Thomas Penny
@thomaswpenny.bsky.social
Writer, editor, bereaved single Dad, Quaker, allotmenteer and very amateur musician.
Lover of strangers.
Lover of strangers.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
The Budget's increase to the National Living Wage will be welcome news for many working in social care, but it does not come without cost.
We’ve calculated the increase could cost the social care sector an additional £1.2 billion.
Read our Budget response: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nu...
We’ve calculated the increase could cost the social care sector an additional £1.2 billion.
Read our Budget response: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nu...
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The Budget's increase to the National Living Wage will be welcome news for many working in social care, but it does not come without cost.
We’ve calculated the increase could cost the social care sector an additional £1.2 billion.
Read our Budget response: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nu...
We’ve calculated the increase could cost the social care sector an additional £1.2 billion.
Read our Budget response: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/nu...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
It’s clear that the primary interest of the US in “peace negotiations” is to create opportunities for Trump, Witkoff, their family members, business partners and cronies to make billions from business deals with Russia, and Ukraine is just the annoying nuisance in the way.
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM
It’s clear that the primary interest of the US in “peace negotiations” is to create opportunities for Trump, Witkoff, their family members, business partners and cronies to make billions from business deals with Russia, and Ukraine is just the annoying nuisance in the way.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
A fact being ignored even more than usual: 70% of the money from abolishing the two-child limit will go to families who are in work (via @ippr.org).
November 29, 2025 at 10:42 AM
A fact being ignored even more than usual: 70% of the money from abolishing the two-child limit will go to families who are in work (via @ippr.org).
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Australia just recorded zero cervical cancer cases in women under 25 for the first time since records began in 1982. The amazing result of HPV vaccination.
November 28, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Australia just recorded zero cervical cancer cases in women under 25 for the first time since records began in 1982. The amazing result of HPV vaccination.
IJF twinned with FIFA.
I wonder if they'll be giving Donald Trump a "Peace Prize" too.
I wonder if they'll be giving Donald Trump a "Peace Prize" too.
Russians have been allowed to compete under their own flag in judo, Putin’s favorite sport.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has become the first Olympic sports organization to restore Russian athletes’ right to compete under their national flag and with their national anthem.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has become the first Olympic sports organization to restore Russian athletes’ right to compete under their national flag and with their national anthem.
November 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
IJF twinned with FIFA.
I wonder if they'll be giving Donald Trump a "Peace Prize" too.
I wonder if they'll be giving Donald Trump a "Peace Prize" too.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Russians have been allowed to compete under their own flag in judo, Putin’s favorite sport.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has become the first Olympic sports organization to restore Russian athletes’ right to compete under their national flag and with their national anthem.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has become the first Olympic sports organization to restore Russian athletes’ right to compete under their national flag and with their national anthem.
November 28, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Russians have been allowed to compete under their own flag in judo, Putin’s favorite sport.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has become the first Olympic sports organization to restore Russian athletes’ right to compete under their national flag and with their national anthem.
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has become the first Olympic sports organization to restore Russian athletes’ right to compete under their national flag and with their national anthem.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
It takes a special kind of right-wing British political party to literally sell black shirts.
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
November 28, 2025 at 1:55 PM
It takes a special kind of right-wing British political party to literally sell black shirts.
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
Are you going to tell them?
Or shall I?
Paul Johnson called out Amol Rajan this morning for asking leading questions.
Next person he interviews, he does the same again.
It makes the Today programmme unlistenable when he's on.
It's all about him pursuing a particular line he wants rather than getting to the truth.
#toxic
Next person he interviews, he does the same again.
It makes the Today programmme unlistenable when he's on.
It's all about him pursuing a particular line he wants rather than getting to the truth.
#toxic
November 28, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Paul Johnson called out Amol Rajan this morning for asking leading questions.
Next person he interviews, he does the same again.
It makes the Today programmme unlistenable when he's on.
It's all about him pursuing a particular line he wants rather than getting to the truth.
#toxic
Next person he interviews, he does the same again.
It makes the Today programmme unlistenable when he's on.
It's all about him pursuing a particular line he wants rather than getting to the truth.
#toxic
Reposted by Thomas Penny
“The restaurateurs have complained that the police response has been sluggish.”
November 27, 2025 at 10:19 PM
“The restaurateurs have complained that the police response has been sluggish.”
Reposted by Thomas Penny
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
JRR Tolkien's desk for sale...
What's that, you don't like Tolkien?
It belonged to Iris Murdoch too...
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
What's that, you don't like Tolkien?
It belonged to Iris Murdoch too...
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
www.christies.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:37 PM
JRR Tolkien's desk for sale...
What's that, you don't like Tolkien?
It belonged to Iris Murdoch too...
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
What's that, you don't like Tolkien?
It belonged to Iris Murdoch too...
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Jewelled golden hare that sparked national treasure hunt set for auction
Artist and author Kit Williams hid a golden hare with clues to its precise location given in his 1979 book
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Full article by Anne is available here via @theatlantic.com : www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Does Steve Witkoff Keep Taking Russia’s Side?
Trump’s envoy isn’t promoting peace. His interventions are helping Vladimir Putin.
www.theatlantic.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Full article by Anne is available here via @theatlantic.com : www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
🔴 A 12-year-old girl injured in the November 19 missile strike on Ternopil has died, the mayor reported.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
November 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
🔴 A 12-year-old girl injured in the November 19 missile strike on Ternopil has died, the mayor reported.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
Doctors fought for Adriana's life for nine days. Her mother was also killed, and her sister remains hospitalized. The death toll in Ternopil has now reached 35.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
It's really grim that the Mail, Express and Sun all take the same divisive line by demonising benefit claimants on their front pages today.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
November 27, 2025 at 8:11 AM
It's really grim that the Mail, Express and Sun all take the same divisive line by demonising benefit claimants on their front pages today.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
And that they all do so by referencing Benefits Street, a 10 year old TV show.
They need to get out and listen to more struggling people.
Life is not a TV show.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Peer mediation can be transformative. It empowers young people to resolve conflicts themselves, and points to the possibility of a more peaceful world beyond the classroom. With the publication of a new report showing its benefits, we’re calling for peer mediation to be mainstreamed across schools.
Quakers call for peer mediation to be mainstreamed across schools in the UK
Educators and policy makers should mainstream peer mediation, Quakers in Britain says following the publication of a new national report showing its positive impact.
www.quaker.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Peer mediation can be transformative. It empowers young people to resolve conflicts themselves, and points to the possibility of a more peaceful world beyond the classroom. With the publication of a new report showing its benefits, we’re calling for peer mediation to be mainstreamed across schools.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Reposted by Thomas Penny
‼️ Witkoff and Kushner began writing the 28-point plan on a plane from the Middle East after the announcement of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, — WSJ
November 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
‼️ Witkoff and Kushner began writing the 28-point plan on a plane from the Middle East after the announcement of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, — WSJ
Reposted by Thomas Penny
With all disagreements between the Commons and the Lords now resolved, our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill is on course to receive Royal Assent before the end of the year.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
With all disagreements between the Commons and the Lords now resolved, our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill is on course to receive Royal Assent before the end of the year.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
Labour is getting Britain building again.
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Farage says he can't remember being continually racist and antisemitic.
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nigel Farage responds to racism claims saying he never ‘tried to hurt anybody’
Reform leader denies racist or antisemitic behaviour ‘with intent’ at school, but says he can’t remember everything from 49 years ago
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Farage says he can't remember being continually racist and antisemitic.
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The axe forgets. The tree remembers.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Thomas Penny
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
Reposted by Thomas Penny
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 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
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
Reposted by Thomas Penny
Ellen Ross on the humanitarian activities of a British Quaker, Francesca Wilson, in the Spanish Civil War and beyond.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.
On Writing and Relief Work
Ellen Ross on the humanitarian activities of a British Quaker, Francesca Wilson, in the Spanish Civil War and beyond.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Ellen Ross on the humanitarian activities of a British Quaker, Francesca Wilson, in the Spanish Civil War and beyond.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.
This piece accompanies Ellen Ross and Tammy M Proctor’s recent article in History Workshop Journal Volume 99.