Latest news with #LisaKerr
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Top headteacher's fury at politicians who 'delight in the demise of independent schools'
The head of one of the largest private schools in the UK has hit out at politicians who 'delight in the demise of independent schools' and says her school makes £45m a year for the Scottish economy. Lisa Kerr, who formerly led King Charles 's old school Gordonstoun, said those driven by their 'ideological beliefs' failed to recognise the massive economic benefits of private schools. Now Principal at prestigious George Watson's College in Edinburgh, where 1 in 4 pupils attend private schools, one of the highest numbers in the UK, said: 'Our school alone contributed £34.8 million in GVA (gross added value) to the Edinburgh economy, supporting 580 jobs in the city. 'Across Scotland, our impact rose to £44.7 million GVA and 680 jobs.' And Ms Kerr, who has previously slammed the government's VAT on fees tax raid as an 'existential threat' for private schools, said: 'The impact on Treasury coffers and state school places is only half the story. 'Those whose motivations are ideological and who delight in the demise of independent schools miss the significant economic impact we have on our communities and the benefits that are at stake as the sector shrinks.' Pointing out the huge savings City of Edinburgh Council had made because of children being educated outside the state sector, she explained: 'By educating nearly 2500 pupils, our school saved the public purse a staggering £18.9m with £15.7m of this directly relating to savings made by City of Edinburgh Council from us educating pupils in this area. 'In addition to the staff we employ directly, the school has a valuable and long term supply chain including catering, construction, engineering and cleaning, some for as long as 25 years.' The Labour-run council has been in the firing line since The Mail on Sunday first revealed its hardline anti private school policies such as charging sick kids on cancer wards at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh £115 an hour for tuition if they went to private schools while state school children received it free. Ms Kerr also warned the huge numbers quitting the independent sector – 'four times the government estimate at 13,000' – would have a devastating impact on the state sector. She said: 'Once numbers are in for the rest of the year, the Treasury sums will be further adrift. The numbers for this flawed policy just don't add up; not only will the government fail to raise the promised income but it will put serious strain on the public purse as more pupils are forced to move to already stretched state schools.' Ms Kerr has previously revealed admissions numbers are dropping at the historic college, originally founded in the 18th century, where fees have risen by up to £19,991 a year because of VAT on school fees. And she warned local partnerships which had delivered 'significant positive social impact' including work with the Edinburgh Food Project, an HIV education project and work with local primary schools were now under threat. 'As admissions and pupil numbers fall due to the introduction of the politically driven education tax, these benefits are at significant risk. This will not only damage Edinburgh's economy but will also increase the taxpayer burden. 'It is time for the government to go back to the calculator, be honest about the actual benefits that any school will ever see and to rethink this policy.' The UK Government has repeatedly defended its stance, stating that ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8billion a year by 2029/30, to be spent 'supporting the 94 per cent of children in state schools'.
Hamilton Spectator
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
The Liberals promised a suite of crime measures. Here's what they're taking on
OTTAWA - After an election which saw the Conservatives campaign heavily on crime while the Liberals promised stricter measures for offences like violent car thefts, the new minority Liberal government has a stack of new crime policies to implement. Lisa Kerr, an associate professor at the Queen's University law school, said the proposals are 'all, generally speaking, in the direction of being tougher on crime, but in ways that are targeted to more serious offenders.' She said they will 'likely still preserve discretion for Crown prosecutors and judges to respond in appropriate ways to individual cases.' The proposals include tougher bail and sentencing guidelines for some crimes, and the creation of new criminal offences involving intimidation at schools and places of worship, as well as online sexploitation. Justin Piché, a criminology professor at the University of Ottawa, said the moment reminds him of when Bill Clinton became president of the United States and put forward laws to increase the use of policing and prisons and impose steeper sentences. 'I don't necessarily think it's because he believed in them. I think it was because he didn't want to get outflanked on the right on these issues and lose power and the ability to govern more broadly,' he said. He said the Liberals didn't want crime 'to be an issue for them, and that's clear in the kinds of policies that they're promoting.' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spent much of the recent federal election campaigning against what he dubbed the 'hug-a-thug' criminal justice policies of the previous Liberal government. He promised to counter those policies with measures such as mandatory life sentences for multiple offences. When experts said a number of those policies would be unconstitutional, Poilievre said he would be willing to use the notwithstanding clause to make them law. The Liberals put forward a list of crime policies of their own, including a promise to 'move aggressively' to implement stricter bail laws for a number of offences. They committed to making bail more difficult to get for those charged with car thefts involving violence or those conducted for a criminal organization, and for home invasions and some human trafficking and smuggling offences. Kerr said the move to establish a reverse onus for bail for these crimes — which moves the burden of proof from the prosecutor to the accused — is 'likely a response to some of the heated rhetoric around bail that was part of the federal election.' But she said those who make decisions in bail court 'are already attentive to public safety in these cases, and we have seen ever-expanding rates of pretrial confinement in a province like Ontario for decades.' Michael Spratt, an Ottawa-based criminal defence lawyer, said people with prior records who were on bail when arrested, and those who used weapons to commit crimes, already 'face an uphill battle' to get bail. 'Promising to crack down or to treat those cases seriously ignores the fact that our courts already do,' he said. He gave the example of a Liberal election promise to require courts to prohibit individuals from possessing firearms or weapons if they're charged with a violent offence or an offence involving a criminal organization. Spratt said that's something that happens already. Spratt said the Liberals gave 'some nods' to tough-on-crime approaches but described some of those measures as 'largely performative.' He argued those promises are 'much less damaging to our democratic institutions than the sledgehammer that the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre wanted to use to performatively get tough on crime by undercutting and overriding Charter protections.' The Liberal party platform also promised tougher sentencing guidelines for repeat car thieves and violent and organized crimes. They promised to allow for consecutive sentencing for some cases of car theft and for serious and violent offences. The Liberals also vowed to make it a criminal offence to intentionally obstruct access to places of worship, schools and community centres, or to intimidate or threaten individuals at those locations. It's an issue the Conservatives have used to attack the Liberals repeatedly. The Liberals were accused by some Jewish organizations of not doing enough to protect Jewish communities from acts of violence and hate. Carney also promised to make distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes a criminal offence and to introduce a bill to protect children from online sexploitation and extortion. Kerr said the proposal on deepfakes is 'just a sensible response to changing technology.' Spratt called it an example of 'positive criminal justice reform that's really necessary to keep up with modern times.' The measures will be in the hands of new Justice Minister Sean Fraser. It's not clear which of the promised policies will be government priorities — Carney has released a single mandate letter for all of his ministers and it does not mention the justice policies. Carney did give a nod to the importance of crime issues to his government by naming Ruby Sahota to the new post of secretary of state for combating crime. Spratt dismissed the move, using the baseball term 'eyewash.' 'It is the performative act of getting your uniform dirty to make it look like you are trying really hard,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2025
Toronto Sun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
The Liberals promised a suite of crime measures. Here's what they're taking on
Published May 24, 2025 • 4 minute read New elected Members of Parliament take part in the Working in the Chamber orientation session in the House of Commons Chamber on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 21, 2025. Photo by DAVE CHAN / AFP via Getty Images OTTAWA — After an election which saw the Conservatives campaign heavily on crime while the Liberals promised stricter measures for offences like violent car thefts, the new minority Liberal government has a stack of new crime policies to implement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Lisa Kerr, an associate professor at the Queen's University law school, said the proposals are 'all, generally speaking, in the direction of being tougher on crime, but in ways that are targeted to more serious offenders.' She said they will 'likely still preserve discretion for Crown prosecutors and judges to respond in appropriate ways to individual cases.' The proposals include tougher bail and sentencing guidelines for some crimes, and the creation of new criminal offences involving intimidation at schools and places of worship, as well as online sexploitation. Justin Piche, a criminology professor at the University of Ottawa, said the moment reminds him of when Bill Clinton became president of the United States and put forward laws to increase the use of policing and prisons and impose steeper sentences. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I don't necessarily think it's because he believed in them. I think it was because he didn't want to get outflanked on the right on these issues and lose power and the ability to govern more broadly,' he said. He said the Liberals didn't want crime 'to be an issue for them, and that's clear in the kinds of policies that they're promoting.' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spent much of the recent federal election campaigning against what he dubbed the 'hug-a-thug' criminal justice policies of the previous Liberal government. He promised to counter those policies with measures such as mandatory life sentences for multiple offences. When experts said a number of those policies would be unconstitutional, Poilievre said he would be willing to use the notwithstanding clause to make them law. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Liberals put forward a list of crime policies of their own, including a promise to 'move aggressively' to implement stricter bail laws for a number of offences. They committed to making bail more difficult to get for those charged with car thefts involving violence or those conducted for a criminal organization, and for home invasions and some human trafficking and smuggling offences. Kerr said the move to establish a reverse onus for bail for these crimes — which moves the burden of proof from the prosecutor to the accused — is 'likely a response to some of the heated rhetoric around bail that was part of the federal election.' But she said those who make decisions in bail court 'are already attentive to public safety in these cases, and we have seen ever-expanding rates of pretrial confinement in a province like Ontario for decades.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Michael Spratt, an Ottawa-based criminal defence lawyer, said people with prior records who were on bail when arrested, and those who used weapons to commit crimes, already 'face an uphill battle' to get bail. 'Promising to crack down or to treat those cases seriously ignores the fact that our courts already do,' he said. He gave the example of a Liberal election promise to require courts to prohibit individuals from possessing firearms or weapons if they're charged with a violent offence or an offence involving a criminal organization. Spratt said that's something that happens already. Spratt said the Liberals gave 'some nods' to tough-on-crime approaches but described some of those measures as 'largely performative.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He argued those promises are 'much less damaging to our democratic institutions than the sledgehammer that the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre wanted to use to performatively get tough on crime by undercutting and overriding Charter protections.' The Liberal party platform also promised tougher sentencing guidelines for repeat car thieves and violent and organized crimes. They promised to allow for consecutive sentencing for some cases of car theft and for serious and violent offences. The Liberals also vowed to make it a criminal offence to intentionally obstruct access to places of worship, schools and community centres, or to intimidate or threaten individuals at those locations. It's an issue the Conservatives have used to attack the Liberals repeatedly. The Liberals were accused by some Jewish organizations of not doing enough to protect Jewish communities from acts of violence and hate. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Carney also promised to make distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes a criminal offence and to introduce a bill to protect children from online sexploitation and extortion. Kerr said the proposal on deepfakes is 'just a sensible response to changing technology.' Spratt called it an example of 'positive criminal justice reform that's really necessary to keep up with modern times.' The measures will be in the hands of new Justice Minister Sean Fraser. It's not clear which of the promised policies will be government priorities — Carney has released a single mandate letter for all of his ministers and it does not mention the justice policies. Carney did give a nod to the importance of crime issues to his government by naming Ruby Sahota to the new post of secretary of state for combating crime. Spratt dismissed the move, using the baseball term 'eyewash.' 'It is the performative act of getting your uniform dirty to make it look like you are trying really hard,' he said. Other Sports Ontario Canada Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls
Global News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
The Liberals promised a suite of crime measures. Here's what they're taking on
After an election which saw the Conservatives campaign heavily on crime while the Liberals promised stricter measures for offences like violent car thefts, the new minority Liberal government has a stack of new crime policies to implement. Lisa Kerr, an associate professor at the Queen's University law school, said the proposals are 'all, generally speaking, in the direction of being tougher on crime, but in ways that are targeted to more serious offenders.' She said they will 'likely still preserve discretion for Crown prosecutors and judges to respond in appropriate ways to individual cases.' The proposals include tougher bail and sentencing guidelines for some crimes, and the creation of new criminal offences involving intimidation at schools and places of worship, as well as online sexploitation. Justin Piché, a criminology professor at the University of Ottawa, said the moment reminds him of when Bill Clinton became president of the United States and put forward laws to increase the use of policing and prisons and impose steeper sentences. Story continues below advertisement 'I don't necessarily think it's because he believed in them. I think it was because he didn't want to get outflanked on the right on these issues and lose power and the ability to govern more broadly,' he said. He said the Liberals didn't want crime 'to be an issue for them, and that's clear in the kinds of policies that they're promoting.' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spent much of the recent federal election campaigning against what he dubbed the 'hug-a-thug' criminal justice policies of the previous Liberal government. He promised to counter those policies with measures such as mandatory life sentences for multiple offences. When experts said a number of those policies would be unconstitutional, Poilievre said he would be willing to use the notwithstanding clause to make them law. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Liberals put forward a list of crime policies of their own, including a promise to 'move aggressively' to implement stricter bail laws for a number of offences. They committed to making bail more difficult to get for those charged with car thefts involving violence or those conducted for a criminal organization, and for home invasions and some human trafficking and smuggling offences. Kerr said the move to establish a reverse onus for bail for these crimes — which moves the burden of proof from the prosecutor to the accused — is 'likely a response to some of the heated rhetoric around bail that was part of the federal election.' Story continues below advertisement But she said those who make decisions in bail court 'are already attentive to public safety in these cases, and we have seen ever-expanding rates of pretrial confinement in a province like Ontario for decades.' Michael Spratt, an Ottawa-based criminal defence lawyer, said people with prior records who were on bail when arrested, and those who used weapons to commit crimes, already 'face an uphill battle' to get bail. 'Promising to crack down or to treat those cases seriously ignores the fact that our courts already do,' he said. He gave the example of a Liberal election promise to require courts to prohibit individuals from possessing firearms or weapons if they're charged with a violent offence or an offence involving a criminal organization. Spratt said that's something that happens already. Spratt said the Liberals gave 'some nods' to tough-on-crime approaches but described some of those measures as 'largely performative.' He argued those promises are 'much less damaging to our democratic institutions than the sledgehammer that the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre wanted to use to performatively get tough on crime by undercutting and overriding Charter protections.' The Liberal party platform also promised tougher sentencing guidelines for repeat car thieves and violent and organized crimes. They promised to allow for consecutive sentencing for some cases of car theft and for serious and violent offences. Story continues below advertisement The Liberals also vowed to make it a criminal offence to intentionally obstruct access to places of worship, schools and community centres, or to intimidate or threaten individuals at those locations. It's an issue the Conservatives have used to attack the Liberals repeatedly. The Liberals were accused by some Jewish organizations of not doing enough to protect Jewish communities from acts of violence and hate. Carney also promised to make distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes a criminal offence and to introduce a bill to protect children from online sexploitation and extortion. Kerr said the proposal on deepfakes is 'just a sensible response to changing technology.' Spratt called it an example of 'positive criminal justice reform that's really necessary to keep up with modern times.' The measures will be in the hands of new Justice Minister Sean Fraser. It's not clear which of the promised policies will be government priorities — Carney has released a single mandate letter for all of his ministers and it does not mention the justice policies. Carney did give a nod to the importance of crime issues to his government by naming Ruby Sahota to the new post of secretary of state for combating crime. Spratt dismissed the move, using the baseball term 'eyewash.' Story continues below advertisement 'It is the performative act of getting your uniform dirty to make it look like you are trying really hard,' he said.
