Latest news with #McKee
STV News
18 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Minister announces £1bn in savings to be redirected to frontline services
The Scottish Government has launched a brand new public service reform strategy to make £1bn of savings in the next five years. Ivan McKee set out a range of reforms to Scotland's public sector on Thursday as he aims to make it efficient and fit for the future. He said spending from 'back office costs' will be cut by 20%, with the cash being redirected to frontline services. By 2029-30, the Government estimates this will amount to £1bn a year in savings, freeing up cash in areas such as the NHS. 'This will require every part of the public sector to reduce the cost of doing business to prioritise the frontline,' McKee said. 'The aim is to do things better, not do less.' McKee said the Scottish Government will achieve the savings through a combination of automation, digitisation, estate rationalisation, and workforce reform. Among the 80 actions set out in Mr McKee's reforms include changes to the culture of the public sector and those in charge of it. The number of public bodies will be reduced to drive a more efficient system alongside a new review of public sector buildings. The minister said the Government will embrace automation and new technology to digitise government. The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) criticised the strategy of 'missing the mark'. 'Whenever government ministers speak of public sector 'efficiencies', workers anxiously hold their breath,' said STUC general secretary Roz Foyer. 'These cuts, prepacked as reforms, miss the mark entirely. Simply put: you can't fix public services by cutting the very people who keep them running. Talk of reducing headcount while NHS waiting times spiral, A&E departments are overwhelmed and social care is in crisis is as reckless as it is illogical.' She said Scotland deserves public services that are properly funded, and 'not an overreliance on technology to plug staffing shortages'. 'The reality is that Scotland's fiscal future demands honesty and ambition. Instead of chasing cuts disguised as reform, ministers should be adopting progressive tax policies that can raise the revenue we need,' Ms Foyer said. 'Before racing ahead with changes, the Scottish Government must engage in serious dialogue with the trade union movement. We've been clear: we will not support any programme that threatens jobs, conditions or the quality of the services our communities rely on. That position remains the same.' The Tory shadow secretary for finance slammed the reforms as a 'wish-list of word soup that fails to mention waste once'. 'Despite the SNP saying we were reckless for proposing fully costed tax cuts worth £500m, they now claim they can save £1bn by merely slashing corporate functions,' MSP Craig Hoy said. 'There is still an astonishing lack of detail as to where these savings will be made, or what quangos will be axed. The public simply will not trust the SNP to suddenly tackle the enormous waste they have presided over.' Daniel Johnson, Scottish Labour's finance spokesman, said he welcomed the 'overall sentiment' but feared it amounted to 'a plan for a plan'. He said Thursday's statement was 'an acknowledgement that we have a billion pounds worth of waste'. He added: 'Reform, to my mind, is not about shrinking the state, but maximising its effectiveness and you cannot ignore the fact that over the past decade, the civil service has grown at three times the rate of the NHS, while police, fire and colleges' headcounts have all fallen.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Does a civil service shake-up loom in the £1bn crackdown?
She was not someone who tolerated unwise spending by family members or by her employer. I can't remember exactly what the issues were that so exercised her in her office many years ago, but it's clear concerns surrounding the inefficient use of public resources persist to this day. READ MORE: Scottish Government confirm plan cut to public sector 'waste' by £1bn a year STUC leader in warning to Swinney ahead of £1bn crackdown on public sector 'waste' SNP ministers to unveil £1 billion crackdown on public sector 'waste' What's behind the Scottish Government drive to cut public sector 'waste'? It's a matter that John Swinney identified back in 2011 setting up the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services in Scotland, chaired by Dr Campbell Christie, which had been tasked with examining the long-term challenges facing public services—including budget pressures, demographic change, rising demand and persistent inequalities. The Commission's report called for preventative and collaborative approaches to address systemic challenges, prioritising prevention to reduce long-term costs, enhancing performance through technology, and closer working across sectors. In a speech on Monday, Mr Swinney referred to the creation of Police Scotland, where the country's eight police forces were amalgamated into one organisation, as one of the "key successes" from the Christie report noting the restructure had led to over £200m a year in savings. Speaking in Holyrood today public finance minister Ivan McKee said a further £280m in efficiencies savings had been made through other changes such as cutting down on duplication and through the greater use of technology. But his aim is to save a further £720m to reach a target of £1bn by 2029/30. It's a huge ambition and one likely to require significant changes, ones well beyond cutting down on duplication and greater use of AI and review of the running of costly its buildings and estates. The elephant in the room is of course the number of public bodies and the number of people they employ. There are currently 130 quangos, and 55 civil service directorates in the Scottish Government covering a wide range of responsibilities, including one for the constitution, another for the EU, multiple ones relating to health, energy and climate, the environment. The list goes on. The obvious question is does Scotland need 55 civil service directorates and 130 quangos? It's significant I think that both Mr Swinney and Mr McKee have been talking up the reorganisation of Police Scotland and the amount of money the restructure has saved - £200m a year. Against such a backdrop it would be no huge surprise if major restructures were on the cards for other organisations. But such major changes could well lead to rows with the trade unions - with the STUC already issuing a warning to the government about its reforms. So while Mr McKee has laid out his initial plans today, he and his colleagues may well be putting off the harder spending and restructuring decisions until after May 2026 election.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ireland well beaten by clinical Australia in first of two Antwerp encounters
After a competitive opening half, three quickfire goals in the third quarter allowed Australia to take control, with a final goal late in the game sealing a dominant win. Johnny McKee scored Ireland's only goal. Australia started strongly, earning a penalty corner inside three minutes, which Jeremy Hayward converted with a powerful flick past Luke Roleston in the Ireland net. They continued to press, and Blake Govers nearly doubled the lead, only to be denied by solid goalkeeping from Roleston. Ireland responded quickly when McKee intercepted high up the pitch, fed Peter Brown, who drove into the circle and passed to Ben Walker. Walker then teed up a return pass to McKee, who finished superbly into the top corner to equalise before the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw high intensity from both sides with Australia regaining the lead after a turnover led to a penalty stroke, which Govers converted. Despite further pressure, Ireland's defence held firm to go into halftime trailing just one behind. However, the third quarter proved decisive. Australia capitalised on their press, with Cooper Burns scoring a brilliant solo effort, followed by goals from Connar Otterbach (penalty corner deflection) and Jack Welch after an Irish defensive lapse. Ireland started the final quarter brightly, winning their first penalty corner, only for Lee Cole to see his effort was saved by Australia's substitute keeper Jed Snowden. Chances followed from Luke Witherow and Louis Rowe, but Snowden remained resolute. But Australia finished the stronger and had the last word, with Govers scoring his second to round off a quick counterattack and seal a comprehensive win. Speaking after Ireland captain Lee Cole expressed his disappointment with the performance, saying: 'I think we struggled to keep up with the pace in the second half, and I think we went a little bit flat and into our shells which is never a good thing to do against Australia. 'They are a world class outfit, they have always been. I think everyone in this league is and that's the real challenge. Stringing performances together is where we need to improve.' Looking ahead to tomorrow's rematch, Cole added: 'We have another chance tomorrow to bounce back. In an ideal world we don't bounce back, we get one good performance and back it up with another. 'That is the plan now, a big game tomorrow and then back it up with two good performances in our final games over the weekend.' Wednesday's game will be available to watch on the TG4 Player at 2.30pm Irish time.
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
R.I. poised to ban cellphones in schools
If signed into law, it won't go into effect until Aug. 1, 2026, giving districts a full school year to come up with their policies. Related : A growing number of states and school districts have been restricting the use of smart phones in school, citing the intense distraction they cause, bullying concerns, and seeking to encourage more in-person social interaction. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Reports of cyberbullying in middle schools are on the rise since the pandemic, according to the Advertisement Governor Dan McKee's office did not immediately say Monday night if he would sign the bill, but the legislation received veto-proof majorities in both chambers. (The House and Senate still must pass each other's identical bills before sending to McKee's desk.) Advertisement Multiple school districts have already chosen to ban cellphones in school. Central Falls was among the first in Rhode Island to lock up the phones in Yondr pouches all day, keeping school phone-free from 'bell-to-bell.' South Kingstown implemented a similar pouch system this past school year, and some Providence schools use them as well. Others are more flexible. The Globe reported last year that Lincoln High School The bill allows exceptions for medical needs, such a student with diabetes who uses a smart phone for glucose monitoring, or a student with disabilities who uses adaptive technology. Exceptions can also be made 'in case of emergency,' the bill says. Many schools provide Chromebooks to students, so they will still have access to technology for class purposes. Both major teachers unions in Rhode Island supported the legislation. Teachers have long lamented being enforcers of cellphone policies, especially if they had to take phones away. 'In the post-pandemic world, many students are still grappling with the overstimulation caused by constant digital interaction,' Maribeth Calabro, the president of the American Federal of Teachers Rhode Island, wrote in testimony urging lawmakers to pass the legislation. 'Banning cell phones can help mitigate these issues by removing the temptation to check notifications, social media, or games during class, fostering better concentration.' Some school leaders said the lack of statewide guidance was making it harder for schools to tackle the pervasive cellphone issue. Advertisement 'The absence of statewide standards or expectations places a significant burden on local districts, often leading to inconsistent enforcement, pushback from families, and a lack of clarity for students and staff alike,' said Jared Vance, the principal at Rogers High School in Newport, in testimony in support of the bill. When the Globe The ACLU of Rhode Island testified with privacy concerns, prompting lawmakers to amend the bill to add that school officials cannot search the contents of a device they confiscate. The Rhode Island Department of Education, which has never issued guidance about cellphones, was in support of the legislation, spokesperson Victor Morente said, 'underscoring the important of flexibility for districts.' Arguing in favor of the bill Monday night, Education Committee Chairman Joseph McNamara said schools that have implemented phone bans report 'students are talking to each other and listening to each other' again. 'As an educator who was involved in the transition before and after cellphones came into play, I can personally attest to the fact that they negatively changed the climate in our schools,' McNamara said. Steph Machado can be reached at
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Tougher Sentences Ahead As Three Strikes Returns
Associate Minister of Justice Repeat violent and sexual offenders are officially on notice Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. 'Tougher penalties are now in place as the Three Strikes law comes into force today and the message is clear. If you commit serious violent or sexual offences, expect to face increasingly severe consequences. New Zealanders have had enough – they want safer streets, safer homes, and a justice system that puts victims first,' Mrs McKee says. The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024 restores the regime scrapped under the previous government and is a central pillar in the Coalition's drive to restore law and order and protect the public. Under the Act: Offenders convicted of any of 42 serious violent or sexual offences – including new crimes like strangulation and suffocation – will face escalating penalties with each conviction. First strike: A formal warning. Second strike: No parole. Third strike: Maximum sentence without parole. For example, someone convicted of murder at second or third strike will face a minimum of 17 or 20 years behind bars with no early release. The Act provides for some judicial discretion to prevent manifestly unjust outcomes. It also sets out principles and guidance to help the courts apply the law and allows a limited benefit for guilty pleas to spare victims further trauma and reduce court delays. 'Importantly, previous strike warnings still count if they meet the new sentencing threshold – ensuring serious repeat offenders can't escape accountability. The Ministry of Justice has published guidance to help affected individuals, and their lawyers check for active strikes,' Mrs McKee says.
