‘Alarm bells' over revamped farming scheme
Ponting to a poll showing only three per cent of farmers trust Labour Welsh ministers, he said the industry waited more than seven years for clarity on replacements for EU subsidies.
Mr Kurtz, who is from a farming family, criticised plans to cut the basic payment scheme (BPS) by 40 per cent for those who choose not to sign up to the SFS.
He said: 'This reflects what would have happened had the SFS launched in 2025 but it didn't launch… so, now farmers are being punished for that failure.'
He expressed concerns about the total £340m budget which would be worth closer to £500m if it had increased with inflation.
He suggested the revised SFS prioritises tree planting over food security.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales' deputy first minister, said: 'We've analysed the potential impacts of the scheme and that has helped us make the decisions that we've come to."
He told the Senedd an impact assessment will be published in September.
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Dining across the divide: ‘He talked about cancel culture going too far – Gregg Wallace came up'
Occupation Sustainability lead in the construction industry Voting record Labour in the last election, but feels more aligned with the Green party Amuse bouche Ben was a Pampers baby model. 'I think my mum was paid for it, and got a healthy supply of nappies' Occupation Retired from a career in aviation Voting record Conservative in the last election. Previously either Conservative or Lib Dem Amuse bouche Neil likes to write, and has a computer full of unfinished novels. 'I'm good at beginnings, middles and ends, but I can't make any match' Neil I was expecting a rabid Marxist, but my first impressions of Ben were that he was a really charming chap, and so he proved to be. He's married with four children. I'm also married with four children, but I also have grandchildren. I had crispy squid with a mango, chilli and lime salsa to begin with, then a lemon sole. Ben We were both wearing tan chinos and a blue shirt. We were a guarded to begin with, sounding each other out. I also had the calamari, then a sea bass with new potatoes and a white creamy sauce. The food was phenomenal. Neil Woke is a word I struggle to use. We need to get back to the old 'sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me'. You shouldn't go around saying stuff that is clearly offensive, or not true, and, if someone does, you've got every right to say, 'Don't speak to me like that', but don't completely rip them apart. Ben I think young people are far more aware of their mental health, of the impact of trauma, of wanting to be able to live their lives in a certain way. For me, that's what we mean when we talk about woke culture, and it's a positive thing. I think Neil feels it has all gone too far, and he talked about cancel culture. Gregg Wallace came up. Neil If it was just for saying something a bit stupid, which I'm sure we've all done, Gregg shouldn't have lost his livelihood. It should have been: look, Gregg, you're being an idiot, don't say stuff like that, it's not appropriate. And that's it, walk away. But some parts of the media have ripped him apart. If it transpires he's done something worse, any physical contact, that's a different story – then you're on your own, mate. Ben I agree that you have to be really careful with cancel culture. I'm also OK accepting apologies from people. I do, however, believe there are people in the public domain who need to be able to stand up and be counted. If someone has been found to have made inappropriate sexual comments, then absolutely I don't think that person should be working in that industry or sector again. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Neil I've never voted Labour, but in my view Tony Blair was the best Conservative prime minister we've had in decades! Starmer's heart's in the right place, but he could do with exhibiting a little bit more charisma. Come on, Keir, a little bit more pizzazz. Ben I grew up in a very Tory household, and became more progressive. I do agree with sensible conservative values, but I haven't ever seen those in place. I'm not a staunch Labour voter, either; I'm a tactical voter. Neil Three of my grandchildren live in Cornwall, and in the next 10 years they may be looking to buy somewhere. I wouldn't like to think they'll be priced out by people with second homes, but by the same token I'm not going to deny the right of somebody to do what they want with their money. An act of government that says you can only ever own one home wouldn't be appropriate; it's like a tax on being wealthy, and there are other taxes on being wealthy. Ben I am quite happy with a local authority saying we don't have enough housing for people, so we're going to ban Airbnb, or double the council tax on them, or whatever. Their job is to make sure local people can thrive. Ben Social media algorithms pitch people against each other. Sitting down with someone, having a discussion, is a very human way of being able to resolve some challenges. Neil It was a case of good old-fashioned British compromise. We weren't shouty – no shaking of fists or banging the drum like you might see from our colleagues across the Atlantic. Ben gave me a lift home. Charming chap. Additional reporting: Kitty Drake Ben and Neil ate at The Wimborne Pig in Dorset Want to meet someone from across the divide? Find out how to take part
BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Private properties used to house Ukrainian refugees rise by 17 per cent, figures show
Concern has been voiced about the impact of a Government scheme for housing refugees from Ukraine on the private rental sector, as new figures show the number of private properties being used has increased by 17 per cent since the start of the year. A record number of over 21,800 dwellings are currently being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees under the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme, according to the latest figures from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Advertisement It represents an increase of over 3,100 additional properties being involved in the ARP scheme since January. Owners or tenants of such properties were entitled to claim a monthly payment of €800 for housing Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive but the sum has been reduced to €600 per month since June 1. A total of 21,803 properties are now being used as part of the ARP scheme to provide homes to almost 39,600 Ukrainian refugees with 16,900 hosts in receipt of monthly payments. The figures show that over €339 million has been paid to date to 26,100 recipients for hosting 56,700 temporary protection beneficiaries since the scheme was launched in July 2022. Advertisement The figures were provided in response to a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin's justice, home affairs and migration spokesperson, Matt Carthy. Not surprisingly, the largest number of properties involved in the scheme are located in Dublin with almost 3,300 currently housing refugees from Ukraine. The second highest number is in Donegal where 2,070 private properties are in use followed by Cork (1,611) Mayo (1,425) and Kerry (1,308). The smallest number is 128 in Roscommon. Advertisement The figures indicate that approximately 1 per cent of the Republic's 2.1 million housing stock is being used to house Ukrainian refugees with varying differences across the country. The proportion ranges from an estimated 2.4 per cent of all dwellings in Donegal to just 0.4 per cent of all homes in Roscommon. Other counties with a high proportion of their housing stock being used to accommodate refugees from Ukraine are Leitrim (2.2 per cent), Mayo (2.1 per cent) and Carlow and Longford (both 2.0 per cent). Less than 1 per cent of residences in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Meath, Kilkenny, and Wicklow are involved in the scheme. Advertisement The number of properties being used to house Ukrainian refugees has risen by at least 10 per cent since the start of the year in all counties with the exception of Kildare and Kilkenny where the increases were at a slower rate. Mr Carthy said Sinn Féin has never received a satisfactory answer from the Minister of Justice about the impact of the ARP on the private rental sector. The Cavan-Monaghan TD has sharply criticised how the EU Temporary Protection Directive has been operated in Ireland and claimed the ARP is 'deeply unfair and caused huge divisions within communities.' 'It gave Ukrainians access to housing supports without a means test that was available to no other person including those on lower wages trying to secure housing,' said Mr Carthy. Advertisement He claimed the measure was also driving up rents particularly in parts of the country that traditionally had lower rents. Mr Carthy said the numbers in some areas like Donegal were huge with over 2,000 properties being used for the ARP. He added: 'These figures also show that there are significantly more properties than property owners coming under the scheme. There are 21,803 properties being provided by 16,900 owners which clearly means that a significant number of people have more than one property under this scheme. 'It indicates that landlords are availing of this scheme because it financially benefits them while avoiding the normal obligations and responsibilities regarding tenancies,' said Mr Carthy. Asked by the Sinn Féin TD about the impact of the ARP scheme on the private rented sector , the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan, said his department was awaiting the outcome of an analysis being carried out by the Department of Housing in conjunction with the Residential Tenancies Board. 'There is ongoing engagement by my department with the Department of Housing in respect of the scheme,' said Mr O'Callaghan. Property owners or tenants were originally paid a rate of €400 per month when the scheme was introduced before it was increased to €800 per month in December 2022 and lowered to €600 last month. 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South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Water bills to see ‘small, steady' rise despite reform plans, says Reed
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