FAST FOOD

BRITS spend a heart-stopping £15.3BILLION on takeaways every year, according to new research.  And this is despite a reported 43% cutting back on the number of takeaways they consume in light of the credit crunch.  The average person still eats a takeaway meal 25 times a year – that’s once a fortnight – spending £13.03 on each occasion.  This tots up to an annual bill of £325.75 – or £15,310,250,000 across the 47million adults in the UK.  The poll of 2,000 people, conducted by Aldi, revealed that Chinese is the nation’s favourite takeaway, followed by Indian.  A resounding 37% of Brits can’t resist a Chinese every fortnight, whilst 25% opt for an Indian.  17% of folk prefer to order pizza. But the nation’s traditional dish of fish ‘n’ chips is favourite for just 12% of people.  Kebabs are the 5th most popular takeaway.  4 in 10 people polled claim they have replaced eating out in restaurants and bars with takeaways as a way of saving money.  But for most people, buying takeaways is the quickest way to ensure they eat an evening meal.  38% can’t be bothered to cook due to their hectic lifestyles – feeling unable to spare the 30 minutes it would take to knock up a fresh meal from scratch.  A spokesperson for Aldi said:- “The survey shows that Brits are spending huge amounts of money on takeaways despite the fact there ARE tasty, convenience meals out there to suit hectic lifestyles which don’t require customers to compromise on quality.  We have launched a competition offering one budding home cook the chance for one of their own recipes to be included as a limited edition product in the cook it. taste it. love it frozen food range and be sold in store. Shoppers can check out packs in store now or visit our website for more details.”  More than half of Brits are quick to admit they simply love takeaways – 40% say they are a real treat, whilst 17% love the taste.  But they are the guilty option; 85% of people agree takeaways are really unhealthy, and 37% feel bad for ordering them in the first place. Friday night is the most popular night of the week for convenience food for 41% of people, followed by Saturday for 32%.  A spokesman for Aldi continued:- “It is a real shame that people are opting for takeaways as a quick alternative to a home-cooked evening meal, as there are plenty of other ways to get a tasty filling meal without calling the local Chinese.  This competition means customers can enjoy their very own favourite, nutritious home-cooked meals in the form of a quick and convenient frozen meal.”

TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS

1. Chinese
2. Indian
3. Pizza
4. Fish and Chips
5. Kebabs

Liverpool is aiming high for disabled children

DISABLED children and their families in Liverpool are benefiting from a £1.1 million cash boost to improve the quality of short breaks and holidays.  Liverpool is receiving the funding over the next two years from the Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) Capital Fund. It will help improve the lives of hundreds of disabled young people.

The city council is investing the money in a number of projects, including the improvement of existing short break residential units, the creation of a new short break facility in South Liverpool and the purchase of specialist equipment to support these breaks.

The council’s executive member for education, skills and employment, Councillor Keith Turner, said:- “We have consulted widely with disabled children, young people and their families and they have told us about the types of short breaks they would like us to develop.  It’s vital that disabled young people are provided with inclusive facilities which empower them and give them the freedom to enjoy, learn and achieve. This funding will help us achieve this, by significantly improving the range and quality of short breaks we provide.”

Current projects which are being proposed for funding under the AHDC programme are:-

• An extension to Prescot Drive short break residential provision at a cost of £58, 826, This will allow more choice for disabled young people – including those with autism – to have quieter living room space.

• A conservatory extension to Millie’s short break residential unit in Mill Road, L6 costing £37,390.

• The £122,660 enhancement of a new-build unit at Woolton High School to be used for weekend and school holiday breaks.

• The purchase of specialist and duplicate equipment to support children accessing short breaks (£223,450).

Further projects will be considered by a Programme Board and Sponsoring Group which includes representation from parents and carers of disabled children.

Aiming High for Disabled Children is the Government's strategy to improve the quality of services for disabled children and their families. Liverpool will receive £325,700 for 2009 to 2010 and £759,900 for 2010 to 2011.