Latest news with #Catch22
NZ Herald
03-08-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
No plan A or B: Danyl McLauchlan on PM Chris Luxon's economic tinkering
Walking a fine line between self congratulations and bold policy: PM Christopher Luxon and finance minister Nicola Willis. Photo / Getty Images / composite The government lacks a roadmap for a sustained economic recovery beyond tinkering with childcare rebates and payment surcharges. In the satirical war novel Catch 22, a burnt-out World War II pilot covertly moved the red string on the battle map demarcating the front line, reasoning that this would somehow cause the army to have advanced in real life so he wouldn't have to fly more missions. It's a joke about confusing the map for the territory: our simplified models of reality are not the real world. For most of 2024, US voters told pollsters they were angry about inflation and they'd kick out Joe Biden's government if he didn't do something about it. The Biden administration would exasperatedly reply, 'We did do something! Look at the CPI. The rate of inflation was 9%, it's now 2.9%.' Voters were not persuaded. They felt the government was pointing to a line on the map, not the world. So they voted for Donald Trump, who vowed he would beat inflation. Core CPI is now lower than it was under Biden, though this might change as the effects of Liberation Day's tariffs kick in. But Americans are angry at Trump anyway, because their food prices are up, and expensive groceries and petrol are what most people mean by inflation. US discourse is focused on eggs. In New Zealand, we're upset about butter. Both might seem trivial, but these are things we can point to in the world and shout, 'Forget the CPI. Your map is wrong. Prices are still high!' Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis are trying to walk a fine line between congratulating themselves on their incredible work in defeating inflation and introducing bolder policies to tackle inflation because the public is clearly not convinced by the first claim. Rebate boost The flagship policies include the tax cuts passed last year – stealthily being clawed back as wages rise alongside prices via the infamous fiscal-drag mechanism – and FamilyBoost, a rebate scheme for early childhood education. This has simultaneously been a triumph and a failure, depending on your perspective. The policy has significantly lowered the cost of childcare, because the government is subsidising 25% of weekly ECE fees. But it has simultaneously lifted the price of childcare – because the government is subsidising 25% of weekly ECE fees, providers have every incentive to charge more. We've recently learned the scheme has fully benefited only 249 households instead of the 21,000 predicted by IRD's model. Willis's solution is to extend the rebate to 40% and make this available to households earning up to $229,000 a year. This makes political sense – National can hardly abandon a key campaign promise in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. But it means the state will give up to $250 a fortnight to households earning more than twice the median income, while lecturing both central and local government agencies about the need for prudence and fiscal discipline. Council rap After a spate of dire polls and yet another round of rapacious rates rises contributing to an increase in the CPI last quarter there's talk of a rates cap on councils. Local Government Minister Simon Watts claims to want the policy in place 'as fast as possible' and has introduced legislation along those lines; but neither Act nor New Zealand First appear convinced. There's also a plan to ban payment surcharges for in-store electronic transactions 'by May 2026 at the latest'. If they're voted out of office in late 2026, National will look back in astonishment at how little they did to address the key issue that won them the 2023 election ‒ the cost of living. In the US, there were two popular theories to explain the disconnect between voter perceptions and the economic data, and both feel true for New Zealand. The first came from The Atlantic journalist Annie Lowrey, who explained that most of us anchor cost expectations to the price tags we got used to during the pre-pandemic era of low inflation. Washing powder was $20, now it's $30. Even if the price hasn't changed in the past year, we still register it as an increase every time we pay the higher amount. The 'vibecession' The second theory is from economic commentator Kyla Scanlon, who coined the term 'vibecession'. She argues years of instability caused by Covid, inflation, layoffs and the housing crisis have created a profoundly negative mood about the state of the US economy. This was amplified by social and mainstream media, reinforcing pessimism even during the recovery. Prices here might be more stable than they were three years ago, but the overall vibes are terrible. New Zealand feels broken in a way that banning credit card surcharges will probably not resolve. Both theories are grounded in psychology rather than microeconomics. Both will need a broad, sustained economic recovery to solve them – something National has promised but not yet delivered, a failure the Prime Minister loudly blames on Labour, although local government and the media also seem to be complicit. When Luxon was opposition leader, he assured voters our problems were caused by former prime minister Chris Hipkins and former finance minister Grant Robertson, and they'd be solved when he was running things. They all say that. But incoming governments usually have some kind of plan to address the more serious challenges they're confronted with – such as a sustained economic downturn. Luxon seems to have assumed his mere presence in the Beehive would sort this out. Two years in, it's still hard to see any kind of plan. He doesn't seem to occupy the same bleak territory the rest of us live in, nor does he have a map to guide him or us anywhere. John Maynard Keynes used to mock economists who 'can only tell us that when the storm is long past the ocean is flat again', but even that is preferable to political leaders who squander their time in power whining that the storm is everyone else's fault.
RTÉ News
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Preparations under way for Ablefest 2025 in Co Meath
Preparations are well under way for what is set to be Ireland's first and largest music and arts festival for people with additional needs, which will take place in Co Meath this weekend. The organisers of Ablefest have said the non-profit event aims to highlight the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, and attendees class it as their Electric Picnic. This year's line-up will see the likes of Jake Carter, Johnny Brady, Brian Mullen, Catch 22, Matt Leavy, tribute act Irish Elvis, and Bingo Loco take to the stage at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Saturday. Festival-goers will also be able to enjoy a "myriad of creative fun" at an array of art and activity stations. Special toilets will be provided by AccessoLoo on the day for wheelchair users needing hoists while there will also be staffed sensory pods on site. Co-founded in 2018 by Shay Casserley and Kevin Farrell, who both have children with additional needs, this year's festival is set to be the biggest one yet. It is also the first year that Ablefest will take place at Fairyhouse Racecourse to accommodate a larger number of attendees, and the first year that Meath County Council is partnering with the event. Ablefest has donated thousands of euros to charities in recent years and organisers are now looking into using the proceeds from the event to sponsor respite care for families. Collaborations have also been formed with other festivals such as TradFest in Dublin and the St Patrick's Day Festival in Killarney. Co-founder and festival director, Mr Farrell said that he and Mr Casserley set up the festival as there was nothing like it already established in Ireland. He said: "We are very excited to collaborate with Meath County Council for Ablefest 2025, which is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet. "Ablefest is the first and largest accessible festival in Ireland, where 1.2 million people have a disability, and I am proud to welcome people from all over the country to Fairyhouse for a fantastic event." Meanwhile, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe said: "Meath County Council is delighted to partner with this year's Ablefest event, once again showcasing Meath as an inclusive county for people of all abilities. "The excellent line-up and supportive festival environment will ensure Ablefest 2025 will undoubtedly be a great day out for all on Saturday," Mr Kehoe added. Tickets for Ablefest 2025 are still available to purchase online with organisers stating that all money raised is used to cover the cost of the event itself, or else is donated to charity.
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Meath welcomes country stars and Irish Elvis for largest inclusive music and arts festival
The festival, Ablefest, co-founded by Shay Casserley and Kevin Farrell has been running since 2018, and is a non-profit event that highlights the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. Since 2018, Ablefest has donated thousands to charities in Ireland and are now looking into sponsoring some respite care for a family from the proceeds of the festival. The festival has partnered with Meath County Council for its sixth year, setting the standard for inclusive celebrations in Ireland and working with other festivals, including TradFest in Dublin and The St Patricks Festival in Killarney, Co. Kerry. This year's line-up will feature music from Jake Carter, Johnny Brady, Brian Mullen, Catch 22, Matt Leavy, and Irish Elvis, as well as having an array of art and activity stations. There will also be a multisensory area, holistic therapy and yoga, and staffed sensory pods. Festival director Kevin Farrell said: 'Ablefest is the first and largest accessible festival in Ireland, where 1.2 million people have a disability, and I am proud to welcome people from all over the country to Fairyhouse for a fantastic event.' Chief executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said that the festival showcases Co. Meath as an 'inclusive county for people of all abilities'. 'The excellent line-up and supportive festival environment will ensure Ablefest 2025 will undoubtedly be a great day out for all,' he said. Everyone is welcome to attend the festival, with tickets available online. One carer (with valid ID) can also attend free of charge with each ticket holder. The organisers of Ablefest have created a video on their Facebook page, outlining every aspect of what to expect at their festival in order to provide support to any attendees.
New Statesman
04-07-2025
- Business
- New Statesman
Meeting missions. Creating jobs. Building careers.
Photo Credit: Fife College / Shell UK On the surface, Julie Lansdell and Dylan Reid appear to have little in common. Julie, now in her sixties, has balanced a working life with bringing up three children, holding down a series of jobs including an 11-year stint as an administrative officer at a local county court in Norfolk. Dylan, in the early stages of his career, lives nearly 400 miles north on the east coast of Scotland. He most recently worked at a global distribution centre in Dunfermline. Different ages, different backgrounds, but Julie and Dylan share three things in common: they both possess entrepreneurial spirit, they have a keen awareness of energy-related issues and a sense of responsibility to foster sustainable practices, and they've both received training through Shell UK's SkillsTransition programme. Julie recently completed a four-week Domestic Energy Advisor Level 3 course, part of the Shell UK-funded Energise employability programme. Delivered by charity partner Catch22, the Energise programme seeks to power careers in the energy transition by supporting people – especially those facing employment barriers – into jobs. Through Energise, Catch22 supports learners across London, Liverpool, Manchester and Norfolk, where Julie now runs her own small business as a domestic energy advisor. After a period of unemployment, and struggling with confidence issues, Julie was looking for a different career path. In her new role, she assesses the efficiency of residential properties and produces Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). 'The course has given me the opportunity to follow my dream and have my own business. It's perfect,' she said. 'I developed confidence, interview techniques and gained an understanding of the hidden jobs market. This helped me believe in myself and increased my drive.' Dylan, meanwhile, is enrolled at one of Shell UK's Energy Transition Skills hubs, at Fife College. He is studying for a national certificate in engineering systems with renewables, which will arm him with the practical experience and theoretical knowledge needed to pursue a career in electrical engineering. The NC level 5 course offers an introduction to renewable energy technology including wind, solar, and battery storage. Students develop electrical and mechanical skills and progress into a higher-level qualification, move into a modern apprenticeship or start a trainee role within a renewables business. Dylan's ambition is to become a self-employed electrician. The Energise programme and the hub in Fife are two distinct examples of Shell UK's SkillsTransition programme, which is focused on supporting 15,000 people into jobs with a focus on the energy transition by 2035. In doing so, Shell UK is assisting the government's growth and clean energy missions. As Skills England makes clear, clean energy skilled workers are essential if the government is to meet its Clean Energy Mission to deliver clean power by 2030 and accelerate the economy to net zero. If the UK is to move successfully to net zero by 2050 – and support an estimated 1.18 million newly created green jobs – it must meet an exacting challenge. Without the right investment, a skilled workforce and access to jobs, we risk leaving people behind and failing to meet the mid-century target. This is the skills gap Shell UK wants to help close. Shell UK's ambition involves ongoing commitment and investment in initiatives led by further education colleges, charities, and other skills bodies. Dylan is a beneficiary of the investment in further education colleges. Fife College is home to one of three UK-wide Energy Transition skills hubs Shell UK has helped create. The others are in Pembrokeshire and, opening later in 2025, Aberdeen. Taken together, they provide students with the opportunity to learn and refine critical capabilities. They each deliver specialist energy transition skills, including welding and fabrication in Aberdeen; community-level nano grid energy system design in Fife; and control room systems operations in Pembrokeshire. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Beyond the skills hubs, Shell UK works with third-party organisations like Catch22, a partnership which has proved to be so successful for Julie. Other specialist employability partners include Breaking Barriers, UpReach, Shaw Trust and Good People. Shaw Trust, for example, delivers short courses to support diverse groups of people with the soft skills they need to help them get into work and to understand the range of jobs available in the energy sector. The Shell UK SkillsTransition programme aims to reach people from a range of backgrounds and, to date, has supported over 4,000 people across the UK – people like Julie and Dylan – with many more to come. Like Julie, Dylan believes the impact his course is having is huge. Not only has the course taught him practical skills, but it has also helped him fully understand what he wants to do in the future, cementing his commitment to play a role in the energy transition. He said: 'I have learnt many things that I had never had experience with before, including the electrical principles theories. The best part of this course for me is being able to develop my practical wiring skills even more.' The Shell UK SkillsTransition programme provides opportunities to ensure people are at the heart of the energy transition. Read more about these programmes at: Related
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
New West Yorkshire taskforce to tackle 'evil' county lines trade
A new police taskforce is to be set up aimed at disrupting county lines drug networks in West Home Office said the unit would work to target drug running in and out of the region and protect people from being exploited by said more than £1.3m was being invested after the region had been identified as being "consistently one of the largest exporters of county lines drug running".Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Officers at West Yorkshire Police have already made important progress in combatting drugs running in the area, and this funding will help the force go further to put a stop to this evil practice." The government said £1m would be spent on tackling the movement of drugs in and out of West Yorkshire, with an additional £300,000 spent on support for new unit, which will be set up within West Yorkshire Police, marks an expansion of the government's County Lines Programme, with similar teams already in place in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.A spokesperson said since July 2024, work by the taskforces had led to more than 1,200 line closures, with more than 2,000 arrests and 800 people funding for West Yorkshire will also see specialist services provided by Catch22 – a charity that supports young people and families exploited by county lines – extended to the region. Sarah Jones, the temporary assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, said: "The formation of a dedicated task force for West Yorkshire gives us an opportunity to build on the work we already do in tackling county lines crime head on, making an even greater positive impact."Our aim is clear – we will be relentless in our pursuit of those behind county lines by disrupting their illicit enterprises. We will safeguard victims, raise awareness of the dangers of county lines and continue to work with our partners to make our towns and villages stronger and safer." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
