Chris Rivers
@chrisrivers50.bsky.social
Ex-Gtr Manchester, resident in Almeria 🇪🇸.
Centre left, lifelong Labour, NetZeroDad.
FBPE 🇪🇺. Pro🇺🇦. ¡NO DMs!
~Child protection/Social work/Family courts/Politics of UK/EU/US/Sociology/Urban history/Economics/Tennis/TV-Film~
*Following only active posters*
Centre left, lifelong Labour, NetZeroDad.
FBPE 🇪🇺. Pro🇺🇦. ¡NO DMs!
~Child protection/Social work/Family courts/Politics of UK/EU/US/Sociology/Urban history/Economics/Tennis/TV-Film~
*Following only active posters*
Pinned
Reposted by Chris Rivers
A tame budget with a sting in its tail
Rachel Reeves delivered a recognisably social democratic budget that conformed to Labour values, writes Will Hutton
https://bit.ly/4ag255y
Rachel Reeves delivered a recognisably social democratic budget that conformed to Labour values, writes Will Hutton
https://bit.ly/4ag255y
A tame budget with a sting in its tail | The Observer
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bit.ly
November 27, 2025 at 10:45 AM
A tame budget with a sting in its tail
Rachel Reeves delivered a recognisably social democratic budget that conformed to Labour values, writes Will Hutton
https://bit.ly/4ag255y
Rachel Reeves delivered a recognisably social democratic budget that conformed to Labour values, writes Will Hutton
https://bit.ly/4ag255y
Reposted by Chris Rivers
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War believe that a Russian victory is not inevitable. The actual pace of the occupying forces’ advance shows that a rapid capture of the entire Donetsk region is unlikely, despite the Kremlin’s claims.
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
November 27, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War believe that a Russian victory is not inevitable. The actual pace of the occupying forces’ advance shows that a rapid capture of the entire Donetsk region is unlikely, despite the Kremlin’s claims.
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Reposted by Chris Rivers
Am writing a budget thread but just something to note: in real terms the 1 January price cap 'typical bill' is already £250 lower than it was same period two years ago.
Energy prices are going down, not up. Any journalist who says they're going up is wrong.
Energy prices are going down, not up. Any journalist who says they're going up is wrong.
November 27, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Am writing a budget thread but just something to note: in real terms the 1 January price cap 'typical bill' is already £250 lower than it was same period two years ago.
Energy prices are going down, not up. Any journalist who says they're going up is wrong.
Energy prices are going down, not up. Any journalist who says they're going up is wrong.
Reposted by Chris Rivers
Reposted by Chris Rivers
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
November 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Reposted by Chris Rivers
also Bill Brand a bit left wing and only boomers can remember it
November 27, 2025 at 10:25 AM
also Bill Brand a bit left wing and only boomers can remember it
“In practice, European countries could use cyber methods to target systems critical to Russia’s war effort, like the Alabuga economic zone where Moscow is producing Shahed drones, as well as energy facilities or trains carrying weapons”
As Russian drones and agents strike across NATO countries, Europe is now doing what once seemed outlandish: planning how to hit back.
Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia
Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 10:40 AM
“In practice, European countries could use cyber methods to target systems critical to Russia’s war effort, like the Alabuga economic zone where Moscow is producing Shahed drones, as well as energy facilities or trains carrying weapons”
BBC’s Chris Mason: distraught.
November 27, 2025 at 10:19 AM
BBC’s Chris Mason: distraught.
Reposted by Chris Rivers
Mel Stride being interviewed on Bloomberg TV, obviously critical of the Budget (it's his job as Shadow Chancellor). but failing to even acknowledge the positive benefits of removing the 2 child benefit cap when directly asked, is why you should never vote Tory in a nutshell:
November 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Mel Stride being interviewed on Bloomberg TV, obviously critical of the Budget (it's his job as Shadow Chancellor). but failing to even acknowledge the positive benefits of removing the 2 child benefit cap when directly asked, is why you should never vote Tory in a nutshell:
“A Financial Times investigation unveiled that an Iranian company claims to possess Western-origin nuclear-related technology, which highlights how Iran continues to adapt its procurement network to advance its nuclear program despite sanctions”
understandingwar.org/research/mid...
understandingwar.org/research/mid...
Iran Update, November 26, 2025
A Financial Times investigation unveiled that an Iranian company claimed to possess Western-origin nuclear-related technology.
understandingwar.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
“A Financial Times investigation unveiled that an Iranian company claims to possess Western-origin nuclear-related technology, which highlights how Iran continues to adapt its procurement network to advance its nuclear program despite sanctions”
understandingwar.org/research/mid...
understandingwar.org/research/mid...
“Human rights law has consistently held that the law does not protect family life between parents and adult children, or adult siblings”
rozenberg.substack.com/p/gaza-famil...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/gaza-famil...
November 27, 2025 at 10:13 AM
“Human rights law has consistently held that the law does not protect family life between parents and adult children, or adult siblings”
rozenberg.substack.com/p/gaza-famil...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/gaza-famil...
But… compare & contrast.
Number of migrants in asylum seeker hotels rises despite Labour pledge to end their use
Number of migrants in asylum seeker hotels rises despite Labour pledge
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
But… compare & contrast.
Reposted by Chris Rivers
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Long-term net migration plummeted to 204,000 in the year to June. This is down from 649,000 the previous year, and will be seen as a boost for Starmer.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Net migration drops by two thirds in a year in boost to Keir Starmer
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates long-term net migration was 204,000 in the year to June - down from 649,000 the year before
www.mirror.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Long-term net migration plummeted to 204,000 in the year to June. This is down from 649,000 the previous year, and will be seen as a boost for Starmer.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Chris Rivers
But in 2022 the Tories made sure nobody was shouting ‘ Look look !! ‘
November 27, 2025 at 9:59 AM
But in 2022 the Tories made sure nobody was shouting ‘ Look look !! ‘
Reposted by Chris Rivers
Another very large decline in net migration in today's ONS figures, with immigration falling and emigration rising. I'm sure this will get just as much media and political coverage as the earlier sharp rises, right? www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Long-term international migration, provisional - Office for National Statistics
Estimates of UK long-term international migration, year ending June 2012 to year ending December 2024.
www.ons.gov.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Another very large decline in net migration in today's ONS figures, with immigration falling and emigration rising. I'm sure this will get just as much media and political coverage as the earlier sharp rises, right? www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Reposted by Chris Rivers
😳😳😳 Blimey www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/2
Net migration to UK drops 69% year on year, ONS says
Figure of 204,000 in 12 months to June 2025 is lowest since 2021, statistics body says
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
😳😳😳 Blimey www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/2
Reposted by Chris Rivers
November 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Iberia loses its Venezuela landing rights.
Venezuela withdraws permits from 6 airlines for cancelling flights
Venezuela withdraws permits from 6 airlines for cancelling flights
The Maduro government has revoked the operating permits of Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines and Gol after a 48-hour ultimatum expired. The airlines had suspended their routes following the US warning about the risks in the airspace.
l.euronews.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Iberia loses its Venezuela landing rights.
Reposted by Chris Rivers
BREAKING | Official figures for UK net migration show significant fall
Net migration to the UK drops by two-thirds, ONS figures show
It is down 69% year on year and the lowest annual figure since 2021
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:55 AM
BREAKING | Official figures for UK net migration show significant fall
“There were 51,000 arrivals via illegal routes, such as small boats and other clandestine routes, in the year ending Sept 2025. Small boat arrivals accounted for 89% of these arrivals. 53% more arrivals than the previous year but similar to the peak year 2022”
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Summary of latest statistics
www.gov.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
“There were 51,000 arrivals via illegal routes, such as small boats and other clandestine routes, in the year ending Sept 2025. Small boat arrivals accounted for 89% of these arrivals. 53% more arrivals than the previous year but similar to the peak year 2022”
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
A family court judge has highlighted the pressure and toll on lawyers, court staff and social workers after a hearing had to be abandoned because of a father’s death threats to the judge, a barrister, and the father’s child.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/family-...
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/family-...
Family hearing abandoned over father's death threats to barrister
Unnamed female barrister tells court she no longer felt safe acting for client in child contact case.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:50 AM
A family court judge has highlighted the pressure and toll on lawyers, court staff and social workers after a hearing had to be abandoned because of a father’s death threats to the judge, a barrister, and the father’s child.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/family-...
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/family-...
“There is one clear reason for the poor performance of the economy. Research on the impact of Brexit shows that the outcome has been far worse than even the gloomiest forecasts in 2016. There has been a massive hit to UK investment, productivity and GDP growth”
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
The Irish Times view on the UK budget: the long shadow of Brexit
Nearly a decade after the referendum and five years after the UK’s exit from the EU, the economic and political price is all too clear
www.irishtimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:44 AM
“There is one clear reason for the poor performance of the economy. Research on the impact of Brexit shows that the outcome has been far worse than even the gloomiest forecasts in 2016. There has been a massive hit to UK investment, productivity and GDP growth”
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
Almost a decade on from the UK’s EU referendum, has Britain finally moved on from Brexit? In a new study, Anne-Marie Houde and Louis Stockwell show that while Brexit has receded from the spotlight, it continues to haunt the political imagination of voters.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
Has Britain moved on from Brexit? - EUROPP
New research shows that while Brexit has receded from the spotlight, it continues to haunt the political imagination of British voters.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Almost a decade on from the UK’s EU referendum, has Britain finally moved on from Brexit? In a new study, Anne-Marie Houde and Louis Stockwell show that while Brexit has receded from the spotlight, it continues to haunt the political imagination of voters.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...