Andy Brockman
@andybrockman.bsky.social
Reporting from where politics and money meet archaeology and heritage at http://thepipeline.info/
YouTube: Watching Brief
Co-Author: The Buried Spitfires of Burma-A fake history
Tips/Gossip/Commissions: PipeLineNews@protonmail
Signal: AndyBrockman.25
YouTube: Watching Brief
Co-Author: The Buried Spitfires of Burma-A fake history
Tips/Gossip/Commissions: PipeLineNews@protonmail
Signal: AndyBrockman.25
And quelle surprise!
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
November 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
And quelle surprise!
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
There was no mention in #Budget2025 of equalising the VAT regime for #RetrofitFirst and restoration projects and new builds.
Another year of failure for the heritage sector which will cost us characterful historic buildings which could have been given a sustainable future.
If archaeology tries to move away from an almost entirely graduate profession to create more diverse entry routes the commitment in #Budget2025 to offer 6 month placements to 18-21 yr olds who have been on UC and to fully fund apprenticeships in SME's, for eligible under 25's, could be important.
November 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
If archaeology tries to move away from an almost entirely graduate profession to create more diverse entry routes the commitment in #Budget2025 to offer 6 month placements to 18-21 yr olds who have been on UC and to fully fund apprenticeships in SME's, for eligible under 25's, could be important.
An impression, but working through the Treasury Red Book there seem to be many fewer references to heritage related projects than previously, especially under the Conservatives.
Granted there are fewer high profile anniversaries to drive projects, but is the heritage economy folded into "growth"?
Granted there are fewer high profile anniversaries to drive projects, but is the heritage economy folded into "growth"?
November 26, 2025 at 4:38 PM
An impression, but working through the Treasury Red Book there seem to be many fewer references to heritage related projects than previously, especially under the Conservatives.
Granted there are fewer high profile anniversaries to drive projects, but is the heritage economy folded into "growth"?
Granted there are fewer high profile anniversaries to drive projects, but is the heritage economy folded into "growth"?
Anyone involved in Heritage Tourism will watch with interest/concern? the evolution of the "visitor levy" aka Tourist Tax, announced by the Chancellor and to be applied by Mayors in England, and potentially other local authorities.
November 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Anyone involved in Heritage Tourism will watch with interest/concern? the evolution of the "visitor levy" aka Tourist Tax, announced by the Chancellor and to be applied by Mayors in England, and potentially other local authorities.
The Treasury Budget Red Book is full of commitments to infrastructure projects likely to require archaeological impact assessments.
Questions for the sector include does developer funded archaeology have the capacity to deliver heritage assessments and mitigation, even within a streamlined NPPF?
Questions for the sector include does developer funded archaeology have the capacity to deliver heritage assessments and mitigation, even within a streamlined NPPF?
November 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The Treasury Budget Red Book is full of commitments to infrastructure projects likely to require archaeological impact assessments.
Questions for the sector include does developer funded archaeology have the capacity to deliver heritage assessments and mitigation, even within a streamlined NPPF?
Questions for the sector include does developer funded archaeology have the capacity to deliver heritage assessments and mitigation, even within a streamlined NPPF?
Good news for the culture sector,
"Creative Industries: Confirming allocation of £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for West Midlands, West of England, West Yorkshire, North East, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, with £25 million going to each Mayoral Strategic Authority."
"Creative Industries: Confirming allocation of £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for West Midlands, West of England, West Yorkshire, North East, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, with £25 million going to each Mayoral Strategic Authority."
November 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Good news for the culture sector,
"Creative Industries: Confirming allocation of £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for West Midlands, West of England, West Yorkshire, North East, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, with £25 million going to each Mayoral Strategic Authority."
"Creative Industries: Confirming allocation of £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for West Midlands, West of England, West Yorkshire, North East, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, with £25 million going to each Mayoral Strategic Authority."
More from the Red Book,
"Digital and Technologies: Confirming three more AI Growth Zones in the North East, North Wales, and South Wales, alongside reforms to planning and energy to accelerate the building of AI infrastructure across the UK."
And all just in time for when the AI bubble bursts...
"Digital and Technologies: Confirming three more AI Growth Zones in the North East, North Wales, and South Wales, alongside reforms to planning and energy to accelerate the building of AI infrastructure across the UK."
And all just in time for when the AI bubble bursts...
November 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
More from the Red Book,
"Digital and Technologies: Confirming three more AI Growth Zones in the North East, North Wales, and South Wales, alongside reforms to planning and energy to accelerate the building of AI infrastructure across the UK."
And all just in time for when the AI bubble bursts...
"Digital and Technologies: Confirming three more AI Growth Zones in the North East, North Wales, and South Wales, alongside reforms to planning and energy to accelerate the building of AI infrastructure across the UK."
And all just in time for when the AI bubble bursts...
Looking at the Treasury Red Book...
On the controversial Planning and Infrastructure Bill which, critics allege, reduces environmental protections,
Fanfare!
"These effects combined imply an increase in GDP of around 0.1% at the ten-year horizon..."
On the controversial Planning and Infrastructure Bill which, critics allege, reduces environmental protections,
Fanfare!
"These effects combined imply an increase in GDP of around 0.1% at the ten-year horizon..."
November 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Looking at the Treasury Red Book...
On the controversial Planning and Infrastructure Bill which, critics allege, reduces environmental protections,
Fanfare!
"These effects combined imply an increase in GDP of around 0.1% at the ten-year horizon..."
On the controversial Planning and Infrastructure Bill which, critics allege, reduces environmental protections,
Fanfare!
"These effects combined imply an increase in GDP of around 0.1% at the ten-year horizon..."
The Chancellor is finally on her feet and in her speech, as opposed to the analysis published early by the OBR, she references changes to planning rules and implies opponents are Nimbys. No mention of newts or bats, yet...
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The Chancellor is finally on her feet and in her speech, as opposed to the analysis published early by the OBR, she references changes to planning rules and implies opponents are Nimbys. No mention of newts or bats, yet...
Breaking: Following the OBR Budget leak a New Political Proverb,
""The Thick Of It" repeats itself first as a repeat, the next time as the Starmer Government."
""The Thick Of It" repeats itself first as a repeat, the next time as the Starmer Government."
November 26, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Breaking: Following the OBR Budget leak a New Political Proverb,
""The Thick Of It" repeats itself first as a repeat, the next time as the Starmer Government."
""The Thick Of It" repeats itself first as a repeat, the next time as the Starmer Government."
As you were...
Read the coverage of the OBR Budget leak....
Read the coverage of the OBR Budget leak....
BREAKING The entire Budget has leaked early
- £22BN of headroom
- £26bn tax rises
- Freeze on tax thresholds
- Pay per mileage confirmed
- Changes to capital gains
- £22BN of headroom
- £26bn tax rises
- Freeze on tax thresholds
- Pay per mileage confirmed
- Changes to capital gains
November 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
As you were...
Read the coverage of the OBR Budget leak....
Read the coverage of the OBR Budget leak....
You have read the predictions, seen the kites flown, and watched the reverse ferrets, but soon all will be revealed.
I will be live blogging #Budget2025, delving into the Treasury Red Book & monitoring reaction to assess how the announcements will impact Archaeology & Heritage world.
Can't wait...
I will be live blogging #Budget2025, delving into the Treasury Red Book & monitoring reaction to assess how the announcements will impact Archaeology & Heritage world.
Can't wait...
Budget Statement Wednesday 26 November
On Wednesday 26 November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver the 2025 Budget Statement in the House of Commons.
share.google
November 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
You have read the predictions, seen the kites flown, and watched the reverse ferrets, but soon all will be revealed.
I will be live blogging #Budget2025, delving into the Treasury Red Book & monitoring reaction to assess how the announcements will impact Archaeology & Heritage world.
Can't wait...
I will be live blogging #Budget2025, delving into the Treasury Red Book & monitoring reaction to assess how the announcements will impact Archaeology & Heritage world.
Can't wait...
"Sebastia is an archaeological site in a Palestinian village that is part of their heritage and part of a future Palestinian state. According to the Oslo Accords, which Israel signed, it was supposed to pass some time ago to Palestinian administration,”
Statement: The Israeli Peace Now movement.
Statement: The Israeli Peace Now movement.
Israel begins seizing 1,800 dunams of West Bank land to develop archaeological site
Civil Administration says development legal, taking place amid 'neglect' of site by Palestinians; Peace Now: 'Government's lust for dispossession and annexation is insatiable'
www.timesofisrael.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"Sebastia is an archaeological site in a Palestinian village that is part of their heritage and part of a future Palestinian state. According to the Oslo Accords, which Israel signed, it was supposed to pass some time ago to Palestinian administration,”
Statement: The Israeli Peace Now movement.
Statement: The Israeli Peace Now movement.
No San Jose style hype, but the Swash Channel wreck, excavated by Bournemouth University is,
"...the largest survival of the hull of any 17th-century ship in UK waters and one of the most complete 17th-century Dutch shipwrecks outside of the Baltic."
And now you can read the e-book for nothing...
"...the largest survival of the hull of any 17th-century ship in UK waters and one of the most complete 17th-century Dutch shipwrecks outside of the Baltic."
And now you can read the e-book for nothing...
In the Swash Channel, Dorset, UK lies a 17th century shipwreck. Likely salvaged after it sank, few material remains survive. The researchers' detective work and protection efforts are now published and the book features in our #NewBookChronicle 🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
🏺 #Archaeology
November 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
No San Jose style hype, but the Swash Channel wreck, excavated by Bournemouth University is,
"...the largest survival of the hull of any 17th-century ship in UK waters and one of the most complete 17th-century Dutch shipwrecks outside of the Baltic."
And now you can read the e-book for nothing...
"...the largest survival of the hull of any 17th-century ship in UK waters and one of the most complete 17th-century Dutch shipwrecks outside of the Baltic."
And now you can read the e-book for nothing...
GB News would show it,
Sky would hire to Sir David Attenborough to anchor an election night special
And the BBC would fire the chimps for alleged bias.
Sky would hire to Sir David Attenborough to anchor an election night special
And the BBC would fire the chimps for alleged bias.
We are moving inexorably to the end point of electoral chaos - five parties all tied on 19% in the polls, election to be decided by blindfolded chimps chucking coloured darts at a constituency map
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
November 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
GB News would show it,
Sky would hire to Sir David Attenborough to anchor an election night special
And the BBC would fire the chimps for alleged bias.
Sky would hire to Sir David Attenborough to anchor an election night special
And the BBC would fire the chimps for alleged bias.
Clucking hell...
Are Domino's taking the pizza here?
Are Domino's taking the pizza here?
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Clucking hell...
Are Domino's taking the pizza here?
Are Domino's taking the pizza here?
The #StreisandEffect
Rutger Bregman's judgement regarding Donald Trump and its association with the BBC, is now fixed and going viral and by tomorrow it will be a major news story and the subject of OpEds and phone ins.
Rutger Bregman's judgement regarding Donald Trump and its association with the BBC, is now fixed and going viral and by tomorrow it will be a major news story and the subject of OpEds and phone ins.
What it looks like in the transcript versus what I actually said.
November 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The #StreisandEffect
Rutger Bregman's judgement regarding Donald Trump and its association with the BBC, is now fixed and going viral and by tomorrow it will be a major news story and the subject of OpEds and phone ins.
Rutger Bregman's judgement regarding Donald Trump and its association with the BBC, is now fixed and going viral and by tomorrow it will be a major news story and the subject of OpEds and phone ins.
A legal change means, from 27 November, some museum charities can respond to restitution claims upto the value of £20k "ex gratia" without seeking permission from the Charity Commission.
This includes claims from overseas.
16 major museums & galleries, including the British Museum, are excluded.
This includes claims from overseas.
16 major museums & galleries, including the British Museum, are excluded.
Law change enabling restitution on moral grounds comes into force this month - Museums Association
But national museums will be excluded from new rules that simplify ‘ex-gratia’ payments
www.museumsassociation.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A legal change means, from 27 November, some museum charities can respond to restitution claims upto the value of £20k "ex gratia" without seeking permission from the Charity Commission.
This includes claims from overseas.
16 major museums & galleries, including the British Museum, are excluded.
This includes claims from overseas.
16 major museums & galleries, including the British Museum, are excluded.
#DarkHeritage News
Community focussed practice Freehaus will lead the project to design a memorial to the 72 people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire and the communities effected.
The proposed design is expected to be presented in 2027, the 10th anniversary of the notoriously avoidable disaster.
Community focussed practice Freehaus will lead the project to design a memorial to the 72 people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire and the communities effected.
The proposed design is expected to be presented in 2027, the 10th anniversary of the notoriously avoidable disaster.
Architect chosen for Grenfell Tower memorial
A team led by up-and-coming practice Freehaus has been selected to co-develop the proposed Grenfell Tower memorial, working with the bereaved and survivor families of the 2017 tragedy
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 7:19 PM
#DarkHeritage News
Community focussed practice Freehaus will lead the project to design a memorial to the 72 people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire and the communities effected.
The proposed design is expected to be presented in 2027, the 10th anniversary of the notoriously avoidable disaster.
Community focussed practice Freehaus will lead the project to design a memorial to the 72 people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire and the communities effected.
The proposed design is expected to be presented in 2027, the 10th anniversary of the notoriously avoidable disaster.
Two years since the cyber attack which crippled British Library services and the long convalescence continues with a (work in progress?) restoration of some key catalogue functions.
Many underlying issues around the attack itself & future resilience remain little discussed.
Many underlying issues around the attack itself & future resilience remain little discussed.
Restoring our services – November 2025 update
In the coming weeks and months we will be restoring a number of key functions.
www.bl.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Two years since the cyber attack which crippled British Library services and the long convalescence continues with a (work in progress?) restoration of some key catalogue functions.
Many underlying issues around the attack itself & future resilience remain little discussed.
Many underlying issues around the attack itself & future resilience remain little discussed.
"A senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin scoffed at Europe’s plan to end the war in Ukraine and said the Kremlin preferred U.S. President Donald Trump’s original proposal."
Of course the Russians prefer the Trump proposal for Ukraine. Reports are they wrote it...
Of course the Russians prefer the Trump proposal for Ukraine. Reports are they wrote it...
Russia trashes Europe’s peace plan — but likes Trump’s Ukraine proposal
Top Kremlin aide scoffs that the European counterproposal “constructively doesn’t fit us at all.”
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"A senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin scoffed at Europe’s plan to end the war in Ukraine and said the Kremlin preferred U.S. President Donald Trump’s original proposal."
Of course the Russians prefer the Trump proposal for Ukraine. Reports are they wrote it...
Of course the Russians prefer the Trump proposal for Ukraine. Reports are they wrote it...
"The favorable accounting outcome hinges on some convenient assumptions. Some appear implausible, while others are in tension with one another, making the off-balance-sheet treatment look questionable."
Jonathan Weil (first to query Enron's accounting methods) on how Meta guards its credit rating.
Jonathan Weil (first to query Enron's accounting methods) on how Meta guards its credit rating.
AI Meets Aggressive Accounting at Meta’s Gigantic New Data Center
Favorable treatment off the balance sheet hinges on some convenient assumptions.
www.wsj.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"The favorable accounting outcome hinges on some convenient assumptions. Some appear implausible, while others are in tension with one another, making the off-balance-sheet treatment look questionable."
Jonathan Weil (first to query Enron's accounting methods) on how Meta guards its credit rating.
Jonathan Weil (first to query Enron's accounting methods) on how Meta guards its credit rating.
As part of a £10m project Studio Weave have submitted a plan to develop the north and south entrances to the British Museum with the aim of improving the public realm and reducing street queues.
Studio Weave submits plans for new British Museum entrances
Project aiming to reduce lengthy queues on streets surrounding the museum's Bloomsbury building
www.bdonline.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
As part of a £10m project Studio Weave have submitted a plan to develop the north and south entrances to the British Museum with the aim of improving the public realm and reducing street queues.
#ItsAllAboutTheHistory News
From a social media forum near you.
Complaints after metal detecting rally company makes reporting finds to the PAS a condition of attending...
Sorry my bad, makes reporting finds worth over £250 a condition of attending so the organiser and landowner can get a cut.
From a social media forum near you.
Complaints after metal detecting rally company makes reporting finds to the PAS a condition of attending...
Sorry my bad, makes reporting finds worth over £250 a condition of attending so the organiser and landowner can get a cut.
November 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
#ItsAllAboutTheHistory News
From a social media forum near you.
Complaints after metal detecting rally company makes reporting finds to the PAS a condition of attending...
Sorry my bad, makes reporting finds worth over £250 a condition of attending so the organiser and landowner can get a cut.
From a social media forum near you.
Complaints after metal detecting rally company makes reporting finds to the PAS a condition of attending...
Sorry my bad, makes reporting finds worth over £250 a condition of attending so the organiser and landowner can get a cut.
#Breaking: Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army and the Chair of the Norfolk based HMS Gloucester 1682 Trust, is one of two peers suspended from the House of Lords for breaches of lobbying rules.
Two peers suspended from House of Lords for breaking lobbying rules
Lord Evans of Watford and Lord Dannatt were filmed breaking rules in undercover footage recorded by Guardian
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
#Breaking: Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army and the Chair of the Norfolk based HMS Gloucester 1682 Trust, is one of two peers suspended from the House of Lords for breaches of lobbying rules.