Steve Rotheram calls on Government to do more to make National Apprenticeship Levy work

LIVERPOOL City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has joined with national employers' groups to call on Central Government to do more to make the National Apprenticeship Levy work.

Official figures show the number of people starting apprenticeships dropping in comparison to previous years.

Building on comments from the Institute of Directors and the EEF (formerly the Engineering Employers' Federation), Steve Rotheram said:- "Ensuring that our residents and young people in particular have the right skills for the modern workplace is vital both for their futures and for the country's future economic prosperity. High quality apprenticeships are key to that process. I am sympathetic with the aims of apprenticeship reforms such as the levy, but they are clearly not achieving the goal of getting more people into apprenticeships. Locally I am working with the Further Education sector and employers to create the right environment to grow the volume and breadth of apprenticeships available and have commissioned an Apprenticeship plan for this purpose. I have lobbied Government on numerous occasions to give us the opportunity to use local apprenticeship levy underspend to increase the number of apprenticeships by providing us with the flexibility to design opportunities to address skill shortage areas and respond to employer demand. Even though these initiatives would not have cost a penny, my appeals to date have been steadfastly refused. Given there is now a new secretary of state, I am hopeful that we may be able to persuade Government of the need to work with us on this pilot. Without that kind of innovative thinking I worry that the levy will never achieve its aim, which will damage the prospects of young people in the Liverpool City Region and across the country."

Bespoke Hotels Appointed to Manage Southport's Vincent Hotel

ON 24 January 2018, Bespoke Hotels announced that it has been appointed to take over the management of The Vincent Hotel, Southport, a 4 star hotel, that opened its doors a decade ago in 2008. Located on Southport's Parisienne Boulevard, The Vincent Hotel features 60 bedrooms, ranging from studio accommodation to junior suites and a penthouse, alongside a café style restaurant and on site sushi bar. With stylish and contemporary décor throughout, the property boasts a modern fitness centre and gym, alongside versatile meetings and events space, and an ideal location for accessing England's nearby Golf Coast. Graham Marskell, Managing Director of Bespoke Hotels commented:- "We are delighted to have reached an agreement to manage The Vincent Hotel and strengthen our growing presence in the North West of England. It is a property with style and huge potential, with something to offer a great many travellers, whether they're after a unique wedding destination, a good meal, a comfortable bed for the night, or even a round of golf."

Paul Adams, owner of the Vincent Hotel. added:- "We are thrilled to be joining forces with Bespoke Hotels. We have watched their success in the North West of England with keen interest, and are looking forward to taking the business to the next level together."