Latest news with #Maskell
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish Beer Awards announces new chair
One of the biggest beer competitions in the UK has announced it has a new chair leading the judging panel as the 10th year of the annual programme gets underway. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Beer Awards, the wide-ranging competition which showcases the best of Scotland's brewing industry, has announced that Professor Dawn Maskell, Director of the International Centre of Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University will take up the chair role. She replaces Hilary Jones, the former technical director of Scottish & Newcastle who has been in the position since the start of the awards in 2015. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Professor Maskell is well known to the international brewing industry. In addition to leading a world leading centre for Brewing and Distilling. Professor Maskell leads a team at Heriot-Watt University who teach students in brewing from Scotland and around the world. She has also been involved in the Scottish Beer Awards since 2016 on both the business and taste judging panels. Professor Dawn Maskell Professor Maskell commented: 'It is a real honour to chair the judging of the Scottish Beer Awards. The competition is vitally important for Scottish brewers to celebrate their many achievements across the year and learn from others across the sector. I hope to bring a reassuring and critical eye to the judging process and work with the organisers to ensure that brewers across Scotland get involved in these important awards.' Hilary Jones, who remains involved in the Scottish Beer Awards as a judge, welcomed Professor Maskell to the panel and commented: 'I've thoroughly enjoyed my work as Chair in these important awards and I am delighted that Dawn has agreed to take up the role in the award's 10th year. I have every confidence that working with all the other judges, she will maintain our rigorous and fair approach to judging as well as bringing her own highly valued insights.' The 2025 Scottish Beer Awards will be presented in October and this year form part of Beer Matters, a one-day industry trade show and conference for brewing industry professionals. For the first time, the two events will take place on the same day with the awards announced as part of a special after party for conference delegates. The line up, which will be revealed in the coming weeks, is expected to include a range of speakers who are joining the event from UK, Europe and the USA.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Children with autism face high drowning risk ahead of Memorial Day, advocates warn
As Memorial Day approaches and families head outdoors, water safety advocates are warning about a growing danger: children with autism drowning at dramatically higher rates. According to the Autism Society of Florida, children on the autism spectrum are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their neurotypical peers. Experts say the risk spikes during warm-weather holidays, when families are more likely to gather near pools, ponds, and beaches. Joani Maskell, owner of Swimming Safari Swim School in Jacksonville, said enrollment has surged ahead of the holiday weekend—particularly among families with children on the spectrum. 'A lot of parents say, 'Just don't go near the water,'' Maskell said. 'But we need to teach them to swim.' >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Swimming Safari offers classes for all ages, starting as early as 4 months. Parents are encouraged to participate alongside their children, helping build comfort and safety skills in the water. 'How do you take your child to the beach if they don't know how to swim?' Maskell said. 'How do you watch them? You need to learn how to swim. Everyone does.' Shannon Hube, an autism advocate and mom, says her son Brock—who is on the spectrum—once walked directly into a body of water before he had swim lessons. 'He was under water in seconds,' she said. 'He doesn't have that fear. He doesn't know to be scared of things.' Many children with autism are naturally drawn to water, yet lack the ability to understand or communicate danger. The Autism Society notes that drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism, and they are almost 40 times more likely to drown than other children. 'He also has a high tolerance for pain,' Hube added. 'So it might take time to realize something hurts.' Last month, a 4-year-old boy with autism drowned in a retention pond in the Baymeadows area. And in 2023, Florida saw 103 child drownings—two of them toddlers with autism, including one in a backyard pool and another in a pond. Advocates say supervision is key. Some suggest adults take turns wearing a 'water watcher' bracelet, serving as a visual reminder of who's actively responsible for watching the children near water. 'Even a retention pond can be a hidden danger,' Maskell said. 'It's not just pools. Any body of water can be a risk.' Parents and caregivers can find swim programs tailored for children with special needs by contacting local swim schools or the Autism Society of Florida. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour MP says government must change course
A Labour MP has said the government "absolutely has to" change course following sweeping gains for Reform UK in England's local elections. Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, said policies introduced by the government which had not been in its manifesto had forced voters "to look elsewhere". Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, took control of 10 councils and won mayoral contests in Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. In Scarborough, the party won a landslide victory in a town council election. Following the results, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government needed to "go further and faster on the change people want to see". Speaking on the BBC's Politics North show earlier, Maskell said: "Policies that have been introduced since July that weren't in our manifesto – the cuts to winter fuel, not honouring the Waspi women [and] taking away the vital lifeline of support for disabled people – of course people are confused. "If we are not there serving people as they expect us to and as is our duty, then of course they are going to look elsewhere." In March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out planned cuts to benefits, including disability payments, aimed at reducing the growing amount the UK spends on welfare. The government said the measures would save around £5bn a year by the end of 2030 and get more people into work. Maskell said Labour was still the party of the working class, but called on the leadership to ensure that the "connection" with voters was "remade". The proposed cuts to social security would have a "massive impact on people, leaving" them in poverty" and "forcing many people into poorer mental health", she said. "We absolutely need to stop these reforms, which Labour are trying to progress, and ensure that we now reflect on the real things that are going to make a difference." The Department for Work and Pensions previously said it was creating a "sustainable welfare system" which would help support sick and disabled people, "break down barriers and unlock work". Maskell said getting people back into work was "a good thing", but "vital protection" had to be provided for those who could not work. "They're the kind of policies that Number 10 and Number 11 now need to pursue, as opposed to taking the pennies out of the pockets of the poorest," she added. Maskell said Labour was doing some "brilliant things", including "providing more secure employment", bringing the railways back into national ownership and getting rid of "waste in the system". But she warned: "We mustn't ruin it with all of these poor decisions that are being made." Speaking after the results of Thursday's elections were announced, Sir Keir said his party had been elected in to "deliver change" and had "started that change", with waiting lists down, wages up and interests rates down. Writing in The Times, he insisted there was "tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction", although he said he was not satisfied with where the country was. "I am acutely aware that people aren't yet feeling the benefits," he added. "Until they do, I will wake up every morning determined to go further and faster." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Reform UK wins landslide town council victory 'Not Labour enough': MPs' despair at voters' verdict on government At-a-glance: Key changes to benefits in welfare shake-up What is the row about women's pensions? Politics North Rachael Maskell MP
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Labour MP Rachael Maskell says government 'must change course'
A Labour MP has said the government "absolutely has to" change course following sweeping gains for Reform UK in England's local Maskell, the MP for York Central, said policies introduced by the government which had not been in its manifesto had forced voters "to look elsewhere".Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, took control of 10 councils and won mayoral contests in Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. In Scarborough, the party won a landslide victory in a town council the results, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government needed to "go further and faster on the change people want to see". Speaking on the BBC's Politics North show earlier, Maskell said: "Policies that have been introduced since July that weren't in our manifesto – the cuts to winter fuel, not honouring the Waspi women [and] taking away the vital lifeline of support for disabled people – of course people are confused."If we are not there serving people as they expect us to and as is our duty, then of course they are going to look elsewhere." In March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out planned cuts to benefits, including disability payments, aimed at reducing the growing amount the UK spends on government said the measures would save around £5bn a year by the end of 2030 and get more people into said Labour was still the party of the working class, but called on the leadership to ensure that the "connection" with voters was "remade".The proposed cuts to social security would have a "massive impact on people, leaving" them in poverty" and "forcing many people into poorer mental health", she said."We absolutely need to stop these reforms, which Labour are trying to progress, and ensure that we now reflect on the real things that are going to make a difference." The Department for Work and Pensions previously said it was creating a "sustainable welfare system" which would help support sick and disabled people, "break down barriers and unlock work". Maskell said getting people back into work was "a good thing", but "vital protection" had to be provided for those who could not work. "They're the kind of policies that Number 10 and Number 11 now need to pursue, as opposed to taking the pennies out of the pockets of the poorest," she added. 'Poor decisions' Maskell said Labour was doing some "brilliant things", including "providing more secure employment", bringing the railways back into national ownership and getting rid of "waste in the system". But she warned: "We mustn't ruin it with all of these poor decisions that are being made."Speaking after the results of Thursday's elections were announced, Sir Keir said his party had been elected in to "deliver change" and had "started that change", with waiting lists down, wages up and interests rates in The Times, he insisted there was "tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction", although he said he was not satisfied with where the country was."I am acutely aware that people aren't yet feeling the benefits," he added. "Until they do, I will wake up every morning determined to go further and faster." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Guardian
21-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘I want us to get it right': Rachael Maskell on becoming Labour's reluctant rebel
Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, says she did not come into politics to be a rebel. In Keir Starmer's first test as prime minister, she chose to vote with the government's plan to keep the two-child benefit cap in place. She had actively campaigned for it to be scrapped, but ultimately didn't believe Labour were in government to do anything but alleviate child poverty. But as Starmer's policy proposals became harder for Labour MPs to digest, so Maskell's interventions became stronger. She has since been a key voice against the cut to winter fuel payments, the cut to UK overseas aid to fund defence spending, the abolition of NHS England and the dropping of proposals to compensate Waspi women – all decisions Maskell did not feel were supported by evidence. She even raised eyebrows when she spoke out against the introduction of a VAT on private school fees. Maskell was one of the first MPs to speak up about plans – formally announced this week – to cut spending on disability benefits. She called for ministers to implement a 'compassionate system … not just taking draconian cuts' and said MPs were 'feeling really nervous and concerned'. 'It should be a Labour government alleviating poverty, not adding to it,' she said. 'I'm not here to cause trouble, because that's not my nature,' she says. 'I want us to win. I want us to get it right. What frustrates me is when the evidence doesn't back up what is being presented.' Elected in 2015, Maskell served in two posts in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet, as shadow secretary of state for employment rights and shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, but she was never considered a Corbynite. 'I'm not into what I see is the kind of cultism of politics,' she says. 'The adulation of the leader and the kind of worship of policy and the line. That isn't where I come from at all.' Maskell's political outlook is shaped by her faith. A Christian, she kickstarts her week by having a 'bit of a me catch-up' at one of the NewFrontiers network's evangelical churches. She's often incorrectly described as being a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, a caucus of leftwing Labour MPs which has included Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell. 'I've never been in the Socialist Campaign Group. I've always been kind of on the edge. I guess because I can't see where that's taking us,' she says. 'I've got progressive politics. I pursue the route of evidence. Of course I work with a lot of my colleagues in the SCG, regularly. But I've never signed up and got the badge.' 'The Labour party was set up with a specific purpose: to ensure that we did advocate and support for working people who have had a really tough time under the former systems, and to have that unique voice,' she says. 'We have got such a heavy responsibility that other parties don't carry, especially the responsibility that we have for those people who are living in poverty: to make sure that we make a way for them. It should never be about us climbing up and pulling up the ladder. It should always be about us reaching down and helping people up. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'Unless we're doing that, and from whatever platform we have at whatever moment, then we're not Labour. And that's why I will fight for that space.' She says she is growing tired of 'management and transactional politics' and hopes the Labour leadership will set a vision; ideally a pluralistic one that the public can follow. 'I'm never a lone runner,' she says. 'There's always lots of people who I'm working alongside who would have the same value set, that want to see a progressive Labour government.'
