PCC announces £50,000 pot to help cut Halloween and Bonfire Night ASB

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has announced a further £50,000 pot of funding from her Youth Diversion Fund to keep thousands of young people safe this autumn.

Emily Spurrell made the announcement as she visited Conquer Life CIC in Sefton; 1 of the summer projects which received a cash grant from the Fund focused on offering young people positive activities while helping to prevent crime and anti social behaviour at key times when the Schools are out.

It is the fifth round of grants released by the Commissioner from the Fund, using money raised through the Police Property Act which sees money from the sale of unclaimed stolen goods or property recovered by the Police which cannot be returned, diverted into worthwhile causes.

Since launching the Youth Diversion Fund in August 2021, the Commissioner has awarded more than £300,000 to 100 organisations, enabling them to provide better opportunities for more than 17,360 young people across the Region.

The Commissioner is now inviting organisations, charities and community groups to apply for a share of the £50,000 investment to help provide projects aimed at preventing crime and keeping young people engaged and active, specifically on Mischief Night, Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Grassroots initiatives can each bid for a cash boost of up to £3,000 to be used towards initiatives which are working to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime during a time when it traditionally spikes.

The window for autumn applications opens with this summer's Youth Diversion Fund activities in full swing, with thousands of young people engaging in activities including canoeing, forest School, horse riding, and therapeutic sessions, as well more traditional sports.

The PCC has already visited several of the successful projects to see them in action, including the L20 Hub in Bootle, Liverpool Lighthouse and Centre 63 CIC in Kirby.

She visited Conquer Life CIC to meet 20 young people as they set up stalls to run their own businesses as part of a 'youth market.' Ahead of International Youth Day on Saturday, she is also visiting projects run by Capoeira for all in Toxteth, Halewood Youth Boyzee and the Kids Activity Zone at Byrne Avenue Baths in Rock Ferry today.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "Thousands of young people across Merseyside are currently benefiting from my summer Youth Diversion Fund. During the past few weeks, I've seen and heard first-hand the remarkable difference these projects are making, offering great activities that some young people may not otherwise get, giving them the chance to learn new skills, try different experiences and use their time positively. I'm thrilled that I am now able to offer similar opportunities for young people by inviting applications for the fifth round of my Youth Diversion Fund. Mischief Night, Halloween and Bonfire Night are fun dates in the calendar for many, but it's also a time when our communities see a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour, increasing pressure on our Police and fire service, during what is already a really busy period. I want this funding to help ease that pressure by supporting projects that complement the great work already happening across our Region to keep young people out of trouble and divert them towards more engaging activities, whilst ensuring everybody in Merseyside can look forward to a safe and enjoyable Halloween and Bonfire Night. I look forward to reviewing a new batch of ideas and initiatives so we can all enjoy the festivities in a safe and fun way."

The Youth Diversion Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, (CFM) on behalf of the Commissioner. CFM holds funds from individuals and organisations as donors who wish to support deserving causes in Merseyside.

All applications must be submitted online via the Community Foundation for Merseyside by 4pm on 8th September

Please visit their website:- CFMerseyside.Org.UK to apply.

One stop shop to help businesses save money and go green

BRITISH businesses will be able to access brand new advice and support to reduce their energy bills while cutting their carbon emissions. The UK Business Climate Hub includes a free carbon calculator and a suite of new tools to help businesses measure, track and report on their emissions and save money by using less energy. It offers detailed advice on everything from sourcing products from green suppliers and reducing emissions from freight and logistics to the most cost effective ways of installing solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

Research shows that such measures can significantly save companies on their overheads. For example:-

• Switching to EVs can not only cut running costs but also lower servicing and maintenance costs by around 40% compared to petrol or diesel cars.
   

• With up to half of companies' overall electricity bill coming from lighting, making changes such as switching to LED bulbs can help shave up to 40% off bills.
   

• Giving drivers fuel efficiency training can help save companies an average of 15% on fuel use and carbon emissions in transporting goods.

The new support is aimed particularly at 5.5 million small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK, with business and industry accounting for around 25% of emissions. Research shows that 90% of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, but find it difficult to know how or where to start to find the right solutions to reduce their carbon footprint.

Studies also show 85% of consumers are more likely to buy from a business with a reputation for sustainability, meaning going green can help grow the economy.

Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, said:- "The UK has cut its emissions more than any other major economy in the world. More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching Net Zero and we're determined to empower them to do so. The new UK Business Climate Hub is a one stop shop for businesses to find practical advice to reduce their carbon footprint and save on their energy bills. Whether it's fitting a low-carbon heat pump, generating energy with solar panels, or reducing the emissions from shipping goods, the new support will ensure businesses can drive towards Net Zero."

The new UK Business Climate Hub serves as a one stop shop for businesses who have yet to start making changes, as well as those who are already taking action to reduce emissions but want to take things to the next level. As well as helping bosses measure and report on their emissions, the site provides advice and support on an array of things, including:-

• Switching employee modes of transport and paying less for company EVs.
   

• Getting business grants, green loans and financing for a retrofit.
   

• Getting an air source heat pump.
   

• Generating green energy with a wind turbine and selling it back to the grid.
   

• Reducing emissions from farming and land use.
   

• Buying credible carbon offsets.
   

• Getting low carbon product labels and certifications.
   

• Reducing waste and recycling more.

National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, Martin McTague, said:- "We are pleased to have contributed to the new UK Business Climate Hub that will provide businesses with trusted tools and information to help them navigate the net zero transition. SMEs recognise their role in net zero but many still find it challenging to access the relevant support and resources to play their part. This new official platform for advice and support will really help. In addition to helping small firms become more energy and resource efficient, the hub also has the opportunity to empower small firms to take ambitious steps towards net zero, ultimately ensuring that they also benefit from the economic opportunities created in a net zero economy."

The new site is endorsed by business leaders and ministers on the new Net Zero Council and comes as the organisation calls on business representative organisations across the country to take concerted action to plan to reduce their members' emissions.

The group, comprising CEOs from leading companies including Co-op, HSBC, Siemens and Cemex, have developed a new business roadmap framework to help empower businesses to work with others in their sector to create tailored action plans for their own industry to decarbonise.

These sector roadmaps would help companies the length and breadth of the country, from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth, and Penzance to Peterborough, to transition to net zero.

Co-Chair of the Net Zero Council, Co-op Group Chief Executive Shirine Khoury-Haq, said:- "None of us will get to Net Zero without all of us getting to Net Zero, so ensuring that every business and every sector has a clear plan for delivering this non-negotiable target is key. I hope the UK Business Climate Hub will be a valuable tool for business leaders looking for guidance and support in this vital endeavour. The framework, which has been endorsed by the Net Zero Council and that is being published today, is designed to support organisations working to articulate a credible roadmap to Net Zero on a sector by sector basis."

In 2020 the UK was estimated to already have over 400,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains across the country, with turnover at £41.6 billion. Over 80,000 green jobs are currently being supported or are in the pipeline because of new Government policies since 2020, with that expected to increase to as many as nearly half a million by 2030.