News reports located on this page = 2.

EU document scanning service to launch

LIVERPOOL City Council is providing a document verifying and scanning service from Tuesday, 2 April 2019, that will support EU citizens who wish to continue living and working in the City. The Council is committed to encouraging all its non UK EU residents to remain in Liverpool. EU citizens can apply for pre-settled or settled status that will protect their rights when the EU settlement scheme opened nationally on Saturday, 30 March 2019.

Applications must be made online with documents scanned using an app available for Android devices. If people do not own an Android phone, they can also use someone else's phone for scanning. Documents can also be posted to the Home Office. However, for peace of mind anyone unable to use the app can choose to have their documents checked and scanned at the City Centre 1 Stop Shop, located within St Johns Market. Sessions will start on Tuesday, 2 April 2019, from 9.45am to 11.45am and will run weekly, on Tuesdays, at the same time until further notice. Applicants do not need to make an appointment.

Colleen Martin, Liverpool City Council's Assistant Director for supporting communities, said:- "We want all EU citizens to continue to live, work and thrive in Liverpool and the wider City Region and want all residents to know that they are welcome. We value the wealth of culture, social opportunities and economic benefits that a community built on diversity brings. We're very pleased to be able to offer this service to support people. It will offer peace of mind to people who do not want to post important documents. We have a very experienced team and they will do everything they can to support people, but aren't able to offer advice on how to complete the online application or give immigration advice. If people need further support they should contact the Home Office's EU Settlement Resolution Centre."

Similar to the Post Office's Passport Check and Send Service, there is a charge for anyone using the scanning service and is ₤14 per applicant. Anyone wishing to use the service should not have started their online application before they have their documents scanned. Only biometric documents can be scanned and applicants should also bring a phone or other mobile device with them that is able to receive texts or emails. They will be sent a code which will enable them to start their application online later on any other device.

The EU settlement scheme is open until 30 June 2021, if the UK leaves the EU with a deal or 31 December 2020 if it doesn't.

Roll out of new 24/7 ₤1 Mersey Tunnel toll begins

THIS is not joke! From Monday, 1 April 2019, Liverpool City Region residents will benefit from the new 24/7 ₤1 Fast Tag toll for the Mersey Tunnels. This reduced rate will be open to any residents living within the Liverpool City Region:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

The reduced rate, that was introduced by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, is now available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thus fulfilling 1 of his key election pledges. Figures recently released by Merseytravel and the Combined Authority reveal that more than 57,000 people a day in the City Region will benefit from the new lower toll; which could save regular tunnel users living more than ₤400* a year. The cash toll for cars will be frozen at ₤1.80, still 20p less per journey than the rise authorised by the Tunnels Act. The tolls for all other vehicles, including:- large vans, coaches and HGVs; will also be held at 2018 rates.

Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor said:- "I'm happy that from Monday we'll see the 1st Liverpool City Region residents take advantage of the new 24/7 ₤1 Fast Tag rate. This is the lowest tunnel toll in over 25 years, with the rate available to the people of the Liverpool City Region 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. If, before now, you've been paying cash you'll be saving ₤1.60 for each return trip you make. That's thousands of pounds every day going back into the pockets of Tunnel users living in our City Region. I understand that nobody likes to have to pay to use the Mersey Tunnels, but they are a critical part of our City Region's transport network and we do not receive any Central Government money to run, maintain or improve them. Until we receive national funding, tolls will be necessary to keep the Tunnels in operation, but I will always work as hard as I can to keep the cost as low as possible, especially for Liverpool City Region residents."