Sellafield Ltd is one of the Founder Patrons of the new facility that is located in the town centre of Warrington, and is due to open in Spring 2022.

Pauline Deans, Sellafield Ltd’s Community Liaison Officer said:

Our support to this exciting new venue is part of our SiX Social Impact Multiplied programme, and will ensure every young person in Warrington, regardless of their circumstance or background, can access first-rate facilities alongside expert mentoring and employability programmes.

The facility will help to tackle specific issues that might otherwise hold back young people, with the aim of making them happier, healthier and better equipped with the skills they need for the future.

Building on the success and legacy of Warrington Youth Club, the building is being developed by the national charity OnSide which has a network of 13 similar Youth Zones across the county.

It aims to raise the aspirations, enhance prospects and improve health and wellbeing for youngsters by providing affordable access to a wide range of programmes, services and activities including sports, arts, music, media, dance, drama and mentoring as well as offering hot meals for just £1.

The building will also have a dedicated enterprise and employability suite, which aims to support people who are not in education, employment or training, by equipping them with skills for the future.

Young People’s Development group member Izzy Murphy said:

I thought it was really cool, I really like all the different rooms. The Youth Zone will be really good for young people in Warrington, it’s going to give them something to do, it’s not going to cost a lot to go in and it is easily accessible because we are right near the bus and train station.

Warrington Youth Zone CEO Dave McNicholl said:

It was fantastic to take young people and supporters inside the building so they can see how spectacular it will be.

Having a state-of-the art building will enable us to welcome thousands of young people from all across Warrington, providing them with over 20 activities every evening as well as the vital support they need and deserve.

None of this would be possible without the support of Warrington Borough Council and our fantastic group of funders.

Pauline added:

It is great to see the building taking shape and I am sure the young people of Warrington will be wowed by all the activities on offer, and the support that will be provided for their health, wellbeing and development of future skills.

The centre, located at 2 Gilmore Park (EH3 9FN), is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises of eight drive through sites, 56 walk-through sites, 42 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.

In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all COVID testing and test processing outside of the NHS.

PCR tests must be booked in advance at: www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 119. People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) or have been instructed to do so by a clinician or NHS contact tracer.

Lateral flow test kits are also now available for pick up without an appointment at local walk-in or drive-through test sites from 8am – 8pm each day. Tests can also be ordered online or by phone by calling 119. For more information and to order a test kit online, go to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Jenny Harries, CEO of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

This new walk-through site is part of our ongoing work to make it even easier for people who need a PCR test to get one.

If you have developed a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in sense of smell or taste, or you are asked or advised to get a test, please book one and follow any advice you’re given.

As we return to a more familiar way of life, testing, and isolating when necessary, remain a vital way of controlling the spread of the virus and protecting one another.

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart said:

The UK Government continues to provide the bulk of testing in Scotland, a programme which is vital to our recovery from this pandemic. Alongside the roll-out of UK Government-funded vaccines, testing is helping us to manage the virus, slow down the rate of transmission and protect communities.

This new walk-through facility in Edinburgh is the latest in our extensive network of testing centres supporting people in all parts of the UK.

Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government & Strategy Officer, said:

Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running. Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Edinburgh who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.

By law, all drivers must meet medical standards for fitness to drive at all times, and there are additional checks for bus and lorry drivers.

All drivers are legally obliged to tell DVLA about a medical condition that could impair their ability to drive, such as diabetes, glaucoma and epilepsy. We use this information to decide what further actions to take.

We want as many people as possible to enjoy the freedom of the open road for as long as possible, but only if they are safe to do so. Currently this means we need to contact GPs and hospital doctors in certain instances, when a driver tells us about a medical condition that could affect their driving.

Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)

The impact of COVID-19 on the NHS and GP surgeries is unparalleled. We greatly appreciate the significant support of a driver’s doctor, providing vital medical reports to help us decide if it’s safe to issue a driving licence. When an application involves a medical condition, we’re often wholly dependent on receiving this additional information.

We know that the ability of NHS doctors and GPs to respond to our queries was impacted by the pandemic. And while the provision of such reports may not be clinically urgent, receiving a driving licence in a timely manner can be vitally important to an individual’s wellbeing and livelihood.

In addition to helping the ordinary motorist, making sure bus and lorry drivers stay safe and legal on the road is of particular importance for us. This will help drivers delivering essential goods and transporting passengers throughout the UK.

New proposals 

We’re very much aware of the need for GP practices and hospital teams to prioritise and manage their resources in such times. With the support of the Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) we propose amending current legislation to increase the pool of healthcare professionals authorised to fill in medical questionnaires and we want your views on doing so.

Only registered medical professionals – doctors with full general medical council (GMC) registration are currently authorised to provide medical reports to DVLA.

Changing the law to allow an appropriate registered healthcare professional, other than a doctor, to fill in a medical questionnaire, will give surgeries greater flexibility and improve turnaround times. This proposal also supports DHSC’s aim to reduce bureaucracy in general practice.

We’re seeking your views

We want to involve you in decisions that affect you and welcome your views, thoughts, and insights on this proposal.

The consultation will run between 8 November and 6 December 2021 and will only take you 25 minutes to read and provide feedback. After the consultation the results will be analysed and details of the outcome of the consultation will also be published.

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Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, James Cleverly, said:

On 9 November we achieved international agreement to impose sanctions against Houthi military leaders. Muhammad Abd Al-Karim Al-Ghamari and Yusuf Al-Madani are generals who have been sanctioned for leading Houthi offensives throughout Yemen, particularly in Marib, and for orchestrating cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia. Saleh Mesfer Saleh Al-Shaer used his position to seize the assets of opponents and circumvent the UN arms embargo.

The Houthis, and all other parties to the conflict, need to engage constructively on negotiations. Dialogue is the only way to sustainably end this conflict and alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis.