OWN A PIECE OF LIVERPOOL’S HISTORY

IN Liverpool’s 800th year, The London Mint Office is offering an exclusive opportunity for residents of Merseyside to own a piece of the city’s history in a limited edition city commemorative.   Launched to mark the 800th anniversary of the city, the commemorative will preserve the spirit of Liverpool for future generations. The design features a series of overlapping 800 motifs on one side, whilst 2 Liver Birds, an image synonymous with Liverpool, are displayed on the reverse.

Capturing Liverpool’s origins, the background to the Liver Birds houses lettering from the original charter of King John in 1207 that officially founded the city. A true collector’s item, the commemorative is restricted to residents of Merseyside and with only 20,000 pieces being minted; it is available on a 1st come 1st serve basis from The London Mint Office directly.

At just £5, the city commemorative is a must for all present and future generations of Liverpudlians. All applicants for this commemorative will also receive exclusive previews of the limited edition Liverpool 800th Anniversary Sterling Silver Commemorative Collection, the only series of silver commemoratives to be launched for Liverpool’s 800th anniversary.

The Liverpool 800th Anniversary Sterling Silver Commemorative Collection will capture all that has made Liverpool one of Britain’s great cities, with a commemorative issued each month over the coming years.

The collection of 20 solid sterling silver commemoratives struck to the highest proof quality will represent all that Liverpool is known for including great architecture, legendary musicians, bands and singers and world famous football clubs.
Arguably Liverpool’s most distinctive landmark, The Royal Liver Building is the first commemorative in this stunning collection. Built shortly after the turn of the last century, this building is a symbol of the grand architecture that still adorns the city.

Further releases will include St Georges Hall and The Mersey Ferries along with other great landmarks, people and achievements that have made the city what it is today.

With only 10,000 of each commemorative being minted it is an opportunity not to be missed.

For further information about The Liverpool 800th Anniversary Sterling Silver Commemorative Collection please visit this website.

EURO MPs TACKLE YOUNG SMOKERS

THE European Parliament has called for wide-ranging measures to restrict smoking in public places and make it harder for underage people to buy cigarettes.  Labour Euro MPs have received massive support for a raft of measures aimed at cutting the number of young smokers in half. Speaking from Strasbourg, Local Labour Euro MP and Chair of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, Arlene McCarthy said:- “We are calling for restrictions aimed specifically at young people. The numbers smoking in this age group is of great concern."

The British Medical Association has said that most smokers begin in adolescence, with evidence suggesting that the younger someone starts smoking, the less likely they are to give up. Figures released last year showed that 15% of 15 year olds smoke regularly.

"Someone who starts smoking at 15 is 3 times more likely to die of cancer due to smoking than someone who starts in their late 20s.  With the recent raising of the legal age at which you can buy cigarettes from 16 to 18, it is vital that we look at the accessibility of cigarette machines. Around 70% of young people buy their cigarettes at a corner shop at the moment but if it becomes harder for them to do this, they will be using machines in greater numbers.  We should also ban cigarettes from point of sale stands in shops.  And it is crucial that young people can get hold of affordable products to help them kick the habit.  We are committing to slashing the numbers of young smokers by at least half by 2025.”

The proposals are part of a wide-ranging report which has been given overwhelming backing by the Environment Committee in the European Parliament.  Other measures include picture warnings on all tobacco products, the declaration of tobacco smoke as a class 1 carcinogen and an unrestricted smoking ban in all EU countries within two years.

“Every year, 650,000 people die from smoking,” Added Arlene “This includes 80,000 from passive smoking - with children and babies particularly vulnerable.”

GLA licence removed in Southport

THE Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has refused to renew the licence of CRB Recruitment who are based in Southport.  The Merseyside labour provider questioned this decision but lost at appeal and must now stop trading in the GLA regulated sectors or face prosecution for operating without a licence.  CRB Recruitment have already submitted a new licence application but will need to demonstrate that the original non-compliances have been rectified before the GLA would consider issuing a new licence.

Paul Whitehouse – Chairman of the GLA said:- “It is important that labour providers realise that getting a licence is not the end of the story.

To keep that licence they have to demonstrate continuing compliance. And if the GLA receives intelligence suggesting that labour providers are no longer compliant or that principals in the business are no longer ‘fit or proper’ to hold a licence, they are likely to be inspected and to have their licence revoked. The GLA will continue to seek out labour providers operating without a licence. But this action should serve as a warning to licence holders that they need to keep standards up.”

Anybody who supplies workers to the agriculture, shellfish gathering and food and drink processing and packaging sectors in the UK needs to be licensed by the GLA, or they risk prosecution and imprisonment of up to 10 years.

(For more information about the GLA please click here.)