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Liverpool Parish Priest pledges a 24 hour fast ahead of G7 to raise awareness for vulnerable communities overseas

THE Parish priest,  Father Denis Blackledge, 78, will be hosting a 24 hour fast in his Parish St Francis Xavier in Liverpool, from midday, on Thursday, 3 June 2021. Father Denis's fast takes place ahead of the G7 summit, from 11 June to 13 June 2021, in Cornwall, England, where leaders of the world's 7 richest countries will come together to discuss the problems facing the world such as economic issues, health emergencies and the climate crisis.  In an act of solidarity with the world's most vulnerable communities Father Denis wants to raise awareness of the reality for communities in the global South facing the climate crisis, as well as a challenging recovery from the global Coronavirus Pandemic.

Expressing how important it was for him to take a stand ahead of the G7 Summit next month, on behalf of international neighbours who are most at risk because of climate change, Fr Denis says that he knew he needed to do something:- "The UK is hosting the G7 this summer and it is especially important because the leaders will be discussing how the world can rebuild and recover from the Pandemic.  The eyes of the world are on the UK to show leadership when it comes to putting the world's poorest people at the heart of their discussions. The only thing I can do at my age and in my condition, is to do a simple little thing like fasting for 24 hours which is nothing compared to what many of our sisters and brothers are going through right now. I was deeply saddened that the UK recently cut its international aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5%, a reduction of around ₤4billion, just when the Pandemic has highlighted the gapping inequalities and needs of communities to cope with the effects of the Pandemic. We can't turn our back on the world."

A long term supporter of overseas development charity CAFOD, Fr Denis will also be taking part in the charity's national campaign Parliament in your Parish- which encourages parishioners to set up digital meetings with their MPs to discuss the climate crisis, and it's dire effects. He says that he will be inviting his MP to talk about these issues.

CAFOD's representative for Liverpool, Colette Byrne, concludes:- "It's so inspiring that Fr Denis is going that extra mile by fasting. His fast is a great act of solidarity.  As well as getting involved in CAFOD's Parliament in your Parish campaign. Sharing our concerns with the public and the people in power is vital, that's why CAFOD is asking people to speak with their MPs ahead of the G7 in June and the COP26 conference in November, the UK must show leadership in tackling the climate crisis and debt cancellation for African countries."

Scams warning for Tax Credits customers

TAX Credits customers should be vigilant and alert to potential scams, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned, as the remaining annual renewal packs will arrive in the post this week. In the 12 months to 30 April 2021, HMRC responded to more than 1,154,300 referrals of suspicious contact from the public. More than 576,960 of these offered bogus tax rebates. In the same period, HMRC has worked with telecoms companies and Ofcom to remove more than 3,000 malicious telephone numbers and with internet service providers to take down over 15,700 malicious web pages. HMRC responded to 443,033 reports of phone scams in total, 135% up on the previous year. Anyone doing their Tax Credits renewal who has received a tax or benefits scam email or text might be tricked into thinking it was from HMRC and share their personal details with the criminals or even transfer money for a bogus overpayment. HMRC's Cyber Security Operations identifies and closes down scams every day. The department has pioneered the use in Government of technical controls to stop its helpline numbers being spoofed, so that fraudsters can no longer make it appear that they are calling from those HMRC numbers.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said:- "We're urging all of our customers to be really careful if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or bank details. There are a lot of scams out there where fraudsters are calling, texting or emailing customers claiming to be from HMRC. If you have any doubts, we suggest you don't reply directly, and contact us yourself straight away. Search GOV.UK for our:- 'scams checklist' and to find out:- 'how to report tax scams.'"

Many scams mimic Government messages to appear authentic and reassuring. HMRC is a familiar brand, which criminals abuse to add credibility to their scams. If customers cannot verify the identity of a caller, HMRC recommends that you do not speak to them. Customers can check GOV.UK for HMRC's scams checklist to find out how to report tax scams and for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. Tax Credits help working families with targeted financial support, so it is important that people don't miss out on money they are entitled to. Customers have until 31 July 2021, to notify HMRC of any change in circumstances that could affect their claims. Renewing online is quick and easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK to check on the progress of their renewal, be reassured it is being processed and know when they will hear back from HMRC. Customers can also use the HMRC app on their smartphone to:-

► Renew their Tax Credits.

► Check their Tax Credits payments schedule.

► Find out how much they have earned for the year.

Tax Credits customers must report the changes to HMRC. Circumstances that could affect Tax Credits payments include changes to:-

► Living arrangements.

► Childcare.

► Working hours.

► Income (increase or decrease)

Customers do not need to report any temporary falls in their working hours as a result of Coronavirus. They will be treated as if they are working their normal hours until the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme closes. Contact your bank immediately if you think you've fallen victim to a scam, and report it to Action Fraud via:- ActionFraud.Police.UK (in Scotland, contact the Police on:- 101). Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to:- Phishing@HMRC.Gov.UK and texts to:- 60599. Report scam phone calls on:- HMRC.Gov.UK.

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

North Western Councils support the most vulnerable thanks to Covid Grants

MORE than 1 million grants worth up to ₤42 million have been made to vulnerable households in the North West since December through the Government�s Covid Grant support. Councils have used this money in a variety of innovative and different ways, harnessing their knowledge of the local area to help those most in need. In Wirral for example, the Council offered individual grants worth up to ₤10,000 to community based food and welfare support groups. They provided breakfast and lunch to over 6000 local children during the School holidays, and gave ₤80,000 to Wirral�s Humanitarian Cell to provide emergency support for people in crisis. The Council also spent ₤37,000 to help vulnerable older people facing food poverty, with the Merseyside Fire and Rescue service providing temporary radiators and winter warmth packages to those in need. Overall, this all translated to just under 60,000 awards being distributed by the Council, between December and mid April.

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said:- "Our Covid Grants are ensuring thousands of children are clothed, fed and warm; vital support for families during the Pandemic. By working with Councils across the North West we have been able to reach those most in need in the communities here, and as we progress along the road to recovery we will continue to support families in the best way possible."

In England more than ₤269 million of Covid Grants have been given to local Councils since December, within:- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, also receiving additional funding. This package is part of wider Government support available to help vulnerable children. This includes the ₤220m Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which has been scaled up to cover the whole of England across the major School holidays in 2021 and provide children with healthy meals over the School holidays. Healthy Start scheme payments have also increased, rising from:- ₤3.10 to ₤4.25 a week. This gives pregnant women or those with children under 4 who have a low income and are in receipt of benefits money to buy fresh produce. This will help people boost the long term health of their children. All of this support emphasises the Government�s ongoing commitment to helping the most vulnerable families in the North West and across the UK as we build back fairer.

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:- 4,330 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,494,699 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:- 12 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:- 127,794, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 152,183.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 923. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 136 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 123.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,921,939 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 624,535 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, 48,756 confirmed cases.
17

► Halton, 12,019 confirmed cases. 1

► Knowsley, 17,459 confirmed cases. 12

► Sefton, 24,294 confirmed cases. 9

► St. Helens, 17,188 confirmed cases. 8

► Wirral, 24,460 confirmed cases.
13

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

39,585,665

26,073,284

Jab Stats correct as of:- 01 June 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.

Previous 24hr Data

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