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North West data Immediate impact of lockdown on trades people

THE website Rated People' have released statistics on how the trades people industry has been affected over lockdown. We are told that after the UK went into lockdown, they saw a 48% drop in homeowners posting jobs within the North West.

The trades that were initially worst affected:-

1) Stoneworker, 100% down.

2) Painters and decorators, 78% down / tillers, 78% down.

3) Bathroom fitters, 72% down.

4) Window fitters, 70% down.

5) Kitchen specialists, 67% down / roofers, 67% down.

The trades that initially fared the best:-

1) Gardeners, 29% up.

2) Removal services, 19% up.

3) Tree surgeons, 4% up.

4) Security specialists, 9% down.

5) Gas/heating engineers, 43% down / cleaners, 43% down.

Over 27 April to 3 May 2020, they found that trades people had 29% less jobs being posted than they had at the beginning of March before the lockdown. The trades that were suffering the most:-

1) Stoneworkers, 92% down.

2) Loft conversion specialists, 60% down.

3) Tillers, 57% down.

4) Bathroom fitters, 55% down.

5) Painters and decorators, 53% down.

The trades that were faring the best:-

1) Tree surgeons, 69% up.

2) Gardeners, 19% up.
3) Removal services, 6% down.

4) Plumbers, 19% down / Window fitters 19% down.

5) Locksmiths, 20% down.

4 May to 10 May 2020, a spokesperson for the website, Rated People', said that:- "We have 26% less jobs being posted than we had at the beginning of March before the lockdown, so the gap is closing further; albeit slowly!"

The trades currently suffering the most:-

1) Stoneworkers, 83% down.

2) Security specialists, 73% down.

3) Locksmiths, 70% down.

4) CCTV specialists, 58% down / gas / heating engineers, 58% down.

5) Painters and decorators, 57% down.

The trades that are currently faring the best:-

1) Tree surgeons, 100% up.

2) Gardeners, 53% up.

3) Bricklayers, 8% down.

4) Window fitters, 11% down.

5) Plumbers, 13% down.

Do you agree with Rated People's findings? Please let us know who the lockdown has affected you, by emailing us at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Local MP reacts to traffic and other issues as day trippers flock to Sefton's Coast

“SEVERAL constituents have contacted me yesterday and overnight regarding the traffic and parking issues around Formby Beach over the last 24 hours. I contacted Andy Cooke, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, yesterday and he responded by saying he would send Officers to the area to talk to people especially those in groups which are clearly not from the same household. The problem is the guidance the Government has now issued regarding travel and exercise, and meeting up with others, has led to severe difficulties with enforcement of social distancing. People are allowed to travel from as far away as they like, and stay for as long as they want. The Government guidance to stay home and stay safe was much clearer and I would urge people to do that wherever possible. It is not right that people in Formby must risk another surge in Covid-19 cases due to the numbers of visitors coming to the area from across the North West. I expect all visitors to the Sefton Coast to park responsibly and take their litter home. Although many do so, too many do not and this has a huge impact on the lives of residents. I have asked Sefton Council to update me on the actions they are taking following yesterday’s events. It’s an ongoing issue and one that is not easily solved, but further parking restrictions may be appropriate, as well as rethinking how the matrix signs are used to provide information to visitors. I contacted the National Trust earlier this week, and they said they had opened their car parks in response to the new Government guidance, in order to take the pressure off local residential streets. They have, this week, unfurloughed staff and will have the Formby sites staffed this weekend and the toilets open. They tell me there will also be charging in place on their car parks this weekend. Many residents express concern that in an emergency, Fire and Ambulance vehicles would not be able to gain access to homes around the coast, due to queuing traffic and obstructive parking. I have asked North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue to comment on this." Bill Esterson MP.

Dangers in the sand left by mindless day trippers

ON 20 March 2020, the Merseyside coastline was inundated by people who flocked to the sea, as temperatures climbed. Sadly, along with the other issues that this coursed, the litter will now pose a danger to others and to wildlife for years to come. This is just some of the litter we have found in a very small area, on a sand dune in Formby. Sadly, this has started to become a regular issue, even when we are not in a pandemic, but the numbers this time where even higher and so is the mess that has been left. The rubbish now poses a health hazard and an environmental hazard, not to mention a danger to other visitors to the area for years to come. Both Sefton and National Trist Rangers and many locals, like Hightown's volunteer Beach Cleaners and the volunteer group Friends of Crosby Beach do a fantastic job trying to clean this mess up each time it happens, but this time they risk infection as well! Many locals have said that:- "This is a direct consequence of poorly worded and thought-out Government Guidance."  What do you think and how do you think this issue can be resolved in the future? Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com. Also, please join the conversation on our Facebook Page about this issue.

Enjoy the countryside responsibly CLA urges

AHEAD of the bank holiday weekend, the CLA is calling on the public to act responsibly while enjoying the countryside. CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said:- "We fully recognise that the nation will want to make the most of our beautiful countryside following lockdown restrictions being eased. Those using the countryside should, especially under current circumstances, be conscious that it is also a place of work where the:- land, livestock, machinery, wildlife and environment must be respected. Following advice from Defra and Public Health England, we urge the public, when on their daily exercise, to maintain social distancing requirements, keep dogs away from livestock and leave gates as they find them. We are also calling on the public to be pragmatic and avoid hot spot tourist areas that are particularly busy this time of year. It's important that we all act responsibly and check car parks, for example, are open before travelling."

For information on the Countryside Code; which details the responsibilities for visitors to the countryside and those who manage the land; click here.

National study has revealed 1 in 10 UK couples say lockdown has led them to plan a new baby

A new study has found that 1 in 10 couples are planning for a January patter of tiny feet. Those most likely to plan for a lockdown baby live in London (18%), the North East (18%) and Yorkshire and The Humber (14%), according to research by financial comparison experts Money.Co.UK.

7% of couples have already fallen pregnant while forced to isolate under the new quarantine regulations, according to the poll.

34% of couples said they are taking the opportunity to make more time for each other whilst conforming to:- 'stay at home' guidelines.

We are told that they have now prepared a parental calculator on the firms website that is designed to easily show would be parents how much maternity and paternity leave they can afford to take off, according to their personal financial situation.

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at Money.Co.UK, said:- "It definitely looks like we can expect a lot of lockdown babies to be born in early 2021. Ensuring you are financially prepared for the arrival of a new addition to the family is really important, so if you are considering getting pregnant now is the time to start budgeting to avoid any costly surprises when the bundle of joy arrives in 2021."

Lockdown has meant many couples are spending much less money, so can use that additional disposable income to press ahead with plans to have a baby.

23% of couples said lockdown has meant they've had the opportunity to save money and try for a baby immediately. And yet, for most, the decision is an emotional 1 rather than a mathematical 1. 51% said planning a baby is ruled by their heart, with 49% admitting the decision is ruled by their head.

Under lockdown, what's the most popular way to break the happy news that a new baby is on the way? 17% of expectant couples will tell their loved ones their happy news through a video call via Skype, Zoom or other video apps. 16% would call their family on the phone, 15% will wait until lockdown is over and 12% would tell their family in person but at a safe distance.

Lockdown has made family far more important than ever before, the report shows. 3 in 10 of those polled say they appreciate their family more than ever since lockdown started. And 28% say, as a result of being quarantined, they plan to make more time for their family after lockdown. Another 34% say they now speak to their family more than they ever did before lockdown.

The change in the priorities of UK families means a new baby boom could be on the cards too.

Salman Haqqi added:- "While having a child at any time is a true moment of happiness for everyone involved, it can also be a time of nervousness and worry. It is important to note that for most couples, 'is having a baby affordable' is the prime motivation behind their planning. With this in mind we've developed our parental calculator; which is designed to offer some reassurance to would be parents. Simply answer a few straightforward questions about your personal financial circumstances and our calculator will show you how much maternity and paternity leave you can afford to take off. It is also clear we are spending much more time together as families and we are not getting on each other's nerves either; in fact, just 6% say lockdown has led to family fall outs, with 30% of the UK claiming lockdown has changed their priorities and made them realise family is now much more important to them."

Total UK cases COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and surroundings

THE total number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 2,615 cases and the total number now stand at 250,908, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals. The daily number of laboratory confirmed UK cases is 146,662, as of Sunday,17 May 2020. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is 36,042. Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be 338 according to the Department of Health. In England, there are a total of 144,984 confirmed cases. North West - total of 24,295 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

► Liverpool, 1,572 confirmed cases.

► Sefton, 900 confirmed cases.

► Wirral, 1,204 confirmed cases.

► St. Helens, 744 confirmed cases.

► Halton, 380 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 3,420 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,035 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 1,132 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 1,482 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 1,025 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 770 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 1,130 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 978 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 747 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 693 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 653 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 1,024 confirmed cases.

► Blackburn with Darwen, 396 confirmed cases.

These stats are according to Public Health England as of 21/05/2020. Last updated 4.09pm GMT. UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs).. UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs).

UK Government Coronavirus Press Conference on 21 May 2020 Video