Temporary blood donor centre for Liverpool opens

BLOOD donors within Liverpool are being asked to stick to their appointment this January, at the newly opened temporary centre, located at Suite A, The Capital Building, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L39PP. The temporary Donor Centre in The Capital Building opened its doors on Thursday, 7 January 2021, and has replaced the Moorfields centre, before it will eventually move to a new permanent site in the spring..

Appeal for information following assault in Southport

MERSEYSIDE Police Officers, in Southport are investigating after a man was reportedly wounded, on Wednesday, 13 January 2021, at around 5.10pm, at a location on the junction of Lord Street and Bold Street. We are told that Police Officers were called following reports of a man, in his 50's, being assaulted and then presenting, at Hospital, with wounds to his arm and hand. Initially believed to be from a machete type weapon and officers remain in the area to carry out CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries and establish the circumstances.

Chief Inspector Simon Owen said:- "We’re keen to speak to anyone who saw this incident or has heard any information since. At this stage it is unclear exactly what happened but believe the victim was attacked at the door of a home near to the junction of Lord Street and Bold Street, before being brought into Hospital. We hope to speak to him soon but in the meantime, please provide any CCTV, dashcam or other information and we will take action."

You can contact us via:- @MerPolCC on Twitter, call them directly on:- 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800555111.

A charity based in Merseyside has won a ₤1,000 Christmas gift .SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson is backing a new bill that would offer financial help to the millions of workers and business owners who have received no state support during the Covid crisis. Mr Esterson has sponsored his Labour colleague Tracy Brabin MP's ten minute rule bill, which would help the:- "excluded" who are mostly:- freelancers, Limited Company Directors, large numbers of self employed, and workers who changed jobs at the wrong time and therefore did not qualify for furlough. The motion asks the Government to:- "undertake an assessment of any gaps in financial support provided to individuals, businesses and industries over the course of the Covid19 Pandemic; to require the Government to report to Parliament on steps it intends to take in connection with any such gaps."

A survey from Excluded UK found that more than ½ of the self employed workers in the UK have seen their income fall to 20% or less of what they were earning before the Pandemic struck. Mr Esterson said:- "I have spoken out about the Excluded groups in Parliament possibly more than any other issue during the Covid crisis. In my constituency we have many people who have had no support, for instance contractors who pay themselves through dividends, and were forced to because it was the only way they could get paid. The Chancellor won't recognise dividends as self employed income. We have self employed people who earned just a few pounds more from PAYE employment than self employment in just one of the 3qualifying years, meaning they don't qualify for the self employed income support scheme. We have taxi drivers and driving instructors who took lump sums from pensions to pay off their mortgage two or 3years ago, who have received nothing because the pension payment was higher than the money earned in self employment in that year. People who run their businesses from their home have not been entitled to grants. We have many workers, especially young people, who switched job at the beginning of March and then were let go because they didn't qualify for furlough. I have asked the Chancellor Rishi Sunak again and again to support those who have been excluded from financial support so far. But time after time he has refused. 3 million people have been excluded in the UK. It's been nearly a year. These people need help. This is a question of natural justice. But it is also a question of public health. The excluded 3 million need help so they can help the national effort to reduce infection and Hospital admissions. Why is this so difficult for the chancellor and the Prime Minister to understand? If people don't receive financial support it is very difficult for them to stay at home and play their part. The more people who cannot afford to stay home, the more people who are adding to the risk of infection. When will this Government wake up? When will they help the excluded 3 million so that the 3 million can help everyone else? The Government has U-turned on so many other issues; now it's time for a u-turn on this."

A ⅓ of the:- "Excluded" surveyed said they were struggling with their mental health; 80% said they are stressed, anxious and have trouble sleeping, and 14% said they are experiencing thoughts of suicide and self harm. The Covid19 Financial Assistance (Gaps in Support) Bill was introduced to the Commons by Brabin, the Batley and Spen MP. Bill Esterson was 1 of a number of other MPs who also sponsored the bill and have pledged to support it's progress through parliament. That progress depends on the Government allocating time for the bill to be debated. If passed, it would require the Government to undertake an assessment of any gaps in financial support provided to individuals, businesses and industries over the course of the Covid19 Pandemic. It would also mean that the Government must:- "report to Parliament on steps it intends to take in connection with any such gaps; and for connected purposes."

WITH more people visiting the countryside, the CLA has reiterated the importance of following the Countryside Code. This comes after reports of country lanes being blocked and crops being trampled on over the festive break. Walkers often stray off muddy footpaths onto drier land and in the process, tramples on young crops and seedlings that are very vulnerable to damage at this time of year.

CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "The countryside is a welcoming place which has invaluable benefits for people's mental and physical wellbeing, especially during the current Pandemic. There are already over 140,000 miles of public rights of way and 2.5 million acres of open access land in England and Wales for people to enjoy; and we want everyone to be able to make the most of these while staying safe. The danger in trying to recover 'lost paths' is not only the significant impact on already strained local authorities in terms of resources, but on our already threatened wildlife and fragile ecosystems which need protecting."

CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said:- "It is totally unacceptable that farmers should suffer abuse by walkers trespassing on their fields. This is a real kick in the teeth to those working very hard to put food on our tables. 1st and foremost, people should maintain social distancing and not veer off sign posted footpaths. The daily exercise regime should not be seen as a:- 'free for all' abuse of the countryside. Those using the countryside should, especially under current circumstances, be conscious that the countryside is also a place of work where the land, livestock, machinery, wildlife and environment must be respected. The Countryside Code is generally adhered to by the majority of people, but there are a few worrying trends either based on anti social behaviour or a lack of awareness of the working countryside."

3 top tips for those using the countryside:-

►  Livestock worrying by dogs not adequately controlled by their owners is on the increase. Please keep your dog on a lead if you are anywhere near livestock. Even the best trained family pet can chase sheep and wildlife if not kept under close control. Also, clear up after your dog.

►  Fly tipping is a blight on the landscape and can cost up to ₤800 per incident to clear away and all at the farmer's expense. Please ensure you take your litter home with you and dispose of bulky waste through proper legal channels.

►  When riding a bike or driving a vehicle, slow down or stop for horses, walkers and farm animals and give them plenty of room. By law, cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders on bridleways.

The CLA urges those visiting rural areas to do so responsibly and follow the Countryside Code.