Latest news with #redtape
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Safe space program for homeless struggles under 'red tape'-- could a change in law save it?
Jul. 28—The Safe Outdoors Spaces program was intended to let community members, businesses and churches help those experiencing homelessness outside their doors by giving them a place to sleep off the streets, tucked away on private property. Instead, applicants say the process is covered in red tape. "We've over-regulated it such that it doesn't even work," Mayor Tim Keller said at a Monday news conference. A new amendment working its way through City Council could help break down some of those barriers and increase safe spaces across the city at a time when those experiencing homelessness are under additional scrutiny from the federal government. Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order, urging cities to break up encampments of homeless people and institutionalize them through a process called civil commitment. The order also axed federal funding for safe spaces and harm reduction programs, claiming that they promote drug use and "deprioritize accountability." In Albuquerque, where there are an estimated 2,740 people experiencing homelessness, safe spaces have struggled to get off the ground. As of April, New Creation Church on Zuni is the only safe outdoor space approved by the city in the three years since the program's inception. Every other site was denied or withdrew their application, according to a city map. The city law, as it stands, requires a permitted safe space to maintain 24/7 staff, and offer food, mental and physical health services. The first requirement in particular is prohibitively expensive for most, said New Creation Church Pastor Jesse Harden. "If you pay someone minimum wage to be there 24/7 it's over $100,000 a year, so that, right there, eliminates 99% of people who try to do it," Harden said at the Monday news conference. Quirky Books owner Gilliam Kerley is one of those 99%. Outside of the used bookstore off of Central, about 15 people camp each night in 10 tents in the store's parking lot. After receiving complaints from one local business and other callers, the city gave Kerley a choice: clear out the encampment in two weeks or pay a $1,500 fine for ordinance violations. Kerley paid the fee. For his business, Kerley said, the requirements to operate a safe space above board are too expensive and labor intensive. "Someone who is simply providing a place for people to camp shouldn't be required to be a complete wraparound social services provider," Kerley said. New amendments would lessen that requirement, mandating that safe spaces offer a minimum of three social services, which can include peer support or recovery groups, connecting residents with housing resources or offering GED assistance or adult education. The new amendments would diminish the staffing requirement from 24/7 to weekday business hours, though one person must remain on-call at all times in case of complaints or emergencies. The amendments were proposed by City Councilor Nichole Rogers at the request of the mayor's office. For those experiencing homelessness, a safe space can be a second chance. "We fell victims of circumstance, and then the financial bind and we ended up not having enough money to stay in the hotels anymore," said Michael Maldonado. "And then we found Jesse." In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, members of the New Creation Church saw an increase of people experiencing homelessness outside their doorstep, Harden said. The church pastor decided to do more. In April, the church became the first safe outdoor space approved by the city. "It's been a blessing," Maldonado said. "I'm grateful there's places like this that can help people and make the transition in a safe environment." Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bank of England Governor hits back at Reeves over regulation
By Andrew Bailey yesterday put himself at odds with Rachel Reeves over the Chancellor's outspoken attack on regulation. The Bank of England Governor made clear that he did not share Reeves' recent claim that the enforcement of red tape acted as a 'boot on the neck' of business. Andrew Bailey yesterday put himself at odds with Rachel Reeves over the Chancellor's outspoken attack on regulation. The Bank of England Governor made clear that he did not share Reeves' recent claim that the enforcement of red tape acted as a 'boot on the neck' of business. Speaking to MPs on the Treasury select committee, he urged caution over a proposed shake-up of the ring-fencing system that separates traditional lending and deposit-taking from riskier investment banking. The comments appear to be a shot across the bows of the Chancellor as she seeks to unravel some of the reforms put in place during the financial crisis in a bid to boost growth. They suggest she may face an unwanted battle with Threadneedle Street to add to friction with Labour backbenchers over spending cuts and the battle to balance the books, amid dismal economic growth and deteriorating public finances. Reeves took aim at regulators during her Mansion House speech to the City earlier this month. But Bailey chose to dissociate himself from the 'boot on the neck' comments. He said: 'It's not a term I'd use. 'I think there are areas that we clearly should look at it – we've announced a whole range of things we're doing, and that's a good thing. But we can't compromise on basic financial stability and that would be my overall message.' Reeves has also promised 'meaningful reform' of the ring-fencing regime – something being demanded by the bosses of a number of major banks who say they are a drag on business. But Bailey said he favoured keeping the rules. He told MPs: 'I do think that the ring-fencing regime is an important part of the structure of the banking system.' Bailey said the rules make it easier to deal with banks that get into trouble in a way that spares consumers, businesses and households. He added: 'I'm sure there are things that can be improved and we will work constructively to get through that process.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Wax seals will no longer be used on official government documents – ending centuries old tradition
BONKERS laws meaning some Government documents have to be sealed with WAX are being scrapped after hundreds of years. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden is tearing up red tape which causes delays for staff working in taxpayer funded bodies. 1 They include a rule which forces the Intellectual Property Office, overseeing patents, to close some documents with an official wax 'seal of the Patent Office'. Wax seals were first used in England to seal documents just before the Norman Conquest of 1066. Edward the Confessor was the first English Monarch known to have used them. Some of the most important documents in British history were sealed with wax, including Charles I's death warrant and the decree ordering Anne Boleyn to be beheaded. The DVLA - which completes around 45,000 handwritten forms a year - will be able to do away with the need for paper. The Government is considering legislation to scrap these laws to help staff speed up processes. A Cabinet Office source said: 'You cannot solve today's problems with outdated laws designed for a different era. 'Modernising the state and removing bureaucracy will empower ministers to do what we promised - deliver the Plan for Change, improve public services and raise living standards.'
Bloomberg
16-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
London's Push to Ease Share-Sale Rules Poses Conundrum for Banks
London is cutting red tape to make it easier for companies to tap equity markets, but investment banks say the new rules could create more uncertainty in the near term. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority this week finalized plans that will require listed companies to produce a prospectus only if they are raising 75% or more of existing share capital, up from 20%. London-listed companies have raised nearly $3 billion so far this year via capital increases.
Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Red tape is ‘boot on the neck of businesses', says Reeves
Red tape is a 'boot on the neck of businesses' and risks undermining the UK's dash for growth, Rachel Reeves will say. In a major City speech, the Chancellor will urge Britain's regulators to ditch their 'excessive caution' and rewrite rules for banks and building societies to help more people on to the housing ladder and deliver better returns for savers. On Tuesday, Ms Reeves unveiled the biggest shake-up of financial services regulation in a decade, axing dozens of rules to boost the competitiveness of banks and insurers across the Square Mile. She is set to address City leaders and financial watchdogs at London's Mansion House on Tuesday night alongside Andrew Bailey, the Bank of England Governor, to lay out her plans to boost Britain's financial services sector. 'In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of growth,' she will say. 'Regulators in other sectors must take up the call I make this evening not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution but to boldly regulate for growth in the service of prosperity across our country.' Ms Reeves said slashing red tape would create a 'ripple effect' across the economy 'putting pounds in the pockets of working people'. As part of the offensive, the Treasury has unveiled a string of City reforms targeting consumers, banks, insurers and international investors in an attempt to revive Britain's sluggish economy. The measures, called the Leeds Reforms, will rewrite mortgage rules to make it easier for people to borrow up to 4.5 times their income when buying a house, as well as making it easier to remortgage. Banks will also be allowed to start pitching stocks and bonds to ordinary investors through a new regime known as 'targeted support', having been banned from doing so in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Major financial institutions such as Barclays and NatWest are also backing an advertising campaign with echoes of the 'Tell Sid' British Gas scheme in the 1980s to urge people to buy shares. Earlier this year Ms Reeves wrote to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) along with a number of other watchdogs asking them for a list of five things to boost growth. In a sign of her intent, the Chancellor effectively removed Marcus Bokkerink – the chairman of the CMA – after losing faith in his leadership.
