Chaminda Jayanetti
@cjayanetti.bsky.social
Freelance journalist covering British politics and public services - NHS, education, care, housing, disability, benefits. Not a tribalist.
I like good things and I don't like bad things.
I like good things and I don't like bad things.
Pinned
Andy Burnham To Warn Wes Streeting About Closure Of Health Bodies
Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies...
www.politicshome.com
NEW: Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
The "answer" to the pressure on the SEND system does involve better funding, better training and better systems. It does not, and must not, involve making it harder for children to access support.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
November 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The "answer" to the pressure on the SEND system does involve better funding, better training and better systems. It does not, and must not, involve making it harder for children to access support.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
There is a small subset of pro-Starmer ultras on here who either genuinely don’t understand that budget stories *are directly briefed out by the Treasury, with permission* or pretend not to know that. And so they claim the plans never existed, haven’t changed, etc. It is maddening, and dumb as fuck.
November 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM
There is a small subset of pro-Starmer ultras on here who either genuinely don’t understand that budget stories *are directly briefed out by the Treasury, with permission* or pretend not to know that. And so they claim the plans never existed, haven’t changed, etc. It is maddening, and dumb as fuck.
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Nightmarish idea for a startup tbh
November 13, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Nightmarish idea for a startup tbh
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
I also do think there is a rhetorical argument here as well.
Everyone is so fed up with the funk around the economy and society at the moment. A government willing to stand up and make a dramatic change would get a better (and a stress *better* not *good*) hearing on tax rises than one that fudges.
Everyone is so fed up with the funk around the economy and society at the moment. A government willing to stand up and make a dramatic change would get a better (and a stress *better* not *good*) hearing on tax rises than one that fudges.
Yes, I think this is what the “it’s smart not to do income tax” stuff is missing. If you remove salary sacrifice on someone’s pension contributions you are increasing their income tax! If you freeze thresholds you are increasing their income tax!
Issue for Labour now isn't whether they break their manifesto pledge on tax. It is whether they do so in a way which is blatant, honest but sustainable - or whether they do so by a myriad of complex and likely insufficient means whilst arguing they are not.
Imho, one seems more toxic than the other
Imho, one seems more toxic than the other
November 14, 2025 at 11:28 AM
I also do think there is a rhetorical argument here as well.
Everyone is so fed up with the funk around the economy and society at the moment. A government willing to stand up and make a dramatic change would get a better (and a stress *better* not *good*) hearing on tax rises than one that fudges.
Everyone is so fed up with the funk around the economy and society at the moment. A government willing to stand up and make a dramatic change would get a better (and a stress *better* not *good*) hearing on tax rises than one that fudges.
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
There is a "David Cameron is Rose Tyler" take that could destroy this website
November 14, 2025 at 11:33 AM
There is a "David Cameron is Rose Tyler" take that could destroy this website
Ultimately it comes down to what you're going to say at the next election.
Would you rather say "we broke our pledge but at least things are better" or "everything's still shit but at least we kept our pledge"?
Would you rather say "we broke our pledge but at least things are better" or "everything's still shit but at least we kept our pledge"?
Too much analysis was still treating breaking the tax pledge as “just another unpopular decision” rather than recognising consequence of breaking a promise which defined an election for the public. If is correct the govt won’t now break it they may have avoided a deeply scarring loss of public trust
November 14, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Ultimately it comes down to what you're going to say at the next election.
Would you rather say "we broke our pledge but at least things are better" or "everything's still shit but at least we kept our pledge"?
Would you rather say "we broke our pledge but at least things are better" or "everything's still shit but at least we kept our pledge"?
"Hamish saw boys punched in the head during fights or whipped with belts during initiation rituals... staff said they didnt need to know about such incidents, encouraging them to physically fight it out."
How the army treats teenagers, by @sianushka.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/british-a...
How the army treats teenagers, by @sianushka.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/british-a...
Exposed: British Army’s child recruits suffer violent abuse
An 11-month investigation reveals culture of violence, criminality and sexual abuse at army training centre for teens
www.opendemocracy.net
November 14, 2025 at 10:41 AM
"Hamish saw boys punched in the head during fights or whipped with belts during initiation rituals... staff said they didnt need to know about such incidents, encouraging them to physically fight it out."
How the army treats teenagers, by @sianushka.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/british-a...
How the army treats teenagers, by @sianushka.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/british-a...
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
🔴EXCLUSIVE🔴
11 months ago, I sent my first FOI request to the MoD asking about bullying, violent behaviour and sexual abuse at its army foundation college in Harrogate.
Now, after much back & forth, PQs being asked on our behalf, & interviews with parents and a former soldier, I'm proud to publish
11 months ago, I sent my first FOI request to the MoD asking about bullying, violent behaviour and sexual abuse at its army foundation college in Harrogate.
Now, after much back & forth, PQs being asked on our behalf, & interviews with parents and a former soldier, I'm proud to publish
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 AM
🔴EXCLUSIVE🔴
11 months ago, I sent my first FOI request to the MoD asking about bullying, violent behaviour and sexual abuse at its army foundation college in Harrogate.
Now, after much back & forth, PQs being asked on our behalf, & interviews with parents and a former soldier, I'm proud to publish
11 months ago, I sent my first FOI request to the MoD asking about bullying, violent behaviour and sexual abuse at its army foundation college in Harrogate.
Now, after much back & forth, PQs being asked on our behalf, & interviews with parents and a former soldier, I'm proud to publish
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
NEW: The biggest union in the BBC, Bectu, has written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy and BBC chair Samir Shah, demanding the removal of Robbie Gibb from the BBC Board.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 AM
NEW: The biggest union in the BBC, Bectu, has written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy and BBC chair Samir Shah, demanding the removal of Robbie Gibb from the BBC Board.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
The revolution eats its grandad. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
November 14, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The revolution eats its grandad. www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Increasingly likely that "all pain, no gain" will be the title of the post-mortem of this government.
“All pain, no gain,” says government source of extraordinary FT story that Reeves has abandoned income tax rise after weeks of pitch-rolling. www.ft.com/content/6cbb...
Starmer and Reeves ditch Budget plan to increase income tax rates
Chancellor explores alternative ways to raise revenue to fill fiscal hole estimated at up to £30bn
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Increasingly likely that "all pain, no gain" will be the title of the post-mortem of this government.
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Ask not what your country can't do for you, ask what you can't do for your country.
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Ask not what your country can't do for you, ask what you can't do for your country.
Starmer isn't Britain's worst ever prime minister, but he is Labour's worst ever prime minister and it's not even close
November 14, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Starmer isn't Britain's worst ever prime minister, but he is Labour's worst ever prime minister and it's not even close
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Whatever it doesn’t take
November 14, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Whatever it doesn’t take
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
NEW: Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Andy Burnham To Warn Wes Streeting About Closure Of Health Bodies
Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies...
www.politicshome.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:48 PM
NEW: Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Then I get back to the UK to see the tankies & the genocide deniers & the victim blamers & those advocating occupation as peace and remember what Orwell said … to be a pacifist in a war like this is to be on the side of fascism
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Then I get back to the UK to see the tankies & the genocide deniers & the victim blamers & those advocating occupation as peace and remember what Orwell said … to be a pacifist in a war like this is to be on the side of fascism
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
One of the more upsetting things in this is that he wasn't blackmailing them: These men were part of this and protecting him not out of obligation or even particularly out of access, but out of solidarity.
Lots of people say: that’s because he’s blackmailing them, but I don’t think he’s blackmailing Kathy Ruemmler! I don’t think that’s what explains it.
November 13, 2025 at 8:20 PM
One of the more upsetting things in this is that he wasn't blackmailing them: These men were part of this and protecting him not out of obligation or even particularly out of access, but out of solidarity.
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Just think how long her budget speech is going to be. It's like a Radio 4 panel game show. "You've got 120 minutes to raise £30 billion pounds and you can't mention income tax. And you're time starts....."
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Just think how long her budget speech is going to be. It's like a Radio 4 panel game show. "You've got 120 minutes to raise £30 billion pounds and you can't mention income tax. And you're time starts....."
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
But think of the positives. You get all the popularity that comes with announcing an income tax rise, all the credibility that comes with a screeching U-turn, and all the revenue that comes with tinkering with the cycle to work scheme, all rolled into one.
November 14, 2025 at 7:09 AM
But think of the positives. You get all the popularity that comes with announcing an income tax rise, all the credibility that comes with a screeching U-turn, and all the revenue that comes with tinkering with the cycle to work scheme, all rolled into one.
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Yay, the even worse option of lots of small taxes upsetting noisy lobby groups.
November 13, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Yay, the even worse option of lots of small taxes upsetting noisy lobby groups.
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Lot of people are already passing this around with the usual "WHY ISN'T ANYONE DOING ANYTHING" shrieks, while ignoring the fact that the article literally says that this is a *significant* decrease from the warming that we were on track for even a few years ago.
World still on track for catastrophic 2.6C temperature rise, report finds
Fossil fuel emissions have hit a record high while many nations have done too little to avert deadly global heating
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Lot of people are already passing this around with the usual "WHY ISN'T ANYONE DOING ANYTHING" shrieks, while ignoring the fact that the article literally says that this is a *significant* decrease from the warming that we were on track for even a few years ago.
NEW: Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Andy Burnham To Warn Wes Streeting About Closure Of Health Bodies
Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies...
www.politicshome.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:48 PM
NEW: Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Burnham's intervention comes amid fears locally that the move could “silence” residents' views
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
Another @cjayanetti.bsky.social exclusive - Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Andy Burnham To Warn Wes Streeting About Closure Of Health Bodies
Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies...
www.politicshome.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Another @cjayanetti.bsky.social exclusive - Andy Burnham will issue a warning to Wes Streeting over the government’s abolition of a national network of “patient voice” bodies www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Chaminda Jayanetti
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s…
Regulators intervene after UK local authority accused of normalising unlawful placements
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise