beers because of a quirk of the alcohol duty system. By improving Small Producer Relief for them too, it will enable brewers to respond to changing tastes and produce more lower strength beers that don't compromise on flavour."

Also, the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has commented on an EU-UK deal to remove Brexit checks on imported and exported food and animal products. Gavin Lane, CLA President said:- "Anything that makes it easier for British farmers to trade with Europe is welcome. But removing red tape at the border is little consolation if it means more restrictions on the farm. Under this deal, British farmers could find themselves bound by EU rules on everything from pesticides to animal health, even if they never export a single product. And they would have little say over how those rules are made. Ministers need to explain what protections they have secured and guarantee a realistic transition period for any new regulations, giving farmers time to make the necessary changes. Farmers cannot afford a deal that saves money on exports only to saddle them with higher costs and fewer options for growing food."

Schools urged to sign up as over 67,000 Merseyside children reached through free online safeguarding resource in 1st 6 months

MORE than 67,000 children and young people across Merseyside have benefited from the Pol-Ed educational programme in its 1st 6 months, with the Region's Police and Crime Commissioner now urging every School and educational setting to sign up and help expand its reach even further.

The innovative online resource is available free of charge to every School, educational setting and youth organisation across the region through investment from the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP).

Developed by West Yorkshire Police, Pol-Ed was launched across Merseyside in April to support educational and youth organisations in delivering engaging, curriculum-linked lessons on personal safety, healthy relationships, citizenship, the law and the consequences of crime and risky behaviour.

A 6 month review of the programme, covering its launch in April through to the end of September, shows Schools across Merseyside have adopted the programme at a faster rate than many other areas where Pol-Ed has been introduced

The review found that across Merseyside:-

390 Schools have registered, representing almost 66% of all Schools
2,757 Lessons delivered, reaching 67,077 children and young people.
412 Assemblies delivered to a further 37,693 pupils.
3,558 Teachers and School staff registered to access resources.
169 Police led educational sessions delivered to 5,859 children and young people.

The strongest uptake continues to be among Secondary Schools, with more than:- 76% now registered, while almost:- 63% of primary Schools have also signed up.

Schools across all 5 locally authority areas have embraced the programme. St Helens boasting the highest overall registration rate, with more than:- 75% of Schools signed up, while Liverpool has the largest number of registered Schools, with:- 135 settings using the platform.

Liverpool has also recorded the highest volume of activity with more than:- 1,100 lessons delivered in the 1st 6 months reaching nearly:- 30,000 pupils. On the Wirral, 890 lessons have reached:- 17,850 students.

Following the programme's strong 1st 6 months, the MVRP has committed funding to continue Pol-Ed across the region during:- 2027 to 2028, ensuring Schools, Colleges and youth organisations can continue accessing the platform free of charge.

Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, who oversees the work of the MVRP, said:- "The progress we've seen in just six months has been remarkable. When we invested in bringing this programme to every School in our region, our ambition was to provide teachers with easy access to engaging, evidence-based resources that help children and young people understand risk, stay safe and make positive choices. To see nearly:- 400 Schools sign up and more than:- 67,000 children and young people benefit from lessons and nearly:- 38,000 receive a Pol-Ed assembly in the 1st six months alone is a fantastic achievement. What is particularly encouraging is that Schools aren't simply signing up. They are actively using these resources in classrooms, assemblies and alongside police led sessions to give young people the knowledge and confidence they need to stay safe. Prevention is always better than intervention. If we can help young people:- navigate challenges, recognise risks and make positive choices before harm occurs, we stand a far better chance of creating safer communities and brighter futures. While we're delighted that ⅔ of all Schools are now registered, we want to go further. We want every child and young person in Merseyside to have access to this support. That's why we're encouraging every remaining School, College, alternative provision setting and youth organisation to get involved. The success of the programme is why the MVRP has committed funding for a further year, ensuring Schools and youth organisations can continue accessing these valuable resources free of charge. Our goal is simple: we want every educational setting in Merseyside to be part of Pol-Ed."

School engagement has accelerated since the start of the new academic year, with more than:- 44,000 children receiving lessons during the 3 months following the summer term alone.

Popular lesson topics have included:- healthy relationships, online relationships, respect and equality, preparing for Secondary School and understanding the balance between freedom and the law. Schools have also made extensive use of assemblies covering topics such as responsible use of artificial intelligence, water safety and railway safety.

On average, almost 30 Schools a week have been actively delivering Pol-Ed content since its launch.

Amy Watkins Head of Pol-Ed said:- "It is fantastic to see how quickly Schools and educational settings across Merseyside have embraced Pol-Ed, reaching more than 100,000 children and young people in just six months. These figures demonstrate the value of providing educators with accessible, high-quality safeguarding and prevention resources that help young people make informed choices and stay safe. We are delighted to continue working with the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership to extend this positive impact even further."

Faye Smith, Merseyside Police Safer Schools Coordinator, said:- "We are delighted that the programme has been so well received, and officers continue to see 1st-hand the positive engagement and enthusiasm from pupils when they deliver the sessions in Schools. Young people show a genuine interest in topics such as anti social behaviour and the impact it can have on people, families and communities. Through open and honest discussions, we encourage them to consider the consequences of their actions and the wider effect it can have on those around them. The programme creates opportunities for meaningful conversations, helping young people to recognise situations they may be vulnerable and become involved in, while increasing their understanding of how these issues can affect not only their communities, but also their own future and the people closest to them. By sharing real-life examples, School staff and safer Schools officers help pupils understand the potential consequences of poor decision-making and the long term impact it can have on future opportunities, education and career aspirations. Building positive relationships with young people is at the heart of the programme, and through these engagements we aim to empower them to make informed, positive life choices and stay safe from harm."

Pol-Ed provides resources covering a wide range of themes including:- healthy relationships, online safety, violence against women and girls, exploitation, citizenship, knife crime awareness, mental health and personal safety.

The programme also supports Schools in meeting statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) requirements, with all content mapped against PSHE Association learning objectives.f

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Comments on Chancellor's Autumn Budget

Schools urged to sign up as over 67,000 Merseyside children reached through free online safeguarding resource in 1st 6 months