Latest news with #BenAllen
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Two weeks of paternity leave is enough time to bond with child'
Fathers in Guernsey and gender equality supporters are echoing calls from campaigners in the UK to improve paternity Allen said that, although having a baby was "exciting and nerve-wracking", he wished he could have had more time off work to build a closer bond with his son Ajax, who was born in November said: "My mental health has taken a cliff-dive since my little one was born and I had to come back to work."Peter Roffey, outgoing President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security, said statutory leave entitlement reform was needed and he was asking the next government to look at it. Mr Allen said he found it tough adapting to being back at said: "The first couple of weeks back, I was getting quite emotional. I was having to go off to the toilet to compose myself because it just felt like I was missing out."There were times when I didn't want to be here. I'd much rather be at home with my young family."While it's gotten better as time's gone on, I really do feel like if I had extra time with my young family, I do think I'd be more prepared to come back to work."A group of MPs in the UK has said the statutory parental leave system is "one of the worst in the developed world" and has "fundamental flaws".Introduced in 2003, statutory paternity leave, external allows most new fathers and second parents in the UK to take up to two weeks off work. In Guernsey, a mother has the right to 12 weeks' basic maternity leave, regardless of length of service or hours of is entitled to an enhanced period of 26 weeks leave if she has worked continuously for the same employer for at least 15 there is no statutory obligation on employers to provide paid maternity claiming maternity support leave have a statutory entitlement to two weeks' unpaid parental said his committee was "recommending to our successor committee [after the 2025 general election] that a review is prioritised early in the next term of government".He said: "It's clearly very important that government does all it can to make Guernsey a family-friendly place to live – not just because of the positive social benefits, but because of potential economic benefits as well." Parental leave rights Jersey:Six weeks paid leave at full salary for both parentsStatutory right to request flexible workingGuernsey:Two-week statutory entitlement to parental leave, but unpaidNo legal requirement to give employees paid parental leaveNo statutory right to request flexible hoursUK:Two-week statutory entitlement to parental leavePaternity Pay is £187.18, or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower)Statutory right to request flexible working Louise Doublet, Chair of the Jersey's Health and Social Security Panel, said the island was a "trailblazer" for equal parental rights for mothers and said: "It's important for children to have both parents fully involved in their care from day one."We need to reduce the stigma around fathers taking parental leave. I know that this stigma still exists."In 2020, Jersey approved new parental leave policies which would treat each parent Doublet said: "As a society, we need to send a message to fathers that they are entitled to this leave, that they are needed in the home caring for their children just as much as mothers are, and that they should fully utilise their parental leave benefits." Elliott Rae, founder of Parenting Out Loud, campaigning for equal parenting and gender equality, said he felt dads had become "undervalued".He said: "I think our role in the family has been really minimized to a kind of provider protector role and we know that that is not enough."Around one in four dads don't take any paternity leave and that is devastating."That fatherhood-infant bonding experience is so important. We know from the research that one in 10 dads will suffer some symptoms of post-mental depression in the first six months of their child's life. "So, if we're not giving that dad the opportunity and the time to bond with their child, they are more at risk of poor mental health."Mr Rae said he felt that six weeks paternity leave should be given to new said: "It's a bare minimum, but it's an adequate amount of time for that dad to spend time helping their partner, to bond with their baby, to look after their mental health, to understand the flow of the household."
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
In-form jockey Ben Allen aiming to continue winter hot streak at Flemington
Jockey Ben Allen wants to build on recent form, consistency and continuity with key rides at Flemington on Saturday. Allen has ridden 22 winners the past month, including multiples at Caulfield, Pakenham, Kilmore and Sale, to build a solid foundation for the winter season. 'I'm just getting better rides and being a bit more consistent,' Allen said. 'I've always been a bit stop start in my career … I'm trying to be more consistent, just keep riding as much as I can and ride for as many people as I can and it seems to be working. 'I've been getting really good support the past few weeks, a lot of riders going away. I've got the opportunities and a lot of luck as well, you need luck on the side and the right horses. 'It will be harder when the bigger riders get back, but while they're gone I've got to make the most of it … it can turn very quickly racing. 'One week you're flying and the other week you could be struggling, so I take it as it comes.' Allen has five rides at Flemington on Saturday including smart two-year-old Miss Ole. The Clinton McDonald-trained filly won nicely at Sandown last start under Ben Melham. 'She's pretty smart,' Allen said. 'I didn't do too much on her (Tuesday gallop), just got a feel and I like her.' Miss Ole stepped slowly first-up at Warrnambool and rattled home to run fifth. The Ole Kirk filly jumped cleanly at Sandown last month and duly saluted. Miss Ole is $2.20 for the 1100m Brendan Drechsler Handicap from Espana, placed third on debut behind the favourite. First starters Santana and Sonofkirk round out the top four in the market. Allen has Oh Too Good in the VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m) on Saturday. The $3.10 second elect behind last-start winner Jimmy The Bear is third-up at Flemington. Oh Too Good placed fourth last start at Sandown. 'She can improve up in trip,' Allen said. 'Drawn outside is ideal, take her time getting across, and she ran well at Flemington before.' Oh Too Good was touched off in a 1600m race at Flemington second-up last campaign. Allen's other Flemington rides include Stylish (Race 3), backing up after a luckless start last Saturday at Caulfield, Ardakan (R7) and Tijuana (R9).
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California Film Tax Credit Overhaul Bill Passes State Senate, Funding Debate Over Cap to Come
A California bill that would loosen the eligibility requirements and expand the benefits of the state's film and television tax credit program was passed by the State Senate in Sacramento on Tuesday, clearing a key vote as lawmakers look for ways to halt and reverse the decline of production jobs for entertainment workers in the Golden State. Senate Bill 630 passed its floor vote with 34 state senators voting in favor of the bill with only one vote against. The bill moves next to the State Assembly, which is set for a floor vote on its version of the program expansion, Assembly Bill 1138, this Thursday. Combined, the two bills have been named the California Film and Television Jobs Act by its authors, which include several Los Angeles-based legislators like Hollywood Asm. Rick Chavez Zbur and Westside State Sen. Ben Allen. The bills would expand the types of productions that can qualify for the tax credit to include, among others, animated TV programs with a minimum budget of $1 million per episode and live-action TV programs with a half-hour runtime. The bills also raise the tax credit rate for productions shot in Los Angeles and select nearby shooting areas from 20% to 35% of qualified spending, an addition done to incentivize job creation in Hollywood's backyard amidst rising living costs and in the aftermath of January's wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. But questions still remain over whether this expansion will come with an increase in the tax credit program's cap, which currently stands at $330 million per year. Last fall, Gov. Gavin Newsom threw his support behind a drastic increase in that cap to $750 million year, which would make it the third-highest program in the country behind Georgia, which does not have a cap on its tax credit program, and New York, which last month raised its cap to $800 million. Two weeks ago, the California Senate Budget Committee removed language from SB 630 that called for the $750 million cap raise over objections to funding changes being made outside of the state's budgetary process, which reaches a critical stage this month as Gov. Newsom is set to present a revised proposed budget amidst uncertainty over federal funding and business revenue stemming from the Trump Administration and its economic policies. While state law requires California to pass a budget bill by June 15, sources tell TheWrap that the deadline may not provide a final decision on how much funding the tax credit program gets due to its status as a budget appropriation that is not an essential part of state infrastructure and government function. Industry insiders and legislative reps said they could not provide a timetable on when the budget cap for the program would be finalized. The post California Film Tax Credit Overhaul Bill Passes State Senate, Funding Debate Over Cap to Come appeared first on TheWrap.
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Big Swinger bails out favourite backers with stunning burst in Caulfield win
Favourite backers were poised to write off their money with 200m to run in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1200m). The Charlotte Littlefield -trained Big Swinger carried the hopes of thousands of punters in win bets and multis but they had a tough watch throughout the $150,000 race. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! A combination of Big Swinger's racing manners and goings on ahead of him left jockey Ben Allen to negotiate a difficult trip from the start. Big Swinger got up on to the heels of other runners at least twice midrace as the strong galloper looked for racing room. Big Swinger was still held up behind a wall of horses halfway down the straight, leaving Allen searching for options. However, Allen managed to ease Big Swinger off heels from where the smart prospect charged to a narrow win over the $21 chance Flyer. Big Swinger was enormous at Caulfield! @HayfieldsRacing @bennallen44 @MelbRacingClub â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025 Big Swinger's finishing burst was a relief to the gelding's band or owners on course as well as those that took the short odds about the three-year-old son of Trapeze Artist. 'About 100(m) to go, we were going to run an unlucky fifth,' Littlefield's husband Julian Hay said. 'It takes a good horse to do that.' Hay said Big Swinger's finishing burst was no surprise, adding the gelding clocked some 'scary' trackwork times at Littlefield's Pakenham base. Big Swinger's win left the Creswick Series of three-year-old sprints as ideal winter targets for the winner of four of six starts. However, Hay said Big Swinger was still 'soft-boned', meaning Littlefield was more likely to give the emerging prospect more time to develop. 'He's the best horse we've ever trained, we think, he's got that much ability,' Hay said. â– â– â– â– â– PREBBLE REPAYS PAYNES Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble sealed a Saturday double at Caulfield with victory on Jimmy The Bear for his uncle and aunty Patrick and Michelle Payne. Prebble, who by his own admission did not give Jimmy The Bear the best steer first-up when second to the in-form War Machine, more than made amends on Saturday. Jimmy The Bear finished over the top of tenacious leader Regal Zeus, courtesy of a perfectly-timed and economical Prebble steer. Prebble faced the potential of being posted wide again on Jimmy The Bear but the rising star found cover at a crucial stage in the 1600m Benchmark 100 JRA Handicap to set up the win. Jimmy The Bear gives Tom Prebble a double at Caulfield, even better when it's a win for family! @mj_payne â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025 'The race probably didn't unfold exactly how I planned, I didn't want to repeat the same thing that happened last start, being caught three deep on a fast tempo,' Prebble said. 'I was able to get in and he was good … 1400m up to 1600m, second up, his record is pretty impeccable, so I knew he would be strong. 'He's a complete and utter fighter, he wants to race and I'm very fortunate Patrick has given me the opportunity now to ride him twice after probably not giving him the best of steers first ride.' Prebble piloted the impressive winner Splash Back earlier on the card for Grahame Begg. WHITE LINE FEVER LANDS JOURNAL ANOTHER WIN A touch of 'white line fever' brought imported galloper Dublin Journal victory in the Ian Miller Handicap (2000m). Dublin Journal has been a good money spinner for connections, especially after trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes worked out the gelding loves the cut and thrust of racing among other horses. Luke Currie rode the seven-year-old in that fashion at Caulfield, opting against going out wide when held up on the home turn, instead driving Dublin Journal ($9) along the inside to beat I Am The Empire ($26). Dublin Journal gives Luke Currie and the Hayes team a double at Caulfield @lindsayparkrace â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025 'He requires a lot of luck and Luke executed it perfectly,' JD Hayes said. 'He's a funny horse. As soon as he gets outside them, he gives up but he loves the crash and bash and pokes through late.' Earlier, Currie combined with the Hayes brothers in Madiyya 's third straight win in the Rod Griffiths Handicap. Madiyya sustained a long run from the rear of the field before the $1.75 favourite defied the late challenge of the $10 chance I ONLY WISH. PRESS THE BUTTON Trial By Press answered the call to run down Extreme Virtue in the Selangor Turf Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. The Greg Eurell -trained five-year-old daughter of Danerich preserved a perfect second-up record – now three from three – with the win under apprentice jockey Ryan Houston. Trial By Press is two from two this preparation! @GregEurell @HoopHouston @MelbRacingClub â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 31, 2025 Extreme Virtue looked set to pinch the race around the bend, the Lindsay Park-trained mare skipped clear under apprentice jockey Dakotah Keane, but Trial By Press would not be denied. 'I thought coming into the turn the leader started to skip away a little bit and thought gee we might struggle to run this down and to her credit she dug deep,' Eurell said. 'Typical of the mare, as I said to Ryan, she's very push button, the more you ask the more she gives and that's exactly what she did today.'
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Spring races on radar for two-year-old Caulfield winner Salty Pearl
Spring discussions could start for Salty Pearl after the unmissable filly broke through for her first win in the Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1200m). The eye-catching grey had finished in the minor money in her first two autumn races, including when a well-held third in a Group 3 race in Adelaide second-up. • Trainer Ciaron Maher decided to give the daughter of Tagaloa an easier time between runs, which left Salty Pearl fresher for Saturday's Caulfield assignment. 'We didn't think she was probably at her best over in Adelaide but she had a nice three-week gap between runs,' Maher's representative Jack Turnbull said. 'We kept her really fresh.' Salty Pearl eased from $6 to $8.50 in betting as punters supported Millennium Blade from $7 to $3.90 and Warrior Smile from $4.80 to $3.50. However, a cool ride from jockey Ben Allen helped to derail those market moves as he steered Salty Pearl to a long neck win over Millennium Blade while $51 chance Eton Affair was four lengths away in third spot. âšœï¸� New winner for #Tagaloa ðŸ'� 2YO filly Salty Pearl (ex Leaven Of Malice) rallies home and claims her maiden for @cmaherracing under Ben Allen at @MelbRacingClub Caulfield. Congrats to her breeder, @brideoakeracing! #aworldofopportunity â€' Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) May 31, 2025 Turnbull said Allen did well to resist the early pressure, preferring to let Salty Pearl relax off the speed. 'She got a little further back than we thought she would but it was a lovely steer by Ben to get the split inside and she had the good turn of foot,' Turnbull said. 'We thought we'd be behind the speed but there was more intent from other riders so he let the speed go. 'He didn't panic.' Turnbull said the manner of Salty Pearl's win indicated minor stakes races during the spring were worth considering. 'She is professional. She's had a few goes at it now and she's tractable,' Turnbull said. 'Without having a chat to Ciaron, you'd now have to have a really good think about the spring. 'She obviously goes well and she's on an upward trajectory. 'Races like the Cap D'Antibes and the Scarborough (Stakes), they're those three-year-old sprints that you would look at.'
