Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

As tourists descend on Barcelona for the America's Cup, the welcome from locals isn't as warm as the weather. The city has been grappling with the after-effects of over-tourism - and residents have been spotted wearing anti-America's Cup merchandise in protest. BloggerAtLarge.com's Megan Singleton says people are fed up with tourism pushing up the prices of services and accommodation. "You've got the tourists coming over and taking all the Airbnbs - that's why the locals are finding their accommodation prices have gone sky-high, that there's nowhere for them to stay." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Are the Wellington posties wrong to refuse to deliver Better Wellington's anti-council pamphlet over claims of misinformation? Is there a political bias here? The Government will overturn the oil and gas ban - and have urged Labour to support this move. How does this look for Labour? Do we need a bi-partisan solution to the energy crisis? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 27 August 2024, Labour leader Chris Hipkins gets into a fiery argument with Heather over Labour's opposition to oil and gas exploration. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster celebrates a major win over the Head Hunters. The postie union are refusing to deliver a pamphlet in Wellington because they believe it contains misinformation. The Huddle debates whether Labour's in trouble over the oil and gas issue and what to do about bystanders livestreaming the aftermath of a car crash. Plus - Heather reveals her favourite ever one hit wonder.Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) says its first-half revenue was slightly up on the year before, despite a tough trading environment. The media group behind the New Zealand Herald, BusinessDesk, Newstalk ZB and OneRoof reported a first-half net profit of $1.9 million, down 4.3 percent on the year before. However, there was a 3 percent lift in operating revenue and other income to $171 million. NZME chief executive Michael Boggs says the company will be in for a tough few months - but hope is returning to the economy. "We are seeing signs of improvement, we're obviously seeing the OCR coming down, we're seeing business and consumer confidence start to lift - so we'd love to see that flow through." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A win for Auckland police, who have seized almost $15 million worth of of Head Hunter assets and properties - including the prized Mount Wellington gang pad. Items taken from President Wayne Doyle, under the Criminal Proceeds Act, include properties in New Lynn and Freeman's Bay. Other assets include two bank accounts, a vehicle and $275,000 cash found at a gang address in 2017. Commissioner Andrew Coster says this is the fruit of seven years' work. "And it shows that we will persist until we can recover assets that are obtained through criminal means." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Messages between Phillip Polkinghorne and his wife Pauline Hanna have come to light today in court. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing Hanna in their home in 2021, although he claims it was suicide. The court's heard messages between the two - described by an officer working the case as 'loving'. NewstalkZB's Chelsea Daniels says jurors were also told about Hanna's activity on her phone the morning she died. "It appears Hanna's phone was logged drafting a message to Phillip Polkinghorne. Minutes later, another draft message to a friend's daughter - neither of them sent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Messages between Phillip Polkinghorne and his wife Pauline Hanna have come to light today in court. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing Hanna in their home in 2021, although he claims it was suicide. The court's heard messages between the two - described by an officer working the case as 'loving'. NewstalkZB's Chelsea Daniels says jurors were also told about Hanna's activity on her phone the morning she died. "It appears Hanna's phone was logged drafting a message to Phillip Polkinghorne. Minutes later, another draft message to a friend's daughter - neither of them sent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour would re-instate a ban on oil and gas exploration if it got back into power. The Government is reversing the ban, despite belief from opponents there's no reserves left to be found. It also plans to make it easier import Liquefied Natural Gas, aiming to boost energy supplies. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says New Zealand has an abundance of renewable electricity options that should be pushed. "What this Government is doing - they're saying that they're going to go back to oil and gas. That's saying to renewable electricity producers that they don't think that's the way of the future. That sends the markets the wrong signal." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of Australian workers have gone on strike to protest the Government's takeover of the construction arm of the CFMEU. Workers downed their tools and walked away from 11am this morning - halting the construction of several major building projects across the nation. Australian correspondent Sam Emery says these protests will be monitored amid concerns about illegal activity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the current energy crisis worsens, Labour is holding steady on its promise to bring back the oil and gas ban again. The Government has recently agreed to remove hurdles for gas imports, speed up overturning the ban on oil and gas exploration - and will review the electricity market's performance. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says a bi-partisan solution is needed to draw investors into the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A controversial anti-council leaflet has ruffled feathers in the capital. A group called Better Wellington produced the flyer criticising council plans, like changing noise control to let mosques play their call to prayer. But posties are calling it harmful misinformation and have refused to deliver it. John Maynard from the Postal Workers Union says the leaflets are written in a misleading way. "Anyone who reads that thinks - oh, we're going to have a call to prayer every morning. I've asked people to read it, that's what they think it means." Better Wellington spokesperson Alistair Boyce has stepped up to defend the flyer. He maintains it wasn't intended to be provocative. "No, what we've done is highlighted the ideological nature of this council." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That was quite a smart move from Chris Luxon yesterday, calling on opposition parties to support the Government in fixing this energy crisis we’re in at the moment.Not only because this is now so serious, with businesses closing down and cutting jobs because they can’t afford the power bill, that it really requires everyone in Parliament to be grown ups about it - but also because I think this is going to politically snooker Labour on that oil and gas ban. I reckon they’re getting in trouble on this one now. At the moment, mind-blowingly, Labour is still committed to it. Just yesterday, Chris Hipkins said it was a bottom line they wouldn't budge on - they'll still bring the oil and gas ban back.But I wonder if that’s what they’re saying until they say the opposite - do you know what I mean? I don’t know that they can hold the line on this forever. Because their argument at the moment is that the climate is more important than 230 mill jobs in the Ruapehu district and 300 jobs at Methanex in Taranaki - and however many other jobs are lost around the country at businesses that close down because they can’t afford the power bills because we’re running out of gas and not trying to find more because Labour won't let us try. Labour's argument on why they need to maintain the ban is bollocks. They're suggesting there's no more gas out there. Yes there is - there are two fields off the coast of the North Island that have gas. There's Toutouwai off Taranaki and Karewa off Raglan, both are sitting there basically untapped.If Labour really believes what it’s saying, that there really is no more gas, why do they need a ban?Lift the ban, let the investors trick themselves and keep exploring for this non-existent gas, it’s not going to do any harm if there really isn't any gas out there. But what it will do is help New Zealand benefit from those companies maintaining the wells we already have.Now, I don't think Labour’s in trouble for this just yet - which is why they’re holding the line and saying they will bring the ban back.And I believe that’s because most people aren’t affected yet, most of us don't work for Methanex or these businesses shutting down.But come April, when our power bills go up and we see the cost of this ban on us - Labour might have to start dropping this policy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italian media are reporting prosecutors have begun an official investigation of New Zealander James Cutfield, captain of the British flagged superyacht that sank of Sicily last week. Reuters is not able to independently verify the decision and says being placed under investigation doesn't imply guilt or mean formal charges will follow. On the weekend Italian prosecutors announced a manslaughter investigation - but at that stage were not investigating anyone in particular. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says reports are unconfirmed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has hinted interest rate cuts could be coming from September. In a recent address, Powell indicated upside risks to inflation have diminished, and the downside risks to employment have increased. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly says these comments struck the right tone with markets, causing sharemarkets to go up as a result. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more businesses have begun utilising AI for recruiting staff - and jobseekers have concerns. Spark, Kmart and Woolworths all use Sapia.ai software to conduct automated chat and video interviews with an AI-based 'smart interviewer'. Chief executive and platform founder Barb Hyman says the AI eliminates the bias human recruiters bring to job interviews. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, broadcaster Mark Sainsbury and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we have a problem with Labour's Carmel Sepuloni collecting her MP's salary while filming Celebrity Treasure Island? The Government has made some changes to the Fast Track Approvals Bill - with Cabinet agreeing to amend the Bill to give an independent expert panel final say on consenting major projects, rather than a trio of Ministers. Is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 26 August 2024, Energy Minister Simeon Brown tells Heather how the Government's big new energy package will address our energy crisis. In a landmark case, the Court of Appeal has found four Uber drivers were employees - and not contractors - meaning they're entitled to paid holiday and sick leave. Lydia Ko has won her first major since 2016 - NZ Open tournament director Michael Glading tells Heather why suddenly Lydia's nailing it all. Plus on the Huddle - what led to Mark Sainsbury walking into Jenny Shipley's hotel room and finding her in her underwear? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister has accused mayors and councillors of ignoring their bases when it comes to spending. Speaking at Thursday's Local Government New Zealand conference on Wednesday, Chris Luxon told councils to tighten their belts and stop wasteful spending. Nicola Willis says city and regional councils have lost touch with their ratepayers. "For mayors and councillors, in some cases, to be so out of touch with that - is a real worry." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Energy Minister says the Government will make sure the energy sector is more competitive - and better for customers. Cabinet has agreed to import more Liquefied Natural Gas and fast-track reforms to make it easier to build renewable energy farms in light of sky-high power prices pressuring big industry users. Minister Simeon Brown says more competition and regular reporting will stop companies from price-gouging. "I share Shane Jones's concerns - I share his concerns around excessive prices and the impact that they're having." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko dominated in St Andrews - and walked away with another victory. Ko's remarkable August has seen her claim an Olympic gold medal, a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame and her first major since 2016, after capturing the Women's Open in Scotland. NZ Open Tournament Director Michael Glading says Lydia Ko's enthusiasm for golf has picked up again. "She's been married a year or two now - and she's kind of getting the best of both worlds." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hopes a ruling against Uber could help empower other contractors. The Court of Appeal has ruled four Uber drivers are employees, not contractors. Uber says it will appeal and claims the move will increase uncertainty for workers who enjoy the flexibility of contract work. First Union General Secretary Dennis Maga says it could have wider implications. He says while likely limited to other Uber drivers at the moment, the ruling could help other contractors make their case. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has unveiled a raft of new measures set to ease the nation's energy security crisis. Cabinet has agreed to cut regulation stopping New Zealand bringing in foreign Liquefied Natural Gas in order to ease power bills. It will also speed up overturning a ban on oil and gas exploration - and will review the electricity market's performance. Enerlytica Head of Research John Kidd says the impacts from undoing the ban on oil and gas exploration will take a while. "Exploration is a years - sometimes decades - type horizon. It's not going to be something you'll see come back in just a year or two or even three." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced a range of moves designed to shore up supply and keep prices stable. They include bringing in legislation this year to allow oil and gas exploration - and speed up consenting for renewable energy. It will also ease regulation around lines companies owning generation. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government was quick to blame their Labour predecessors for this situation - but the issue is bigger than politics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prominent Sydney underworld figure has been shot and killed in a targeted murder, according to authorities. Tarek Ayoub was shot multiple times in the car park of a unit complex in Parramatta - and was pronounced dead on the scene. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says police are worried about retribution from other Sydney gangs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another victory for Lydia Ko - the Kiwi golfer's won her third major, her first since 2016. Ko triumphed by two strokes at the British Open after finishing at seven-under par overall at St Andrews. Sportstalk host Jason Pine says this is a 'spectacular' end to Lydia Ko's career as she looks to call it a day. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surface flooding is continuing in the wider Wellington region, with commuters bracing for more downpours. High tides are coinciding with torrential rain to spell a perfect storm of disruption, and motorists are being warned to expect delays. Metservice forecaster Lewis Ferris says the rain is persisting, but the worst should have passed. "It does look like the heaviest of the rain is kind of on that easing trend. There are still some showers around, it's not going to be that same sort of widespread, intense rainfall that we saw around dawn." Meanwhile in Greymouth, landslides fuelled by the recent bad weather have left residents out of power. About 50 homes are cut off in Arnott Heights - with a second slump this morning adding more debris. Mayor Tania Gibson says contractors have been delivered residents essentials like medication. "But anything that's not essential - I think they're pretty right, we're in close contact - they just need to hold out and wait up there for a bit longer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ANZ and ASB may have to refund interest to more than 100-thousand customers with home loans. Plaintiffs are seeking the refund after the banks breached consumer rights contracts. The Court of Appeal has ordered affected customers will be automatically included in the case. Class action lawyer Fionnghuala Cuncannon told Heather du Plessis Allan the banks failed to comply with their disclosure obligations. ANZ hasn't opposed the decision, but says it has already rectified the situation with customers, paying out more than 35 million dollars. ASB says it does not comment on litigation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 23 August 2024, Kamala Harris has become the official Democratic nominee in the presidential race. US correspondent Simon Marks speaks to Heather from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Labour's Chris Hipkins has apologised to councils for the prime minister's criticism of their wasteful spending... saying they deserve better. So who read the room wrong? Restaurateur and chef Al Brown weighs in on the question whether there are too many cafes and restaurants around. Plus the Sports Huddle debates this week's All Blacks shock news after assistant coach Leon MacDonald called it quits after just five tests. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a tough result for Spark today... reporting a 72% drop in full year net profit... with revenue down 14%. The big drop comes after last year's results were boosted by the sale of spark's cell tower network... but the company has acknowledged it's been a challenging year in tough economic conditions. Spark's chief executive Jolie Hodson told Heather du Plessis-Allan it has been a tough year for the company. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the Sports Huddle Heather was joined Oceania Football confederation media manager Matt Brown and Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Paul Allison for a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Why do you think Leon Macdonald left? will the All Blacks be better or worse off for it? How good a storyline would it be if he went to the wallabies? How will Shaun Johnson be remembered in the annals of Warriors history? Should Jannik Sinner have been let off like he was? Is New Zealand going to get in behind the America's Cup? will that kick in during the preliminary regatta or just the main event? How good, having Lulu Sun at the ASB classic? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Local Government spokesman's pushed back on the Prime Minister's characterisation of councils across the country. On Wednesday, Chris Luxon launched a broadside against local government -- telling them to get back to basics with theirs spending. Chris Hipkins today apologised to councillors and mayors for the PM's attack; and Kieran McAnulty told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Luxon was out of line. He says what Luxon said was patronising and wrong, and it's the Government that sets the system that the Councils have to work in. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Democrats convention has wound up in Chicago with Harris confirmed as their nomination for President. Dad Seymour has been labelled an idiot for his Treaty Principles Bill. Taxpayers Union got it wrong comparing council spending to spending on an international dance competition. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of cafes and restaurants has gone backwards for the first time in more than 20 years according to stats NZ. It's a small drop...to 8958 cafe and restaurants…But that's almost twice as many as in 2000... Economist Shamubeel Eaqub says there are still too many hospitality businesses in tough economic times like today. Chef and restaurateur Al Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan all the people who are operating would think we have too many. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divers searching the Bayesian, the superyacht which sank off the coast of Sicily, have found five bodies and recovered four of them, according to local authorities. It's believed British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter were among the bodies brought up from the wreck. UK correspondent Enda Brady says investigations are ongoing - and the Kiwi who captained the yacht will be questioned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market experts are convinced 2024 will conclude with a soft economic landing. This contradicts initial predictions that a global recession would disrupt things. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds unpacks why predictions have changed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices have bounced back in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction - with an impressive 5.5 percent increase across the board. The sixth event of the new dairy season, it is the largest percentage lift since March 2021, and a far cry from the the beginning of July when prices plunged 6.9 percent. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains what this means for the primary sector. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has moved on Auckland apartment developer Du Val Group, taking the rare step of placing it in statutory management. The move follows the group of companies being placed in interim receivership on August 2 after an application by the Financial Markets Authority. NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson says investigations are still ongoing. "We don't really know what's going on here - we know that it is complex and serious." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Prime Minister Chris Luxon has urged local councils to rein in unnecessary spending. This speech has prompted some backlash - why do we think this is? All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has stepped down after just a handful of tests. Head coach Scott Robertson says this comes down to coaching differences - what do we think? New research reveals a concerning number of five-year-olds are starting school without the ability to form proper sentences - should we be worried? Is this the fault of ECE teachers - or parents? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 22 August 2024, an All Blacks coach quits. Rugby editor Elliott Smith examines what's behind Leon McDonald's shock resignation. Wellington Regional Councillor Thomas Nash is very upset that Chris Luxon told off councils for their spending habits. The Education Review Office has found an alarming number of kids turn up to school without being able to talk properly - where does parents' responsibility come in? The Huddle debates councillors getting a telling off and whether it's good to call it quits quickly if a relationship isn't working. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwibank's net profit increased 15 percent - and it says it is fulfilling its role as a disruptor. The state-owned bank brought in $202 million and grew its lending book by 9.3 percent to $32.4 billion in the 12 months to June 30. Deposits also increased $2.4 billion, or 9.4 percent, to $28.2 billion. CEO Steve Jurkovich says the bank has commited to supporting people as best as it can. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been complaints from local Government officials following the Prime Minister's 'back to basics' speech. Speaking at the LGNZ Conference, Chris Luxon has said councils need to rein in spending, even calling the Takina convention centre hosting the event a 'waste of money'. Regional councillor Thomas Nash slammed the speech on social media as mana-diminishing, paternalistic, and visionless. Nash says he wanted to the Prime Minister to present a vision for the future. "And we need actually to work together - rather than just sling mud at each other." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research suggests many new entrants start school without needed language skills, impacting literacy skills. Nearly two-thirds of teachers surveyed in the Education Review Office's research say Covid has affected children's language development. It's alongside more than two-thirds of parents saying their child had some language difficulty before starting school. Early Childhood Council Chief Executive Simon Laube says language starts with parents. "Yes, you could always improve oral literacy for the children in ECE, but there's a growing number of children who aren't even going to ECE." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An energy boss says predicted rain will take the strain off New Zealand's power supply. Winstone Pulp plans to close its central North Island pulp and saw mills because of spiking electricity prices, putting more than 200 jobs on the line. Transpower is now offering power generators early access to emergency hydro-lake reserves - with levels massively below average for this time of year. Meridian CEO Neal Barclay says rain and snowmelt in spring and summer will raise lake levels. "As soon as the lakes start filling up, we can start easing more into hydro-generation. We'll certainly see stock prices start to soften quite a lot." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's shock across the rugby world as Leon MacDonald exited the All Blacks coaching staff - seemingly out of the blue. MacDonald confirmed his departure today, leaving on the eve of the team's departure to South Africa, just five tests into the Scott Robertson era. ZB sports commentator Elliott Smith says it was likely Razor's decision to axe MacDonald. "If he wanted Leon to stay, he could have said - no, we can figure this out. But Leon's gone, this isn't working. It's Scott Robertson's team, he wants to imprint the way he wants to coach on this team." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has made a case against ACT's controversial Treaty Principles Bill. Peters claimed he wouldn't support the Bill beyond the first reading - and outlined an alternative approach. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks Winston's arguments. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jetstar is on the receiving end of a class action lawsuit over its decision to hand out travel vouchers to customers who were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The lawsuit filed in the Federal Court claims the airline was legally obliged to refund tickets and is pushing for the money to be returned directly to customers with interest. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says tens of thousands of customers could potentially receive compensation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby philosophies going in different directions. That's what All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is singling out as the main reason for Leon MacDonald's surprise departure as one of the team's assistant coaches. The former Blues mentor was part of Robertson's original pitch for the job back in 2019 - while the pair played together for both the Crusaders and All Blacks. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave hinted there might be more to Leon MacDonald's abrupt departure. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy Prime Minister has muddied the waters around the conditional Government support of ACT's Treaty Principles Bill. Answering on behalf of the Prime Minister in the House, Winston Peters seemed to suggest he was open to changing his mind after the first reading. Peters clarified he would not be supporting the Bill. "We voted to have a first reading, and therefore - we will not be supporting it from the second reading." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don't know if you remember - but not long ago on the show we had a debate about screen time and how bad it is for kids.The question we were asking is - are we all just having a moral panic over screens, or are they as bad as the experts say they are?And I think we’ve just got more evidence that the latter is true - that screens are a particularly pernicious problem of our age for the little ones.Teachers are saying there are kids turning up at 5, sometimes 6, at school - and they just can't put sentences together. One teacher said a 6-year-old might say, for example, 'Me go pee' instead of 'I need the toilet'. And frankly, that's pretty alarming for a 6-year-old. That is what my 2-year-old talks like, a 6-year-old should be way past that situation.The teacher said that they had been teaching for 24 years, and they've never seen this low level of language. And what they’re putting it down to is too much screen time. Just too much TV, too much iPad.And apparently, it's gotten worse since Covid, where screens became baby-sitters during lockdown and parents haven’t snapped out of it.I recently spoke to a grandmother who doesn’t think 3 hours of TV a day - on multiple days - is a bad thing for a toddler. And obviously, that's a bad thing.The problem with that is no one’s talking to the kid for three hours, or reading them a book, or showing them how to properly structure a sentence about wanting to go to the bathroom.I have no idea what’s going on here with parents if they don't understand that this is a problem, I don't know how you fix it if it isn't obvious to parents that their child, at 6, isn't talking properly. But teachers are right to feel frustrated at this, this is not their job. I argue a lot of stuff about what they need to do in the classroom - but this is not their job. They're right to expect a 5-year-old to turn up at school knowing how to string sentences together. This is squarely on parents.The evidence is now overwhelming that too much screen time is bad for kids - and if we're being honest about it, parents have known this since the 1980s.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Divers have resumed their hunt for the six missing people who disappeared after a luxury yacht sank off Sicily's coast. The British-flagged Bayesian, a 56-metre-long superyacht, was carrying 22 people and anchored off the port of Porticello when it was hit by a fierce, pre-dawn storm on Tuesday. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says hopes are dwindling - and this is more likely to be a recovery mission than a rescue. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.