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Delayed dualling of A9 is costing lives, says Fergus Ewing

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The lack of progress in dualling the A9 is costing lives, according to a former Scottish government minister.

Fergus Ewing said there must be “no more excuses” for the delays to the project to improve the road between Perth and Inverness.

The SNP MSP for Inverness and Nairn called for a detailed timetable of the planned upgrades.

It follows the death of an 18-year-old in a crash at Dalmagarry, south of Inverness, on Friday.

The Scottish government said it remained committed to dualling the A9.

Last year former Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth admitted their initial pledge to complete the project by 2025 was “unachievable”.

Mr Ewing told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland that there was “real anger” over the delays.

Asked if the lack of progress was costing lives, he replied: “I’m afraid to say the answer to that is yes, and every life is a tragedy for their families.

“This could not be more serious.”

In 2022, 13 people died on the A9 stretch between Peth and Inverness – the highest number in a single year since 2001.

The MSP, who served as rural economy secretary until 2021, said: “I do think the Scottish government need to bring forward a detailed statement setting out when each section of the road will be dualled and by what time the project will be completed.

“I have asked for this for the last two years, but instead of making significant progress, we move backwards.”

He added: “I think people are fed up with excuses and I do hope that we wouldn’t hear any more of them.”

Earlier this year it emerged that only one contractor tendered for the work to upgrade the Tomatin to Moy section of the road in the Highlands.

The Scottish government said at the time that the contract would have to be retendered after it was decided that the bid did not represent good value for money.

Mr Ewing urged the Scottish government to move away from tendering contracts and switch to framework contracts to get the dualling completed quicker by using multiple companies.

And he accused the Scottish Greens – who are part of the Scottish government with the SNP – of holding back progress on the A9 with their resistance to more road building.

He said: “I think there is growing concern that the green tail is wagging the yellow dog. And that is prevalent everywhere I go in my constituency.”

His colleagues Kate Forbes, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said she also wanted to see an updated timetable.

“I said myself over the last few months that I would want to see the timetable as a matter of urgency and would like to see the road dualled within the next decade,” she added.

Committed to dualling

Transport Minister Kevin Stewart said his sympathies were with the friends and family of the deceased but that it would be “inappropriate” to comment further as police investigations were ongoing.

He added: “On the A9 dualling programme more broadly, we remain firmly committed to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.

“The £3bn investment (at 2008 prices) is one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history and we have already invested over £430m delivering the programme.

He said there would be an update on the dualling programme in the Scottish Parliament this autumn.

“The necessary steps for the new procurement of the Tomatin to Moy project are currently being progressed by officials,” he added.

“They are engaging with The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and contractors, to consider improvements that can be made to both our contract delivery strategy and procurement mechanisms – in order to maximise interest and market engagement in the new procurement.”

The Scottish Conservatives said there should be “no more delays or excuses”.

Jamie Halcro Johnston, their spokesman for business, trade, tourism and enterprise, said: “Local communities and businesses rely on this route and have long known this project was badly off track and years behind where it should be.

“There are economic and social reasons why the road needs to be dualled – but above all, vital safety considerations. Too many lives have already been lost and every month of delay risks more.”

Meanwhile, Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said he supported Mr Ewing’s calls for a clear timetable on dualling.

He said: “My real sympathy goes to the everyone who has lost their life on the A9 and their relatives.

“The carnage we are seeing on the A9 is avoidable and the easiest way to avoid it is by dualling the A9 from Perth to Inverness, and probably beyond.”

Cement companies raise prices amid low demand to counter higher input costs

by economictimes.indiatimes.com Leave a Comment

Synopsis

With the steep increase, the all-India average cement price has reached Rs382 per 50 kg bag. The sharpest rise was in the eastern region where the price rose to Rs400 from Rs326. Historically, the demand for cement in the September quarter is weak given due to low amount of construction activities given the monsoon period. Generally, cement firms promptly reduce prices when their sales volume is impacted due to low demand.

Cement manufacturers have raised prices sharply by around 12-13% over the past month amid rising input costs even though the post monsoon increase demand is yet to kick in. This is considered as a bold move by sector trackers since cement companies were observing caution over the past few months while deciding prices.

With the steep increase, the all-India average cement price has reached Rs382 per 50 kg bag. The sharpest rise was in the eastern region where the price rose to Rs400 from Rs326. Historically, the demand for cement in the September quarter is weak given due to low amount of construction activities given the monsoon period. Generally, cement firms promptly reduce prices when their sales volume is impacted due to low demand.

The bold stand to raise prices despite sluggish volume offtake is therefore unusual. Some analysts attribute this to the possibility of creating a higher price base in advance to take advantage of a demand recovery once the monsoon is over.

In addition, prices have increased at a time when raw material costs have once again started rising.

” Over the past three months, imported coal prices have increased by 15% and petcoke prices have increased by 28%. Even though, both coal and petcoke prices are still lower on a year on year basis, operating costs for the sector are likely to rise from March 2024 quarter onwards,” said Mangesh Bhadang, senior vice-president and cement analyst at Centrum Broking in a sector note. He expects that demand growth in FY25 will be weak amid higher costs, which may put pressure on the margins of cement makers.

Some analysts estimate that if cement firms are able to sustain the recent price increase, they are likely to post earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBIDTA) per tonne of Rs1200-1300 in the second half of the present fiscal year from Rs800-900 in the past few quarters.

According to Ravi Sodah, cement analyst at Elara Capital , the benefit of the recent price increase will reflect fully in the December 2023 quarter when margins of cement firms will improve.

Given these factors, large cement companies such as Ultratech Cement , Ambuja Cements , and Shree Cement , which have a strong market presence and strong balance sheets are likely to benefit in the coming quarters.

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Up to $200 in cash payout, CDC vouchers among new support measures for Singaporeans to cope with cost of living

by www.asiaone.com Leave a Comment

SINGAPORE — Some 2.5 million adult Singaporeans will receive an additional cash payout of up to $200 in December, and every Singaporean household will receive $200 in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers in 2024 to help cope with the rising cost of living.

These support measures, among others, are part of a $1.1 billion Cost-of-Living Support Package to provide relief for all Singaporean households, with more support for lower- to middle-income families. They build on the measures announced at Budget 2023.

The measures also include a $0.8 billion enhancement to the Assurance Package (AP) that will bring the AP to over $10 billion.

Announcing the support package on Thursday (Sept 28), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong acknowledged that many Singaporeans are anxious about the overall economic outlook, price increases and the impact on their cost of living.

“The Government is committed to supporting Singaporeans through these uncertain times,” said Mr Wong, adding that the Government will not be dipping into the past reserves for this package.

“As Prime Minister said at the National Day Rally recently, the Ministry of Finance has been studying how we can do more, to provide better support for Singaporeans.”

He noted that the measures will cushion the impact of higher utility bills arising from the increases in water price, and also the upcoming increase in carbon tax.

AP cash special payment

The additional payment of up to $200 cash for 2.5 million eligible adult Singaporeans will be disbursed in December 2023, together with the existing AP cash component.

In total, eligible adult Singaporeans will receive up to $800 cash in December 2023, and will provide more support to lower- and middle-income adult Singaporeans.

For Singaporeans aged 21 and above in 2024, who own up to one property and have an assessable income of $34,000 or less for the Year of Assessment 2022, they will receive an additional $200, on top of the $600 under the earlier announced AP cash payment.

For those in this group who have an assessable income of between $34,000 and $100,000, they will receive an additional $150 on top of the $350 payout from the existing AP.

Those who own more than one property, or have an assessable income of more than $100,000 will not receive an additional payout under the AP cash special payment, but will receive $200 from the existing AP cash component.

CDC vouchers

Every Singaporean household will get an additional $200 in CDC vouchers in 2024, bringing the total amount of CDC vouchers for each Singaporean household to $500 in 2024.

The $200 additional CDC vouchers will be spilt in half, with $100 of these vouchers allocated for spending at participating heartland merchants and hawkers, and $100 for spending at participating supermarkets.

The 2024 CDC vouchers should be claimed digitally at go.gov.sg/cdcv from Jan 3, 2024. The vouchers can be claimed at any time during their validity period. They will expire at the end of 2024.

Service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebates

Some 950,000 Singaporean HDB households will get an additional one-off 0.5-month of S&CC rebate disbursed in January 2024, together with the regular S&CC rebates.

This will, on average, fully offset the S&CC increase in the first year of increases for 1- to 4-room HDB flats and about 85 per cent for larger HDB flats, said MOF.

U-Save rebates

The 950,000 Singaporean HDB households will also receive an additional $20 per quarter of U-Save rebates from January 2024 to December 2025, or a total of $80 per year for two years.

These rebates will be disbursed together with the regular U-Save rebates, and will cushion the impact of the increases in the carbon tax and water price in 2024 and 2025.

Over these two years, the additional U-Save rebates will, on average, fully offset the increase in utility bills for 1- to 2-room HDB flats.

For 3- to 4-room HDB flats, it will offset about 80 per cent of the increase in utility bills, and for larger flats it will offset about 65 per cent of the increase in utility bills.

Public transport support measures

There will be additional subsidies of about $300 million in 2024 to cover the deferred fare adjustment quantum of 15.6 per cent that will be carried over to future fare review exercises, as announced by the Public Transport Council on Sept 18.

This additional subsidy helps to moderate the fare increase and pay for the higher costs of providing public transport services due to the continued increase in energy prices in 2022, core inflation, and strong wage growth, said the Ministry of Finance.

Resident households with a monthly household income per person of not more than $1,600 will each receive Public Transport Vouchers worth $50.

The vouchers, which will be disbursed from end-December 2023, can be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly travel or concession passes.

On Thursday, Mr Wong said that while the GST increase was already planned for, there were certain things that were not planned, such as some of the recent price increases, and “also the more uncertain economic outlook, possible disruptions to energy and food supplies… and the uncertainties in the global environment.”

He said the Government has been monitoring income growth very closely, and there is a likelihood that employers are more cautious in their salary increments this year.

“These are the considerations that motivate us to consider whether or not there ought to be more help for Singaporeans, particularly households and families at the lower and middle income segments,” he added.

“And we’ve decided after looking at all the factors, looking at our fiscal position, we will be able to provide within our budget for such an additional package.”

He assured Singaporeans that the Government will continue to be there for them, and support them every step of the way.

“As long as we continue to be responsible for one another and keep a lookout for each other, we can overcome the challenges again and move forward together.”

ALSO READ: CDC and GST Vouchers August 2023: Everything you need to know plus the amount you’ll get

This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.

Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Ten Hag fires dig at Jadon Sancho, takeover updates, Amrabat reaction

by www.thesun.co.uk Leave a Comment

ERIK TEN HAG fired a chilling dig towards Jadon Sancho after Manchester United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.

The Red Devils ‘ winger is banned from all of the club’s first-team facilities following a brutal exchange of words with Ten Hag.

And the manager told Sky Sports: “I don’t talk about players who are out of favour.”

Meanwhile, we also have the very latest on United’s takeover with Sir Jim Ratcliffe restructuring his bid.

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Follow ALL of the latest from Old Trafford below…

  • Keane on Sancho

    Manchester United legend Roy Keane savagely claimed he’d be “embarrassed” and “ashamed” if he had received the criticism manager Erik ten Hag has levelled at Jadon Sancho.

    I don’t think he is training right. I have no issue with his personality.

    I am not bothered about that [a player being withdrawn], the one thing we don’t really forgive a player for… we have all worked with players who have come in, they can be grumpy or whatever, but when they are training, they are training properly.

    My annoyance with Sancho would be if he is not training properly. Whatever it is about his personality, we’re all different.

    I’d be embarrassed, I’d be ashamed of my life if the manager ever came up to me, or even spoke through the media because you get over that stuff.

    People say you can’t say stuff about the players through the media, yes you can, you can send messages out to people.

    Roy Keane Stick to Football

  • Not so Keane

    Manchester United legend Roy Keane has reflected on who he fell out with when he was a manager and insisted they were “idiots who never did anything.”

    Keane’s controversial confrontations began when he fell out with Ireland manager Mick McCarthy ahead of the 2002 World Cup, which cost him a chance to play in the tournament.

    The pundit’s clashes continued into his coaching career as he notably fell out with Jonathan Walters and Harry Arter during an Ireland training camp in 2018.

    I fell out with lads when I was manager of Sunderland, Ipswich [and] when I was working with Martin O’Neill at Ireland.

    I look back and I analyse it, and I was convinced – and I still am – that I was right. The lads that I fell out with were idiots who never did anything with their lives or their careers afterwards, so that gives me a bit of comfort.

    No one’s ever proved me wrong on that side of it. I have pulled players in, and you would have discussions and arguments, but players can be wrong obviously.

    Roy Keane Stick to Football

  • Harry Maguire praise

    Manchester United legend Steve Bruce believes Harry Maguire would “walk into many Premier League teams” as he questioned the ongoing criticism.

    It’s good to see him on the pitch as he hasn’t started, he has only really started for England and played very well.

    It’s a really difficult situation for him because this criticism is coming from where?

    I can’t see it really from the stands, not sure where it escalates apart from maybe social media.

    This is a great opportunity and let’s not forget he is a very good player who would probably walk into many Premier League teams

    Steve Bruce Sky Sports

  • ‘Most random duo’

    Tommy Fury has been spotted in the ring with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire as he prepares for his upcoming bout with KSI.

    Fury is set to return to action in Manchester on October 14 for his next fight.

    The heavyweight will face the YouTuber on a card that will also feature Logan Paul’s grudge match with Dillon Danis.

    The former Love Island star enters the fight having beaten Logan’s brother Jake Paul in Saudi Arabia last time out.

    As he steps up his preparations, the 24-year-old has been spotted hanging out with Maguire.

  • Man Utd target golden boy

    Manchester United have sent scouts to watch every game involving Valencia star Javi Guerra.

    Guerra, 20, is garnering attention across Europe and has now seemingly caught United’s attention.

    According to Marca , scouts from the Red Devils attend every match the midfielder plays in.

    But the Spain Under-21 international has an £87million release clause and has another four years left on his contract while Newcastle are also keeping tabs.

  • Antony returns for police interview

    Manchester United player Antony will remain on indefinite leave despite flying back into the UK on Tuesday.

    Three different women have made accusations of domestic abuse with the winger strongly denying them all.

    Now, the Brazil international will voluntarily take questions from Greater Manchester Police and has agreed to hand over his phone for examination.

    Officers in Brazil allowed the 23-year-old to return to England after he fully co-operated with their enquiries and stated they do not require any more information from him.

    A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report, according to ESPN.

    A source said: “Antony is adamant he has done nothing wrong and wants to sit down with officers and let them ask him questions.

    “He has nothing to hide and will hand over anything they want to see including his mobile phone. He wants to be exonerated as quickly as possible so he can get on with his football career again without any distractions.”

  • Neville slams Glazers

    Manchester United legend Gary Neville has criticised the Glazer family amid the ongoing takeover drama for the way they handled signings that arrived as star additions.

    I think it is cultural. If you see what is happening at United and Chelsea there are so many similarities.

    They are ruining players that are being signed as good players. Take Harry Maguire. Harry Maguire was wanted by Manchester City, by the way.

    These players who have come to United have been ruined and coaches have been ruined and it is happening at Chelsea over the last 18 months with [Graham] Potter, [Frank] Lampard.

    [Mauricio] Pochettino we know is a fantastic coach but he is struggling at the start as well. Surely it comes culturally from the top.

    Gary Neville

  • Sofyan Amrabat impresses

    Manchester United ace Sofyan Amrabat impressed during his full debut against Burnley in the Carabao Cup last night.

    Amrabat started as a left-back, something he did often at Utrecht when he played for United manager Erik ten Hag.

    The midfielder also enjoyed an impressive partnership with Casemiro in the middle of the park.

    The Morocco international came off in the second half but left a lot of promise.

  • Ten Hag’s Sancho dig

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag fired a chilling dig towards Jadon Sancho.

    Ten Hag responded coldly after Tuesday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace when asked if the saga over outcast Sancho was nearer a solution.

    The winger is banned from all first-team facilities following a brutal exchange of words with the Dutch tactician.

    I don’t talk about players who are out of favour

    Erik ten Hag

  • Amrabat keeping his feet on the ground

    New loan signing Sofyan Amrabat says he is not thinking about making his move to Old Trafford permanent just yet, despite always dreaming of playing for the club.

    He told SunSport after yesterday’s Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace: “I don’t think about that. For me, today I am a Manchester United player. The only thing I can do is give everything I have, do my best to try to help the team.

    “I hope we have a fantastic season, I hope we win something, and then we’ll see what happens. Of course I’d like to stay here, but I’m not looking too far in the future.”

  • Hannibal the hardest working

    Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been clocked as Manchester United’s hardest working player.

    The midfielder put up the most distance covered during United’s game yesterday against Crystal Palace.

    The academy product clocked up a remarkable 12.9km run during the game.

  • United to offer Ten Hag new contract

    According to reports, Manchester United plan to offer Erik Ten Hag a new contract at the club.

    90Min report that the club stand firmly behind the Dutchman amid on and off-field turmoil at the club.

    His current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2025.

  • Amrabat okay with role

    United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has said he is okay with playing any position Erik Ten Hag wants him to.

    He told SunSport after the game: “It was with the manager seven years ago [when we worked together] at Utrecht, I was 19, 20 years old and he asked me to play there and I did it, so he knew I could play there.

    “But of course I’m a midfielder, I said before to him I play where the team needs me, where he needs me, if it’s left-back it’s left-back.

    “I’m fit, but not 100% yet, but it’s normal, I didn’t have a perfect pre-season because of the transfer, but I’m working very hard now to get there.”

  • Roy Keane on Jadon Sancho

    Roy Keane has weighed in on the Jadon Sancho debate by saying: “I don’t think he trains properly. I have no problem with his personality. We’re all different.

    “People say you can’t say things about players in the media, but yes, we can send messages.”

    “I’ve been in dressing rooms where guys have come in and said, ‘Sorry guys, I made a mistake,’ and it’s quickly forgotten. If a player shows he cares about others and he is human, everything is fine. We move on quickly.”

  • United legend impressed by Jonny Evans

    United legend Paul Parker has revealed that he has been impressed by Jonny Evans since his return to United.

    Evans set up Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant volley against Burnley on the weekend and looks to have settled back into life well in Manchester.

    He told Bettors : “I think Jonny Evans was always expecting Varane and Martinez to be ahead of him. He will accept it but he has done himself more than justice.

    “A lot of people were looking for him to fail. Some of the keyboard warriors were just hoping that he would fail, especially with Varane sitting on the bench.

    “He played a very good game against Burnley. He proved everyone wrong. He won a lot of good headers in both boxes and he looked like a player who wanted to score a goal and not just close his eyes and hit the ball.”

  • Gary Neville ‘torn’

    Gary Neville has said he is “torn” on whether to back Jadon Sancho or Erik Ten Hag in the ongoing saga concerning the winger’s future.

    He told Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast: “The big story has been about Jadon Sancho, and I’m torn – I think it’s really important to have discipline and control if you’re a manager in the dressing room.

    “Also, what is niggling me a little bit is that only six months ago he was allowed to have two or three months off with mental health issues, and now he’s had this very public spat where the manager has come out and said he’s not training well.

    “Sancho has come back and now Erik ten Hag is demanding an apology, and Sancho is not forgiving.”

  • Ten Hag impressed by Gore debut

    Erik Ten Hag has said that Dan Gore earned the right to make his United debut last night.

    The United manager said: “Gore? It’s a good birthday for him, but I’m not a coach who gives opportunities to players [for no reason], they have to earn it.

    “Once they earn it, they have their chance. They have to earn it every day in training.”

  • Ex-United player has his say on Sancho

    Ex-United defender Mikael Silvestre has had his say on Jadon Sancho’s exile from the United squad.

    The ex-French international told BettingExpert that he regrets the fact that Sancho took to social media to air his grievances about Ten Hag.

    He said: “I must say that a lot of players, the majority, would always look at excuses. If you look at Jadon’s performances, when he was supposed to be at his best, his peak, at United, he hasn’t delivered as much as everybody was hoping for.

    “So, instead of pointing fingers at the manager. First of all these things should stay between the manager and himself, not in the public domain.

    “If you have something to say to your boss, you don’t go on social media, you go in the office and you talk to him, as a man. Man-to-man and respect the working situation. It is a co-working situation and has to be dealt with like this.”

  • Antony returns for police interview

    Manchester United player Antony will remain on indefinite leave despite flying back into the UK on Tuesday.

    Three different women have made accusations of domestic abuse with the winger strongly denying them all.

    Now, the Brazil international will voluntarily take questions from Greater Manchester Police and has agreed to hand over his phone for examination.

    Officers in Brazil allowed the 23-year-old to return to England after he fully co-operated with their enquiries and stated they do not require any more information from him.

    A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report, according to ESPN.

    A source said: “Antony is adamant he has done nothing wrong and wants to sit down with officers and let them ask him questions.

    “He has nothing to hide and will hand over anything they want to see including his mobile phone. He wants to be exonerated as quickly as possible so he can get on with his football career again without any distractions.”

Cost of living: Hull council offers school uniform grants

by www.bbc.co.uk Leave a Comment

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By Kevin Shoesmith and Joe Gerrard
BBC News

Hundreds of families could be eligible for a £40 grant to help pay for their child’s school uniform.

Hull City Council said the payment would ease pressure on parents and carers amid the cost of living crisis.

Families with a child eligible for free school meals and who started Year 7 in September this year will receive the grant.

Money will be issued by the October half-term break, the authority said.

According to council data, about 1,100 children could benefit locally.

Councillor Linda Tock, portfolio holder for children’s services, said the grants would support “those households that struggle the most”.

‘Some relief’

She said: “We have been exploring how we can support Hull families with the cost of school uniforms during these financially difficult times.

“We hope this grant will offer some relief to families struggling with rising costs.”

Ms Tock said she recognised that the money would only go so far and added she would lobby the government for more support.

In July, councillor Jessica Raspin (Labour) called for grants of £100 a year for children whose families receive benefits such as Universal Credit.

Councillors backed her motion, but with amendments from the ruling Liberal Democrat administration, which tasked officials with finding a scheme that would be considered affordable.

The Children’s Society, a charity that works to support disadvantaged children, stated in its “Wrong Blazer” report that requirements to buy branded clothes and from specific suppliers were pushing up costs.

The charity estimated that parents were spending, on average, £287 a year on primary school uniforms and £422 for secondary ones.

The Department for Education (DfE) introduced guidance in 2021 aimed at curbing the costs of uniforms.

Schools should “keep the use of branded items to a minimum”, while they should also ensure that second-hand items are available to parents, the guidance states.

A Hull City Council spokesperson said there was no need to contact them or schools, with grants “distributed to households directly”.

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