Latest news with #PeterKelly
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots are 'tired and angry' as politicians called on to listen to public concerns about the future
EXCLUSIVE: All Scots MSPs and MPs will be invited to attend a major anti-poverty rally in Edinburgh to hear first hand about the pressures facing households. Politicians have been urged on World Listening Day to stand back and hear the plight of everyday Scots who are struggling with the cost of living and crumbling public services. More than 140 organisations - including trade unions, churches and charities - are calling for all political parties to listen more to what the public wants ahead of next year's Holyrood election. It comes ahead of the Scotland Demands Better rally which will take place in Edinburgh later this year. Peter Kelly, chief executive of the Poverty Alliance, has been leading the coordination of the campaign and said the simple aim was to demand change. "The reason we are raising awareness on July 18 is because this is World Listening Day," he told the Record. "We will be contacting politicians to invite them to attend the Scotland Demands Better rally in Edinburgh on October 25. They will be invited to come along and listen. "We want them to hear the strength of feeling in communities across Scotland about the need to tackle poverty. We believe people want to see change. "The people many of these organisations work with are cut-off from life's essentials. They are frightened about what the future might bring for their families and communities. And we want politicians to hear that. We know they hear it from their constituencies, and in their mail bags, but we want them to physically be there and listen to what's being said. "We are very concerned about the decline in trust in politics. That's why we want politicians to be there, to show they're listening, as people are becoming increasingly disenchanted. "If we want to see change, and our democracy secured, then politicians really need to engage in a different way with communities who have been negatively impacted over the last 15 years. People are tired and they're angry. They need a sense of belief that when politicians commit to things, they actually deliver them."The key demands of Scotland Demands Better include improved jobs for everyone who needs one and greater investment in what they call "life's essentials" - such as affordable housing and public transport. There is also a focus on boosting the welfare system to ensure it offers everyone a foundation to build on for the future. The campaign wants to see the Scottish Child Payment increase for eligible families as well as a commitment from the UK Government to scrap the two-child cap on benefits. Peter accepts the demands are ambitious but insists they can be delivered despite huge pressure on public finances. "I think taxation has to be part of the answer," he added. "I do recognise we need to raise resources. But it's also about using some of our resources more effectively. "Council tax is in dire need of reform and could fund investment in public services. But it's not just about what the Scottish Parliament can do, we know we need to get action from the UK Government as well. Both Governments should be exploring options for wealth taxes "Some relatively modest changes around wealth taxation could generate an enormous amount of resources to tackle poverty."
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet passengers hit with major rule change at Scots airport
A major policy that's been in place since 2006 has been scrapped following new equipment at the airport. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EDINBURGH Airport has become the first in Scotland to lift the 100ml liquid rule. This will affect all passengers passing through the travel hub, which services airlines including British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Passengers queue up at Edinburgh Airport to go through security checks Credit: Peter Kelly - The Sun Glasgow 3 Holidaymakers were previously asked to remove liquids from their hand luggage Credit: Getty Holidaymakers will now be able to take through containers of up to two litres in their hand luggage. The 100ml policy has been in place since 2006 but has been scrapped following new equipment at the airport. Edinburgh Airport said it has installed eight new top-of-the-range X-ray scanners as part of a £24 million investment to transform its security. Large electricals, such as tablets and laptops, can remain in bags, and liquids in containers up to two litres can now also be kept inside. Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: "This is a big day for our passengers and the airport team. "We are delighted to be able to lift this rule and really transform the whole security process, making it easier for everyone. "A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006. "The change allows more flexibility for passengers to take liquids through security, all while maintaining and improving our high safety levels through the use of 3D technology. "But it is important that passengers continue to check with the situation at their return airport, as not all airports will be moving away from 100ml just yet." Elsewhere Scottish airport staff are being paid extra cash for catching passengers with oversized cabin bags. Edinburgh Airport's Exciting New Changes Workers at Swissport, who run gates at airports across the country, were given the baggage bonuses for catching easyJet punters trying to pull a fly one with their carry-on luggage. The extra cash is being paid for bags taken off passengers at the gate. Extra money is paid to workers who take bags off punters who either haven't paid for a cabin bag or people trying to take on a bag too big to be a carry on. An email, seen by The Sunday Times, told Swissport staff about the 'easyJet gate bag revenue incentive' and was sent to workers in November 2023.
Sunday World
01-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man (34) dies following scrambler crash
The deceased has been named as Peter Kelly A 34-year-old man has died following a single vehicle crash involving a scrambler in Newtownards. The deceased has been named as Peter Kelly who was from the area. Emergency services attended the scene on Comber Road on Monday evening and the road was cordoned off. However, Mr Kelly succumbed to his injuries. Stock photo Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st PSNI Inspector Cherith Adair, from the PSNI's Collision Investigation Unit, said officers responded to a report made at around 7.25pm. "The rider of the scrambler sadly died as a result of injuries sustained,' they confirmed. 'The Comber Road, which was closed for a number of hours, has since reopened to traffic. 'Enquiries are continuing, and anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dashcam or other footage which could assist with our investigation, is asked to contact Collision Investigation Unit detectives via 101, quoting reference number 1558 of 30/06/25.'
BBC News
01-07-2025
- BBC News
Newtownards: Peter Kelly dies in single vehicle crash
A man has died after the scrambler bike he was riding crashed in Newtownards, County Kelly, who was 34, was killed in the single-vehicle collision which happened at about 19:25 BST on Monday on the Comber Kelly, who was from the Newtownards area, died as a result of his injuries, police Comber Road was closed after the crash but has now reopened. Police appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or who has dashcam footage to come is the second death on the roads in the area in recent Sunday, motorcyclist Philip McClelland was riding a bike that crashed on the Portaferry Road in the McClelland, who was 36 and from Newtownards, died at the scene.
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Long-term plan approved; 12.47% rates rise confirmed
The Central Otago District Council has approved its long-term plan, confirming an average rates increase of 12.47% — slightly lower than the 13.01% originally proposed. The decision was made at an extraordinary council meeting held in Alexandra yesterday. Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley and chief executive Peter Kelly said the final version of the plan reflected the feedback of residents and demonstrated the council's willingness to listen. Mr Kelly said adjustments were made as a direct result of public consultation. "A number of things changed as a result of the consultation, which reinforces that councils do listen and that's really important in today's day and age." Ms Alley said it was important to note society was the sum of its parts and councils were not just about roads, water and rubbish. "We are pools, we are parks, we are libraries, we are blossom festivals and this long-term plan, in particular, is not CODC's long-term plan — this is Central Otago's long-term plan." People did not move to Central Otago just to be able to flush their toilet or turn on their tap; they came for the "nice-to-haves", she said. However, there would be people for whom the rates increase would be a bitter pill. "There are people who would like us not to be doing anything more than roads, rubbish and water — but I think a record number of submissions supporting the facilities we have chosen to retain is really an important thing for our community." After hearing submissions from more than 1200 residents, including just over 300 from under-18-year-olds, councillors met on May 20 and made their decisions on the shape of the long-term plan. Among the changes made after consultation were the retention of 12 council-owned properties that had been proposed for divestment; keeping the Alexandra outdoor swimming pool open with a review in the 2027-37 long-term plan; and the council taking over the Ida MacDonald Roxburgh Pool Punawai Ora. The council is usually required under the Local Government Act to produce a long-term, or 10-year, plan every three years and one should have been produced last year. However, due to uncertainty around the delivery of Three Waters — drinking, storm and waste — councils were given the option to defer, which Central Otago accepted.
