Latest news with #SteveRotheram
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Shakespeare North seeks naming partner for funding
Shakespeare North Playhouse says it is looking for a naming rights partner in what is believed to be the first deal of its kind for a regional theatre in the venue, a replica Shakespearean theatre that opened in Prescot, Merseyside, in 2022, said it wanted a deal similar to those for many sport grounds to "support the theatre's ambitions over the next decade". It said the partnership could "exceed £300,000 annually" against a "challenging" financial backdrop, after an 18% fall in core funding theatre's chief executive Lisa Allen told BBC Radio Merseyside there was no risk of the theatre closing down "but I would say that we are very reliant on Knowsley Council". "I would like us to be less so - so we should find alternative funding streams," she Allen said that in her 30-year career in the arts, Knowsley Council had "been the most supportive council I have ever worked with"."It would be nice to not have to rely on them for as much support because Knowsley is the second-most deprived area in the country."Prominent actors such as Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson and Stephen Graham have appeared at the theatre, which cost £38m to build and has hosted more than 300,000 visitors - 10% of whom had never visited a theatre before, the venue has said. The venue received £10.5m during its development from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with mayor Steve Rotheram recently saying: "In a short space of time, it's made an incredible impact on the local community and it's my hope that it will continue to inspire, educate, and bring people together for generations to come."Ms Allen said they hoped to confirm a naming partner in 2026 in what theatre publication The Stage called "a significant shift in arts funding".Prescot is believed to have been the site of the only purpose-built Elizabethan theatre outside London, which is thought to have existed in the original theatre hosted performances of works by William Shakespeare and was made possible by the Earl of Derby, who lived at Knowsley Council leader Graham Morgan said he wanted residents to benefit from "access to culture and the arts".He called the potential naming rights deal a "really innovative project and something that in time we think could also help to support the future of other regional theatres too – which can only be a good thing". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Rachel Reeves to announce billions in regional spending after Treasury rule changes
Rachel Reeves is preparing to announce billions of pounds' worth of extra spending for areas outside south-east England at next month's spending review, after rewriting Treasury investment rules. The chancellor will unveil the extra capital spending after a review of the Treasury's 'green book', which determines how officials calculate the costs and benefits of a scheme. Critics say the rules are biased in favour of more economically productive areas of the country, and Reeves has promised a review to be published on the same day as the spending review. The announcement, which was first revealed by the Times, comes as ministers look for ways to combat the threat of Reform UK in the 'red wall' of seats in the north and Midlands, which were won by the Conservatives in 2019 and taken by Labour last year. Those areas are likely to be hit by reduced departmental spending, which Reeves will also lay out at the spending review. Reeves said in January: 'As the metro mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, has called for, we will review the green book and how it is being used to provide objective, transparent advice on public investment across the country, including outside London, and the south-east. 'This means that investment in all regions is given a fair hearing by the Treasury that I lead.' Rotheram previously called the green book review 'one of the wonkiest and most technical changes possible' but also 'one of the most impactful and most transformative changes possible'. Officials confirmed on Friday there would be billions of pounds of extra investment spending on schemes such as energy projects, roads and rails outside London and the south-east. Keir Starmer has said that Reform poses the biggest electoral threat to Labour, having picked up significant support in northern former industrial areas since last year's election. The prime minister gave a speech on Thursday in which he argued the Tories were 'sliding into the abyss', leaving Reform as his party's main political opponents. Speaking at a glass factory in St Helen's, Starmer attempted to puncture the appeal of the Reform leader, Nigel Farage, in similar areas of the country. 'Unlike Nigel Farage, I know what it's like growing up in a cost of living crisis. I know what it's like when your family can't pay the bills, when you fear the postman, the bills that may be brought.' Reeves is not the first chancellor to change the green book rules. Five years ago, Rishi Sunak did the same thing, also with a view to making sure investment was better spread out across the UK. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion That review ordered officials to take account of the government's social and environmental policies when deciding whether to approve projects. The review also instructed them to pay attention to how a scheme might interact with others in the local area, in an attempt to increase spending in more poorly resourced parts of the country. Despite these changes however, both Sunak and Reeves have been accused of continuing to favour the south-east with their spending plans. When Sunak scrapped part of the HS2 rail line in 2023 for example, he replaced it with a series of transport schemes which were badged as 'Network North' but included hundreds of millions of pounds for London and the south-east. When Reeves announced a series of measures earlier this year designed to boost economic growth, she put at its heart plans to expand Heathrow airport and improve transport links between Oxford and Cambridge.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Nine-year-old among those injured at Liverpool victory parade, police say
Officers have until Thursday evening to question a 53-year-old man, from West Derby, Liverpool, who is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving, after 79 people were injured in the collision on Water Street just after 6pm on Monday. Police confirmed the age of the victims ranged from nine to 78 and said they were all understood to be British. On Wednesday, the force said seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition. Police believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted. A force spokesman said there was a partial closure in place on Dale Street – which leads into Water Street – between North John Street and Exchange Street. 🗣️ "It shows the commitment of the government when they said that they stand with Liverpool." Yesterday the Prime Minister and @MetroMayorSteve visited Merseyside Police headquarters for an update on their investigation into Monday's incident. — Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region (@LCRMayor) May 29, 2025 Traffic was filtered down Exchange Street to stop vehicles getting onto Water Street and a flatbed truck and traffic cones were used as a barrier, the spokesman said. Water Street leads onto The Strand, where hundreds of thousands of fans gathered to see the Liverpool team bus pass during the celebrations over their 20th Premier League victory. Police have not revealed which drug the arrested man was suspected of taking, saying: 'We wouldn't go into this detail at this stage of the investigation.' A fundraising campaign set up for those affected has raised more than £30,000, including a £10,000 donation from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, the former Liverpool player's charity. The Liverpool Spirit Appeal was set up by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS), and money raised will be distributed to those experiencing physical or psychological injuries as a result of the incident, as well as to community organisations.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Leader Live
Nine-year-old among those injured at Liverpool victory parade, police say
Officers have until Thursday evening to question a 53-year-old man, from West Derby, Liverpool, who is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving, after 79 people were injured in the collision on Water Street just after 6pm on Monday. Police confirmed the age of the victims ranged from nine to 78 and said they were all understood to be British. On Wednesday, the force said seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition. Police believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted. A force spokesman said there was a partial closure in place on Dale Street – which leads into Water Street – between North John Street and Exchange Street. 🗣️ "It shows the commitment of the government when they said that they stand with Liverpool." Yesterday the Prime Minister and @MetroMayorSteve visited Merseyside Police headquarters for an update on their investigation into Monday's incident. — Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region (@LCRMayor) May 29, 2025 Traffic was filtered down Exchange Street to stop vehicles getting onto Water Street and a flatbed truck and traffic cones were used as a barrier, the spokesman said. Water Street leads onto The Strand, where hundreds of thousands of fans gathered to see the Liverpool team bus pass during the celebrations over their 20th Premier League victory. Police have not revealed which drug the arrested man was suspected of taking, saying: 'We wouldn't go into this detail at this stage of the investigation.' A fundraising campaign set up for those affected has raised more than £30,000, including a £10,000 donation from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, the former Liverpool player's charity. The Liverpool Spirit Appeal was set up by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS), and money raised will be distributed to those experiencing physical or psychological injuries as a result of the incident, as well as to community organisations.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Nine-year-old among those injured at Liverpool victory parade, police say
Officers have until Thursday evening to question a 53-year-old man, from West Derby, Liverpool, who is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving, after 79 people were injured in the collision on Water Street just after 6pm on Monday. Police confirmed the age of the victims ranged from nine to 78 and said they were all understood to be British. On Wednesday, the force said seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition. Police believe the car which struck pedestrians was able to follow an ambulance crew attending to someone suffering a heart attack after a road block was temporarily lifted. A force spokesman said there was a partial closure in place on Dale Street – which leads into Water Street – between North John Street and Exchange Street. 🗣️ "It shows the commitment of the government when they said that they stand with Liverpool." Yesterday the Prime Minister and @MetroMayorSteve visited Merseyside Police headquarters for an update on their investigation into Monday's incident. — Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region (@LCRMayor) May 29, 2025 Traffic was filtered down Exchange Street to stop vehicles getting onto Water Street and a flatbed truck and traffic cones were used as a barrier, the spokesman said. Water Street leads onto The Strand, where hundreds of thousands of fans gathered to see the Liverpool team bus pass during the celebrations over their 20th Premier League victory. Police have not revealed which drug the arrested man was suspected of taking, saying: 'We wouldn't go into this detail at this stage of the investigation.' A fundraising campaign set up for those affected has raised more than £30,000, including a £10,000 donation from the Jamie Carragher 23 Foundation, the former Liverpool player's charity. The Liverpool Spirit Appeal was set up by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Liverpool City Council, and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS), and money raised will be distributed to those experiencing physical or psychological injuries as a result of the incident, as well as to community organisations.
