Ian Fraser
@ianfraser.bsky.social
Author and journalist. Latest edition of my book ‘Shredded: Inside RBS The Bank That Broke Britain’, about the pivotal role of what's now called NatWest in the global banking crash, was reissued in 2024. Recovering financial editor.
Pinned
Updated edition of my book ‘Shredded: Inside RBS The Bank That Broke Britain’—about why the world’s largest bank by assets collapsed in 2008 and took more than a decade to recover—available here:
www.amazon.co.uk/Shredded-Ins...
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shre...
www.hive.co.uk/Product/Ian-...
www.amazon.co.uk/Shredded-Ins...
uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shre...
www.hive.co.uk/Product/Ian-...
Think tank Positive Money argues that its proposed 38% windfall levy on UK banks’ profits would bring in more than £14bn from the “big four” banks alone.
But, seemingly swayed by a concerted lobbying campaign by the banks, chancellor Rachel Reeves chose to spare them in her Budget yesterday.
But, seemingly swayed by a concerted lobbying campaign by the banks, chancellor Rachel Reeves chose to spare them in her Budget yesterday.
Autumn Budget 2025: banks escape and lobbyists celebrate
Shifting power from big banks to people.
We collaborate with policymakers, the public and economists around the world so we can redesign our economic system for a better world and a healthy planet.
positivemoney.org
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Think tank Positive Money argues that its proposed 38% windfall levy on UK banks’ profits would bring in more than £14bn from the “big four” banks alone.
But, seemingly swayed by a concerted lobbying campaign by the banks, chancellor Rachel Reeves chose to spare them in her Budget yesterday.
But, seemingly swayed by a concerted lobbying campaign by the banks, chancellor Rachel Reeves chose to spare them in her Budget yesterday.
Ex Dresdner Kleinwort investment banker Tim Horlick, who was previously married to City Superwoman Nicola Horlick (née Gayford), bought an £8.5m Pimlico flat after supplying 50 million faulty PPE masks. He has now had a criminal restraint order imposed on the property. Ben Ellery in @thetimes.com
Financier’s £8.5m flat frozen amid tax investigation over PPE deal
Tim Horlick bought the Pimlico property shortly after his company was awarded the now-contentious £255m contract by the government
www.thetimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Ex Dresdner Kleinwort investment banker Tim Horlick, who was previously married to City Superwoman Nicola Horlick (née Gayford), bought an £8.5m Pimlico flat after supplying 50 million faulty PPE masks. He has now had a criminal restraint order imposed on the property. Ben Ellery in @thetimes.com
What should Drastic Dave do when he starts as Diageo CEO? Nick Morgan says he must step back from faux innovation, “this exotic, high-price, short-term, let’s make quick bucks area of the business“ and refocus on affordability and long-term brand building
www.whiskyinvestdirect.com/whisky-news/...
www.whiskyinvestdirect.com/whisky-news/...
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
What should Drastic Dave do when he starts as Diageo CEO? Nick Morgan says he must step back from faux innovation, “this exotic, high-price, short-term, let’s make quick bucks area of the business“ and refocus on affordability and long-term brand building
www.whiskyinvestdirect.com/whisky-news/...
www.whiskyinvestdirect.com/whisky-news/...
This is terrible.
At least 36 people are killed and 279 reported missing in Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong tower block fires
At least 36 people are killed and 279 reported missing in Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong tower block fires
Hong Kong fire: At least 36 killed in Hong Kong fire with 279 still missing, authorities say
Hundreds of firefighters have spent hours tackling the blaze, which began in apartment blocks surrounded by bamboo scaffolding.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
This is terrible.
At least 36 people are killed and 279 reported missing in Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong tower block fires
At least 36 people are killed and 279 reported missing in Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong tower block fires
UK bank shares bounce higher after they escape tax rises in Rachel Reeves' 2nd Budget
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
UK bank shares bounce higher after they escape tax rises in Rachel Reeves' 2nd Budget
This is an incredibly vituperative speech about Rachel Reeves and her budget from Kemi Badenoch.
November 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This is an incredibly vituperative speech about Rachel Reeves and her budget from Kemi Badenoch.
Reposted by Ian Fraser
On the one hand, this is the perfect end to an amazingly chaotic Budget process. On the other, it makes it much easier to cover than having to actually listen to the speech.
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 12:11 PM
On the one hand, this is the perfect end to an amazingly chaotic Budget process. On the other, it makes it much easier to cover than having to actually listen to the speech.
“At a moment when the defence of free speech and democratic norms is more important than ever, we need the BBC to demonstrate it won’t be cowed by the White House’s bullyboy tactics and tantrums”
— @libdems.org.uk culture spokesperson Anna Sabine says BBC must broadcast Bregman's lecture in full.
— @libdems.org.uk culture spokesperson Anna Sabine says BBC must broadcast Bregman's lecture in full.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 26, 2025 at 10:02 AM
“At a moment when the defence of free speech and democratic norms is more important than ever, we need the BBC to demonstrate it won’t be cowed by the White House’s bullyboy tactics and tantrums”
— @libdems.org.uk culture spokesperson Anna Sabine says BBC must broadcast Bregman's lecture in full.
— @libdems.org.uk culture spokesperson Anna Sabine says BBC must broadcast Bregman's lecture in full.
Reposted by Ian Fraser
Every day the #BBC uncritically platform dark money funded right-wing voices. Examples include the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Taxpayers' Alliance & the ridiculous right-wing contrarians Spiked. Time to call time on media representation without knowing who pays the bills.
Exclusive: The BBC has issued an apology after one of its presenters failed to challenge a climate-sceptic lobbyist who runs a group that has received funding from fossil-fuel interests
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
BBC Apologises for Failing to Challenge 'Dark Money' Climate-Denial Lobbyist
EXCLUSIVE: BBC faces fresh allegations of bias after corporation admits interview with ‘Net Zero Watch’ lobbying chief Andrew Montford 'fell below usual standards'
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Every day the #BBC uncritically platform dark money funded right-wing voices. Examples include the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Taxpayers' Alliance & the ridiculous right-wing contrarians Spiked. Time to call time on media representation without knowing who pays the bills.
This is a bit much
Rachel Reeves “asks banks to make public and prominent endorsements of the Budget this week, as she prepares to spare the sector from a tax raid.”
Rachel Reeves “asks banks to make public and prominent endorsements of the Budget this week, as she prepares to spare the sector from a tax raid.”
Rachel Reeves asks banks to praise her plans as they escape Budget tax raid
Chancellor under pressure from some Labour MPs to raise levies on business this week
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
This is a bit much
Rachel Reeves “asks banks to make public and prominent endorsements of the Budget this week, as she prepares to spare the sector from a tax raid.”
Rachel Reeves “asks banks to make public and prominent endorsements of the Budget this week, as she prepares to spare the sector from a tax raid.”
Three more school contemporaries who witnessed Nigel Farage’s teenage racism reject the Reform UK leader’s suggestion it was just “banter”, describing it as targeted, persistent and nasty.
Three more ex-pupils at school with Nigel Farage reject ‘banter’ claims
Exclusive: Dulwich college contemporaries ‘rubbish’ Reform UK leader’s suggestion alleged racist taunts not intended to hurt
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Three more school contemporaries who witnessed Nigel Farage’s teenage racism reject the Reform UK leader’s suggestion it was just “banter”, describing it as targeted, persistent and nasty.
Reform UK is increasingly using SLAPPs and other forms of legal intimidation to try and suppress negative coverage of party leader Nigel Farage and other Reform politicians.
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Reform UK is increasingly using SLAPPs and other forms of legal intimidation to try and suppress negative coverage of party leader Nigel Farage and other Reform politicians.
Reposted by Ian Fraser
“I have never directly, really tried to go and hurt anybody.”
How Nigel Farage’s responses to allegations that he was a nasty racist as a schoolboy at Dulwich College have evolved over time.
Nigel Farage’s shifting answers on school-days racism claims – a timeline
Reform UK leader’s responses to allegations of racist and antisemitic behaviour at Dulwich college have varied over time
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:05 AM
“I have never directly, really tried to go and hurt anybody.”
How Nigel Farage’s responses to allegations that he was a nasty racist as a schoolboy at Dulwich College have evolved over time.
Nigel Farage’s shifting answers on school-days racism claims – a timeline
Reform UK leader’s responses to allegations of racist and antisemitic behaviour at Dulwich college have varied over time
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:36 PM
How Nigel Farage’s responses to allegations that he was a nasty racist as a schoolboy at Dulwich College have evolved over time.
I hadn’t realised that Lady Lancaster, aka culture media and sport committee chair Caroline Dinenage MP, once hosted a drinks reception in parliament for GB News.
November 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I hadn’t realised that Lady Lancaster, aka culture media and sport committee chair Caroline Dinenage MP, once hosted a drinks reception in parliament for GB News.
Reposted by Ian Fraser
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The wall of this 500-year-old castle in Assynt was “ripped down” by visitors who used the stones to cross a large puddle. 😖
Ardvrek Castle wall 'ripped down' for use as stepping stones
Ardvrek Castle in Assynt is a 500-year-old former clan seat, and reputed to be haunted.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The wall of this 500-year-old castle in Assynt was “ripped down” by visitors who used the stones to cross a large puddle. 😖
In September 2021, S4 Capital — the digital advertising and marketing services company founded by Martin Sorrell in 2018 — had a market cap of £4.8bn and a share price of 870p.
Today its market value has fallen to £110m and the shares are trading at 16.45p
Today its market value has fallen to £110m and the shares are trading at 16.45p
Ad group S4 Capital cuts annual revenue outlook again, warns of profit miss reut.rs/49BTB8F
Ad group S4 Capital cuts annual revenue outlook again, warns of profit miss
Martin Sorrell's advertising group S4 Capital cut its annual revenue forecast for the fourth time this year and warned on its full-year profit on Monday, hurt by cautious spending by its clients and a slow ramp-up of new contracts and sales.
reut.rs
November 24, 2025 at 10:37 AM
In September 2021, S4 Capital — the digital advertising and marketing services company founded by Martin Sorrell in 2018 — had a market cap of £4.8bn and a share price of 870p.
Today its market value has fallen to £110m and the shares are trading at 16.45p
Today its market value has fallen to £110m and the shares are trading at 16.45p
Reposted by Ian Fraser
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
In Post Mortem, the first forensic account of how the Post Office, the government and Fujitsu ruined the lives of thousands of innocent people, Private Eye's @rbrooks45.bsky.social explains how the scandal became a Ponzi scheme of injustice.
www.channel4.com/news/new-boo...
www.channel4.com/news/new-boo...
November 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
In Post Mortem, the first forensic account of how the Post Office, the government and Fujitsu ruined the lives of thousands of innocent people, Private Eye's @rbrooks45.bsky.social explains how the scandal became a Ponzi scheme of injustice.
www.channel4.com/news/new-boo...
www.channel4.com/news/new-boo...
Reposted by Ian Fraser
If only there were some clue from his subsequent political career
Twenty people allege he has a racist past. He denies it. Who’s telling the truth about Farage’s schooldays?
Reform UK’s leader refuses to answer questions about his abusive behaviour, claiming there’s ‘no evidence’. We talk to victims and witnesses
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:55 AM
If only there were some clue from his subsequent political career
Reposted by Ian Fraser
Gwilym Prichard (Welsh, 1931 -2015). Above Rhostryfan (1982, oil on canvas).
November 21, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Gwilym Prichard (Welsh, 1931 -2015). Above Rhostryfan (1982, oil on canvas).
The @thenerve.news has put together a handy timeline presenting the facts of the Nathan Gill case in chronological order—including his interactions with handler Oleh Voloshyn, statements he made on the Kremlin’s behalf in exchange for euros, and his close relationship with party leader Nigel Farage.
NEW: If you have *any* interest in the Nathan Gill story, you need to look at this.
We’ve put all the dates into a timeline & it’s incredibly revealing.
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/nathan-gil...
We’ve put all the dates into a timeline & it’s incredibly revealing.
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/nathan-gil...
Reform UK and Russian bribes: a Nathan Gill timeline
As Reform’s former leader in Wales is sentenced to ten and a half years for taking bribes from a pro-Russian actor, here's a chronology of his actions and the wider context of Putin, Ukraine and Brexi...
www.thenerve.news
November 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The @thenerve.news has put together a handy timeline presenting the facts of the Nathan Gill case in chronological order—including his interactions with handler Oleh Voloshyn, statements he made on the Kremlin’s behalf in exchange for euros, and his close relationship with party leader Nigel Farage.
Reposted by Ian Fraser
Caving to Putin isn’t strength. It’s weakness. And it signals to every dictator watching that aggression pays.
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Caving to Putin isn’t strength. It’s weakness. And it signals to every dictator watching that aggression pays.
Reposted by Ian Fraser
Pink Floyd's ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL, PART 2 was 1979's Christmas number one, and still topped the charts in January, seeing in the new decade with its bleak, scary video. The teacher! The mincing machine! The hammers! Welcome to the 80s.
November 22, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Pink Floyd's ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL, PART 2 was 1979's Christmas number one, and still topped the charts in January, seeing in the new decade with its bleak, scary video. The teacher! The mincing machine! The hammers! Welcome to the 80s.