Latest news with #SocialInvestmentFund
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Minister directs speedy disbursal of micro-loans for SHGs
Vijayawada: Minister for MSMEs, rural Poverty Alleviation, and NRI Empowerment, Kondapalli Srinivas, has instructed officials to ensure the swift disbursement of Rs 14,369 crore in micro-loans to Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This amount has been approved by banks so far in the current financial year. The minister gave these directives during a review meeting on the performance of the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP). He noted that the target is to provide funds to 1,71,264 SHGs through the micro-loan plan and urged officials to expedite the process accordingly. Minister Srinivas also announced plans to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of SERP, which marks 25 years since its establishment. He called for measures to be taken to organize the celebrations. Furthermore, the minister emphasized the importance of strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and adding value to agricultural products. He suggested that the services of experienced organisations should be utilized for this purpose. Kondapalli Srinivas also directed officials to audit the Social Investment Fund provided to Mandal Samakhyas (federations) and FPOs and to take steps to ensure 100 percent recovery. In a related development, the minister ordered officials to take necessary measures to issue smart cards and passbooks to beneficiaries of the NTR Bharosa Pension scheme. The review meeting was attended by SERP CEO Vakati Karuna, additional CEO Sriramulu Naidu, and officials from various departments.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Children The Priority For The Social Investment Fund
Children of families with complex needs are the priority groups for the first round of the Social Investment Fund, Secretary for Social Investment Andrew Coster announced today. "To qualify for funding under this initiative, organisations that provide social services will need to be working with one (or more) of the following groups: children whose parent(s) are currently or have recently been in prison, children of parent(s) who experienced the care system, and children that were stood down or suspended from school when they were 12 or younger. "We know children who have had these experiences are more likely to experience poor outcomes and require significant social support throughout their lives. We want to work alongside organisations in the community to support these whānau and families to ensure the best outcomes for tamariki. "The Social Investment Fund is designed to work differently to ensure government, the social sector and other partners can work smarter to make a positive difference in the lives of New Zealanders. We've heard from the sector that they want to work differently with government, and we're committed to doing that through the Fund. "This funding opportunity is the first of four potential pathways providers can access through the Social Investment Fund, all aimed at unlocking opportunities to deliver better services, change the way government works with these partners and use data to improve the impact of government investment in social services," Mr Coster said. The Fund will open for applications on 25 August 2025. Information on the Social Investment Fund is on the Social Investment Agency's website: Note The Social Investment Fund (round one) will be open for applications on 25 August 2025 The first three initiatives that have already been announced by the Social Investment Fund as demonstration projects are: Autism New Zealand's early screening and intervention programme that provides services and support for family/whānau, caregivers and professionals. Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa's evidence-based approach to tackling youth offending and truancy that will help at least 80 families each year to address youth offending and truancy; and The He Piringa Whare programme with Te Tihi o Ruahine, an alliance of nine hapū, iwi, Māori organisations and providers that will support 130 families at a time with a wraparound service that supports stable housing, education, training and employment, and other services.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Guernsey charity to end disability bus service over funding
A transport service for disabled islanders who work at a charity shop is to close, said at the Ron Short Centre said it was told on Wednesday its application to the Social Investment Fund had been rejected, forcing it to stop its transport service from 1 St Peter Port charity said the decision meant disabled people working at the centre would no longer be able to access employment because of the specialised transport States of Guernsey said it had "not withdrawn any recent funding from charities who provide community transport" and it was working on a "joined-up plan for community transport". The States said it wanted to reassure islanders there was help available in getting to and from essential appointments. The service was introduced in 2022 following a States push for improved accessibility in the the charity said funding was cut, forcing it to rely on short-term money from the investment fund, although this was disputed by the States."An independent review of community transport confirmed that UnLtd delivers valuable services at a fraction of the cost the States would pay for equivalent provisions," said the charity."Yet this fact has been ignored, leaving disabled islanders without sustainable transport options." The States said options available to islanders without transport included the Voluntary Car Service, which was available through Health Connections, and people struggling with the costs of transport could also apply for income support."For the avoidance of doubt, the States of Guernsey has not withdrawn any recent funding from charities who provide community transport," it said."Instead, the States of Guernsey is already proactively working on a cross-organisation project to develop a joined-up plan for community transport, including how it can work with the charities sector to deliver this. In addition, the comments made by the charity contain some inaccuracies which will be addressed shortly."Health and Social Care said it also provided a grant to St John Ambulance's Non-Emergency Patient Transfer Service, which helps "people who struggle to walk or need extra support during a journey due to a medical condition".
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
The Growth Budget That Starves Early Childhood Education!
It is a dark time for early childhood education (ECE). The government's budget has failed to deliver for our youngest learners, leaving the sector even worse off than they were a year ago. 'The ECE sector can't grow when it's being starved of funding,' says Kathy Wolfe, CE Te Rito Maioha. 'Investment in education is vital for the wellbeing of everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand, so for ECE to receive a 0.5% funding increase while inflation runs at 2.5% is nothing less than a funding decrease at the worst possible time.' 'The ECE sector has experienced a multi-year funding freeze prior to 2017 under National leaving the sector approximately 11% behind CPI over the last 10 to 15 years. While the government touts the new Social Investment Fund, it is ironic that ECE, which aligns with a social investment approach of early and effective intervention to improve outcomes for tamariki, has yet again been stifled in a so-called investment budget.' 'The time and place for investment in our future is now, and that investment must begin with our youngest tamariki. ECE providers will have no option but to pass the increased costs of providing early learning onto parents. This budget has provided few opportunities to reduce the cost of living for parents with children.' 'With around 194,597 tamariki, 33,309 teaching staff (qualified and unqualified) and 4,409 service providers[1] in ECE being affected by funding decisions, we were very hopeful that the government's stated priority for education would result in appropriate investment for early childhood education. On this priority, the government has not delivered.' 'This is a missed opportunity for the government to deliver on some of the systemic changes that are sorely required and to fund the sector appropriately. Whilst the sector are grateful that there is a small increase of 0.5% in funding for ECE providers, it doesn't even keep up with inflation which is running at 2.5%. That's effectively a funding cut and that's very disappointing.' 'Te Rito Maioha has been continuously advocating for an ECE Funding Review to fix a broken system, so we are pleased that funding of $3.8 million has been confirmed to address funding and finally rectify fit for purpose and meaningful investment in ECE to all providers, teachers, tamariki and communities. However, any expected changes are likely to occur no earlier than 2027, far too late to support a stressed ECE sector and a better increase for the sector, the very least at inflation, would've landed better.' Te Rito Maioha's Five Point Plan outlining the changes that are required in the Early Childhood Sector. Improve teacher: child ratios Our ECE ratios are currently among the worst in the OECD. This needs to change to ensure tamariki receive the quality education, care, and attention they need to thrive, learn, and stay safe. Develop and implement a Strategic Teaching Workforce Plan We need a Strategic Teaching Workforce Plan to attract, retain, and grow a professional, culturally responsive ECE teaching workforce within Aotearoa New Zealand. This means prioritising ongoing investment in initial teacher education across all education sectors and ensuring supply and demand for teachers is well managed through this plan. Fund ECE services sufficiently Provide sufficient funding for ECE services to deliver quality education for tamariki and ensure kaiako are paid fairly and equitably—without placing the burden of high fees on parents. Replace the ECE funding model The current ECE funding model is outdated and not fit for purpose. The sector urgently needs an investment strategy and funding model that better supports today's working whānau, tamariki and ECE services to deliver quality education. Simplify regulations Regulations should ensure tamariki safety and quality ECE delivery without burdening ECE services or kaiako with repetitive, labour-intensive paperwork from multiple government agencies that keep them from tamariki education and wellbeing.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Budget gambles on growth
Every Budget is a juggle. Money is spent here and there. Taxes are tweaked, and spending cuts are made. Budget 2025 is especially so. Somehow, the government and Finance Minister Nicola Willis had to juggle finances and politics. Somehow, she had to conjure up many billions of dollars to salve wounds in health, reinforce the ramparts of defence, rev up roads and enhance education. At a time when money was not growing anywhere, let alone on trees, she and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon desperately need both the illusion and reality of "growth". Growth will increase the tax take and lower unemployment and benefit payments. Decent growth can reverse deficits into surpluses and raise voter morale. Ms Willis' "no BS Budget", or as she said yesterday, "a responsible Budget to secure New Zealand's future", desperately endeavoured to find extra money. New Zealand's debt is predicted to rise to 46% of GDP before sliding back. The Budget, despite the juggling, will continue to run deficits for a few years yet, at least. The spectre of long-term structural deficits continues to loom. Covid and post-Covid spending splurges have accentuated New Zealand's tricky finances. Further, the advent of United States President Donald Trump detrimentally affects international economic health and therefore New Zealand. Politically, Ms Willis and co are betting that the public will recognise their "responsibility", that the government will be rewarded for staying the course. Such is the desperation that the government swooped on the massive blowouts in the expected costs of "pay equity" settlements. This gamble produced more than half of the savings, $12.8 billion, needed over the next four years to make the Budget credible. This is the fraught juggle that could see the government come crashing down. Few will be concerned that the KiwiSaver subsidy will disappear for those earning more than $180,000. Halving the amount for the rest, and altogether $3.7b will be saved. Means testing for first-year Best Start payments, increasing the threshold for student-loan repayments and means testing parents for Jobseeker allowances for 18- and 19-year-olds are ways to generate more money. Various areas of government will have to make do without increases, and RNZ's budget will be cut. Impacts will continue to emerge over the next few days as details are scrutinised and affected parties react. There are 116 savings measures. On the other side of the ledger are 228 new spending initiatives, the likes of higher rate rebate levels for SuperGold cardholders and the 12-month prescription provision. There were also the pre-Budget announcements for the Social Investment Fund, the screen production rebate, urgent healthcare funding, more money to tackle truancy and for maths education, and to combat drug smuggling. The biggest by far was the $12b over the coming years for defence. The Budget day's new spending is the attempt to stimulate business productivity and growth through "Incentive Boost", $6.8b foregone in tax revenue over four years through immediate accelerated depreciation for capital spending. While there are no magic wands to increase productivity, the government is banking on its collection of changes to prompt more efficiency. Increases to learning support in education should not be scorned. Ms Willis did her best to lower expectations. Indeed, there is little or nothing for the "squeezed middle", which received small "tax cuts" last year when tax thresholds were adjusted. However, despite claims of an "austerity" Budget, taxes (and the overall size of the government) will increase again, partly through bracket creep or fiscal drag. Increases in wages and salaries cause more income to be taxed at higher levels. There will remain those on the Right who think that Ms Willis, despite the rhetoric, is tinkering and not tackling fundamental financial unsustainability. Others will see her as Scrooge, mean-spirited and foolishly stalling an economy that requires government stimulus. Faced with tough choices, Ms Willis has juggled the finances in a way that carries high political risk. Much will depend on whether the promised growth occurs next year.
