Office Christmas Parties Cancelled - thousands forced to forget festive party plans

WORK and office Christmas Parties are being cancelled across the UK as venues and businesses try to guess what will or will not be allowed at the end of 2020. Large gatherings of people are likely to be restricted for the foreseeable future, and this is leading to those who have forward booked large work and office parties being told their party plans will not now happen. Jonathan Ratcliffe from Office Space company Offices.Co.UK explains:- "Just as we thought 2020 could not get much worse, we've had to cancel our Christmas party; as have many of our clients. Our party venue isn't sure how social distancing will work, so they aren't bothering this year; it's too much of a risk for them."

Restaurants and venues across the UK rely on the busy Christmas period to boost cash reserves going into the quiet January and February months. The restrictions that may be imposed on businesses reliant on social contact is going to be very damaging during what should be a boom time. Ratcliffe added:- "It's all just so sad isn't it, not only for the pubs and restaurants who rely on the Christmas trade, but for everyone working so hard during what is an awful time to run a business. People who are working are already close to burning out with stress, and a party is one thing to enjoy at the end of the year; seems even this is not happening this year."

For those who cannot meet up in person, there are plans afoot to celebrate the usual office and work Christmas games but using:- "work from home" virtual technology to bring Christmas cheer to all; just no kissing under the mistletoe in 2020!

Ideas for "Socially Distanced" Christmas Parties:-

► Virtual Drinks - use work video conferencing to enjoy a festive drink and a chat with colleagues.

► Fancy Dress Conference Calls - yes this will be a thing this year.

► Secret Santa - deliver a secret present via post to a random workmate.

► Microwave Christmas Dinner - enjoy a burning hot conference call meal together.

► Virtual Wine and Cheese course - LoveCheese.Co.UK will deliver cheese and wine to your door and then guide you through with virtual tasting notes!

► Zoom Karaoke - As if it is not annoying enough, at least you can put mute on…

Jonathan Ratcliffe concludes:- "As bad as it is, we're excited to see what everyone comes up with to replace the face to face Christmas fun; it'll be the best Christmas for grumpy scrooges that's for sure!"

₤180m of Existing Liverpool City Region Schemes that will help drive our Economic Recovery

₤180 million of investments in the Liverpool City Region's economy that were made last year will be vital to driving the Region's post COVID-19 economic recovery, says Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. Published at its meeting on 5 June 2020, which includes its Annual General Meeting, the Combined Authority's 2019 to 2020 Annual Review highlights investments in key strategic projects across the whole City Region and priority economic sectors from digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing to the Mersey Tidal Power scheme. The Combined Authority will also consider the City Region's four key priority themes from economic recovery announced last week, focussing on supporting businesses to adapt and thrive, jobs and skills, places and infrastructure and identifying opportunities to Build Back Better in the post COVID-19 City Region.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "Before the crisis struck, the Liverpool City Region had the fastest economic growth in England at 3.5% a year and well above average productivity growth. Over the last 10 years, our business base has also grown faster than national rates, with real strengths in:- retail, culture and visitor economy, health and infectious disease control, advanced manufacturing and high performance computing. Looking back at last year shows that we have been continuing this progress across the City Region and in our key sectors. With funding available to us because of devolution, we invested more than ₤180 million last year in strategic schemes to continue to grow our economy for the benefit of all residents in our City Region. hese investments and projects now take on even greater importance as we work with our Local Authority leaders, the Local Enterprise Partnership, businesses, Trade Unions, the community and voluntary sector and national Government, to assess the economic impact of Coronavirus, understand the needs of our communities and develop Region wide plans for economic recovery. They will be a vital part of our ambitious post COVID-19 economic recovery plan to ensure we build back better than before."

The Metro Mayor highlighted examples of key investments and projects in transport, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, skills and culture. And he also highlighted the importance of longer term strategic projects and the essential requirement for substantial Government support, adding:- "The reality is that the scale of the challenge means that we need Central Government to step up and provide significant financial support, running into hundreds of millions of pounds. We're identifying shovel ready schemes that just need investment to kick start the recovery. We also need Government support to progress longer term programmes like our potentially world leading Mersey Tidal Power project that could provide clean, predictable power for up to 1 million homes, whilst creating thousands of jobs. The Government also needs to make good on its commitment to link the Liverpool City Region to the high speed rail network through Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2."

9 Existing City Region Schemes that will help us Build Back Better:-

Ultrafast Digital Connectivity...

The City Region wide project to install 220km of ultrafast digital infrastructure got underway in January. The project, which connects across all 6 City Region boroughs to the Hartree Supercomputer, in Halton, aims to put the City Region at the forefront of the digital revolution, creating and attracting new jobs, industries and businesses to our Region and generating ₤1bn for the local economy. Following a ₤6.4million investment in January, work is now underway, with the 1st project on the A41 New Ferry Bypass, on the Wirral, that is due to be completed in February 2021 and additional schemes currently on site in:- Halton, Sefton and St Helens.

A 600km Cycling and Walking network - City Region - wide...

Work started last autumn on the 1st stage of what was then a ₤16m project to create 600km of new and upgraded cycling and walking routes. Just last month the Metro Mayor announced that this investment was to increase to over ₤30 million and that the programme would be "accelerated and broadened" as more people rethink travel  and cycle and walk.

Advanced Manufacturing...

A ₤15m funding package for world leading research and technology organisation the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) was approved in October. Now established in the Liverpool Science Park in the Knowledge Quarter, the MTC bridges the gap between University based research and the development of innovative manufacturing solutions, working with the automotive, aerospace, construction, defence, rail, informatics, fast moving consumer goods and electronics sectors.

Shakespeare North Playhouse...

A ₤10.55million investment in the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescott, Knowsley. This iconic project will celebrate Knowsley's links with Elizabethan drama and Shakespeare himself, attracting visitors and students from all over the world. It will feature a 350 seat theatre, a visitor attraction, a broad based education offer, a studio theatre that will for a wide range of uses and an outdoor performance garden. The project is expected to generate hundreds of jobs, boosting the City Region economy by ₤13 million a year during construction and ₤5.3 million a year following opening.


Eureka Mersey! Children's Museum

A ₤6.6 million investment approved in July is supporting the creation of the Eureka! Mersey visitor attraction at Seacombe Ferry Terminal, creating a ₤12 million world-class visitor attraction for six to 14 year olds, with an additional area dedicated to 0-5 year olds. The attraction will include exhibits and activities designed to boost children's development of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) skills whilst enjoying a great family day out. The original Eureka!, based in West Yorkshire, is the UK's only national children's museum and has welcomed more than 7.5 million visitors since it opened in 1992. Eureka Mersey! is being developed in the existing Seacombe Ferry Terminal and former Spaceport site, linking the to the Liverpool Waterfront via the Mersey Ferries.

Runcorn Station Quarter...

An 18.2 million scheme to transform access to Runcorn Station and regenerate the vicinity of the station, the 1st stage of this programme will deliver a transport hub that links the station to Runcorn Town Centre and facilitates greater mobility, connections and promotes active, healthier transport options for residents and visitors.

Moss Nook, St Helens...

Moss Nook is a large, complex brownfield site, historically used for mining and a number of industrial processes. A ₤2 million, will be used to support the remediation and infrastructure work necessary for development of up to 900 homes. This is in line with the Combined Authority's "brownfield 1st" policy, which means developers should look at using previously used land as a 1st option. More than 700 brownfield sites have been identified across the City Region, with enough space for 42,000 homes.

Adult Education and Skills...

The Combined Authority has been ensuring that the City Region's colleges have the buildings and equipment they need through the Skills Capital Fund, which has distributed ₤16 million in the last year alone, including:- ₤2m for Southport College to create a 'Construction Skills Centre,' a vibrant vocational centre, focusing on delivery of a construction skills curriculum alongside a dedicated facility to improve work-readiness skills through improved Maths and English facilities. ₤1.1m also enabled Sefton Council to redevelop the Cambridge Road Centre, which supports people to develop the skills they need to return to the labour market in key sectors. The Combined Authority is also now responsible for more than ₤53m of Adult Education Budget and has committed to financially support the City Region's learning providers during the disruption caused by the pandemic, to enable them to find innovative solutions to continuing to provide skills training.

New Trains for the Merseyrail Network...

The 1st of our brand new, state of the art and publicly owned trains, for the Merseyrail Network, that are arriving in the City Region and have been undergoing testing out on the network. Since the 1st was delivered it has now been joined by a 2nd unit of the 52 that will ultimately be delivered. The project is expected to give an economic boost of ₤70 million a year to the City Region's ecconomy.

Chief Constable Andy Cooke and PCC Jane Kennedy pay tribute to Inspector Graeme Rooney

MERSEYSIDE Police Chief Constable Andy Cooke, said:-"Following the sudden and tragic death of Inspector Graeme Rooney on Tuesday evening I wanted to take time out to pay tribute to an Officer who was respected across the board and served the force impeccably for more than 27 years. Graeme was out cycling with friends, in Altcar, when he was involved in a road traffic collision with a transit van and sadly he died, as a result of his injuries. An investigation in to the collision is now being carried out by Lancashire Police. Many of you will have heard the phrase 'an Officer and a gentleman,' and this sums Graeme up perfectly. He was a proud, family man and anyone who knew him will know that he was a committed and professional Officer who just got on with the job. He was a Merseyside Police Officer through and through; he loved working the football and big events, was part of the Bronze Rota and recently joined the Negotiator Team. At Walton Lane where he had been the Community Inspector for more than 3 years, he was a popular Officer who earned the trust and support, not only of his staff and partners, but also of the local community he served. Graeme had a huge passion for the job and that is reflected in the work ethos of members of his team at Walton Lane, who have done him proud and I know they will continue to do so. They are obviously devastated by the loss of Graeme, but we need to remember that having known Graeme, the greatest thing we can do in his memory is to harness the compassion and dedication he showed for Community Policing throughout his career and use it ourselves on a daily basis. Graeme started his career as a Uniform Officer at Copy Lane, before moving to Bootle. He then worked at the Operational Support Division before moving to the Air Support Group (ASG) in 2000. He left the ASG five years later when he returned as a uniformed Constable to Tuebrook Police Station. 6 months later in September 2006 Graeme was promoted to Sergeant, at Stanley Road Police Station, and had responsibility for Kirkdale. In January 2010 he became a temporary Inspector, at Admiral Street and was made a substantive Inspector for Speke, in 2011. Prior to working at Walton Lane Graeme, was the Liverpool South Inspector for Wavertree and Riverside. During his career Graeme received a Superintendent's Commendation for professionalism, initiative and courage in effecting the arrest and conviction of a male in possession of a loaded firearm. I have no doubt that this tragic loss will be felt widely across the force by those who worked with Graeme, knew him and became his friends. Graeme was very much a family man and was extremely proud of his 2 sons. Our thoughts are very much with his wife, his sons, family and friends at this sad time."

PCC Jane Kennedy, added:- "I was incredibly sorry to hear about the death of Insp Graeme Rooney. I very much admired his work, his professionalism and the genuine care he had for the communities of North Liverpool, where he led the local policing teams."

NSPCC virtual assembly with guest hosts Ant and Dec, David Walliams and Minister for Children and Families

THE NSPCC moves their Schools' assembly series:- 'Speak Out. Stay Safe' online, to continue its vital work helping children to stay safe from abuse and neglect. The special broadcast hosted by Ant & Dec, with a helping hand from David Walliams, deals with some of the additional worries that children are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since January the NSPCC's Childline service has delivered 6,938 counselling sessions to children and young people impacted by Coronavirus. Also, during 7 weeks of lockdown (23 March 2020 to 10 May 2020), the charity carried out 2,593 counselling sessions with children who shared concerns about abuse or neglect; on average 370 every week; an increase of approximately 60 more per week than in the months leading up to lockdown. The digital assembly will demonstrate a real lockdown effort from the contributors and aims to equip children with the knowledge and understanding they need to help them stay safe from abuse and neglect. As part of the assembly, the NSPCC's School's Team will run a brand new session adapted to address the challenges children are facing during the crisis. It will culminate in a Q&A with Vicky Ford MP, Minister for Children and Families. Children have asked questions around what to do if their family argues all the time; whether they should be tested for Coronavirus before returning to School and what to do if they can't concentrate on their Schoolwork at home.

Minister for Children and Families Vicky Ford said:- "Coronavirus is the biggest challenge we have faced in a long time. That's why we have all had to make big changes, like staying at home, not seeing family and friends in person, and lots of children not attending School as normal. Thanks to all the changes children and their families have made over the last few months, we have come a long way in fighting the virus, and more children are now returning to School. But we all still have an important role to play, so everyone must stay alert and follow the rules to protect ourselves and other people."

In the average Primary School class, at least 2 children have suffered from abuse or neglect. That's why the NSPCC visits Primary Schools across the UK and Channel Islands to give children the knowledge they need to help them stay safe from harm and to speak out if they're worried. Hosts Ant and Dec, who've been supporting the NSPCC for many years....

Ant:- "It's great to be able to host the NSPCC's virtual assembly for children and their families, especially as this 1 carries such an important message; that every child can turn to someone when times are tough."

Dec:- "We believe it's vitally important that all children know what to do if they have any concerns, particularly now, and we feel very honoured to be supporting the NSPCC with this."

In 2019/20, the NSPCC Schools Service visited over 7,000 Schools and spoke to over 1.6 million children. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a trusted adult or Childline. Trained NSPCC volunteers and staff deliver an assembly and workshop with the help of Speak out Stay safe mascot, Buddy the speech bubble.

Head of NSPCC Schools Service, Karen Squillino said:- "Primary Schools play an essential role in keeping our children safe. This is because they are in a strong position to identify signs of abuse and neglect, and also offer a secure space to teach children about staying safe and, if necessary, speaking out. However, due to the pandemic we have been unable to go into Schools so by hosting a virtual assembly we can reach even more children during lockdown to let them know who to turn to for help."

Speak Out. Stay Safe assemblies have taken place in more than 90% of all Primary Schools across the UK. They help to reinforce key lessons about abuse and neglect that are compulsory for all Primary Schools. Adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline 7 days a week on:- 08088005000, or email:- Help@NSPCC.Org.UK. Children can call Childline on:- 0800 11 11 or visit:- ChildLine.Org.UK any time of the day or night.