Zoë Crowther
@zoecrowther.bsky.social
• political reporter politicshome.bsky.social • “internet shepherd” of Bluesky • covering the politics behind social media, tech & health
IG: http://instagram.com/zoe.crowther/ • X: @zoenora6
📍 London via Notts, Newcastle & Bristol
IG: http://instagram.com/zoe.crowther/ • X: @zoenora6
📍 London via Notts, Newcastle & Bristol
Pinned
Zoë Crowther
@zoecrowther.bsky.social
· Nov 27
To all my new followers here, a short introduction:
I'm a political reporter for @politicshome.bsky.social, covering all things politics and running our Sunday newsletter interviews each week
I'm particularly interested in social media, AI, online safety, mental health & NHS/health and social care
I'm a political reporter for @politicshome.bsky.social, covering all things politics and running our Sunday newsletter interviews each week
I'm particularly interested in social media, AI, online safety, mental health & NHS/health and social care
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
If you're wondering how relations are between the govt and the OBR after this morning's budget leak, a govt source has just sent this out about the EV tax.
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
If you're wondering how relations are between the govt and the OBR after this morning's budget leak, a govt source has just sent this out about the EV tax.
📈 Remote Gaming Duty up
⏸️ Machine Gaming Duty & in person General Betting Duty unchanged
🆕 NEW remote General Betting Duty rate at 25%
@politicshome.bsky.social reported last week that a tiered approach to gambling tax reform was being considered, with RGD most likely to see a big rise
⏸️ Machine Gaming Duty & in person General Betting Duty unchanged
🆕 NEW remote General Betting Duty rate at 25%
@politicshome.bsky.social reported last week that a tiered approach to gambling tax reform was being considered, with RGD most likely to see a big rise
November 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
📈 Remote Gaming Duty up
⏸️ Machine Gaming Duty & in person General Betting Duty unchanged
🆕 NEW remote General Betting Duty rate at 25%
@politicshome.bsky.social reported last week that a tiered approach to gambling tax reform was being considered, with RGD most likely to see a big rise
⏸️ Machine Gaming Duty & in person General Betting Duty unchanged
🆕 NEW remote General Betting Duty rate at 25%
@politicshome.bsky.social reported last week that a tiered approach to gambling tax reform was being considered, with RGD most likely to see a big rise
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
💼 Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that she has “asked everyone to contribute” in a Budget that is expected to raise £26bn in tax
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Asks 'Everyone To Contribute' In Tax-Raising Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that she has “asked everyone to contribute” in a Budget that is expected to raise £26bn in tax.
www.politicshome.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
💼 Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that she has “asked everyone to contribute” in a Budget that is expected to raise £26bn in tax
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
‘Your Party’ Could Be Led By Ordinary Members With MPs Barred From Running
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
‘Your Party’ Could Be Led By Ordinary Members With MPs Barred From Running
Exclusive: ‘Your Party’, the new political party being started by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, could be led by ordinary members rather than any...
www.politicshome.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:36 PM
‘Your Party’ Could Be Led By Ordinary Members With MPs Barred From Running
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
The government will abolish the two-child benefit cap
The news was accidentally released by the OBR before Chancellor Rachel Reeves started to deliver her Budget in the Commons
The step will be welcomed by many Labour MPs who say it is key to fighting poverty
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
The news was accidentally released by the OBR before Chancellor Rachel Reeves started to deliver her Budget in the Commons
The step will be welcomed by many Labour MPs who say it is key to fighting poverty
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
The Two Child Benefit Cap Will Be Scrapped From 2026
The government will scrap the two-child benefit cap from April 2026, costing £3bn by 2029-30, it has been revealed.
www.politicshome.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The government will abolish the two-child benefit cap
The news was accidentally released by the OBR before Chancellor Rachel Reeves started to deliver her Budget in the Commons
The step will be welcomed by many Labour MPs who say it is key to fighting poverty
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
The news was accidentally released by the OBR before Chancellor Rachel Reeves started to deliver her Budget in the Commons
The step will be welcomed by many Labour MPs who say it is key to fighting poverty
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
We knew it was coming, but introduction of the controversial international student levy definitely confirmed by OBR, we await more details on what this will look like...
@politicshome.bsky.social previously revealed govt tussle between 6% or a £1000 flat fee
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
@politicshome.bsky.social previously revealed govt tussle between 6% or a £1000 flat fee
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
November 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM
We knew it was coming, but introduction of the controversial international student levy definitely confirmed by OBR, we await more details on what this will look like...
@politicshome.bsky.social previously revealed govt tussle between 6% or a £1000 flat fee
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
@politicshome.bsky.social previously revealed govt tussle between 6% or a £1000 flat fee
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
The OBR has apologised after accidentally publishing details of the Budget before the Chancellor announced them
Rachel Reeves said it was "deeply disappointing and a serious error"
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said it was "utterly outrageous" and"may constitute a criminal act"
Rachel Reeves said it was "deeply disappointing and a serious error"
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said it was "utterly outrageous" and"may constitute a criminal act"
OBR Apologises After Accidentally Publishing Details Of Budget Early
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has apologised after accidentally publishing details of the Budget before Chancellor Rachel Reeves annou...
www.politicshome.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The OBR has apologised after accidentally publishing details of the Budget before the Chancellor announced them
Rachel Reeves said it was "deeply disappointing and a serious error"
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said it was "utterly outrageous" and"may constitute a criminal act"
Rachel Reeves said it was "deeply disappointing and a serious error"
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said it was "utterly outrageous" and"may constitute a criminal act"
Letters like this really do make a difference 🥹
When I was 11, I wrote to Michelle Paver, my favourite author at the time. I was so happy when she wrote back and encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a writer
I still remember everything in that letter – and here I am now, writing for a living!
When I was 11, I wrote to Michelle Paver, my favourite author at the time. I was so happy when she wrote back and encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a writer
I still remember everything in that letter – and here I am now, writing for a living!
45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Letters like this really do make a difference 🥹
When I was 11, I wrote to Michelle Paver, my favourite author at the time. I was so happy when she wrote back and encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a writer
I still remember everything in that letter – and here I am now, writing for a living!
When I was 11, I wrote to Michelle Paver, my favourite author at the time. I was so happy when she wrote back and encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a writer
I still remember everything in that letter – and here I am now, writing for a living!
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
Antisemitism Trust report dramatic spike in antisemitic on X. Some racist speech is extreme but lawful, CCDH says X defending unlawful antisemitic abuse it is obliged to remove. MPs want Ofcom to assess if X is breaching its legal duties. (Spoiler alert: it is)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Cross-Party MPs Demand Ofcom Investigation Into Antisemitism On X
Exclusive: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence aga...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Antisemitism Trust report dramatic spike in antisemitic on X. Some racist speech is extreme but lawful, CCDH says X defending unlawful antisemitic abuse it is obliged to remove. MPs want Ofcom to assess if X is breaching its legal duties. (Spoiler alert: it is)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
We found that Jewish people were targeted with a wave of hatred & calls for violence on X after the heinous UK Heaton Park Synagogue attack.
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Cross-Party MPs Demand Ofcom Investigation Into Antisemitism On X
Exclusive: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence aga...
www.politicshome.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:20 PM
We found that Jewish people were targeted with a wave of hatred & calls for violence on X after the heinous UK Heaton Park Synagogue attack.
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Public trust/interest in mainstream coverage of *today’s* news is very, very low – never mind in coverage of things that happened 4-5 years ago under a previous government
It’s a sign of how insane the news cycle is these days that this historic failure of government policy got just one day of news coverage this week.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
Not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s astonishing how quickly the agenda moves on these days.
BREAKING: UK’s response to Covid was “too little too late”. Acting faster could have saved 23,000 lives in England according to the public inquiry.
Boris Johnson presided over a “toxic, sexist, chaotic culture” in No10, where rule-breaking seriously undermined public confidence.
Boris Johnson presided over a “toxic, sexist, chaotic culture” in No10, where rule-breaking seriously undermined public confidence.
November 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Public trust/interest in mainstream coverage of *today’s* news is very, very low – never mind in coverage of things that happened 4-5 years ago under a previous government
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
It’s a fair question.
Alternately introduce a fit and proper person test for social media platform owners operating in the UK.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Alternately introduce a fit and proper person test for social media platform owners operating in the UK.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
November 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
It’s a fair question.
Alternately introduce a fit and proper person test for social media platform owners operating in the UK.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Alternately introduce a fit and proper person test for social media platform owners operating in the UK.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Labour MP and former minister @jimmcmahon.co.uk responds to my story about Labour MPs calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Labour MP and former minister @jimmcmahon.co.uk responds to my story about Labour MPs calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X
Dame Sara Khan, former govt adviser on social cohesion, responds to my story and also calls on the government to leave X 👇
I left Twitter in 2015 ten years ago because of the scale of threats, abuse, cyber-stalking I received & the real world impact it had on me personally & professionally. Under Musk X is worse. He is a foreign hostile actor, interferes in our democracy, incites violence. Gov should be bold & abandon X
Growing backbench pressure about how government uses X
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Dame Sara Khan, former govt adviser on social cohesion, responds to my story and also calls on the government to leave X 👇
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
The horror of Russia’s war against Ukraine’s children was brought home once again when I visited the Save Ukraine Centre, which rescues the stolen children & those under occupation
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
One in 10 rescued Ukrainian children sexually abused
Russia is abusing and raping children in the occupied territories, warns centre dedicated to rescuing families
www.opendemocracy.net
November 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The horror of Russia’s war against Ukraine’s children was brought home once again when I visited the Save Ukraine Centre, which rescues the stolen children & those under occupation
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
Unions and environmental groups have urged the government to boost funding for key environmental regulators in the Budget
In a letter seen by @politicshome.bsky.social, they say regulators are “builders not blockers” and called for major investment to restore capacity across the sector
In a letter seen by @politicshome.bsky.social, they say regulators are “builders not blockers” and called for major investment to restore capacity across the sector
Give Environment Regulators More Funding To Unclog Planning Delays, Government Told
Unions and environmental groups have urged the government to boost funding for key environmental regulators in the Budget, warning that chronic und...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Unions and environmental groups have urged the government to boost funding for key environmental regulators in the Budget
In a letter seen by @politicshome.bsky.social, they say regulators are “builders not blockers” and called for major investment to restore capacity across the sector
In a letter seen by @politicshome.bsky.social, they say regulators are “builders not blockers” and called for major investment to restore capacity across the sector
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
EXC: Cross-party MPs and peers are demanding that Ofcom investigate a surge in violent antisemitism on X
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
Cross-Party MPs Demand Ofcom Investigation Into Antisemitism On X
Exclusive: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence aga...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
EXC: Cross-party MPs and peers are demanding that Ofcom investigate a surge in violent antisemitism on X
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
and there's MORE from @zoecrowther.bsky.social: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence against Jews on X www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Cross-Party MPs Demand Ofcom Investigation Into Antisemitism On X
Exclusive: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence aga...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM
and there's MORE from @zoecrowther.bsky.social: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence against Jews on X www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
STARTING TO THINK OUR LEGISLATORS SHOULD MAYBE STEP IN HERE, MAYBE
X is in clear + systemic breach of its legal duties in the UK to remove unlawful content from its platform.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
November 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
STARTING TO THINK OUR LEGISLATORS SHOULD MAYBE STEP IN HERE, MAYBE
Right, that's enough Twitter bashing for one day – even for me
November 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Right, that's enough Twitter bashing for one day – even for me
EXC: Cross-party MPs and peers are demanding that Ofcom investigate a surge in violent antisemitism on X
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
Cross-Party MPs Demand Ofcom Investigation Into Antisemitism On X
Exclusive: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence aga...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
EXC: Cross-party MPs and peers are demanding that Ofcom investigate a surge in violent antisemitism on X
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
They cite research that suggests the content violates the Online Safety Act
Even more to come from @politicshome.bsky.social on Twitter tonight... stay tuned 👀
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Even more to come from @politicshome.bsky.social on Twitter tonight... stay tuned 👀
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
Growing backbench pressure about how government uses X
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Growing backbench pressure about how government uses X
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
I hope this pressure can link up with pressure to recognise strength of prima facie evidence thst X is in breach of legal duties (in systemic failure of its complaints system to be compliant with UK law)
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Zoë Crowther
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight