Happy 'new you' with Liverpool's Adult Learning Service

LIVERPOOL City Council's Adult Learning Service (ALS) is offering everyone in the City a new start in learning with a packed programme of personal development for the year ahead. Each year the ALS puts on hundreds of courses which are aimed at anyone aged 19 or over who wants to broaden their horizons, learn new skills and improve their employment prospects. The course developed by the ALS can be for pleasure or for professional development. You can get hands on with a new hobby or work towards an accredited qualification. The City Council Service has been rated as 'good' by education standards watchdog OFSTED. Back in 2019 more than 8,000 adults took part in ALS courses at venues across the City. They studied everything from English and Maths, through to languages and business skills. There were courses in photography, flower arranging and sewing along with studies that could support job opportunities in:- teaching, social care, catering, beauty and information technology. In some cases, funding may be available to help cover:- course costs, travelling expenses, childcare and exam fees. Enrolment is currently underway and new courses will begin on the week beginning Monday, 13 January 2020. You can find a full list of what's on offer at Liverpool City Council's website and search for:- 'Adult Learning.'  Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Barbara Murray, said:- "The start of each new year is a really exciting time for our Adult Learning Service because it's the chance for people to look to their future and start a journey of self improvement. Our courses are designed around people and employers' needs. We want to inspire people and promote ambition but also fit them into everyone's busy lifestyle. We want to promote equality and diversity throughout all aspects of your learning journey and we could help improve your skills, health, confidence, wellbeing and income."

Families forced to give up food shopping to cover rent

FAMILIES across Great Britain will be forced to sacrifice a huge proportion of their grocery shopping so they can pay the rent, warns Crisis.  In 2011, housing benefit, known as Local Housing Allowance (LHA) was set so people on low incomes could afford the cheapest 30% of private rentals in their area. Following years of under investment, including a 4 year freeze, since 2016, the rates now fall short of the true cost of renting. The homelessness charity is calling on the Government to increase investment in housing benefit, as it has published figures demonstrating the amount people would have to forego on their food shop so they can pay their rent because the current level of housing benefit does not cover the true cost of their rent.  The data shows there are huge swathes of England where the housing benefit shortfall equates to at least a quarter of the national average weekly food shop (₤59) for a small family (2 adults and 2 children). In a City such as Leicester, the average weekly rent of the cheapest of 2 bedroom properties is ₤124.27 compared to the average housing benefit of ₤109.32, leaving a shortfall of ₤14.95. This equates to a small family having to give up a ¼ (25%) of their grocery bill, so that they can cover the rent.

Londoners are hit the hardest where even foregoing the week's entire grocery shop is still not enough to make up the difference. In outer East London, the average weekly rent for a 2 bedroom property is ₤299.18 compared to housing benefit entitlement of ₤243.56, leaving a shortfall of ₤55.62, the equivalent of 94% of the total food bill.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at Crisis, said:- "A safe and stable home is fundamental to our dignity and humanity. But every day, we hear of people becoming homeless or being pushed to the brink of losing the roof over their heads because of the constant pressure of trying to cover the cost of their rent. Paying the rent means families have no option but to make huge sacrifices on other basic necessities. We cannot let this continue. Housing benefit is an important tool and could be the quickest and most effective way to prevent homelessness, but due to years of cuts and freezes it simply does not cover people's rent. With the right Policies and investment, we can end homelessness. We urge the new Government to act now and invest in housing benefit."

Figures have shown that ₤59 is the average weekly household expenditure (food and non alcoholic drinks) within England, but Regional variations do occur. The following shows ONS data looking at detailed household expenditure, by Countries and Regions:-