Catherine Max
@catherinemax.bsky.social
Work in progress.
www.catherinemax.co.uk for health and sustainability consultancy + place and wellbeing blog.
www.catherinemax.co.uk for health and sustainability consultancy + place and wellbeing blog.
Pinned
Reposted by Catherine Max
We agree!
We're calling on the Chancellor to use the Budget to:
✈️End aviation's tax-free fuel status
✈️Add VAT to private jet flights
✈️Raise the rate of Air Passenger Duty for private jet passengers.
We're calling on the Chancellor to use the Budget to:
✈️End aviation's tax-free fuel status
✈️Add VAT to private jet flights
✈️Raise the rate of Air Passenger Duty for private jet passengers.
NEW | Our latest research exposes just how lightly private jet users are taxed — and how much the UK is losing because of it.
It’s time the biggest polluters paid their share.
It’s time the biggest polluters paid their share.
November 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM
We agree!
We're calling on the Chancellor to use the Budget to:
✈️End aviation's tax-free fuel status
✈️Add VAT to private jet flights
✈️Raise the rate of Air Passenger Duty for private jet passengers.
We're calling on the Chancellor to use the Budget to:
✈️End aviation's tax-free fuel status
✈️Add VAT to private jet flights
✈️Raise the rate of Air Passenger Duty for private jet passengers.
Reposted by Catherine Max
Popularity of dockless bikes achieving policy aim of increased physical activity for Londoners. Councillors please seize the chance to support the health & wellbeing of residents & users by enabling safer streets & better parking solutions in every borough. www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
Easy riders: Dockless e-bikes responsible for one in 10 cycle trips in London
Five per cent of all journeys in the capital are now made by bike
www.standard.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Popularity of dockless bikes achieving policy aim of increased physical activity for Londoners. Councillors please seize the chance to support the health & wellbeing of residents & users by enabling safer streets & better parking solutions in every borough. www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
Reposted by Catherine Max
NEW 🔔 : FPH supports a ‘polluter pays’ levy scheme for tobacco products in the UK.
This would cap wholesale tobacco prices whilst increasing tax on tobacco or applying a new health levy, limiting industry profits & generating revenue to achieve a smokefree future.
www.fph.org.uk/news/faculty...
This would cap wholesale tobacco prices whilst increasing tax on tobacco or applying a new health levy, limiting industry profits & generating revenue to achieve a smokefree future.
www.fph.org.uk/news/faculty...
Faculty of Public Health supports new Polluter Pays Levy Scheme for tobacco companies
The Faculty of Public Health has published a new position statement in support of a ‘polluter pays’ levy scheme for tobacco products in the UK.
www.fph.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:50 PM
NEW 🔔 : FPH supports a ‘polluter pays’ levy scheme for tobacco products in the UK.
This would cap wholesale tobacco prices whilst increasing tax on tobacco or applying a new health levy, limiting industry profits & generating revenue to achieve a smokefree future.
www.fph.org.uk/news/faculty...
This would cap wholesale tobacco prices whilst increasing tax on tobacco or applying a new health levy, limiting industry profits & generating revenue to achieve a smokefree future.
www.fph.org.uk/news/faculty...
Reposted by Catherine Max
I think there's an interesting study of media to be done looking at who gets labeled an "expert" and who gets labeled a "skeptic". Certainly for coverage of "AI", but I wonder if there are other topics that would make interesting comparisons.
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I think there's an interesting study of media to be done looking at who gets labeled an "expert" and who gets labeled a "skeptic". Certainly for coverage of "AI", but I wonder if there are other topics that would make interesting comparisons.
As ever, an impressive combination of education, reflection and entertainment. Thank you @dieworkwear.bsky.social for your service!
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
November 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
As ever, an impressive combination of education, reflection and entertainment. Thank you @dieworkwear.bsky.social for your service!
“we are not giving up eating ice-cream, we are giving up absorbing the calories from that ice-cream.”
My latest: #COP30, global climate politics, and what happens next — for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 24, 2025 at 12:34 PM
“we are not giving up eating ice-cream, we are giving up absorbing the calories from that ice-cream.”
Love this.
Oh, and more on the history of the wooden dollies here: fabulousnorth.com/blog/wooden-...
Wooden Dollies of North Shields
The Wooden Dollies are fairly well known to most visitors to North Shields but do you know how they came about?
fabulousnorth.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Love this.
Reposted by Catherine Max
A little advance notice: we have a lovely episode of the Kitchen Cabinet coming up tomorrow, marking this week’s world children’s day. We’re at the Academy of St Nicholas in Liverpool and all our questions come young people in Yr 7 and up. 10.30am on BBC Radio 4
November 21, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A little advance notice: we have a lovely episode of the Kitchen Cabinet coming up tomorrow, marking this week’s world children’s day. We’re at the Academy of St Nicholas in Liverpool and all our questions come young people in Yr 7 and up. 10.30am on BBC Radio 4
Reposted by Catherine Max
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The city is a work in progress.
November 18, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The city is a work in progress.
“Keep Newcastle weird”.
November 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM
“Keep Newcastle weird”.
Reposted by Catherine Max
This is particularly good news for people living in flats. Air to air heat pumps are particularly good for small properties, or if damp and mould is an issue. They can provide cooling too, which will help with overheating in flats.
Heat pumps news! DESNZ is expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air to air heat pumps and heat batteries.
Both will be eligible for a £2,500 grant if it fully replaces a gas or oil boiler…
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521952...
Both will be eligible for a £2,500 grant if it fully replaces a gas or oil boiler…
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521952...
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Government set to expand scheme to include air conditioning heat pumps
Government expands heat pump scheme to include heat batteries and 'air-to-air devices' that can cool homes in summer, despite speculation over budget cuts
www.businessgreen.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM
This is particularly good news for people living in flats. Air to air heat pumps are particularly good for small properties, or if damp and mould is an issue. They can provide cooling too, which will help with overheating in flats.
Thank you, Alison. Such interesting contributions from a great group of people offering different perspectives on making public space truly inclusive. Exhibition continues til 19th December. Thanks to the #FarrellCentre team for hosting. #LanguageOfSigns
A thought-provoking couple of hours at a roundtable organised by @drhick.bsky.social & @catherinemax.bsky.social on objects (signs, barriers, fences, etc) in public space and their relationship to access, belonging and more, against the backdrop of the Farrell Centre’s Keep on the Grass exhibition.
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Thank you, Alison. Such interesting contributions from a great group of people offering different perspectives on making public space truly inclusive. Exhibition continues til 19th December. Thanks to the #FarrellCentre team for hosting. #LanguageOfSigns
Reposted by Catherine Max
When they don’t bring their children, of course, they’re dismissed as ‘young men of fighting age’.
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 17, 2025 at 10:42 PM
When they don’t bring their children, of course, they’re dismissed as ‘young men of fighting age’.
Reposted by Catherine Max
“Our greatest natural hazard is flooding, and we don’t prepare people for it”. We absolutely should. This is urgent. Another good reason to sign this petition calling for a National Climate Resilience plan - please do sign & share @climatemajority.bsky.social
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Flooded and forgotten: the UK’s waters are rising and we’re being kept in the dark | John Harris
Rescue operations in Wales, submerged railway lines in Cornwall – these events are ever more common. So why have we utterly failed to prepare, asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
“Our greatest natural hazard is flooding, and we don’t prepare people for it”. We absolutely should. This is urgent. Another good reason to sign this petition calling for a National Climate Resilience plan - please do sign & share @climatemajority.bsky.social
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Reposted by Catherine Max
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
Reposted by Catherine Max
Risotto is not work. It is meditation, followed by self care.
My issue with risotto is 40 minutes of work gone in a couple of minutes ! I do love it though this looks v good . Dried mushroom so flavourful
November 16, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Risotto is not work. It is meditation, followed by self care.
Fact not feminist fiction. “Once you label a right as “contested” you no longer have to defend it – you only have to debate it. That’s the trick.” observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reproductive rights are legal fact not feminist fiction, whatever Prescott memo says | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Fact not feminist fiction. “Once you label a right as “contested” you no longer have to defend it – you only have to debate it. That’s the trick.” observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Catherine Max
6 months ago, hundreds of academics warned against appeasing the far right
we were proved 1,000% correct - it did strengthen them
now labour is doubling down with a stupid, cruel, & illiberal plan to deport legal refugees
we were proved 1,000% correct - it did strengthen them
now labour is doubling down with a stupid, cruel, & illiberal plan to deport legal refugees
Final Version:
225 (!) UK-based politics academics signed our open letter warning anti-immigrant rhetoric will only embolden the far-right
Text & signatories here -
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
225 (!) UK-based politics academics signed our open letter warning anti-immigrant rhetoric will only embolden the far-right
Text & signatories here -
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
OPEN LETTER: 225 UK Academics & Writers to Keir Starmer
New anti-immigrant rules are bad policy & will only validate the far-right
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:39 AM
6 months ago, hundreds of academics warned against appeasing the far right
we were proved 1,000% correct - it did strengthen them
now labour is doubling down with a stupid, cruel, & illiberal plan to deport legal refugees
we were proved 1,000% correct - it did strengthen them
now labour is doubling down with a stupid, cruel, & illiberal plan to deport legal refugees
Reposted by Catherine Max
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by Catherine Max
#OtD 10 Nov 1891 Jewish Ukrainian anarchist, Simón Radowitzky, was born. At 15, he took part in the 1905 Russian Revolution, killed a police chief in Argentina at 18, endured 20 years of prison, fought fascism during the Spanish Civil War, and more stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1264...
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
#OtD 10 Nov 1891 Jewish Ukrainian anarchist, Simón Radowitzky, was born. At 15, he took part in the 1905 Russian Revolution, killed a police chief in Argentina at 18, endured 20 years of prison, fought fascism during the Spanish Civil War, and more stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1264...
Reposted by Catherine Max
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Reposted by Catherine Max
Based in/near Newcastle? @drhick.bsky.social
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
November 2, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Based in/near Newcastle? @drhick.bsky.social
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
Reposted by Catherine Max
THIS IS AMAZING. ALSO WHAT, IF ANYTHING, DID WE FORGET TO RUIN?
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
THIS IS AMAZING. ALSO WHAT, IF ANYTHING, DID WE FORGET TO RUIN?
Reposted by Catherine Max
@catherinemax.bsky.social and I are convening a practitioner/policy/academic roundtable and discussion covering themes such as inclusion in public spaces. Also featuring the work of @draflint.bsky.social (who is speaking at the event) and myself as part of All Footsteps. Get in touch if interested!
Based in/near Newcastle? @drhick.bsky.social
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
November 3, 2025 at 10:14 AM
@catherinemax.bsky.social and I are convening a practitioner/policy/academic roundtable and discussion covering themes such as inclusion in public spaces. Also featuring the work of @draflint.bsky.social (who is speaking at the event) and myself as part of All Footsteps. Get in touch if interested!