Latest news with #Boyes
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Health Select Committee Report Fails To Address Real Issues In Funeral Debt
Press Release – Funeral Directors Assn of NZ We think putting in place better consumer protection, with a backstop of genuine Government support for the most vulnerable is going to have far more impact on funeral debt than simplifying paperwork. The Funeral Directors Association says calls from advocacy group, Death without Debt, to simplify cremation paperwork is distracting Government from the real issues around funeral debt. The Health Select Committee has now released a report on cremation costs and associated matters, finding the current process and regulations create a barrier for people who want to organise their own funerals. However Chief Executive, Gillian Boyes, notes the Select Committee recognised it is already possible for people to complete the paperwork directly, recommending the Te Hokinga ā Wairua | End of Life Service website includes links on its website. 'We're incredibly frustrated this advocacy group has suggested making paperwork easier to find will somehow fix funeral debt,' says Ms Boyes. 'Completing paperwork is a fraction of the cost of funeral services. What does cost is what people want and need, which is the support in caring for them and their loved one when they're at a moment in life where they often can't think straight and where paperwork is the least of their concerns. That is the service funeral directors provide.' Ms Boyes says the industry's own submission to the Health Select Committee recommended the Government should instead focus on: Price transparency in law for all funeral directors. Currently only Funeral Directors Association members are obligated by their Standards and Code of Ethics to be transparent. An increase in the asset testing limit for pre-paid funerals from $10,000 to $15,000. This would ensure those with the means to pre-plan are setting aside a more realistic amount which avoids future debt. An increase in the Work and Income Funeral Grant. This would better protect those with no money for the essential services funeral directors provide. 'Government has to be realistic that when services are provided privately, there is cost involved. 'We think putting in place better consumer protection, with a backstop of genuine Government support for the most vulnerable is going to have far more impact on funeral debt than simplifying paperwork.'
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Health Select Committee Report Fails To Address Real Issues In Funeral Debt
The Funeral Directors Association says calls from advocacy group, Death without Debt, to simplify cremation paperwork is distracting Government from the real issues around funeral debt. The Health Select Committee has now released a report on cremation costs and associated matters, finding the current process and regulations create a barrier for people who want to organise their own funerals. However Chief Executive, Gillian Boyes, notes the Select Committee recognised it is already possible for people to complete the paperwork directly, recommending the Te Hokinga ā Wairua | End of Life Service website includes links on its website. 'We're incredibly frustrated this advocacy group has suggested making paperwork easier to find will somehow fix funeral debt,' says Ms Boyes. 'Completing paperwork is a fraction of the cost of funeral services. What does cost is what people want and need, which is the support in caring for them and their loved one when they're at a moment in life where they often can't think straight and where paperwork is the least of their concerns. That is the service funeral directors provide.' Ms Boyes says the industry's own submission to the Health Select Committee recommended the Government should instead focus on: Price transparency in law for all funeral directors. Currently only Funeral Directors Association members are obligated by their Standards and Code of Ethics to be transparent. An increase in the asset testing limit for pre-paid funerals from $10,000 to $15,000. This would ensure those with the means to pre-plan are setting aside a more realistic amount which avoids future debt. An increase in the Work and Income Funeral Grant. This would better protect those with no money for the essential services funeral directors provide. 'Government has to be realistic that when services are provided privately, there is cost involved. 'We think putting in place better consumer protection, with a backstop of genuine Government support for the most vulnerable is going to have far more impact on funeral debt than simplifying paperwork.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Morgan Boyes set to reunite with Morton teammate at Championship rival
JACK BAIRD could be set to reunite with one of his former Morton teammates - just days after agreeing to join Championship rivals St Johnstone. Saints boss Simo Valakari is looking to drag the Perth side back up to the Premiership at the first time of asking - and he's starting by casting his recruitment gaze towards Cappielow. Boyes is closing in on a move to St Johnstone (Image: ALEX CRAIG) Defender Jack Baird has already signed a pre-contract agreement with the McDiarmid Park club to bring to an end his second spell on Sinclair Street. And Valakari, with the assistance of former Morton boss Gus MacPherson, now St Johnstone's director of football, now looks set to add another out-of-contract Ton star to the Perth side's ranks. Baird's defensive colleague, Morgan Boyes, now looks set to make the switch from Inverclyde to Tayside, according to The Courier. The Tele understands that Boyes is close to finalising a deal with the east coast outfit. It's believed that Ton boss Dougie Imrie wanted to keep the Welsh defender, who, as a left-footed centre back, is a hot commodity in the modern game. However, the ongoing uncertainty over Morton's playing budget, and overall finances, for next season means Imrie is unable to offer any deals to out-of-contract members oif his squad. Morgan Boyes could be on the verge of a move to St Johnstone. (Image: George Munro) Members of Morton Club Together, the club's majority shareholder, have until June 5 to vote on the terms of a proposed new deal with the club's main sponsor, Dalrada Technology. MCT has previously said that Dalrada's financial backing is crucial to Morton being able to continue competing with the club's full-time rivals in the Championship. Dalrada's existing three-year sponsorship deal with the club is due to come to an end on June 30. An extraordinary general meeting of MCT members, to discuss the terms of the proposed new Dalrada deal, is due to be held on June 2.
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
St Johnstone line-up TWO more signings as Morton and Raith stars close in on Perth moves
St Johnstone are set to add two more Championship players to their squad for next season's promotion push. Fresh from tying up Morton captain, Jack Baird, on a two-year contract, Simo Valakari is closing in on another double deal, Courier Sport understands. The Saints boss has lined up a SECOND Cappielow defender, Morgan Boyes. And he also wants to sign Raith Rovers forward, Jamie Gullan. Boyes, 24, came through Liverpool's academy and is a former Wales under-21 international. After spells with Fleetwood Town, Livingston and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, he joined Morton on a one-year deal last summer. Like Baird, he is now a free agent. More a ball-playing defender than his team-mate at Greenock, Boyes would be an option for Valakari at centre-half and left-back. Gullan, 25, had FIVE spells with Raith, three of them loans. The most recent of them was arguably his best and Stark's Park boss, Barry Robson, had hoped to persuade him to stay. Gullan started his football career at Hibs and had a spell in Ireland with Dundalk before returning to Kirkcaldy in January. Valakari has had the chance to watch him in person when he was doing his homework on two Scottish Cup opponents of Saints last season, Hamilton and Livingston. The Finn has pledged to overhaul his squad after the Perth club's relegation. A total of 16 players were released and he now wants to create the core of a team that will be familiar with their new surroundings.
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Man charged with rape and sexual assault after two girls 'attacked' near station
Police received reports that a teenage girl had been raped and a second had been sexually assaulted at Digby and Sowton railway station in Devon - with a 19-year-old man charged and due in court on Monday A 19-year-old man has been charged with raping and sexually assaulting two teenage girls at a railway station late at night. Police responded to reports that a teenage girl had been raped and a second had been sexually assaulted at Digby and Sowton railway station in Devon on the evening of Friday, May 9. Devon and Cornwall Police have charged Sonny Boyes in connection with the two incidents. Boyes, from Exeter, has been charged with two counts of rape and three counts of assault by penetration relating to two victims and is due to appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on Monday, May 12. Officers have now urged members of the public who were travelling through the station late on Friday evening to come forward and contact them. Detective Inspector Emma Lefort from Exeter CID said: "The victims continue to be supported by our specialist officers at this time. We continue to investigate the incidents and want to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Digby and Sowton railway station, or on a train passing through, between 8.45pm and 10pm on Friday 9 May. "If you do have any information to share, please contact us either via our website or 101, quoting 50250116456. "Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at or by calling freephone 0800 555 111." Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: "Detectives investigating reports of rape and sexual assault against two girls near Digby and Sowton railway station have charged a man. We were notified on the evening of Friday 9 May to reports that a teenage girl had been raped and a further report that another teenage girl had been sexually assaulted within the Digby and Sowton area of Exeter. "A detailed investigation was undertaken which led to charges being brought against Sonny Boyes who is aged 19 and from Exeter. He has been charged with two offences of rape and three offences of assault by penetration relating to two victims. He will appear at Exeter Magistrates' Court on Monday 12 May."
