Seb Schmoller
@schmoller.net
Wrote/ran TUC courses for union reps. Led Sheffield College's educational IT. Led ALT. Did techish consulting. Now involved in Further/Adult Ed/School governance. Finishing a maths degree. Walking a Border Collie.
Politics, outdoors, cycling, Sheffield.
Politics, outdoors, cycling, Sheffield.
Pinned
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
“He said, ‘I’m going to die – please see my family [and tell them] that I went down to save people’s lives’,” Alkanj recounted, before Ahmed tackled the shooter, taking his rifle.
this guy, honestly. amazing.
this guy, honestly. amazing.
Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who tackled one of the Bondi killers, became an Australian citizen 3 years ago.
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
December 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“He said, ‘I’m going to die – please see my family [and tell them] that I went down to save people’s lives’,” Alkanj recounted, before Ahmed tackled the shooter, taking his rifle.
this guy, honestly. amazing.
this guy, honestly. amazing.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
HMT are recruiting new Director for Financial Services. It is a senior job - in the top 40 HMT civil servants. Salary £100,000. Which is a way of saying "don't apply if you have ever had a senior position in finance". #NotSensible. www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi... to apply
Quick Check Needed
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
December 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
HMT are recruiting new Director for Financial Services. It is a senior job - in the top 40 HMT civil servants. Salary £100,000. Which is a way of saying "don't apply if you have ever had a senior position in finance". #NotSensible. www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi... to apply
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
12 dead at a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.💔
A 43-year-old father of two, Ahmed al Ahmed, snuck up & tackled a gunman to disarm him. Ahmed was shot twice.
Both Jewish & Muslim faiths teach that “to save one life is to save all humanity.” Let us hold fast to our humanity.❤️
A 43-year-old father of two, Ahmed al Ahmed, snuck up & tackled a gunman to disarm him. Ahmed was shot twice.
Both Jewish & Muslim faiths teach that “to save one life is to save all humanity.” Let us hold fast to our humanity.❤️
December 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM
12 dead at a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.💔
A 43-year-old father of two, Ahmed al Ahmed, snuck up & tackled a gunman to disarm him. Ahmed was shot twice.
Both Jewish & Muslim faiths teach that “to save one life is to save all humanity.” Let us hold fast to our humanity.❤️
A 43-year-old father of two, Ahmed al Ahmed, snuck up & tackled a gunman to disarm him. Ahmed was shot twice.
Both Jewish & Muslim faiths teach that “to save one life is to save all humanity.” Let us hold fast to our humanity.❤️
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
The North / South gap in growth spending, in areas like transport, has declined in the most recent data.
Read more detail on this and recent bus usage statistics below.
👇
Read more detail on this and recent bus usage statistics below.
👇
In other news, new statistics show that the gap between what government spends on economic growth in the North and South has also been closing.
In 2024-25, the per person spending gap was at the lowest level in the last five years.
3/4
In 2024-25, the per person spending gap was at the lowest level in the last five years.
3/4
December 14, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The North / South gap in growth spending, in areas like transport, has declined in the most recent data.
Read more detail on this and recent bus usage statistics below.
👇
Read more detail on this and recent bus usage statistics below.
👇
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Disenshittificatory countermanoeuvres? www.enlightenmenteconomics.com/blog/index.p...
Disenshittificatory countermanoeuvres? | The Enlightened Economist
www.enlightenmenteconomics.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Disenshittificatory countermanoeuvres? www.enlightenmenteconomics.com/blog/index.p...
A very informative thread:
It has become received wisdom in Brussels and Washington that there is a new “euro-sclerosis”: that the EU economy is lagging the US
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
December 13, 2025 at 12:51 PM
A very informative thread:
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Theatregoers at a performance of Madame Butterfly, Bolton, 1937, photo by Humphrey Spender.
December 13, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Theatregoers at a performance of Madame Butterfly, Bolton, 1937, photo by Humphrey Spender.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
A blogpost in which I return to a continuing theme:
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
December 13, 2025 at 11:54 AM
A blogpost in which I return to a continuing theme:
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
This "cautionary tale" from @timharford.ft.com about the 1974 Flixborough Disaster is worth listening to:
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This "cautionary tale" from @timharford.ft.com about the 1974 Flixborough Disaster is worth listening to:
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
On Michael Anton, author of the new US Security Strategy, by @nickcohen.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
December 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
On Michael Anton, author of the new US Security Strategy, by @nickcohen.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
That plot from my blogpost from June on the past and future of Moore's law
softmachines.org?p=3129
softmachines.org?p=3129
Moore’s Law, past and future – Soft Machines, by Richard Jones
softmachines.org
December 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
That plot from my blogpost from June on the past and future of Moore's law
softmachines.org?p=3129
softmachines.org?p=3129
On Michael Anton, author of the new US Security Strategy, by @nickcohen.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
December 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
On Michael Anton, author of the new US Security Strategy, by @nickcohen.bsky.social:
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
open.substack.com/pub/nickcohe... Probably unconnected with the US State Department's reversion to using Times New Roman as its font, but it makes you wonder. (TNR designed by conciencous objector Stanley Morison.)
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Find out why Gavin Edwards is "hugely optimistic" about the implementation of Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector ⤵️
December 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Find out why Gavin Edwards is "hugely optimistic" about the implementation of Fair Pay Agreements in the adult social care sector ⤵️
This "cautionary tale" from @timharford.ft.com about the 1974 Flixborough Disaster is worth listening to:
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This "cautionary tale" from @timharford.ft.com about the 1974 Flixborough Disaster is worth listening to:
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/0PLG...
Also these memories from people directly affected: northlincolnshiremuseum.co.uk/discover/fli... via @northlincsmuseum.bsky.social
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
December 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
If handing someone their arse, was a video clip
December 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
If handing someone their arse, was a video clip
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
When we point out that Farage is in no way remorseful about his previous racist harassment and still lashing out at his targets all these years later, that is fully material to Reform's ideas and policies today.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Dulwich college head responds to claims of teenage racism by Nigel Farage
Robert Milne says he recognises the ‘seriousness of the behaviours described in the media’
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
When we point out that Farage is in no way remorseful about his previous racist harassment and still lashing out at his targets all these years later, that is fully material to Reform's ideas and policies today.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Migration Advisory Committee report on fiscal impact of main work migration routes.
Key table: they estimate 2022/23 cohort (those arriving in 2022/23) will over lifetimes pay about £47 billion more in taxes than they "cost" in public spending.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693810...
Key table: they estimate 2022/23 cohort (those arriving in 2022/23) will over lifetimes pay about £47 billion more in taxes than they "cost" in public spending.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693810...
December 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Migration Advisory Committee report on fiscal impact of main work migration routes.
Key table: they estimate 2022/23 cohort (those arriving in 2022/23) will over lifetimes pay about £47 billion more in taxes than they "cost" in public spending.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693810...
Key table: they estimate 2022/23 cohort (those arriving in 2022/23) will over lifetimes pay about £47 billion more in taxes than they "cost" in public spending.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693810...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
The first paragraph of Judge Breyer‘s opinion granting an injunction in the California National Guard case is a banger.
December 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The first paragraph of Judge Breyer‘s opinion granting an injunction in the California National Guard case is a banger.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
December 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Things just go from bad to worse. www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Trump thrashes European leaders in wide-ranging interview: ‘I think they’re weak’
In an interview with POLITICO, the president offered no reassurance to America's allies about Russia and vowed to reshape their politics.
www.politico.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Things just go from bad to worse. www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Seb Schmoller
Welcome to Britain, a country so short of dentists that an MP's 87-year-old mum pulled her teeth out with pliers. Also a country with thousands of foreign-qualified dentists who can’t work until they pass an exam so oversubscribed it’s like trying to book Glasto tickets. www.ft.com/content/f4e5...
December 9, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Welcome to Britain, a country so short of dentists that an MP's 87-year-old mum pulled her teeth out with pliers. Also a country with thousands of foreign-qualified dentists who can’t work until they pass an exam so oversubscribed it’s like trying to book Glasto tickets. www.ft.com/content/f4e5...