Andrew Sissons
@acjsissons.bsky.social
Day job: climate change, heat pumps, energy at Nesta
Other stuff: low-fi economics on growth, cities & economic geography, general UK policy, occasional basic charts
Bristol, he/him, lots of parenting / caring.
Personal account.
Other stuff: low-fi economics on growth, cities & economic geography, general UK policy, occasional basic charts
Bristol, he/him, lots of parenting / caring.
Personal account.
Pinned
Delighted to publish this personal essay by me and John: Getting Britain out of the hole.
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
it's not as simple as "hardware has gotten better, software has gotten worse" because a lot of companies making physical devices are lost in the wilderness from a design perspective, but a rule of thumb that anything that charges you monthly gets worse over time works pretty well
November 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
it's not as simple as "hardware has gotten better, software has gotten worse" because a lot of companies making physical devices are lost in the wilderness from a design perspective, but a rule of thumb that anything that charges you monthly gets worse over time works pretty well
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
i think it's useful to look at areas where the *tech* has gotten much better while tech *interactions* have gotten way worse. streaming has gotten worse, google search has gotten worse, digital cameras are leaps better. apple's silicone is so good it's threatening their user upgrade cycle
it’s so weird to look around and realize like, tech and media are materially worse than a decade ago
November 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
i think it's useful to look at areas where the *tech* has gotten much better while tech *interactions* have gotten way worse. streaming has gotten worse, google search has gotten worse, digital cameras are leaps better. apple's silicone is so good it's threatening their user upgrade cycle
Tech has also been the dominant growth sector of the economy over the last decade.
Is it really a surprise that growth has slowed down?
Is it really a surprise that growth has slowed down?
it’s so weird to look around and realize like, tech and media are materially worse than a decade ago
November 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Tech has also been the dominant growth sector of the economy over the last decade.
Is it really a surprise that growth has slowed down?
Is it really a surprise that growth has slowed down?
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Why is inflation still high in the UK? One reason is that, even though the sharp inflation in goods after 2022 has tailed off, inflation consumer services is still running high.
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Why is inflation still high in the UK? One reason is that, even though the sharp inflation in goods after 2022 has tailed off, inflation consumer services is still running high.
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Not really a comment on this story, but I think we should try to make it easier and more normalised to downsize in your 60s.
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
November 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Not really a comment on this story, but I think we should try to make it easier and more normalised to downsize in your 60s.
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
Not really a comment on this story, but I think we should try to make it easier and more normalised to downsize in your 60s.
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
November 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Not really a comment on this story, but I think we should try to make it easier and more normalised to downsize in your 60s.
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
If left too late, moving house can be incredibly disorientating - and you don’t tend to know it’s too late until it is
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
You may remember, of course you do, how a certain 'independent' analyst got a jump in exposure by claiming that the grid was inches away from falling over in January.
Well, Ofgem looked into that day too and have released their analysis; TLDR: gas plant tried to screw the system.
Little 🧵below
Well, Ofgem looked into that day too and have released their analysis; TLDR: gas plant tried to screw the system.
Little 🧵below
November 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM
You may remember, of course you do, how a certain 'independent' analyst got a jump in exposure by claiming that the grid was inches away from falling over in January.
Well, Ofgem looked into that day too and have released their analysis; TLDR: gas plant tried to screw the system.
Little 🧵below
Well, Ofgem looked into that day too and have released their analysis; TLDR: gas plant tried to screw the system.
Little 🧵below
Why is inflation still high in the UK? One reason is that, even though the sharp inflation in goods after 2022 has tailed off, inflation consumer services is still running high.
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Why is inflation still high in the UK? One reason is that, even though the sharp inflation in goods after 2022 has tailed off, inflation consumer services is still running high.
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
@johnspringford.bsky.social and I flagged this as a key issue in our recent essay, and I wanted to say a bit more here…
One for the cricket fans: the pitch in Perth was rated “very good”, the highest rating.
(I agree fwiw, was a good pitch)
www.espncricinfo.com/story/ashes-...
(I agree fwiw, was a good pitch)
www.espncricinfo.com/story/ashes-...
ICC hands down pitch rating for two-day Perth Test
The opening match of the Ashes series was one of the shortest Tests in history
www.espncricinfo.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
One for the cricket fans: the pitch in Perth was rated “very good”, the highest rating.
(I agree fwiw, was a good pitch)
www.espncricinfo.com/story/ashes-...
(I agree fwiw, was a good pitch)
www.espncricinfo.com/story/ashes-...
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
We've got some Nesta reaction to the Budget up, underpinned by some brilliant speedy analysis by my colleague Dan Lewis.
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
What does the Budget mean for energy bills?
Major changes to energy bills in the Budget will affect households across the country
www.nesta.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
We've got some Nesta reaction to the Budget up, underpinned by some brilliant speedy analysis by my colleague Dan Lewis.
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
The most interesting OBR paper yesterday was the one that didn't leak - the justification for their productivity downgrade. There's a very important assumption in it that could make or break the government.
November 27, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The most interesting OBR paper yesterday was the one that didn't leak - the justification for their productivity downgrade. There's a very important assumption in it that could make or break the government.
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Wondering what today’s Budget means for energy bills and clean heating? @acjsissons.bsky.social and Dan Lewis at Nesta have done some fantastic analysis in record time 👇
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
What does the Budget mean for energy bills?
Major changes to energy bills in the Budget will affect households across the country
www.nesta.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Wondering what today’s Budget means for energy bills and clean heating? @acjsissons.bsky.social and Dan Lewis at Nesta have done some fantastic analysis in record time 👇
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
We've got some Nesta reaction to the Budget up, underpinned by some brilliant speedy analysis by my colleague Dan Lewis.
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
What does the Budget mean for energy bills?
Major changes to energy bills in the Budget will affect households across the country
www.nesta.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
We've got some Nesta reaction to the Budget up, underpinned by some brilliant speedy analysis by my colleague Dan Lewis.
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
Pleased to report that I did not get this embarrassingly wrong: the government has not abolished or amended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme at this Budget.
The ECO levy has been abolished, but the extra government funding to replace it will soften that.
The ECO levy has been abolished, but the extra government funding to replace it will soften that.
I think part of this story (on eligibility for heat pump grants) is likely to be nonsense - I'll explain in a thread below.
But it is clear that the Treasury wants to abolish the ECO levy, which funds upgrades for fuel poor homes. This would be a serious mistake
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But it is clear that the Treasury wants to abolish the ECO levy, which funds upgrades for fuel poor homes. This would be a serious mistake
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Pleased to report that I did not get this embarrassingly wrong: the government has not abolished or amended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme at this Budget.
The ECO levy has been abolished, but the extra government funding to replace it will soften that.
The ECO levy has been abolished, but the extra government funding to replace it will soften that.
This is confirmed in the Budget documents:
- £134 saving in typical energy bill (on the Ofgem price cap "typical home")
- 75% of Renewables Obligation moved off electricity bills to general taxation, cost of £2.3bn
- Abolishing £1.7bn pa ECO levy, replaced by £1.5bn over 3 years of govt funding
- £134 saving in typical energy bill (on the Ofgem price cap "typical home")
- 75% of Renewables Obligation moved off electricity bills to general taxation, cost of £2.3bn
- Abolishing £1.7bn pa ECO levy, replaced by £1.5bn over 3 years of govt funding
If the OBR document is correct, this seems to be the energy bills package:
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
November 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This is confirmed in the Budget documents:
- £134 saving in typical energy bill (on the Ofgem price cap "typical home")
- 75% of Renewables Obligation moved off electricity bills to general taxation, cost of £2.3bn
- Abolishing £1.7bn pa ECO levy, replaced by £1.5bn over 3 years of govt funding
- £134 saving in typical energy bill (on the Ofgem price cap "typical home")
- 75% of Renewables Obligation moved off electricity bills to general taxation, cost of £2.3bn
- Abolishing £1.7bn pa ECO levy, replaced by £1.5bn over 3 years of govt funding
If the OBR document is correct, this seems to be the energy bills package:
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
November 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
If the OBR document is correct, this seems to be the energy bills package:
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
All this talk of smorgasbords and Danish immigration policy, maybe we should re-form the North Sea Empire?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_S...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_S...
November 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
All this talk of smorgasbords and Danish immigration policy, maybe we should re-form the North Sea Empire?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_S...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_S...
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
November 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
Have had a few texts from family members this morning saying “who is Martin Wolf?”
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
Martin Wolf on our essay. "So, what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future."
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
How to get the UK out of its economic hole
Reeves’ challenge is to remedy the disaster that Brexit has been for the country
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Have had a few texts from family members this morning saying “who is Martin Wolf?”
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Martin Wolf on our essay. "So, what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future."
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
How to get the UK out of its economic hole
Reeves’ challenge is to remedy the disaster that Brexit has been for the country
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Martin Wolf on our essay. "So, what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future."
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
“Britain has fallen out of love with the things it is good at” etc. etc.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 PM
“Britain has fallen out of love with the things it is good at” etc. etc.
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Here’s this week’s column, in which I beg the chancellor to go big this week - on both headroom and narrative - so that by next year, if she’s still here to deliver it, the budget will be boring, because we all know the plan 🙏🏻
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Rachel Reeves, please, let’s make budgets boring again | Heather Stewart
Budgets need to be reassuringly dull with no repeat of this year’s long, drawn-out and chaotic buildup
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Here’s this week’s column, in which I beg the chancellor to go big this week - on both headroom and narrative - so that by next year, if she’s still here to deliver it, the budget will be boring, because we all know the plan 🙏🏻
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
There’s a floating sauna chugging up and down the harbour today.
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
November 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
There’s a floating sauna chugging up and down the harbour today.
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Thanks to everyone who's read and shared our essay on the UK economy this week. Have been some very kind responses, and some good critiques (though I'd really like to hear more criticism).
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Thanks to everyone who's read and shared our essay on the UK economy this week. Have been some very kind responses, and some good critiques (though I'd really like to hear more criticism).
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
The pre-Budget messaging on climate policy has been so confusing.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Industry experts welcome extra incentives but fear a consultation on a mileage tax sends mixed messages
Drivers will be able to claim government subsidies to cut the cost of buying a new electric car until 2030 under plans to be announced by Rachel Reeves at next week’s budget.
The chancellor will unveil an extra £1.3bn for subsidies for new electric vehicles (EVs) and a further £200m for charging points, as she attempts to prevent the market for clean cars drying up amid concerns about a new pay-per-mile tax. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The pre-Budget messaging on climate policy has been so confusing.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.