Latest news with #Equality
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Nigel Farage savaged with brutal comment over his maths skills
Nigel Farage's maths skills were questioned after newly release figures on diversity, equality and inclusion programmes suggest the Reform UK leader's costings don't add up Nigel Farage has been savaged over his maths skills after newly release figures suggest the Reform UK leader's costings don't add up. The outspoken politician earlier this week announced a raft of eye-catching policies, which he said in part would be paid for by scrapping diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies in the public sector. Reform UK said scrapping 'the DEI agenda' would save taxpayers £7billion. But the Cabinet Office last night published the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion review, commissioned by the previous Tory government, which told a different story. It found that EDI spending across the Civil Service was just £27.1million in 2022/23. A Cabinet Office source said: 'Maths is clearly not his strong suit. It's terrifying to think what he'd do to the family finances of working people if he ever got near power.' Reform UK said it had sent thousands of freedom of information requests and insisted billions in savings could be made. It said the £7bn figure was not just from government departments or the civil service, but across public bodies including universities, school boards, emergency services and the Armed Forces. It comes after Keir Starmer yesterday launched a ferocious attack on Mr Farage - branding him " Liz Truss 2.0". The Prime Minister turned his fire on the Reform UK leader in a speech in the north west, accusing him of planning a 'mad experiment' that will hammer family finances. He compared Reform's uncosted pledges to Tory disaster Liz Truss, who triggered market chaos and sent mortgage rates rocketing with her tax-slashing mini-Budget. The PM was reacting to a major speech by Mr Farage on Tuesday where he announced a series of headline-grabbing plans. Among them, the right-wing politician tried to outflank Labour by committing to fully reinstating the winter fuel payments and reversing the two-child benefit limit. It comes after the PM announced at least a partial U-turn on winter fuel cuts, while ditching the Tory-era two-child benefit policy is 'on the table' for the Government. The Reform leader also said his 'biggest aspiration' was for Brits to avoid paying tax on any earnings up to £20,000 (a plan that could cost up to £80billion). Labour analysis suggests the policy could lead to increased mortgage payments of £5,500 for the average family because it could require billions of pounds of additional borrowing every year. Mr Farage said he'd pay for announcements by scrapping plans to reach net zero carbon emissions, closing asylum hotels and ditching diversity programmes - but he gave little detail on how any of this would work. A furious Mr Starmer said the Reform UK leader is doing a 'Liz Truss 2.0' and wants to 'blow up the economy'. 'We're once again fighting the same fantasy, this time from Farage,' he said. 'The same bet in the same casino: That you could spend tens of billions of pounds on tax cuts without a proper way of paying for them. Using your monthly finances, your mortgage, your bills as the gambling chip on this mad experiment.' A Reform UK spokesman said: 'Under a Reform government DEI spending in the civil service and across public sector bodies will drop to zero. DEI agendas are divisive and inconsistent with British values. We believe in a meritocracy where privileges are given out based on merit rather than skin colour or gender.'
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Everything to know if you're attending WorldPride 2025 in D.C.
The largest LGBTQ+ festival in the world is making its way to Washington this week. The streets of the nation's capital will be filled with pageantry, parties and protests, and crowds will pack theaters and museums, nightclubs and concerts, and a conference on human rights. It's lost on no one that WorldPride is celebrated at a time when the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans are under attack by an administration headquartered blocks away from some of its biggest events. If you're attending any WorldPride events between now and June 8, here's what you need to know. We also have guides to D.C.'s essential LGBTQ+ bars and restaurants, as well as recommended events for every day of the festival.
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Former North Cork TB sanitorium for sale for €300k
A sprawling Cork former hospital complex that failed to sell when it first came to market for €350,000 five years ago has had the guide price slashed by €50,000 following a change of agency. Heatherside Hospital, set on more than 20 acres in the Ballyhoura Hills, near Buttevant, was built in 1909 as a sanitorium for tuberculosis (TB) patients at a time when death rates from the disease were spiking in Ireland. It later served as a 180-bed geriatric unit, as well as an overflow facility for the Cork Mental Hospital, before closing permanently in 2010. The complex first came to market at the end of 2020 and generated good interest, but was withdrawn after a short period. More recently, it was the site of protests after reports surfaced that the Government was considering using it to house international protection applicants. However, the move was ruled out last month after it was deemed 'not suitable' by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth. It's back on the market now for €300,000, less than the cost of an average country bungalow, and for that the buyer will get a collection of buildings with a combined floor area of approximately 5,081sq m (54,691sq ft) on a private level site of about 8.32ha (20.55ac). Its potential for development as an outdoor activity centre, hostel, or as a facility for the scouts or girl guides are among the possibilities put forward by selling agents Sherry FitzGerald. 'The property is situated in the Ballyhoura Hills, known for outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and fishing,' said agent David McCarthy. 'Potential purchasers might include forestry businesses, outdoor activity operators, tourism entrepreneurs, or those looking to establish a spiritual, yoga, or religious retreat,' the agent added. Coillte owns land adjoining the site. However, it has so far not expressed interest. It falls under the stronger rural area zoning in the Cork County Development Plan 2022-2028. The complex, in a secluded cul-de-sac setting about 9km north of Buttevant in the townland of Streamhill West, is 19km north of Mallow and 55km north of Cork City. The buildings include a two-storey hospital dating to 1909 and several ancillary structures, including a church and a house from the 1930s. While some buildings feature in the National Inventory of Buildings of Ireland, they are not listed as protected structures. They've fallen into considerable disrepair since the hospital closed permanently in 2010, and returning them to use would require substantial investment. From a design perspective, the former hospital is an interesting building. It is curved with various projections and numerous rooms opening at ground and first-floor level to terraces and balconies, as befitted a sanatorium, where fresh air and rest were considered the route to recovery for consumptive patients. In fact, the bracing Ballyhoura outdoor setting, reached at the end of a long avenue, was one of the reasons the site was selected for a sanitorium in the first place. It's isolation was another. Built after years of rampant TB, the need for the medical facility was recognised by the wife of the Earl of Aberdeen, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, after a trip abroad brought home to her how much higher the TB death rate was in Ireland compared to other countries. In 1910, the sanitary authorities of County Cork combined with Cork Corporation to establish Heatherside Sanitorium. Access to the site is through a gated entrance along its southern boundary. The property is just a 10- minute drive from the main N20 Cork-Limerick national road and 7km north of Doneraile and the popular Doneraile Wildlife Park. The complex was deemed surplus to HSE requirements in 2024, and licensed by the HSE to the Department of Integration. The department handed it back after deeming it unsuitable for asylum seeker accommodation. It's back on the market now and agents are seeking expressions of interest 'in the region of €300,000'. The property is for sale by tender and the deadline is noon on Thursday, July 3. DETAILS: Sherry FitzGerald Commercial T: 0214270099; E:
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Confusion over status of Wicklow hotel paid €5.5m to house Ukrainians
The operators of hotel in west Wicklow have so far received over €5.5 million from the state for accommodating Ukrainians since 2022, and are thought to additionally be housing international protection applicants. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has provided The Avon Hotel in Blessington with a total of €5,529,949 for offering accommodation to Ukrainians and the associated costs from Q3 of 2022, when they first started accommodating them, though to Q4 of 2024.
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
MIST LGBTQ Foundation, 7 other groups join hands to organise Pune Pride March in ‘trying times'
MIST LGBTQ Foundation has roped in seven other groups to co-organise its annual Pune Pride March scheduled to be held on June 1. Making the announcement on Friday, Shyam Konnur, Founder Director, MIST LGBTQ Foundation, said special events leading up to the Pride March would be held starting this weekend. The seven groups that have joined the MIST LGBTQ Foundation are Outcast Pune, Shikhandi (the transgender dhol tasha group), Pune Queer Sports Club, Muktaa Foundation, NHRD Foundation, Girl Up Jeevika, and Manthan Foundation. Konnur said the decision to join hands was taken so that the community could show a united front. 'The community as such is facing a backlash – be it the decision of the US government to restrict genders to just male and female, or companies deciding to discontinue their Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. These are trying times for us. The Pride March for the community is a symbol of protest, and we want to put a united front for the community,' he said. The run up to the Pride March would see events like the celebration of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), an international film festival, as well as a sports competition. Shikhandi would perform during the Pride March, Konnur said. MIST LGBTQ Foundation was one of the Indian organisations funded by USAID, but it lost the funding post the re-election of Donald Trump as the US president. MIST, which works in the domain of HIV prevention, has since then turned to crowdfunding to run its programs. Pune is one of the few cities that witnesses two Pride Marches. The other Pride March will be held later in June.
