England to return to Pre-Pandemic arrangements for early medical abortions

ABORTION services will return to Pre Pandemic arrangements from August 2022, following the end of temporary measures put in place during the Covid19 Pandemic which allowed the access of pills for early medical abortion via a teleconsultation and to take both pills at home. This temporary measure to take both pills for early medical abortion at home was put in place at the start of the biggest public health emergency in a generation, to address a specific and acute medical need, reduce the risk of transmission of Covid19 and ensure continued access to abortion services. After a public consultation, the majority of the over 18,000 consultation responses were in favour of ending the approval. The provision, which is due to expire at the end of March, will be extended until 29 August 2022, to enable providers to prepare for a safe, reliable return to Pre Pandemic arrangements.

Minister for Public Health Maggie Throup said:- "Thanks to the success of the vaccine and booster programmes, we are able to end public restrictions and we are now in a position to remove the temporary measures put in place at the beginning of the Pandemic related to the provisions of early medical abortions. As we learn to live with Covid19, women being able to access health services in a safe, secure way remains my priority."

A public consultation ran from November 2020 to February 2021 which sought views on whether to make measures permanent. The Government summary of responses to the consultation has been published, Thursday, 24 February 2022. Domestic abuse was raised as an issue in the public consultation and we intend to work closely with the Violence Against Women and Girls sector and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to ensure safeguarding and domestic abuse are central to ongoing work. The wellbeing and safety of women requiring access to abortion services has been, and will continue to be, our 1st and foremost priority.

Creamfields North 2022 - Line Up Unleashed

THE much anticipated cinch presents Creamfields North line up has finally been announced and as we've come to expect from the award winning dance festival; the line up takes some beating! In celebration of their 25th Anniversary some of the biggest names in electronic music will be descending on the Cheshire countryside this August Bank Holiday.

Joining previously announced headliners:- Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Tiėsto, Camelphat, Carl Cox, Nina Kraviz and Above and Beyond, fans will also get to see performances from the likes of:- Eric Prydz who brings his jaw dropping HOLO show, Alesso, Bicep Live, Becky Hill, Fatboy Slim, MK, Idris Elba, Scooter, Ben Nicky, Patrick Topping, Charlotte De Witte, Michael Bibi, Fisher, Ida Enberg, Example, Seth Troxler, Jax Jones, Chase and Status (DJ Set), Joel Corry, Amelie Lens, Jamie Jones, Jodie Harsh, Sonny Fodera, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, Joseph Capriati, Timmy Trumpet, Pete Tong, Darren Styles, Hot Since 82, Kolsch, Paul Oakenfold, Skepsis, Solardo, Anna Tur, Holy Goof, Ewan McVicar, Dimension, Cristoph, Yousef, Black Coffee, Franky Wah, Denis Sulta, Andy C, Hannah Wants, W&W, Paul Van Dyk, Will Sparks, Syreeta, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, ATB, Vini Vici, Arielle Free, Sarah Story and D-Block and Stefan to name a few. For the full list head over to:- CreamFields.Com/Lineup.

Creamfields North sold out in record time when tickets went on sale back in September, however from 9am (GMT) this Friday (25th February) a limited number of failed deposit tickets will be available for those quick enough to snap them up, join the waiting list now to be 1 in line:- CreamFields.Com.

2022 is set to be a huge year for Creamfields, which also coincides with the launch of their new 50,000 capacity sister festival; Creamfields South which will see another wave of big name artists perform across the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

For more info go to:-

Cinch presents Creamfields North 2022, at Daresbury, Cheshire, UK, from:- Thursday, 25 August to Sunday, 28 August 2022 (Bank Holiday) please visit:- CreamFields.Com.

Creamfields South 2022, at Hylands Park, Chelmsford UK, running from:- Thursday 2 June to Saturday, 4 June 2022 (Jubilee Bank Holiday) Please go to:- CreamFieldsSouth.Com.

A night of brass with Skelmersdale Prize Band, 2 weeks on Friday

A night of brass with Skelmersdale Prize Band will take place as part of the 18th Annual Prescot Festival of Music and the Arts, on Friday, 18 March 2022, from 7pm. The event takes place at Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34 3LA and tickets are just ₤5 on the door (cash only) For more information about the 18th Annual Prescot Festival, that run from Friday, 17 June to Sunday, 26 June 2022, please visit:- PrescotFestival.Co.UK.

LGA responds to ₤150 million funding support for local bus services

RESPONDING to the Government's announcement that an additional ₤150 million in support will be made available to transport operators and Local Authorities when the Bus Recovery Grant ends next month, Cllr David Renard, Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association said:- "Bus passenger numbers remain far lower than they were Pre Pandemic, so it is good that the Government has acted on calls from Councils and operators to extend this funding. It will help protect bus and tram services ensuring people can get to work, visit family and access vital services and while also helping to alleviate congestion, reduce harmful emissions in our communities and support local economies. It is now important that the Government does not lose sight of the ambitions as set out in its National Bus Strategy. If we want to encourage greater use of public transport as we recover from the Pandemic, we must embark on a long term funding plan for bus services. This long term investment could help Councils and operators invest in better local infrastructure, more affordable fares and improved and greener bus fleets. Councils across the country will continue to work with local operators and the Government to encourage greater usage of local services."