Martin Rathfelder
@rathfelder.bsky.social
530 followers 720 following 460 posts
Retired Mancunian agitator. Patient representative/ public contributor in Manchester University. Unpaid advocate for disabled people. Wikipedian. Whalley Range Labour Party. Perfection is the enemy of improvement!
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Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
thekingsfund.bsky.social
75 years ago, the #Windrush generation answered Britain’s call, and helped build the NHS we know today.

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we honour their legacy, their struggles, and their extraordinary contribution to health and social care. Read more: https://bit.ly/4qddc56
You called and we came: Windrush and the NHS
Our exhibition uses interviews with NHS staff past and present to bring to life the voices and stories from the Windrush Generation who contributed so much to the NHS.
features.kingsfund.org.uk
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
drrosena.bsky.social
Spending half your salary on rent is simply unsustainable, yet is the reality for many across Wandsworth.

Labour is committed to building the stable, affordable homes our communities desperately need. This isn't just about bricks and mortar - it's about the security of a home.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
newsagents.bsky.social
"I would go as far to say he was the architect."

Emily and Jon on their revelation that Tony Blair has been a pivotal player in the Gaza peace plan - much to the chagrin of civil servants.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
politicsintheuk.bsky.social
Reform in Northumberland are eating themselves alive - purges, suspensions, backstabbing. The Refuk's council group leader Mark Peart turned “local Refuk council group” into a tinpot dictatorship. Imagine this circus anywhere near Westminster.

Source: Northumberland Gazzete
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
resfoundation.bsky.social
We don't see any reason why landlords and lawyers shouldn't pay the same tax rate as their tenants and clients.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
nihrspcr.bsky.social
Round 2 Call: The SPCR Public Involvement, Engagement & Dissemination Enablement Fund is open to the next round of applications.

💷 Up to £2K for projects | £5K for dept-wide activities
📅 Deadline: Thur 23 October 2025 by 5pm
🔗 Learn more & apply: www.spcr.nihr.ac.uk/news/spcr-pp...
Round 2 Call: The SPCR Public Involvement, Engagement & Dissemination Enablement Fund is open to the next round of applications.

💷 Up to £2K for projects | £5K for dept-wide activities
📅 Deadline: Thur 23 October 2025 by 5pm
🔗 Learn more & apply: https://www.spcr.nihr.ac.uk/news/spcr-ppie-dissemination-enablement-fund
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
stephenkb.bsky.social
Today's newsletter, on the implicit and explicit promises that Labour made and now must choose between breaking:
Which promise should Labour break?
To fix spending problems the UK needs to raise taxes on median earners
www.ft.com
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
policyatkings.bsky.social
📊 On the 100th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth, catch up on our recent study which looked at how one of her most famous pronouncements is viewed by the public today ⬇️

💬 We found a big difference depending on whether people are asked about the short or longer version of her remarks
policyatkings.bsky.social
NEW: Just 11% of the public today agree with Margaret Thatcher’s declaration that there is "no such thing as society" – but this rises to 49% among those who are presented with her full quote.

💬❓Our new study tests how context shapes public reaction to four influential political statements ⬇️
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
lizziedearden.bsky.social
If you wondered why Nigel Farage turned up in US Congress in September speaking about "freedom of speech", this story has the answer

His appearance was orchestrated by a powerful American anti-abortion group that is trying to increase its influence in the UK by influencing the free speech debate
bradleyjane.bsky.social
NEW: How a U.S. anti-abortion group has quietly positioned itself as a powerbroker between the Trump administration and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Latest investigation w Elizabeth Dias. 
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/w...
They Helped Topple Roe v. Wade. Now Their Sights Are Set on Britain.
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
sundersays.bsky.social
From Robert Jenrick's video - in which he did not see a single other white face on a brief trip to Birmingham, despite his video showing that he did.

"He must have been walking around Handsworth with his eyes closed" writes Dan Cave

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/a-notorious-...
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
premnsikka.bsky.social
How austerity hit young people.

In the decade after 2010 councils’ funding for youth services in England and Wales suffered a real-terms cut of 70%.

By 2023, 1,200 publicly run youth centres closed.

Young people abandoned to fund tax cuts for corporations the rich.
Britain's youth clubs have been quietly decimated. What's most revealing is that few seem to care | John Harris
These vital spaces have been the first targets of cuts in a nation that favours age over youth – despite being the remedy for blights such as social division, polarisation and loneliness, says Guardia...
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
resfoundation.bsky.social
Britain has seen an acute living standards slowdown over the past 20 years.

This has affected incomes across the distribution.

A typical family today would be £20,000 richer if incomes had continued growing at the same rate since 2005, when the Foundation was founded.

⤵️ buff.ly/NuhNFF9
Chart showing average annual non-pensioner real household income growth, by income percentile: GB/UK
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
taxjusticeuk.bsky.social
🔥 In case you missed it…🔥

@zackpolanski.bsky.social used his QT appearance last week to talk about the case for a #WealthTax, and to remind us we shouldn’t be intimidated by the empty threats of a minority of greedy vested interests.

@patmillsuk.bsky.social are happy to pay their fair share.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
premnsikka.bsky.social
Censorship, silencing and exile is never far away in so-called free world.

Books that they banned or tried to ban

Leaves of Grass
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Other Stories
The Wizard of Oz
The Great Gatsby
The Sun also Rises

Have we advanced?
5 Historically Banned Classics and Why - Canterbury Classics
It's National Banned Books Week! To commemorate the event, we've compiled a list of popular classics that have been historically banned—and the reasons why.
www.canterburyclassicsbooks.com
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
reuters.com
The Gaza ceasefire agreement covers only an initial stage, including handing over hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from positions in the enclave. Some of the thornier issues are yet to be resolved reut.rs/4h7bkGJ
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
yougov.co.uk
Taking the bins out is the chore that most divides men and women, with women nearly twice as likely to dislike doing it

Cleaning bathroom: 49% women vs 42% men
Ironing: 48% vs 37%
Dusting: 43% vs 38%
Taking bins out: 42% vs 22%
Washing up: 38% vs 24%
Vacuuming: 29% vs 23%
Cooking: 22% vs 14%
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
yougov.co.uk
Ironing, dusting and cleaning the bathroom are Britons' most disliked chores

Cleaning bathroom: 45% dislike
Ironing: 43%
Dusting: 41%
Taking bins out: 32%
Washing up: 31%
Cleaning kitchen: 30%
Decluttering: 27%
Making bed: 27%
Vacuuming: 26%

yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
bladeofthes.bsky.social
It is interesting that Jeremy Corbyn has been an MP for 42 years and led the opposition for 5 years.

He's been on Question Time once.

Nigel Farage, 44 times.

Our Media is corrupt, corrupt to the core.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
healthfoundation.bsky.social
A year in, what is the verdict on the Labour government’s record on NHS and social care policy so far?

In this analysis, we summarise the main policies introduced across key policy areas and assess the direction and potential impact so far.

Read more ⬇️
Labour’s first year
Our report looks at Labour's record so far and offers an overall assessment of government's reform agenda on the NHS and social care.
bit.ly