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Liverpool City Region Covid19 Updates
... and Important Emergency Notices ...

YOU can get daily major and interesting news updates for the Liverpool City Region on our free email news service, via signing up on:- Formby Reporter. If you have any updates to send in or any views on the posts on here, please email us to:-News24@SouthportReporter.Com.


This page last updated on 01 June 2021
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Swap bounce back debt for employee equity to drive recovery, urges new Federation of Small Businesses / Ownership at Work report

GIVING that struggling companies the option to convert emergency bounce back loans into employee equity stakes will:- "protect livelihoods, spur productivity and pave the way for a small business led recovery as we seek to emerge from the deepest recession in modern history," a new report from FSB and Ownership at Work.

'A Shares for Debt Recovery Plan'
outlines routes through which bounce back loans; 100% state underwritten facilities worth up to ₤50,000 launched at the start of last year's lockdown; could be converted into Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) to help many viable businesses survive, drive post-Pandemic recovery and help close the UK's productivity gap.

The report proposes granting struggling small companies a time limited amnesty under which bounce back loans would be written off in exchange for all employee equity stakes vested in EOTs, a vehicle defined in Schedule 37 of the 2014 Finance Act. The private lenders providing the bounce back facilities would write off loans and claim their 100% Government guarantees in these instances.

The option would initially be open to borrowers which are constituted as companies by limited shares, but could be rolled out to other businesses at a later date.

It argues that providing this option to firms would have the dual effect of protecting viable businesses and jobs whilst spurring productivity. In 2018, the Employee Ownership Association highlighted the benefits of EOTs, especially where productivity is concerned, in 'The Ownership Dividend.' UK output per hour worked stands at 16% below the G7 average.

Just under 90% of bounce back facilities have been provided via the UK's biggest 5 banks, sparking fears that emergency loan initiatives have served to further entrench a lack of competition in the small business banking sector.

More than 1.5 million bounce back facilities have now been approved, with a collective value of more than ₤46.5 billion.

Over the winter, FSB warned of an impending:- "small business credit crunch," as the share of its membership with debt describing their borrowing as:- "unmanageable" soared from 13% to 40%.

"When the bounce back loan scheme launched, we thought we'd have the Pandemic under control by Christmas. That's not been the case, so there's understandably going to be a lot of small companies struggling to make the bounce back loan repayments that are now kicking in. The Government could leave it to the banks to enforce collection, thereby risking the destruction of thousands of ultimately viable companies, increased unemployment as the furlough scheme winds down, and damage to local communities. But we're saying there is another way, give those who are cash strapped the option to swap debt for employee equity. Doing so would protect livelihoods, spur productivity and pave the way for a small business led recovery as we seek to emerge from the deepest recession in modern history. The overwhelming majority of these loans have been provided by the big 5 banks. We've worked hard to promote competition in the small business banking sector in recent years. It's vital that this doesn't become a moment at which the fruits of those labours perish."
said Michael Sandys, FSB Merseyside and Cheshire 's Area Leader for Liverpool City Region.

Ownership at Work fellow and report author Nigel Mason said:- "In times of adversity businesses know they have to innovate. Replacing unaffordable debt with an employee ownership stake can protect smaller companies in a way that ultimately benefits everyone involved. Business owners keep the doors open, super charge employee motivation and have a new patient shareholder. Employees keep their jobs, can share in future profits and have a stronger voice in the business. Whilst Government accepts the loss of some smaller loan repayments, by protecting otherwise viable businesses it invests in boosting the economy and avoids the extra cost of lost tax revenues and impact on individual lives. All employee ownership is the UK's fastest growing business model for good reason: it helps individuals, businesses and local economies and is precisely the kind of innovative solution Government should be backing to drive Post Pandemic recovery." 
 


Study reveals Liverpool among the top cities for work opportunities

A study from business IT support provider, UK IT Service, has revealed Leeds as the:- 'Work Opportunities Capital' of the UK. The study consisted of 10 work opportunities and business productivity data points, including:- key internet speed, employment, rent, business success and flexible working categories. And Leeds topped the pile, with an average normalised score of 6.34 out of 10.
 

Top 10 UK Cities for Work Opportunities

 
1 Leeds 6.34 City Average Score (/10)
2 Kingston upon Hull 6.33  
3 Salford 6.28  
4 Newport 5.95  
5 York 5.60  
6 Cardiff 5.44  
7 Liverpool 5.35  
8 Cambridge 5.25  
9 Exeter 5.19  
10 Peterborough  5.16  

This result comes as little surprise, with the Yorkshire City also recently named:- 'the UK's fastest growing City' with a growing economy currently worth over ₤64 billion, an impressive number of:- 'business scale ups' and billions in additional investment in the pipeline to maintain its exponential growth.

In addition to topping the overall table, Leeds also posted impressive scores in the:- 'annual job growth' (10/10) and 'employment percentage' (9.14/10) categories. This comes as the City's growing economic output was reported to top that of 8 European countries.

Kingston upon Hull (6.33), Salford (6.28), Newport (5.95) and York (5.60) completed the top 5 UK Cities for work opportunities; with 3 of the top 5 Cities coming from Yorkshire (Leeds, Kingston upon Hull and York).

Yorkshire's impressive performance comes in the wake of the historic county receiving ₤600 million in funding, aimed at improving facilities at local Colleges, boosting innovative industries and fuelling growth in apprenticeships. So, we can expect local business productivity to continue its impressive growth going forward.

However, it's worse news for employees in:- Worcester (3.33), Birmingham (3.40), Dundee (3.75), Bristol (3.90) and Coventry (3.94), who make up the bottom 5 UK Cities.
 

Bottom 10 UK Cities for Work Opportunities

 
29 Gloucester 4.22 City Average Score (/10)
30 Glasgow 4.16 Tied average scores.
Newcastle upon Tyne
31 Wolverhampton 4.01 Tied average scores.
Oxford
32 Brighton and Hove 3.99  
33 Portsmouth 3.96  
34 Coventry 3.94  
35 Bristol 3.90  
36 Dundee 3.75  
37 Birmingham 3.40  
38 Worcester 3.33  

Shockingly, Birmingham features as the 2nd worst UK City for productivity and work opportunities, which is especially damning considering the City's local Government recently revealed a project aimed at transforming the area and supporting sustainable business growth.

However, the City's poor scores in the:- 'business births' (0), 'business deaths' (0), 'employment percentage' (0.55) and 'flexible working availability' (0.56) categories see it slip to 2nd last in the table, offering fewer opportunities for employees to excel in their career.

Worcester finishes last in the study, posting an average normalised score of just 3.33 out of 10, plus poor individual scores for:- 'mean download speed' (0), 'mean upload speed' (0.43), 'business births' (0) and 'business deaths' (0).

This comes despite Worcester County Council managing a:- 'Growth Fund,' offering support worth up to ₤100,000 to local businesses to support growth, generate employment and strengthen the position of local businesses. Seemingly, there is still a way to go for local businesses to compete with their domestic City rivals.

Vikki Durden, Head of Operations at UK IT Service, commented on the findings:- "It's interesting to see which cities have topped the table for business productivity and work opportunities in the UK. We often think big Cities like London and Birmingham are most attractive for workers, but our findings suggest they don't necessarily offer the amenities, benefits or security desired by modern employees. With remote and flexible working opportunities set to continue and increase Post Pandemic, employees could reap the rewards of looking for Cities which offer the benefits they're after, like affordable housing or internet speed, instead of simply following the crowd."

What are your thoughts on this? Please email us at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
 


Sefton residents advised to 'beat the heat' during heat wave

HEALTHCARE professionals and Sefton Council are advising residents to keep cool during the warm weather, by planning ahead and taking precautions while enjoying the sunshine. With temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius forecasted in Sefton this week, people are being reminded to be aware of the risks of hot weather and to take extra care of themselves and others.

Their top advice for keeping:- 'Sun Safe' includes:-

Staying hydrated - drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.

Physical activity - avoid extreme physical exertion or keep it for cooler parts of the day like early morning or evening.

Keep your environment cool - use curtains or blinds to keep your home cool, or find the coolest part of your home, garden or outdoor space to sit in.

Travelling - ensure that babies, children, older people or animals are not left in closed, parked vehicles which can quickly overheat.

Enjoy the water safely - going for a swim can help you cool down but take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into water.

Sunburn - try to keep out of the sun at the hottest part of the day, between:- 11am and 3pm.

Protect yourself - apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection, wear UV sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and loose fitting clothes.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG said:- "While many people will be looking forward to going out and enjoying the warm weather, it's important to remember that sunny spells can pose health risks for some people. Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense. But as the hot weather arrives, it is a really good time to think about what you can do to keep cool and protect yourself, your family and friends. At a time when NHS services are still under pressure, taking precautions to keep ourselves safe in the sun will mean that urgent care services are kept available for those who need them most."

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council's Director of Public Health said:- "Although we are less likely to catch Covid19 in the open air it's still possible, which is why it's important still to follow the basics of hands, face and space when meeting with others, as well as taking all the right precautions to protect ourselves from the sun and heat."

Residents are also reminded to keep an eye on any friends, family or neighbours who may be vulnerable from higher temperatures, such as people shielding indoors from Covid19, older people, those with underlying health conditions and very young children.

Remember, that while Covid19 restrictions are in place, you will still need to follow government guidance of:- 'Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air' while looking out for others.

During this period of warm weather, residents are also encouraged to seek medical if they need it by calling NHS:- 111 1st, to help them reach the best NHS service for their need. Visit:- 111.NHS.UK or call:- 111 for help.
 


Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 3,165 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,490,438 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 0 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 127,782, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 152,068.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 870. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 120 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 133.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,918,522 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 623,377 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

 

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

Liverpool City Region
 
Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

Liverpool, 48,739 confirmed cases.

12

Halton, 12,018 confirmed cases. 2
Knowsley, 17,447 confirmed cases. 0
Sefton, 24,285 confirmed cases. 10
St. Helens, 17,180 confirmed cases. 6

Wirral, 24,447 confirmed cases.

18
Colour Key:- 0  1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30  31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over  

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test.  Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.
 



 

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose
39,477,158
25,734,719
Jab Stats correct as of:- 31 May 2021
The Vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.


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