"Conservatives have failed to protect our rivers and seas from sewage discharges" says Bill Esterson MP

WATER companies must be held to account over discharges of untreated sewage into rivers and seas, says Bill Esterson MP, as he criticised Conservative MPs who voted against reducing unlawful discharges. Mr Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, said regulation must be strengthened and the necessary investment implemented, as figures from the Rivers Trust showed that Sefton Central suffered 841 sewage spills for a total duration of 3,601 hours into the River Alt and Mersey Estuary in 2021. Mr Esterson said Conservative MPs, such as Southport's Damien Moore, should explain to constituents why they failed to protect the UK's beauty spots, after they voted down a Lords amendment to the Environment Bill that would have forced water companies to act to reduce the number of raw sewage discharges.
 
Mr Esterson said:- "Damien Moore voted against putting a stop to raw sewage discharge. Labour voted to stop sewage discharge. The Conservatives instead passed a watered down amendment placing a legal duty on water firms to reduce sewage discharges. But this just let the water companies off the hook. Labour will clean up the Tories' mess by ensuring water bosses are held accountable both legally and financially for their recklessness, through enforcement of unlimited fines, and tougher regulations that prevent them from gaming the system. Our country is facing a dirty water emergency and the Government and water companies have failed to face up to the problem. The Conservatives have presided over a water system that is ageing and at bursting point, with poor planning and neglect of our vital infrastructure. While water companies are paying billions in dividends, the Tories have allowed them to cut corners and pump filthy raw sewage onto our playing fields, onto our beaches and into our waters. The Tories continuing to allow sewage dumping onto our beaches and into our waters isn't just a destruction of our natural environment, it's also a significant public health hazard. The refusal of the Government to properly address this issue is shocking. We are in a climate and ecological emergency.  Wildlife in Britain is on a downward spiral with 44% of species in decline over the last 10 years, while our air and rivers are dirty and unhealthy for people and wildlife. Despite the public outcry we have seen, the Conservatives have no plan or timetable to stop water companies dumping sewage into our rivers and seas." 
 
Last week it was revealed that the Conservative leadership candidate Liz Truss presided over budget cuts to the Environment Agency in 2016 after which sewage discharge doubled. Labour analysis shows Truss cut £80m of sewage monitors when she was in charge of Defra as part of a £235m axe to the Environment Agency's budget, which Truss branded:- "efficiency savings." More information can be seen on The Rivers Trust website at:- TheRiversTrust.Org.

1 of Southport's greatest landmarks will be rocking to the sounds of local bands and all in a superb cause

ROCK The Bandstand takes place at the Victorian Bandstand on Lord Street in Southport Town Centre in a fabulous free event on:- Saturday, 10 September 2022, and aims to raise money for Queenscourt Hospice. The charity operates a hospice in Southport and cares for around 2,000 local families in West Lancashire, Southport and Formby every year, both on site and in people's homes. It relies on the generosity of members of the public to keep providing its vital services. Visitors to Rock The Bandstand will be able to enjoy performances from some superb local bands, including:- Fag Ash Lil, Slick Cupid and MaxandThe Sax Offenders.

Babs Arthur from Fag Ash Lil said:- "We are looking forward to Fag Ash Lil joining other bands in presenting a charity gig for Queenscourt Hospice, well known in the area for its palliative care role. At the Bandstand, the event will feature 'Battle of the Bands 2022' winners Slick Cupid and the up and coming Max and The Sax Offenders.  Fag Ash Lil will finish what we know will be an eventful musical afternoon. Kick off is 12 noon, finishing at 4pm, or thereabouts. Come along and enjoy an afternoon of musical adventure and contribute to the essential work of Queenscourt Hospice."

Fag Ash Lil band member, Steve Norris, explains why the Lord Street Bandstand has been chosen for the event. He said:- "I think 1 of the reasons we wanted to put some music out there was that, sadly, the Rock The Lakes Festival had been cancelled as ticket sales weren't happening... therefore we missed playing at their 10th Anniversary gig. Fag Ash Lil has been the only band to have played every year it's been on. The other sad thing is we are losing pubs and other venues that a full band can play in. We've had loads of musicians asking to be included in this event. Hopefully we have started something that could possibly run and run."

Although not a band member, Southport artist Tony Wynne has been working with Fag Ash Lil to help pull the event together. Tony and the band are no strangers, however. He said:- "Everyone knows Fag Ash Lil and they have a massive and loyal following. I've worked with the band before; at the Waterfront, on Market Street and twice at the Bandstand. I agree with Steve's comments about the reducing number of venues for full-on bands and, sadly, more could disappear due to the economic crisis. Lord Street is a superb open-air venue and is wholly suitable for putting on music gigs. As Steve has said, let's hope it is the start of:- 'something that could possibly run and run.'"

Rock The Bandstand is a free event at:- The Bandstand, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1JR, from:- 12pm to 4pm, on Saturday, 10 September 2022. For more details on supporting the work of Queenscourt Hospice please visit:- QueensCourt.Org.UK.

LGA responds to Early Intervention Foundation report into mental health in Schools

COMMENTING on the Early Intervention Foundation's report warning of an increase in mental health issues among Secondary School children, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Deputy Chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board said:- "Councils have worked closely with Schools and other partners to provide support to children and young people, but have had to increasingly divert early intervention spending towards more acute services due to overstretched budgets and increasing demand. With the annual cost of mental health problems in England estimated to be £119 billion, the Government should use their 10 year mental health strategy to ensure that local mental health services have sufficient funding to meet current, unmet and new demand for mental health support, including preventative mental wellbeing work that can stop the escalation of mental health needs so that more costly NHS treatment is avoided."

You can read the report on the EIF website... Or you can also click here to see the PDF Copies of the following:-

►   Adolescent Mental Health Report.

►   Adolescent Mental Health Review Appendices.

►   Adolescent Mental Health Summary.

Liverpool 1 flexes its appeal with signing of Under Armour brand house

GROSVENOR has announced the signing of leading sports apparel brand, Under Armour, at Liverpool ONE. Trading from 3,000 sq ft on South John Street, Under Armour Liverpool 1 is set to open later this year and will stock the brand's renowned performance sports apparel, footwear and accessories.

Joining the brand's global presence, Under Armour Liverpool 1 will deliver innovative products and experiences that are designed to enhance customer performance both in sporting pursuits and day to day life. Founded with a single shirt in 1996, Under Armour has gone from strength to strength over its 25 year brand history, introducing numerous technological product lines and a performance driven footwear offering.

With innovation at the core of Under Armour's ethos, the brand's Liverpool 1 store marks an important part in their journey, allowing them to deliver an enhanced customer experience to the destination's visitors. Aiming to inspire unexpected yet essential performance solutions, the brand seeks to provide consumers with an undeniable athletic advantage whilst transforming their shopping experience.

Rob Deacon, Senior Asset Manager, Grosvenor, added:- "We are delighted to welcome leading sports apparel brand Under Armour, solidifying our strong market position. At Liverpool 1 we are continually evolving our line-up for consumers, delivering an increasing number of firsts amongst retailers and operators, as well holistic experience led offerings. We are confident that Under Armour will flourish at Liverpool 1 in this next exciting step in their brand journey."

The signing of Under Armour follows a number of 2022 announcements for Liverpool ONE, including the recent South John Street openings of footwear retailers Russell and Bromley and Kick Game, as well as Bershka, the third Inditex brand to launch at the destination.

Metis and CBRE acted for Liverpool ONE. CBRE acted for Under Armour.