Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Little progress made on connectivity

ON 18 December 2020, Ofcom published it's annual Connected Nations report, which measures progress in the availability and capability of broadband and mobile services in the UK, has been published.

Responding to the report, CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "While minor improvements to connectivity have been made, it's clear that little progress on increasing 4G and broadband coverage in rural areas has been achieved. The current 4G growth in rural areas has completely slowed down with minimal increases on last year when there should be significant increases year on year. This lack of growth does little for the rural economy and for those who live and work in the countryside. The roll out of 4G coverage has come to a standstill and the way for progress to be made is if Government invests in infrastructure, rather than planning. Reassurances are also desperately needed on whether rural communities will receive gigabit capable broadband by 2025, following the Government's U-turn to only invest ₤1.2bn of the ₤5bn pledged in the 2019 election campaign. With only 27% of homes receiving this level of coverage and a lack of investment and infrastructure in place, Government must come forward with robust measures on how its long-term targets will be met. Otherwise, the rural economy will be left behind once again."

CLA North, Rural Adviser, Libby Bateman added:- "It is disappointing to hear about the lack of progress of superfast broadband delivery in rural area, however there is much that rural residents and business owners can do to speed up this process. The Rural Gigabit Connection Voucher scheme is open for applications until the end of March and I strongly advise anybody wishing to upgrade their broadband infrastructure to take a closer look at the scheme which will give ₤1,500 per residential property and ₤3,500 per business property towards the cost of upgrading fixed-line infrastructure. In some areas these vouchers are being match-funded by other bodies such as the Borderlands Growth Deal or local authorities. Communities may find that if they aggregate their vouchers they can accumulate a sizeable contribution towards the infrastructure upgrades required to improve their broadband service."

Savers in the North West receive Help to Save bonus payment

MORE than 8,600 savers in the North West have earned their first Help to Save bonus payment, each receiving an average of ₤381 in time for Christmas, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can reveal. Help to Save is the UK government backed saving scheme. It was launched in September 2018 to help those eligible save up to ₤50 a month in a secure savings account. For every ₤1 saved, people can earn a bonus of 50 pence, over 4 years. The 50% bonus is payable at the end of the 2nd and 4th years and is based on how much account holders have saved.

Karl Khan, HMRC's Interim Director General for Customer Services, said:- "Help to Save rewards regular savers and the bonus payments can make a big difference to individuals and families. We've tried to make it as easy as we can for people to check if they qualify. It only takes a few minutes online; just search 'help to save' on GOV.UK."

To date, savers have received more than ₤22.8 million in Help to Save bonuses, according to latest Management Information figures from HMRC. The 1st bonus payment has been paid to savers who created an account and started saving money 2 years ago. It is paid directly into the account holder's chosen bank account. Once savers have received their bonus payment at the 2 year stage, they can continue to use the secure savings account to receive the final bonus payment at the 4 year point. Savers can close their savings account at any time and withdraw any remaining funds. However, if they close their account early, they will miss their next bonus and will not be able to open a new account. Eligible customers who have not already opened a Help to Save savings account can apply via GOV.UK.

People can open a Help to Save account if any of the following applies. They are:-

► Receiving Working Tax Credit.

► Entitled to Working Tax Credit and receiving Child Tax Credit.

► Claiming Universal Credit and they (with their partner if it's a joint claim) earned ₤604.56 or more from paid work in their last monthly Assessment period.

Combined Authority announces ₤2.8m further funding for Kirkby to create 200 jobs

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has agreed a further investment of ₤2.8 million to support the second phase of Knowsley Council's regeneration of Kirkby Town Centre. In December 2019, the Combined Authority approved ₤10m to support Knowsley Council's purchase of the Kirkby Town Centre in November 2019, which kick started the retail development in the Town Centre which is now well under way. This 2nd phase of the project, which already has planning permission, will see the development of a multi screen cinema and food and beverage outlets on the site of the former Kirkby Library site. The construction phase of the cinema scheme will create 108 jobs during the construction phase and 95 permanent jobs. This is in addition to the 500 new jobs created by the 1st phase alongside 278 construction jobs.

The new retail development is delivering 94,000 feet2 of retail space, including a:- 45,000 feet, Morrisons superstore, a petrol station, a new store for Home Bargains, and drive through restaurants for KFC and Taco Bell. Work on the site has been progressing throughout the pandemic with the units really starting to take shape in the Town Centre with steel structures, cladding, roofing and glazing now visible.

Speaking about the investment, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "When we announced our support for this project last year we made it clear that we would be prepared to back further stages of regeneration. Knowsley Council has come up with a superb addition to the first phase of the scheme that will be transformational. I'm so happy to see the regeneration of the 'Townie' is moving into this second phase and I'm so proud that we are playing a part in backing this much needed development to the area I grew up in. These are uncertain times for all businesses and I'm pleased we have been able to make sure that this vital scheme continues."

Councillor Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council Regeneration and Economic Development Cabinet Member, added:- "Earlier this year, we asked residents what they would like to see in Kirkby Town Centre. As well as a supermarket, people asked for a cinema and a greater choice of food and drink outlets. We have taken on board this feedback and have been working behind the scenes on the cinema scheme. We already have planning permission in place and our next priority was securing the funding. So today marks another significant milestone in our plans for Kirkby Town Centre with funding secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, we will now get on with the scheme itself."

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:- 35,383 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,948,660 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:- 489, 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:- 66,541, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 76,287.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 18,469. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,340 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,726.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,688,963 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 333,616 confirmed cases.

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

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

National UK Lockdown

Tier 2

Liverpool City Region

► Liverpool, 25,360 confirmed cases.
93

► Halton, 5,125 confirmed cases.
33

► Knowsley, 8,220 confirmed cases. 16

► Sefton, 11,074 confirmed cases.
27

► St. Helens, 8,196 confirmed case.
21

► Wirral, 10,652 confirmed cases.

64

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, 10,626 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,762 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 16,243 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 10,748 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 10,217 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 10,164 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 53,416 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 33,530 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 15,854 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 7,963 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 13,813 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 14,318 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 11,383 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 11,036 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 9,374 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 9,011 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 18,008 confirmed cases.

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:- 0.9 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -2% to 0% as of 11 December 2020. Cases are rising again, so please take care.

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

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

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