CBI responds to Winter Covid Plan

THE CBI Chief Policy Director, Matthew Fell, has responded to the UK Government's Winter Covid Plan, saying:- "For the Winter Plan A to be a success, the Government needs to learn the lessons of the summer to ensure people are confident in living with virus. Key to this will be boosting the confidence of workers to go to work; of customers to go to shops; and of businesses to stay open. Business is clear that the Government must leave no stone unturned in its efforts to keep the economy open. The UK’s world leading vaccine programme should underpin these efforts, but just as important will be maximising the role that monitoring, therapeutics and free, mass testing can play in driving confidence. The Government can also support responsible businesses by utilising all the available Covid Secure tools at our disposal, from good hygiene and ventilation processes to the use of face coverings. Finally, confidence requires certainty. Clear forward guidance for firms about what measures will be introduced under Plan B should infection rates rise will maximise their ability to plan with certainty. Transparency about how and when those decisions will be made is essential."

Events planned across the North West to celebrate Great Big Green Week

COMMUNITIES across the North West will be coming together next week to show their support for Great Big Green Week, a UK wide celebration of climate action. More than 4,500 events are happening up and down the country, giving people the opportunity to stand up against the effects of climate change and show their support for taking urgent action to help protect people, nature and places across the world. Opportunities for people from the North West to lend their support include:-

► Walk For Bees, 18 September 2021, Bury Art Museum:- the walk takes place along the Irwell Sculpture trail. Those taking part will receive a pack full of wildflower seeds to plant along the sculpture trail that will help revive the biodiversity in Bury.

► Sackville Gardens Flower Beds, 18 September 2021, Manchester:- in the heart of Manchester, Sackville Gardens is a key green space for the City. Volunteers are starting a long term project to clear and replant all the beds and make this small park more welcoming. Anyone can come along on the day to help.

► Entangled, 18 September to 26 September 2021, Morecambe:- a week long festival in Morecambe Bay hosting expert talks and panels about climate change and how to tackle it.

► Kendal Green Gathering, 24 September to 26 September 2021, South Lakeland:- a carnival of 25,000 people that features stage performances, a street party and a candle lit procession.

Great Big Green Week runs from 18 to the 26 of September 2021 and is spearheaded by The Climate Coalition, the UK's largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. Its members include:- the National Trust, WWF, Women's Institute, Oxfam and RSPB. Other partners include BT, the British Mountaineering Council and the Manchester United Foundation.

Fiona Dear, Head of Campaigns at The Climate Coalition, commented:- "Action against climate change is the fight that unites people across the North West, across the UK and around the world. That's why so many of us are getting together for Great Big Green Week. In the next few months the UK Government has a unique opportunity, as host of the United Nations COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, to show real leadership in the fight against climate change. The public is looking to the Prime Minister to deliver a clear plan to limit a rise in temperature to stop floods, heat waves and droughts getting even worse. This must mean cutting emissions and no new fossil fuel projects so we can limit global heating to 1.5 degrees, protecting nature and increasing financial support and green job opportunities to people on the frontline of the climate crisis at home and abroad. Climate change is a powerful adversary but we know that if we act soon, and work together, we can stop its worst consequences."

To find events that are taking place near you, and how you can get involved, visit:- GreatBigGreenWeek.Com.