Sefton Libraries heritage Lottery Grant

SEFTON'S Library service are delighted after successfully securing ₤10,000 of Heritage Lottery funding to help pioneer an innovative World War 1 project. Once underway, the scheme is believed to be the largest projects undertaken by the local authority, partners and local Schools since the World Record Human Poppy in 2014. Sefton Library Service are looking to highlight Sefton's Civic War Memorials and the stories behind the men who perished in World War 1 listed upon them.

Cllr. Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:- "It is fantastic to see Sefton's Library service leading the way in a pioneering new project with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. I know the team are raring to go on a project that will take a great deal of research and imagination. From mapping out the memorials, collating information such as the date they were erected, working with local School children to develop the stories of the heroes to working with the creative talents to deliver an interactive product, there is much for them to do. A poignant part of the project I'm excited to see, is the planned writing of letters from local School children to residents living in the homes last occupied by our war heroes. The current house owner will be asked if they would like to have their house included on a digital map highlighting the 'Homes of Heroes' and Civic War Memorials"

Lesley Davies from Sefton Library Service also commented:- "The additional funding from the HLF means that there is a lot more we can do. A web designer will create a digital map of the Sefton Area, highlighting the war memorials and the homes of the local heroes. Images and details of soldiers service will be added for each individual soldier, as a pop up if you hover over the house. The digital map will sit on the 'Sefton Looking Back' digital portal and will become a resource for School project for many years to come.  Our aim is to complete the research and have the webpage built to be unveiled in time for the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War One in 2018."

The ₤10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund will match fund an existing ₤7,000 from the Library service.

1 in 7 workers in the North are skipping meals to make ends meet

14% of workers in the North are skipping meals to make ends meet, according to new TUC polling aimed at highlighting the impact of stagnant wages. The TUC/GQR poll found that 34% are worried about meeting basic household expenses, such as food, transport and energy. And a third think cost of living pressures are getting worse.  The poll also reveals that 19% of workers have left the heating off when it was cold to save on energy bills. And 18% have pawned something in the last year because they were short on money. Asked how they would deal with an unexpected ₤500 bill, 27% of workers said they would not be able to pay. And of those that could pay, 20% say they would have to go in to debt or sell something. TUC research has shown that since the crash, real wages in the UK have fallen, while they rose across Europe. TUC analysis published in May revealed that shrinking pay packets are forcing workers to take on more personal debt. Unsecured debt per household was ₤13,200 in 2016; the highest figure since the crash. And is set to exceed ₤15,000 before the end of the next parliament. TUC TUC Regional Secretary for the North West Lynn Collins said:- "When you come home from a long day at work, you shouldn't have to worry whether you can afford to eat. Having a job should provide you with a decent life, but it's not even covering the basics for many. 10 years on from the crash, working families are on a financial cliff edge. Pay packets are worth less and less, but bills keep rising, and personal debt is at crisis levels. The Government's inaction must not last. Ministers can raise wages by scrapping public sector pay restrictions, investing to create great jobs across the country, and increasing the minimum wage."