Clare Bonetree
@blooyonder.bsky.social
Poetry, trees, radical hope, fairness, equality, Herefordshire; also: mental health, disability, anarchism. Join a union!
Despicable @theguardian.com
Guardian also reporting that asylum seekers are being “banned” from doing something they were being forced to do, it apparently being compulsory to help the Home Office blame refugees for its own errors
UK asylum seekers to be banned from taking taxis to medical appointments
Move, which is part of crackdown on costs, comes after it emerged Home Office spends £15.8m a year on service
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Despicable @theguardian.com
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
Ah @ng1978.bsky.social has unearthed the press release and fancy that, the media are indeed parping out the Home Office’s attempts to blame asylum seekers for a mess of its own creation
If somebody had to travel 250 miles for a medical appointment then yes there’s a problem but the taking a taxi ain’t it
November 29, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Ah @ng1978.bsky.social has unearthed the press release and fancy that, the media are indeed parping out the Home Office’s attempts to blame asylum seekers for a mess of its own creation
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
Dismal framing. Every aspect of most asylum seekers’ lives is controlled & paid for by the Home Office. They can’t work, are told where to live & have no autonomy or dignity. So they aren’t *choosing* to use taxis & don’t need to be “banned” from doing so. The HO just needs to get its act in order.
Government to ban asylum seekers from using taxis
The ban is set to come in February and any exemptions will have to be signed off by the Home Office.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Dismal framing. Every aspect of most asylum seekers’ lives is controlled & paid for by the Home Office. They can’t work, are told where to live & have no autonomy or dignity. So they aren’t *choosing* to use taxis & don’t need to be “banned” from doing so. The HO just needs to get its act in order.
Balanced and powerful: a midwife speaks www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The loss of access to and respect for autonomous midwifery is tragic | Letters
Letter: A concerned NHS midwife responds to an article about the Free Birth Society
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Balanced and powerful: a midwife speaks www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
I know I rant about this all the time but the rabid - and omnipresence - anti immigrant line on BBC 6 music news is so jarring
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
November 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I know I rant about this all the time but the rabid - and omnipresence - anti immigrant line on BBC 6 music news is so jarring
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
Feels like a text book example of how an Overton window is shifted
When your government starts acting like GB News.
November 29, 2025 at 10:26 AM
When your government starts acting like GB News.
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
Hoping for aliens/pirate treasure/ancient magical balls
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Hoping for aliens/pirate treasure/ancient magical balls
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
It is really remarkable that this was just 12 months ago today. And that we woke up this morning to a country which will finally get rid of the two-child limit. The parents and carers we work with have been instrumental along with others especially @cpaguk.bsky.social in making this change happen.
A year ago today I joined some of the incredible @changingrealities.bsky.social parents at Downing Street who shared what changes are needed to end child poverty - incl why the two-child limit must be scrapped. It’s brilliant to see yesterday’s announcement after so much hard work from so many.
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It is really remarkable that this was just 12 months ago today. And that we woke up this morning to a country which will finally get rid of the two-child limit. The parents and carers we work with have been instrumental along with others especially @cpaguk.bsky.social in making this change happen.
On a grey day, when it's so easy to narrow down and see only the miserable, it's good to be reminded that there are things to celebrate :-)
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
November 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
On a grey day, when it's so easy to narrow down and see only the miserable, it's good to be reminded that there are things to celebrate :-)
The real migration issue is: who is going to teach your children / grow food that feeds you / care for you when you get old / *pay through their taxes for your pension* (etc etc etc)?
I guess the other issue is why would they want to, given how badly this country treats anyone who comes here
I guess the other issue is why would they want to, given how badly this country treats anyone who comes here
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The real migration issue is: who is going to teach your children / grow food that feeds you / care for you when you get old / *pay through their taxes for your pension* (etc etc etc)?
I guess the other issue is why would they want to, given how badly this country treats anyone who comes here
I guess the other issue is why would they want to, given how badly this country treats anyone who comes here
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
Immigration is finally becoming a real problem, after being a phantom menace for decades.
It’s a problem because we have too little immigration now, and it’s going to get worse.
It’s a problem because we have too little immigration now, and it’s going to get worse.
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Immigration is finally becoming a real problem, after being a phantom menace for decades.
It’s a problem because we have too little immigration now, and it’s going to get worse.
It’s a problem because we have too little immigration now, and it’s going to get worse.
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
📣New @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
🚨 New analysis alert!
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
November 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
📣New @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
I think this art may have been made with me in mind - in fact, I think that might be a picture of me... www.rubysilvious.com/tea-bag-art
November 27, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I think this art may have been made with me in mind - in fact, I think that might be a picture of me... www.rubysilvious.com/tea-bag-art
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
A reminder
"Taking luxury cars out of disability" saves the taxpayer ZERO. Disabled people pay the cost difference themselves.
It also means they can't get a replacement car guarantee. So if you're disabled, you won't be able to get to work if your car breaks down.
#reeves #budget #disability
"Taking luxury cars out of disability" saves the taxpayer ZERO. Disabled people pay the cost difference themselves.
It also means they can't get a replacement car guarantee. So if you're disabled, you won't be able to get to work if your car breaks down.
#reeves #budget #disability
November 26, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A reminder
"Taking luxury cars out of disability" saves the taxpayer ZERO. Disabled people pay the cost difference themselves.
It also means they can't get a replacement car guarantee. So if you're disabled, you won't be able to get to work if your car breaks down.
#reeves #budget #disability
"Taking luxury cars out of disability" saves the taxpayer ZERO. Disabled people pay the cost difference themselves.
It also means they can't get a replacement car guarantee. So if you're disabled, you won't be able to get to work if your car breaks down.
#reeves #budget #disability
Actually feeling quite emotional about the scrapping of the 2 child limit for people claiming UC. It was an iniquitous, performatively cruel thing, punishing mothers, punishing women who had been coerced / raped, punishing siblings. Well done everyone who campaigned, relentlessly 👏✊💜
November 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Actually feeling quite emotional about the scrapping of the 2 child limit for people claiming UC. It was an iniquitous, performatively cruel thing, punishing mothers, punishing women who had been coerced / raped, punishing siblings. Well done everyone who campaigned, relentlessly 👏✊💜
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Fantastic news! The Chancellor just announced the end of the 2 child limit. This will protect 100s of 1000s of children from growing up facing hunger & hardship, ease pressure on public services & boost our economy. #Budget2025
I do kind of feel for the Chancellor, it really sounds like she looked forward to this announcement on the 2CL and the rape clause, & it was kind of stolen from her
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I do kind of feel for the Chancellor, it really sounds like she looked forward to this announcement on the 2CL and the rape clause, & it was kind of stolen from her
Love the big sister vibes Madam Deputy Speaker #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Love the big sister vibes Madam Deputy Speaker #Budget2025
Calm down everyone, it's only the #Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Calm down everyone, it's only the #Budget2025
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
November 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
well done everyone who campaigned so hard for this, built a movement, refused to compromise
Brilliant to see that the two-child limit will be scrapped, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty in 2029/30
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
well done everyone who campaigned so hard for this, built a movement, refused to compromise
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
Pointlessly evil.
Disabled people choose these brands bc they come with a guaranteed replacement vehicle WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IF YOU'RE DISABLED.
They pay the difference themselves.
So all you've done is tell disabled CEOs/working disabled people that they have to drive a Kia.
#budget #reeves
Disabled people choose these brands bc they come with a guaranteed replacement vehicle WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IF YOU'RE DISABLED.
They pay the difference themselves.
So all you've done is tell disabled CEOs/working disabled people that they have to drive a Kia.
#budget #reeves
Luxury cars removed from Motability scheme ahead of budget
The programme has been criticised for allowing people with non-visible disabilities to get luxury vehicles as part of their welfare. The chancellor wants to support the British car market with the new...
news.sky.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Reposted by Clare Bonetree
Cal Lane, Canadian trained welder and metal artist, transforms common tools and also industrial steel products into intricate sculptures #WomensArt
November 26, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Cal Lane, Canadian trained welder and metal artist, transforms common tools and also industrial steel products into intricate sculptures #WomensArt
My work Teams chats are on fire today: one on the budget, one on public affairs team away day planning, one on immigration solidarity. Was much quieter under the last gov
November 26, 2025 at 11:05 AM
My work Teams chats are on fire today: one on the budget, one on public affairs team away day planning, one on immigration solidarity. Was much quieter under the last gov
With 2 hours to go until Rachel Reeves' Budget speech starts, here's a timely reminder from @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social of why social security is A Good Thing for all of us: www.wbg.org.uk/publication/...
*obviously 1 clue is the name 'social security'...
*obviously 1 clue is the name 'social security'...
Social security and gender
This briefing explains why a social security system is vital to social infrastructure
www.wbg.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:31 AM
With 2 hours to go until Rachel Reeves' Budget speech starts, here's a timely reminder from @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social of why social security is A Good Thing for all of us: www.wbg.org.uk/publication/...
*obviously 1 clue is the name 'social security'...
*obviously 1 clue is the name 'social security'...