Latest news with #ChrisKane
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dunfermline Athletic v Hamilton Academical
Update: Date: 4' Title: Post Content: Attempt missed. Chris Kane (Dunfermline Athletic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Update: Date: 4' Title: Post Content: Connor Smith (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Update: Date: 4' Title: Post Content: Foul by Charlie Gilmour (Dunfermline Athletic). Update: Date: 2' Title: Post Content: Foul by Andrew Tod (Dunfermline Athletic). Update: Date: 2' Title: Post Content: Connor Smith (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Update: Date: 1' Title: Kick Off Content: First Half begins. Update: Date: 1' Title: Post Content: Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Stirling MP explains benefit change bill support after Westminster backlash
Chris Kane said his support for the currently-named Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was "necessary" and said the current system "isn't working as it should". Stirling MP Chris Kane has defended his decision to back the UK Government's controversial benefit changes. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which is expected to be renamed because the measures affecting PIP have been shelved, secured a majority vote in the House of Commons last week after several government climbdowns. It sparked a backlash from a significant contingent of backbench Labour MPs - but the Stirling and Strathallan MP wasn't one of them. He later outlined his reasoning for being among those to back the changes, saying: 'Changing the welfare system is never simple, but I believe it's necessary. 'Right now, the system isn't working as it should. It's often unfair, it's costing more than we can afford in the long run, and it too often traps people in a place where they can't move forward, when it should be helping them reach their potential. 'At the moment, people sometimes feel they have to prove they can't work just to get the support they need. 'Then, once they're out of work, there's little help to get them back in. 'That's not right - for individuals, families, or our communities. 'This Bill, debated in the House of Commons, takes some important steps to change that, especially after improvements made thanks to backbench MPs.' Mr Kane said the 'improvements' included that the Bill as passed: creates a new 'Right to Try', so that disabled people who want to try working can do so without risking their benefits; ends repeat assessments for people with lifelong or terminal conditions, helping to reduce stress and paperwork for those who need support the most; adjusts part of Universal Credit for new claims, while protecting people already receiving it, so the system remains fair and focused; and increases the main part of Universal Credit above inflation — the first real rise like this in decades. Mr Kane said that, when the Bill was first published, he had concerns - especially about the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). 'Many others felt the same,' he added. 'I raised those concerns, and I'm glad the Government listened. 'Ministers have now confirmed that no changes to PIP will happen until a full review has reported back in 2026. 'While Universal Credit is a UK-wide scheme, responsibility for a number of benefits, including for disabilities and carers, are devolved here in Scotland. 'As such on disability welfare, the vast majority of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in Scotland have been, or are in the process of being, replaced by Adult Disability Payments (ADP).' He admitted that the way the UK Government had handled the process around the Bill 'wasn't good enough'. 'It felt rushed, and some key details came out late, which made it harder for MPs and the public to understand and respond properly,' said Mr Kane. 'That's not how things should be done. 'But I welcome that ministers did listen, made some important changes, and paused parts of the Bill to allow more time for review. 'We need a welfare system that protects people when they need help and gives real support to those who can and want to work. We need a system that's fair for everyone and sustainable for the future. 'With the changes that have been made, I believe this Bill helps us move in that direction. 'You can be assured that I will be highlighting the many points raised with me by constituents to both Ministers and colleagues directly involved in the Committee scrutiny of the legislation.' Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown (SNP), however, expressed 'anger and dismay'. He said: 'My constituents are being let down by those they sent to the UK Parliament to represent them. 'To say the goings on in Westminster over the proposed welfare reforms were a chaotic mess would be an understatement. 'At the end of the day, the approach now being taken by the UK Government risks creating a deeply unfair two-tier system, pushing the impact of cuts onto future applicants for disability benefits. 'They need to stop balancing the books of broken Britain on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in society. 'Let's be clear, Labour's cuts to disability payments have only been delayed, not ditched. 'Those Labour MPs who voted for the UK Government's motion – including two out of the three who represent my constituents in that place - should hang their heads in shame. 'And don't let them try and sugarcoat the bitter pill of what they have done by claiming they stopped it from being worse. 'You don't get off the hook by 'only' driving fewer disabled people into poverty. 'There is no get out of jail free card, either, for those who opposed Keith Starmer on this issue but continue to back a failed Government who are a disgrace to the proud roots of the Labour movement. 'Resignation of the Labour Whip would be the only honourable option. 'The SNP Scottish Government will continue to do everything it can to take Scotland along a different path and there will be no changes to the Adult Disability Payment which is administered through Social Security Scotland.'
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Stirling MP explains support for "compassionate" assisted dying plans
Chris Kane MP used his free vote on the legislation to express his support for proposals to regulate assisted dying for terminally ill patients. Stirling's MP has explained the reasoning behind his backing for a historic assisted dying bill which narrowly secured support in the House of Commons last week. The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, gives terminally ill adults in England and Wales the chance to have the right to end their own lives if certain criteria are met. The passage of the legislation at Westminster - which gained support by a margin of just 23 votes - follows a similar vote at Holyrood where the Scottish Parliament also gave its backing for proposals which would legislate for assisted dying in Scotland. In the Commons vote last week, an emotionally charged debate saw MPs recount personal stories of seeing friends and relatives die as well as sharing both positives and concerns related to the legislation. Stirling and Strathallan MP Chris Kane was one of those asked to vote on the bill - and he was one of 314 to support its passage. Speaking to the Observer, Mr Kane said his vote would give people the opportunity to 'end their suffering on their own terms' and said the current arrangements had the impact of prolonging someone's suffering in a way deemed 'deeply unjust'. He said: 'My decision to support the bill was shaped by careful thought and compassion, taken with full awareness of the moral and ethical complexities involved. 'I understand that some will be disappointed, and I want to acknowledge the sincerity and strength of feeling among those who oppose it. I respect those views, just as I hope my own are respected in return. 'In the United Kingdom today, individuals with mental capacity can legally refuse life-sustaining treatment, even if that decision leads to their death. 'Yet they cannot seek medical assistance to take an approved substance that would allow them to end their suffering on their own terms. For me, that is a contradiction that cannot be ignored. 'The current system can prolong suffering in ways that feel deeply unjust. 'This bill seeks to change that by offering terminally ill people the ability to make a considered and safeguarded choice at the end of life. 'I believe it is time to offer a compassionate, safe and clearly regulated choice for those nearing the end of their lives who want to take it.' Mr Kane was also quick to praise the general level of debate from politicians on both sides of the argument - with members given the opportunity to exercise a rare 'free vote', away from party lines. He added: 'In recent weeks and months, we have seen Parliament at its best: informed, considered and passionate, with respect shown across the House for those on all sides of the debate. 'I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the Assisted Dying Bill, reading thoughtful emails from constituents, reviewing detailed briefings from organisations both for and against, and hosting constituency roundtables to listen to personal stories and different perspectives. 'I have followed the bill closely throughout its parliamentary journey and believe that it has evolved into a more balanced and carefully constructed piece of legislation than it was at the start.' The Westminster legislation will now head to the House of Lords for scrutiny and further votes before it has the chance of becoming law south of the border.
NZ Herald
15-06-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Fonterra celebrates at the Best Site Cup Awards
Taranaki's Whareroa site performed well at Fonterra's Best Site Cup Awards. Photo / Mark Mitchell Content brought to you by Fonterra Fieldays wasn't the only big event this month; Fonterra held its annual Best Site Cup Awards. Now in its 19th year, the Best Site Cup Awards brings together nearly 200 representatives from the co-op's sites across New Zealand. Chris Kane, Fonterra's Director of New
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Stirling schools music tuition in new cuts confusion
Campaigners say proposals to slash the service's budget by £200k were outlined to staff earlier this week without the knowledge of councillors - but council denies the department faces any savings Music tuition in Stirling's schools was this week at the centre of cuts confusion ... just two months after councillors unanimously rejected an option to slash it by £250,000. Staff from the council's instrumental music service were said to have been called to an urgent meeting chaired by a service manager on Tuesday of this week and told that education officers are seeking £200,000 of 'efficiency savings' from the service in this financial year. Specific details of where the axe could fall were said to have been outlined at the meeting. With councillors across the board unaware of the move, questions were then being asked over just how a cut of almost the same level was being brought in 'under the radar' without the knowledge of elected members. But yesterday (Thursday) the council denied any such cuts were being considered. Earlier, one campaigner told the Observer: 'The people of Stirling, through their elected members, have made it quite clear that they value and wish to see the music service remain intact and enhanced. 'Unelected council bureaucrats appear to be wilfully disregarding the wishes of Stirling councillors and are bringing forward these efficiency savings behind the backs of elected members.' A Stirling SNP group spokesperson meanwhile said: 'From what we have discovered, [the 'efficiencies'] could be over £200,000, with cuts to tuition at McLaren, Balfron and Stirling High Schools. 'Stirling SNP councillors remain resolute in avoiding the annual stress to families of such cuts at budget time and indeed our motion to protect music tuition was passed earlier this year. 'As such we are now concerned these proposals, if true, run contrary to this motion with cuts nonetheless being brought in 'under the radar' as 'operational efficiencies'.' SNP Group Leader Susan McGill said: 'The SNP group proposed to protect music tuition for the remainder of this council term, but if this is true, these services won't last past the summer holidays.' Stirling MP Chris Kane (Labour), a former leader of Stirling Council, said: 'Music education opens doors, nurtures confidence, and helps young people thrive. 'I've asked the chief executive of Stirling Council for urgent clarity on reports of cuts to the service. Any decisions must be transparent, accountable, and reflect the clear support all councillors have shown for protecting music tuition in Stirling's schools.' Local Scottish Conservative MSP and Shadow Minister for Local Government & Public Finance, Alexander Stewart, who was preparing to put an urgent question to First Minister John Swinney at Holyrood, said the move 'could have a detrimental effect on music teaching at Stirling, Balfron and McLaren High Schools, in addition to all associated primaries - potentially leaving pupils without a music teacher'. He added: 'Music has long played a central part in Scottish culture and the removal of this service could have a disastrous effect on these children's life chances. 'Also this situation is certainly not in the spirit of the unanimous motion in support of the music service passed by councillors only two months ago, which I welcomed in Parliament. 'So I have written to Stirling Council's chief executive requesting an urgent meeting regarding this awful situation.' As the Observer went to press, however, council leader, Labour's Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: 'The administration stands by the budget motion of earlier in the year and is concerned that inaccurate information has been circulating.' A Stirling Council spokesperson also denied music tuition was being targeted for savings. They added: 'The 2025-26 budget saving proposal to review the music tuition service (achieving a saving of £200,000 in the current financial year) was rejected by councillors when this year's budget was set and therefore it wasn't implemented. 'All council services continually assess service delivery for improvement and to ensure best value. Work to identify service delivery transformation which may achieve savings is underway across services - but no savings are being taken forward in relation to music tuition.' The music tuition service has been a target in budget options tabled by council officials for savings for a number of years. However, the move has also consistently attracted strong protest and successive council political administrations have baulked at the idea of the cuts. Earlier this year protesting musicians - including teachers, pupils and supporters - struck up their instruments outside Stirling Council's headquarters, helping to cement the message on the controversial budget cut proposals. And ultimately councillors, while entertained by the musicians, were not entertained by the thought of slashing the music tuition budget. Campaigners have argued that such cuts would remove many instrumental music teachers currently working in Stirling schools, with serious implications for the staff concerned and hugely damaging consequences for young people learning music in Stirling. The local campaign against the budget cuts, which attracted more than 5000 signatures, was backed by international composer and former Gartmore resident Sally Beamish OBE. Former Stirling High School pupil and Emmy-winning musician John Lunn - who has composed for hit shows Downton Abbey, Shetland, and Grantchester - also backed the campaign, as did Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
