Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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.

Disabled people, carers, charities and stakeholders are being asked to help shape National Strategy

ON 15 January 2020, a survey has been launched that is seeking the views of disabled people, carers, charities and stakeholders on the content of a:- 'National Strategy for Disabled People.' The survey is based on what disability organisations have said needs addressing and covers many aspects of life, from employment opportunities to making sure public services are accessible to all. The survey also provides a place for disabled people to share their experiences of discrimination and abuse, signposting any victims to further support.

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said:- "Understanding people's real experiences of living with a disability and their views on what needs to change are essential if we are to truly change the landscape for disabled people. By taking part in this survey people everywhere can help shape our national strategy, ensuring that the interests of disabled people are front and centre as we build back better."

The Prime Minister made the National Strategy for Disabled People a manifesto commitment, putting disabled people at the heart of improving opportunity for all. Its aim is to improve disabled people's lives by tackling the barriers they may face, opening up opportunities and focusing on the issues disabled people tell the Government matter to them. The Government has led extensive engagement with a variety of stakeholders, disabled people's organisations and people from all parts of society that are affected by disability ahead of the publication of the National Strategy later this year. The Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson hosted a series of engagement sessions at the end of last year, including with the Royal National Institute for Blind People, Macmillan, and disability organisations operating in Scotland.

Sarah Lambert, Head of Social Change at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), said:- "It is of the upmost importance that the lived experience of blind and partially sighted people plays a key part in informing and shaping the disability strategy so we're pleased to have worked with the Cabinet Office on ensuring the survey is accessible. The Equality Act and new regulations on web accessibility are clear that this type of Government survey should be in a format that is accessible to blind and partially sighted people. Through collaborating with the Cabinet Office, the survey will be available in accessible formats, including audio, to assist people with sight loss in sharing their experiences with confidence."

The survey will be hosted on the engagement platform Citizen Space and will be fully accessible, with BSL, Easy Read and audio versions available. The Government will also be hosting roundtables in the coming months with disabled people and disability organisations as part of an ongoing programme of engagement to publicise the survey and raise awareness of the Strategy. The survey will be open until 23 April 2021 and responses received before 13 February 2021 will inform the development of the Strategy, with those after that date used to inform its delivery. The UK Disability Survey can be accessed at:- CitizenSpace.Com.

PCC consults on plans to protect Police funding & continue to recruit 160 more Officers

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is asking local people if they would be willing to pay a little extra through the Police precept, which is collected alongside the Council Tax, to help protect Merseyside Police and secure the recruitment of 160 new Officers. The public consultation was launched on 15 January 2021, by PCC Jane Kennedy, following the budget announcement, back in December 2020, when the Government made it very clear they expected local Council Tax payers to pay more towards policing. The additional money would help the Commissioner to balance the Merseyside Police Budget for 2021/22 and ensure the Force can recruit 160 more Officers in the year ahead. This small increase in the contribution from local people will enable Merseyside Police to go ahead with the recruitment and manage increasing costs, reducing the need to make cuts to services. The increase equates to approximately 19p a week or ₤10 a year for a Band A household, the lowest Council Tax category and the 1 paid by the majority of Council Tax payers on Merseyside.

Jane Kennedy said:- "While the Government have increased the amount of money available for policing, there is also a very clear expectation from the Government that local tax payers should help towards policing, supporting the Police recruitment drive and ensuring we can balance the books for another year. From 2010 the Government's policy of austerity forced cuts of ₤110m, and there are potentially further savings to make over the next 3 years. The size of our Police Force reduced by a quarter, meaning 1,110 fewer Police Officers were patrolling the Region's streets by the end of the decade. However, in the last year and following the launch of Operation Uplift, the Chief Constable and I have finally been able to create new posts and recruit more Officers to strengthen Merseyside Police and protect our communities. The Chief Constable and I have done everything we could to accelerate our recruitment drive and, by March 2021, 500 more Officers will be patrolling the streets of Merseyside. This is good news however, the Force will still be a long way short of the numbers it had in 2010. We are ready and keen to recruit a further 160 Police Officers in the next year, however following the Government's announcement it is clear that we will need the public's help if we are to achieve this. I know the public of Merseyside want more, not fewer Police Officers. Like last year, by paying a little more they can be assured that they will get more, more Police Officers, more Police teams, working for us, in our communities. I am aware that local people are already heavily burdened in what has been a terrible year of disaster and anxiety, but I hope they will be willing to pay an extra 19p a week to help stabilise the Force's budget and ensure we can recruit 160 new Officers in the next 12 months."

The Commissioner is now holding a consultation asking people if they would be willing to contribute the extra funding expected by the Government. People are invited to have their say through a short online survey at:- MerseysidePCCPreceptSurvey.Co.UK, by Sunday, 31 January 2021.

Small firms breath sigh of relief following Supreme Court's interruption insurance verdict

COMMENTING on the Supreme Court's decision to rule in favour of policyholders in the landmark Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) business interruption insurance test case, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Area Leader for Liverpool City Region, Michael Sandys, said:- "Today's judgement is a big victory. It cements the high Court's decision to grant businesses left on the brink the insurance pay outs they are rightfully owed. For many, it has been a long and difficult road to get to this stage so this will bring clarity and hope to the thousands of firms which have been left in financial limbo for almost a year. While this is good news, and while the law has to follow procedure, it's disappointing that so many small businesses have had to wait to get the money they desperately need under policies they believed were there to protect them, policies they bought in good faith. Businesses deserve to be protected in a timely way, but instead they have been failed by their insurers and are now trying to make up for lost time. Providers must now pay out quickly, and consider the steps they can take to progress these claims in a swift and seamless manner. Any paperwork required of claimants shouldn't be onerous or time consuming. Small businesses contribute trillions to the economy. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was right to argue that disease or denial of access clauses within interruption policies should trigger pay outs in the event of Coronavirus linked disruption. We are hugely grateful for its work in this space."

Also adding to the comments was Michael Kill, CEO Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), has also added:- "This is a moral victory for thousands of businesses with Hiscox Business Interruption Insurance, that have been placed under unnecessary financial hardship because of the legal process that has been drawn out much longer than was necessary by Insurers. We are extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has dismissed the insurer's appeal claims and supported the rights of thousands of businesses to be able to claim against their BI Insurance. We still have some detail to interpret on many of the other policies that have been reviewed by the Supreme Court, and will update throughout the day on the results. I would like to thank the FCA for their support throughout this process and the legal guidance of Philip Kolvin QC through a very dark period for many businesses. It is now very important that insurers do the right thing and expedite the payment process."

New 'Ask for ANI' domestic abuse codeword scheme providing help through Pharmacies

INDEPENDENT Pharmacies and Boots stores are now offering a codeword scheme to support victims of domestic abuse. The scheme means those at risk or suffering from abuse can discreetly signal that they need help and access support by:- "Asking for ANI" at any of the participating stores. In response, a trained Pharmacy worker will offer to speak to the person, in a private, space to find out if they need to speak to the Police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines. Boots stores across Sefton are already signed up to the codeword scheme, and it is expected that more Pharmacies will join up in the coming months. Participating Pharmacies will display the Ask for ANI posters in their windows so that people know to go inside for immediate help and support. As essential retailers with specifically trained staff, located on high streets throughout the country Pharmacies can provide a safe space for victims to sound an alarm if they are isolated at home with their abuser and unable to get help in another way. Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:- "We fully support this important Ask for ANI initiative in Sefton's chemists and Pharmacies. Providing a safe space for victims of Domestic Abuse to disclose their situation and ask for help and support is vitally important, even more so during the current Coronavirus lockdown restrictions. We would encourage anyone who is experiencing abuse or in fear of it to come forward. You are not alone."

Useful contacts:-

► If anyone is at immediate risk of harm from any kind of abuse, the Police should be contacted urgently on:- 999.

► Any Sefton residents experiencing domestic abuse, or who believe someone they know is, can contact Sefton Council's Independent Domestic Violence Advisors Team on:- 0151 934 5142 or email:- IDVA.Team@Sefton.Gov.UK.

► People can also contact Sefton Women's and Children's Aid on:- 0151 922 8606 or by visiting:- SWACA.com.

► The National Domestic Violence Helpline is staffed 24 hours and can be reached at:- 0808 2000 247.

The Sefton Council website sets out more information about its work in partnership with local organisations to support victims, respond to perpetrators and raise awareness amongst our communities of the signs and consequences of domestic and sexual abuse.

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:- 55,761 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,316,019 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:- 1,280, 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:- 87,295, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 89,243.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 37,282. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,672 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 4,262.

In England, there are a total of:- 2,885,082 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 461,546 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, 37,751 confirmed cases.
621

► Halton, 8,944 confirmed cases.
169

► Knowsley, 12,993 confirmed cases. 256

► Sefton, 18,044 confirmed cases.
270

► St. Helens, 12,004 confirmed cases.
225

► Wirral, 18,524 confirmed cases.

427

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 101 over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region, since start of the Pandemic, are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 14,070 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 7,228 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 19,518 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 13,522 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 15,700 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 16,078 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 73,812 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 41,262 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 18,598 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 10,043 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 16,679 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 17,783 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 15,425 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 13,703 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 12,820 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 13,278 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 22,556 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

3,234,946 443,234

Jab Stats correct as of 12 January 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 vaccines are given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart, for a full vaccination course.

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.

The latest R number is estimated at:- 1.2 to 1.3 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- +2% to +5%, as of 15 January 2021.

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

Disabled people, carers, charities and stakeholders are being asked to help shape National Strategy

PCC consults on plans to protect Police funding & continue to recruit 160 more Officers

Small firms breath sigh of relief following Supreme Court's interruption insurance verdict

New 'Ask for ANI' domestic abuse codeword scheme providing help through Pharmacies

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

Disabled people, carers, charities and stakeholders are being asked to help shape National Strategy

PCC consults on plans to protect Police funding & continue to recruit 160 more Officers

Small firms breath sigh of relief following Supreme Court's interruption insurance verdict

New 'Ask for ANI' domestic abuse codeword scheme providing help through Pharmacies

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