Warren Oates
@warrenoates1.bsky.social
5.7K followers 3.8K following 8.5K posts
I like data, Lego & Star Trek! Also interested in education, politics, athletics & the Olympics. Live in Worthing, UK, originally from Yorkshire! https://www.threads.net/@warrenoates1
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warrenoates1.bsky.social
Another great part of the PMs speech!

Calling racists, racist!

Calling out Farage and Reform for their plans to deport our friends and neighbours!

(And the addition of music makes it even better!)
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Digital ID

In the EU Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 establishes a digital identity system for the EU & requires provision of an EU Digital Identity Wallet by member states.

Pretty much what the UK's digitial wallet & digital ID does for us - something we will need if we're ever to rejoin the EU.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, also known as the European Digital Identity Framework, establishes a digital identity system for EU citizens, residents, and businesses. The core of the regulation is the mandatory provision of an EU Digital Identity Wallet by member states, giving individuals sole control over their digital identity and data. This framework aims to enable secure, seamless, and trusted access to both public and private digital services across borders. 
Key aspects of the regulation
EU Digital Identity Wallet: This is the central component of the new framework. Citizens will have a digital wallet that allows them to store and share personal data and documents securely.
User control: The regulation is built on the principle that every individual has the right to control their digital identity, ensuring their data is not controlled by third parties.
Cross-border access: It provides a legal basis for EU member states to recognize each other's electronic identification means and digital identity wallets. This will allow for the seamless and secure use of digital services across the EU, such as online banking, public services, and social benefits.
Trust services: The regulation also updates and expands the legal framework for various trust services, such as electronic signatures, seals, registered delivery services, and website authentication certificates.
New trust services: It introduces new trust services like the electronic attestation of attributes and the electronic archiving of electronic documents.
Implementation timeline: The regulation entered into force on May 20, 2024. Member states are required to provide EU Digital Identity Wallets to their citizens within 24 months of the adoption of the relevant implementing acts, which were adopted on November 28, 2024. Purpose and impact
Simplified access: The framework is designed to simplify and streamline access to digital services for all users, whether they are public or private.
Increased security: It aims to enhance security and confidence in digital interactions, reducing the risk of identity theft and fraud.
Support for the digital economy: By providing a standardized and secure digital identity framework, it aims to foster innovation and competition within the EU's digital economy.
Privacy-preserving: The regulation emphasizes privacy-preserving digital identification, giving users control over which data they share with service providers.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
There is a new requirement in the EU for every member country to have a form of digital ID as well...
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Yes, the report makes clear it's the vet businesses they are reporting on, not the individual vets themselves.

Can often be totally different groups of people
warrenoates1.bsky.social
If the Lib Dems had won the last election, I don't think we'd have yet seen anything done differently on UK-EU relations than we've got with Labour.

There might be more talk of future/ long term goals with the LDs.

But the actual and practical work done and agreed on already, it would be the same.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
The long term goal for the Lib Dems was to rejoin the single market, but in the medium term their plan is a fully very similar to that of Labour.

On THE customs union, I think the Lib Dems are more on about A customs union, rather than THE customs union, which again is something Labour are open to.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
But at what point does it become cheaper for them to hire their own vet?
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Seem like that...or maybe people who aren't the brightest who get caught up in it all...like the Mayor in East Yorkshire....he seems not to be your typical Reform person....he actually seems like and want green energy investment!
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Digital ID

This is Adam - a dual UK-Estonia national.

He has been using digital ID in Estonia for almost a quarter of a century.

He tells us about some of the benefits of digital ID.

Great video of someone's personal experiences with it, put out by the government via the DSIT.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
And real battlefield data is being used to improve the drone design & provide new and improved drones each month.

In wider news, the UK Defence Secretary is meeting with NATO counterparts, where he is expected to confirm the extension of the RAF's contribution to NATO's Eastern Sentry mission.

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warrenoates1.bsky.social
The UK has delivered over 85,000 military drones to Ukraine in the last 6 months.

Built by British companies, they have allowed for precision attacks behind the front line and reconnaissance missions, disrupting Russian activity and countering Russian drone use.

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www.gov.uk/government/n...
UK and NATO nations ramp up response to Putin’s aggression in Ukraine and incursions into Europe
More than 85,000 military drones have been delivered by the UK to Ukraine in just six months this year by accelerating production from British companies.
www.gov.uk
warrenoates1.bsky.social
It includes 21 recommendations which will force vets to be more upfront & transparent about prices.

They would make price comparisons easier, allow access to common pet medicines online & ensure clear price info is given upfront.

A new Act is also recommended to improve overall regulation.

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warrenoates1.bsky.social
Vet prices.

If you are a pet owner, or someone who regularly listens to phone-in radio, you are likely aware of the shocking stories of just how much some people feel forced into paying vets to treat their pets.

A major report into veterinarian businesses and prices is published today...

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Major reforms would require vet businesses to make fundamental changes to the way they support pet owners
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today published the provisional decision in its market investigation into the UK’s £6.3 billion veterinary services market.
www.gov.uk
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Not exactly the same as this but I have shared another 'to camera' explanation put out by another minister today, and also an interview snippet containing an uninterrupted explanation.

So looks like they are increasing the amount of this sort of content!
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Councillor in Kent, not Council.

I def tried to type 'councillor', guess autocorrect didn't like my attempt.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Important clarification! 😁
warrenoates1.bsky.social
And another one gone!

Reform suspends a council in Kent following unofficial complaints from several female members of staff.

How many more of the May intake of Reform councillors will be gone by the end of the year?
Reform UK suspend Kent county councillor after complaint - BBC News
An investigation is pending into a complaint made by some women into the behaviour of Robert Ford.
share.google
warrenoates1.bsky.social
What's this? The data suggests the far-right agitators who talk London and the UK down are wrong?
london.gov.uk
Some politicians and commentators continue to denigrate London and talk our great city down, but the facts show a very different picture.

The number of homicides in London in the first nine months of 2025 was lower than in any year since monthly records began 22 years ago.
A graphic reporting: fewest homicides in London since monthly records began. The number of homicides in London between January to September 2025 is the lowest in the first 9 months of any year since monthly records began in 2003.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
This is a Labour manifesto pledge.

But even before the election Labour were facing criticism from Tories. No doubt they, Reform and the DUP will no go in to overdrive with their criticism.

So I really urge people to read the info in the above link to fully understand the bill in advance.

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warrenoates1.bsky.social
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill has had its first reading in the Commons today.

It aims to repeal & replace Legacy Act 2023 & put in place a fair and transparent system that enables families of victims, including those who never came home from service in Northern Ireland, to seek answers.

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Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to repeal and replace Legacy Act
The new Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will put in place a fair and transparent system that enables families of victims, including those who never came home from service in Northern Ireland, to seek a...
www.gov.uk
warrenoates1.bsky.social
You make a good point.

Though with cyber, there are also many things individual companies can do themselves, but equally right that it shouldn't entirely be down to them.

Though just like we expect them to have disaster recovery plans for floods & fires, we should expect them to for cyber too.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
I'm no expert on international planning, but some quick searching suggests many similar European countries can be much quicker than us.

Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, France, Spain.

Looks like Germany is introducing laws to speed things up like we are.
warrenoates1.bsky.social
Yep, just another reason why we're not getting the houses we need.

There are already law changes in the Planning and Infrastructure bill to tackle some of this and prevent unreasonable or unnecessary delays.