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Powys County Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys council to consider Home Office asylum seeker deal
Powys County Council is to consider a proposal from the Home Office which would see it get a boost to its housing budget in return for supporting asylum seekers. In a meeting of the cabinet next week, councillors will consider a pilot scheme being proposed by the Home Office which could increase support for the county's housing budget from Government funds. The paper recommends the cabinet puts forward a non-binding 'expression of interest' in the scheme on behalf of Powys County Council along with Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire, to participate in the Home Office Asylum Dispersal Pilot. The plan would see the council buying or building new homes backed by Government money, then leasing them to the Home Office for 10 years before they return to the council's own estate. The Home Office would 'provide capital funding to Local Authorities to increase accommodation supply (of various types) in the medium-term (next 2-5 years)'. This would be through the 'purchase and renovation, or construction of new homes, including where practical on Local Authority owned land'. The Council would then 'lease the properties, which it would own, to the Home Office at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates for a 10-year term', with Powys County Council 'regaining control of the properties after this when Home Office demand should be reducing following the implementation of wider initiatives.' It is thought this model 'will support a net increase' in the Powys County Council's own housing portfolio 'as well as add to the net availability of homes in each area where this model is taken forward'. The paper adds that 'should any new development of homes follow it is anticipated such projects would be funded by the Home Office and not incur costs to the Council but would ultimately lead to an increase in the Council's housing portfolio.' It is thought the plan would relieve one of the large financial pressures on Powys County Council which, the report says, has an estimated a budget gap of more than £60m over the next five years. it would cut the need for high-cost temporary accommodation currently being used for people on the social housing wait list. The boost in housing stock would also allow 'for quicker permanent housing to be offered to those in need of a home' and 'increase council tax revenue through a net increase in the number of homes in the county.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app The council would also have more of a say where people would be housed with the paper adding the council would be 'in a better position to shape the future design of asylum dispersal, especially in rural areas, as an alternative to having to comply with Home Office directives which may not be so sensitive to local need'. The paper adds that: 'The provision of accommodation and support for asylum seekers and refugees is a complex matter, which to be undertaken equitably and safely benefits from understanding and empathy across communities and neighbourhoods.' It goes on to stress that 'the Council, both officers and members, as an accountable public service, has a role to play in helping dispel rumours and misinformation about such matters and encourage a greater understanding within our communities'.
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Benalla business fined $255k for providing farm workers without labour hire licence
A regional Victorian horticulture company and two individuals at the business have been fined a quarter of a million dollars for breaching labour laws. The Supreme Court of Victoria found Cameron Workforce in Benalla contravened state labour laws by providing workers without a labour hire licence. The workers picked grapes and chestnuts on several farms in the Benalla region. The court imposed a $200,000 penalty on the business. It also ordered a company director to pay a $40,000 penalty, and another individual was fined $15,000 for their conduct. The hefty financial penalties come after the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) launched an investigation into overcrowded worker accommodation. The court found workers were housed in overcrowded and substandard housing owned by a company director. It found the business failed to provide workers with a number of entitlements, including written contracts or pay slips. Workers were not provided a minimum hourly rate under the industry award or superannuation contributions, and had their income tax withheld from wages. The court's findings and the financial penalty come after the company's bank account was frozen in 2023 following earlier court action taken by the LHA. The company had agreed not to provide labour hire without a licence. The authority said given the defendant's non-compliance with a range of laws, they would make referrals to other relevant regulators. Labour hire licensing commissioner Steve Dargavel said labour hire workers in the horticulture industry were among the state's most vulnerable. "The industry is a key focus for our expanded compliance and enforcement program," he said. "LHA will use all the tools at its disposal to remove exploitative businesses from the labour hire industry."
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Almost half fear unexpected £100 bill 'would leave them struggling to pay rent'
The Salvation Army's Captain John Clifton said: 'When nearly half of people are so financially fragile that they are living in fear of a £100 bill, something has gone very wrong' Almost half of adults fear an unexpected £100 bill would leave them struggling to pay their rent or mortgage. The survey for the Salvation Army found 48% of people were extremely or very concerned over an extra expense. A further 22% of the 1,000 people polled said they were "fairly concerned" while 29% said they were not concerned, the charity said. The Salvation Army's Captain John Clifton said: 'When nearly half of people are so financially fragile that they are living in fear of a £100 bill, something has gone very wrong — and the Government must take notice." He said to protect those who are struggling the government must unfreeze housing benefit or risk pushing "thousands more over the cliff edge into homelessness". At the Budget last year Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the local housing allowance (LHA) will remain at existing levels until 2026. It was also frozen multiple times during the Conservatives' 14-year spell in government. Mr Clifton added: 'Rent and bills have gone up and welfare support has gone down. Every day at our food banks, debt and employment advice services, churches and community centres we see the reality of what it's like for people who can't afford to feed, clothe and house themselves and their families. 'With so many living on a knife-edge, the risk of homelessness is no longer something that happens to 'other people' — it's becoming a real concern for ordinary households across the country.' A government spokesman said: 'No one should be in poverty. That's why we've extended the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments for 2025-26 to protect the most vulnerable while we fix the fundamentals of the social security system, so people don't rely on crisis support. 'Alongside this, we have increased the National Living Wage, uprated benefits and are helping over one million households having introduced a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions, on top of reviewing Universal Credit to ensure it can best contribute to our aims from tackling poverty and making work pay. "Meanwhile, we are boosting the Affordable Housing Programme by £2bn which will build 18,000 new social and affordable homes – getting families into safe and decent homes while supporting our Plan for Change milestone of 1.5 million new homes by the next Parliament and driving economic growth.'
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
New mural of ‘iconic' activist Mary Barbour unveiled in Govan
She went on to campaign for an end to the First World War, before becoming one of Glasgow's first female councillors and working to improve health and welfare services in Govan. The mural features a colour depiction of a hopeful-looking Barbour with a thistle, next to a black and white image of a street protest. It was painted by internationally-acclaimed muralist Jeks, who said he hoped it would inspire people to 'stand up and fight for what's right'. The artwork was commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the Linthouse Housing Association (LHA), which provides social housing and support in the Govan community. The mural was painted on the gable end of 1198 Govan Road, Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) LHA chief executive Irene C McFarlane described the image as the 'perfect curtain-raiser' to the body's 50th anniversary celebration. 'Mary Barbour was an iconic figure not just in Glasgow but across the wider housing association movement. 'Her contribution cannot be underestimated as she bravely tackled housing injustice and stood firmly on the side of tenants. 'It is therefore highly appropriate that she should be honoured with this new mural as a reminder of her activism. 'It perfectly complements the Mary Barbour statue located at Govan Cross unveiled in 2018. 'Along with two other recently unveiled murals in our community, this latest mural is the perfect curtain raiser to our 50th anniversary celebrations.' The mural adorns the gable end of 1198 Govan Road in Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) JeksOne described painting the mural as an 'honour' on 'many levels'. 'Mary Barbour was a hero in her activism, organisation and mobilisation of women to protest for their civil rights,' he said. 'Although this mural is not a literal depiction of Mary, it represents her massive inspiration for all to stand up and speak out for what is right and important in your country and communities. 'Her strength and courage should always be remembered as a guiding light, and I hope this mural inspires young women, men and all to stand up and fight for what's right.' TS Beall, lead artist of the Protest and Suffragettes project, said it was 'striking' how relevant Barbour's activism remains today. 'We were delighted to share our research on Mary Barbour with Jeks, and we love how his design weaves in themes of contemporary protest,' she said. 'In conversations with community groups in Govan, we explored what a modern-day Mary Barbour might be fighting for today — and it's striking how relevant her activism remains more than a century later. 'Honouring her legacy, and that of the many women who fought alongside her isn't just about remembrance — it's about recognising the foundations they laid for a fairer society, and how their courage continues to inspire the next generation of activists.' The mural was commissioned by SWG3's Yardworks GRID in partnership with the LHA. It is Yardworks Grid's fifth large-scale gable-end mural in Govan, and contributes to a 'growing trail' of public artworks that celebrate the area's heritage.
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
New mural of ‘iconic' activist Mary Barbour unveiled in Govan
The mural adorns the gable end of 1198 Govan Road, in the area of the city where Barbour played an important role in the Glasgow rent strikes of 1915. She went on to campaign for an end to the First World War, before becoming one of Glasgow's first female councillors and working to improve health and welfare services in Govan. Mary Barbour was an iconic figure not just in Glasgow but across the wider housing association movement Irene C McFarlane, Linthouse Housing Association The mural features a colour depiction of a hopeful-looking Barbour with a thistle, next to a black and white image of a street protest. It was painted by internationally-acclaimed muralist Jeks, who said he hoped it would inspire people to 'stand up and fight for what's right'. The artwork was commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the Linthouse Housing Association (LHA), which provides social housing and support in the Govan community. LHA chief executive Irene C McFarlane described the image as the 'perfect curtain-raiser' to the body's 50th anniversary celebration. 'Mary Barbour was an iconic figure not just in Glasgow but across the wider housing association movement. 'Her contribution cannot be underestimated as she bravely tackled housing injustice and stood firmly on the side of tenants. 'It is therefore highly appropriate that she should be honoured with this new mural as a reminder of her activism. 'It perfectly complements the Mary Barbour statue located at Govan Cross unveiled in 2018. 'Along with two other recently unveiled murals in our community, this latest mural is the perfect curtain raiser to our 50th anniversary celebrations.' JeksOne described painting the mural as an 'honour' on 'many levels'. 'Mary Barbour was a hero in her activism, organisation and mobilisation of women to protest for their civil rights,' he said. 'Although this mural is not a literal depiction of Mary, it represents her massive inspiration for all to stand up and speak out for what is right and important in your country and communities. 'Her strength and courage should always be remembered as a guiding light, and I hope this mural inspires young women, men and all to stand up and fight for what's right.' TS Beall, lead artist of the Protest and Suffragettes project, said it was 'striking' how relevant Barbour's activism remains today. 'We were delighted to share our research on Mary Barbour with Jeks, and we love how his design weaves in themes of contemporary protest,' she said. 'In conversations with community groups in Govan, we explored what a modern-day Mary Barbour might be fighting for today — and it's striking how relevant her activism remains more than a century later. 'Honouring her legacy, and that of the many women who fought alongside her isn't just about remembrance — it's about recognising the foundations they laid for a fairer society, and how their courage continues to inspire the next generation of activists.' The mural was commissioned by SWG3's Yardworks GRID in partnership with the LHA. It is Yardworks Grid's fifth large-scale gable-end mural in Govan, and contributes to a 'growing trail' of public artworks that celebrate the area's heritage.
