Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Adopts Culture and Creativity Strategy

MERSEY Ferries has launched new Beatles Tribute Cruises alongside the return of the popular Summer Evening Cruises and Who Dunnit Cruises, as Liverpool prepares to celebrate a decade since Capital of Culture

Mersey Ferries has announced a spectacular programme of Summer Evening Cruises and Special Cruises for 2018 as the City of Liverpool gears up for a year of celebration to mark ten years since being European Capital of Culture.

With a year-long programme of inspirational events being planned throughout the City, thousands of visitors will also get the chance to experience the City's heritage on the River Mersey in 2018 with a record number of cruises and activities in this year's Mersey Ferries programme.

Following the success of last year's Summer Evening Cruises, another 14 cruises have been scheduled to take place between May and September featuring live entertainment from a range of talented local artists. Running for 2 hours, each cruise also features a fully licensed bar and stunning views of the Liverpool and Wirral waterfronts for ₤14.95 per person.

Visitors will also have the chance to get another taste of Liverpool's famous Fab Four on the water this year with the return of the Beatles Tribute Cruises in April, July and August. Three fun filled cruises, priced at ₤20 per ticket, will set sail with passengers able to enjoy fantastic performances from one of Merseyside's best cover bands; Paperback Writers, The Beatles Experience.

Gary Evans, from Mersey Ferries said:- "There's a huge focus on Liverpool's cultural agenda in 2018; the 10th anniversary year of the European Capital of Culture; so our programme of cruises and events this year has been specially created to help celebrate a really significant milestone in this City's history. We wanted to offer something unique and memorable with every cruise, so we've tried to come up with a programme that really has something for everyone. What better way to celebrate Liverpool's heritage than to experience the spectacular views of Liverpool's waterfront whilst enjoying a themed cruise on the River Mersey."

Mersey Ferries' Special Themed Evening Cruises paying tribute to some of the greatest music legends of all time have also been announced and will be taking place between June 2018 to  September 2018. The Making of MoTown musical tribute, that will take place on 23 June 2018, recreating the style, music and energy of the MoTown era; whilst on 22 September 2018, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ABBA on the Mersey is set to impress Merseyside's dancing queens. Tickets for both shows are priced at ₤18 per person.

History-lovers can also experience the fascinating Manchester Ship Canal Cruise, which offers a North West day out to remember from April to October 2018. The relaxing journey along the inland waterway allows passengers to take in the spectacular scenery and enjoy a journey through time taking in the historic buildings, industrial landscape and beautiful countryside.

Visitors with a penchant for excitement will love the Who Dunnit Cruises, which will return between April 2018 to October 2018. Passengers will have fun trying to solve a case that unfolds before their eyes whilst sailing along the River Mersey, with a light supper of homemade scouse and a licensed bar open along the way, with tickets priced at ₤25 per person.

For information on Mersey Ferries' full programme of summer activities, visit:- MerseyFerries.Co.UK or to book, call the Ticket Office on:- 0151 330 1003 or visit any 1 of Merseytravel Terminals.

AS part of National Apprenticeships Week, Liverpool City Region has published its Apprenticeship Growth Plan setting out how it will increase the number of apprenticeships over the next 3 years. The plan sets out the City Region's aspiration to deliver 20,000 apprenticeships per year by 2020.

This ambitious target is in spite of figures showing a sharp fall in the number of apprenticeship starts nationally, following the introduction of the funding reforms, including:- the Government's flagship Apprenticeship Levy policy. The number of national starts dropped by 41%; a fall of 111,000 new starters; in the 1st 6 months since the introduction of the funding reforms.

Councillor Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council and Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Skills, said:- "Ensuring that local people have the skills needed to be successful is vital both for their future prosperity and that of the City Region as a whole. Apprenticeships are a hugely important part of that process and we intend to ensure that many more are available across our City Region. As a Combined Authority, we commissioned this plan to create the right environment to grow the volume and breadth of apprenticeships available locally. The plan sets out how we will support Colleges and providers to better respond to local skills needs and support more employers to understand and access high quality and relevant provision."

Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, said:- "This plan sets out how we will work with our partners, including Colleges, other training providers and employers, to increase the range of gold standard and degree level apprenticeships available in the City Region. We are broadly supportive of reforms of apprenticeships but there are clearly issues with the Apprenticeship Levy which is simultaneously costing businesses more and delivering fewer apprenticeships. We need Government to be more flexible. For example, I have repeatedly lobbied Government to allow us to use residual local apprenticeship levy 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 the Government a single penny, my appeals to date have been steadfastly refused."

The Plan aims to improve the way the apprenticeship system and reforms work for the City Region and sets out a vision for apprenticeship growth through:-

► Increasing the volume of apprenticeships opportunities available.

► Expanding the diversity of frameworks and standards available to residents and employers.

► Improving an apprentice's ability to progress to higher qualification levels including degrees.

► Developing a higher standard of quality for apprenticeships offered and delivered.

► The Combined Authority will explore alternative sources of funding for the Apprenticeship Hub to provide greater stability and allow it to take the lead on the implementation of the Apprenticeship Growth Plan;

► The Combined Authority will launch an Apprenticeship Pledge to gain commitment to apprenticeship growth from public and private sector employers, Colleges and providers and other stakeholders;

► The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership will facilitate greater employer engagement in the planning and delivery of apprenticeships;

► The Combined Authority will continue to lobby Government as part of ongoing devolution discussions to retain unallocated levy funding within the Liverpool City Region;

► The Combined Authority will seek to commission a capacity building fund via European Social Fund (ESF) to support Colleges and providers based in the City Region to establish provision of new standards, test new markets or deliver different sector subject areas than they have previously delivered to City Region residents, to enhance the breath of provision available locally; and

► The Combined Authority will seek to commission, via ESF, a Quality Improvement Fund, providing a package of support for Colleges and providers to improve the quality of apprenticeships.