John Springford
@johnspringford.bsky.social
Economist and occasional politics dabbler. Working on a project to improve labour markets. Associate fellow, Centre for European Reform. Visiting fellow, Institute for Policy Research, Bath University.
Pinned
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Remembering the hit of fear as Italians I respect immensely told me in early March that "you must lock down ASAP". While the British government said these were "populist – non-science based – measures that aren't any use" and "they're who not to follow".
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Too little, too late’: damning report condemns UK’s Covid response
Report on handling of pandemic contains stinging criticism of ‘toxic and chaotic’ culture inside Boris Johnson’s No 10
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Remembering the hit of fear as Italians I respect immensely told me in early March that "you must lock down ASAP". While the British government said these were "populist – non-science based – measures that aren't any use" and "they're who not to follow".
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Not very well. 6/11.
November 19, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Not very well. 6/11.
Reposted by John Springford
2 is a suspiciously round number, we need decimals
The odds of Trump sending $2,000 tariff checks are now just 2 percent, report says
The odds of Trump sending $2,000 tariff checks are now just 2 percent, report says
www.independent.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
2 is a suspiciously round number, we need decimals
Reposted by John Springford
Hazy Chicago skyline, Mather Tower under construction, c. 1927
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Hazy Chicago skyline, Mather Tower under construction, c. 1927
I would like some well-funded science research to explain why cats are so insistent on getting between humans and laptops.
November 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I would like some well-funded science research to explain why cats are so insistent on getting between humans and laptops.
On the one hand, the UK is seeking single market participation in a few areas. On the other, the mooted sums are silly and won't happen.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
EU confirms it wants UK to pay into its budget in exchange for closer ties
‘Politically realistic’ for UK to make financial contribution so it can access European single market, Irish minister says
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
On the one hand, the UK is seeking single market participation in a few areas. On the other, the mooted sums are silly and won't happen.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Mehreen Khan picks up my and @acjsissons.bsky.social's paper for The Times. You can read it here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Mehreen Khan picks up my and @acjsissons.bsky.social's paper for The Times. You can read it here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Interesting.
Badenoch accuses Reform UK of deceiving voters with claim it could easily abandon post-Brexit EU trade deal - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reform’s plan to cut EU citizens’ benefits would risk trade war with Europe, Labour claims – UK politics live
As Reform announces what it claims are £25bn in savings through cuts, Labour says ‘Farage’s fantasy numbers don’t add up’
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Interesting.
Reposted by John Springford
This is really very good not least because, apart from its specific proposals, it actually articulates a coherent economic *strategy* - something which the UK hasn't had for a long time.
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 18, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is really very good not least because, apart from its specific proposals, it actually articulates a coherent economic *strategy* - something which the UK hasn't had for a long time.
Reposted by John Springford
this is like discovering a large cool refreshing glass of sanity in a desert ☺️
actual joined-up thinking and analysis and ideas
no easy scapegoats, snake-oil solutions
(I want something bigger, I think economic ideas of productivity are badly broken — but within the current paradigm this is 👌🏽)
actual joined-up thinking and analysis and ideas
no easy scapegoats, snake-oil solutions
(I want something bigger, I think economic ideas of productivity are badly broken — but within the current paradigm this is 👌🏽)
I'll share some more specific thoughts on it later, but please do have a look if you can.
It was an extremely DIY endeavour - lots of late nights spent wrangling charts, editing each other's prose, even learning how to build a website from scratch - so I hope it sparks plenty of debate!
It was an extremely DIY endeavour - lots of late nights spent wrangling charts, editing each other's prose, even learning how to build a website from scratch - so I hope it sparks plenty of debate!
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
this is like discovering a large cool refreshing glass of sanity in a desert ☺️
actual joined-up thinking and analysis and ideas
no easy scapegoats, snake-oil solutions
(I want something bigger, I think economic ideas of productivity are badly broken — but within the current paradigm this is 👌🏽)
actual joined-up thinking and analysis and ideas
no easy scapegoats, snake-oil solutions
(I want something bigger, I think economic ideas of productivity are badly broken — but within the current paradigm this is 👌🏽)
Reposted by John Springford
Have spent some time reading this (obviously focused on the energy bit) and I think the title to the energy section has totally nailed it. Beware the guy who says it's all renewables fault, or all gas' fault. It's both...and more!
November 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Have spent some time reading this (obviously focused on the energy bit) and I think the title to the energy section has totally nailed it. Beware the guy who says it's all renewables fault, or all gas' fault. It's both...and more!
Reposted by John Springford
I'm reading through the white paper or whatever it is. RESTORING ORDER AND CONTROL: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy www.gov.uk/government/p...
Asylum and returns policy statement
This policy statement sets out significant reforms to the UK’s asylum and returns policy.
www.gov.uk
November 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I'm reading through the white paper or whatever it is. RESTORING ORDER AND CONTROL: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy www.gov.uk/government/p...
Team Better Red Tape www.theguardian.com/business/202...
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Team Better Red Tape www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by John Springford
From the great new NBER paper by Bloom et al on the cost of Brexit.
It ain't pretty - they estimate UK GDP is down between 6-8%. Consistent with the doppelgang model of @johnspringford.bsky.social for CER.
A lot of 'free' GDP available availabe for Labour if it had the courage to reset properly.
It ain't pretty - they estimate UK GDP is down between 6-8%. Consistent with the doppelgang model of @johnspringford.bsky.social for CER.
A lot of 'free' GDP available availabe for Labour if it had the courage to reset properly.
November 17, 2025 at 9:57 PM
From the great new NBER paper by Bloom et al on the cost of Brexit.
It ain't pretty - they estimate UK GDP is down between 6-8%. Consistent with the doppelgang model of @johnspringford.bsky.social for CER.
A lot of 'free' GDP available availabe for Labour if it had the courage to reset properly.
It ain't pretty - they estimate UK GDP is down between 6-8%. Consistent with the doppelgang model of @johnspringford.bsky.social for CER.
A lot of 'free' GDP available availabe for Labour if it had the courage to reset properly.
Reposted by John Springford
This is a vital essay by @johnspringford.bsky.social & @acjsissons.bsky.social - diagnosing the British malaise and providing a set of clear policy solutions. You will be much better informed for having read it getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This is a vital essay by @johnspringford.bsky.social & @acjsissons.bsky.social - diagnosing the British malaise and providing a set of clear policy solutions. You will be much better informed for having read it getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Reposted by John Springford
Great piece here w. @acjsissons.bsky.social & follow up by @guardianheather.bsky.social . Many themes inc. highlighting government failures on competition policy and regulation. Cutting CMA off at knees. Contrast with Blair Brown in 1997 who toughened competition and consumer protection policy
November 17, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Great piece here w. @acjsissons.bsky.social & follow up by @guardianheather.bsky.social . Many themes inc. highlighting government failures on competition policy and regulation. Cutting CMA off at knees. Contrast with Blair Brown in 1997 who toughened competition and consumer protection policy
Reposted by John Springford
Labour mobility seems to be working just fine, with people relocating from stagnant areas such as London, to more economically dynamic ones, such as Manchester and Liverpool bsky.app/profile/adam...
Interesting to compare the choice of locations, with a map showing current momentum in housing pressures post pandemic.
November 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Labour mobility seems to be working just fine, with people relocating from stagnant areas such as London, to more economically dynamic ones, such as Manchester and Liverpool bsky.app/profile/adam...
Reposted by John Springford
This is every bit as good as people are saying. One of the most sensible pieces of analysis and linked policy proposals that I’ve read in a very long time. Two comments. Bus franchising requires ongoing revenue support if the aim is to provide a cheap and comprehensive network.
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This is every bit as good as people are saying. One of the most sensible pieces of analysis and linked policy proposals that I’ve read in a very long time. Two comments. Bus franchising requires ongoing revenue support if the aim is to provide a cheap and comprehensive network.
Reposted by John Springford
Very good points.
I might add: we need more interconnectors with Europe particularly to reduce waste (estimated at 30%) in wind farms.
Connecting with Europe reduces waste both ways as peak times in the morning and evening are 1 hour apart.
youtu.be/6ajWGsPD2F8?...
I might add: we need more interconnectors with Europe particularly to reduce waste (estimated at 30%) in wind farms.
Connecting with Europe reduces waste both ways as peak times in the morning and evening are 1 hour apart.
youtu.be/6ajWGsPD2F8?...
Inside the Futuristic NeuConnect Project Linking Germany & UK! 🌍
YouTube video by Address Apartments
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Very good points.
I might add: we need more interconnectors with Europe particularly to reduce waste (estimated at 30%) in wind farms.
Connecting with Europe reduces waste both ways as peak times in the morning and evening are 1 hour apart.
youtu.be/6ajWGsPD2F8?...
I might add: we need more interconnectors with Europe particularly to reduce waste (estimated at 30%) in wind farms.
Connecting with Europe reduces waste both ways as peak times in the morning and evening are 1 hour apart.
youtu.be/6ajWGsPD2F8?...
Reposted by John Springford
Lots of good, interesting ideas in here - I wrote about just one, the idea that consumers are being ripped off in some services markets, to the detriment of productivity:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
November 17, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Lots of good, interesting ideas in here - I wrote about just one, the idea that consumers are being ripped off in some services markets, to the detriment of productivity:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by John Springford
Lots of excellent ideas here.
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Lots of excellent ideas here.
Reposted by John Springford
One of the most powerful, lucid and actionable blueprints about how to turn the boat around on the UK economy.
Truly excellent - if you want to learn how the UK economy dysfunctions, and how it could work better, read this.
(London should maybe hire John and Andrew as advisors to stoke growth).
Truly excellent - if you want to learn how the UK economy dysfunctions, and how it could work better, read this.
(London should maybe hire John and Andrew as advisors to stoke growth).
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:13 AM
One of the most powerful, lucid and actionable blueprints about how to turn the boat around on the UK economy.
Truly excellent - if you want to learn how the UK economy dysfunctions, and how it could work better, read this.
(London should maybe hire John and Andrew as advisors to stoke growth).
Truly excellent - if you want to learn how the UK economy dysfunctions, and how it could work better, read this.
(London should maybe hire John and Andrew as advisors to stoke growth).
Reposted by John Springford
Really great work, my congratulations to both.
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Really great work, my congratulations to both.
Reposted by John Springford
Well worth reading and a lot to agree with her.
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Well worth reading and a lot to agree with her.
Reposted by John Springford
Any political analysis about the rise of Reform and end of two-party politics in Britain has to consider this economic stagnation
Britain is in a hole. Real wages have barely risen in 17 years, and the public realm is fraying. Our politics is increasingly fractious as a result. The underlying reason? The biggest productivity slowdown in the G7.
November 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Any political analysis about the rise of Reform and end of two-party politics in Britain has to consider this economic stagnation