Andrew Riley
@jontia.bsky.social
I don't know what it will take to change the framing of these stories. Even this one still wants to list Peggie as 'winning' while simultaneously covering the story of the appeal against losing on every point those pushing the case care about.
December 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I don't know what it will take to change the framing of these stories. Even this one still wants to list Peggie as 'winning' while simultaneously covering the story of the appeal against losing on every point those pushing the case care about.
Which requires reducing the price of the bus. A round trip to swimming lessons costs nearly a fiver (per adult), two buses each way. And takes several times longer than driving out in zone 4.
With free parking at destination it's no contest.
With free parking at destination it's no contest.
December 11, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Which requires reducing the price of the bus. A round trip to swimming lessons costs nearly a fiver (per adult), two buses each way. And takes several times longer than driving out in zone 4.
With free parking at destination it's no contest.
With free parking at destination it's no contest.
Honestly, I think we'd be much healthier as a nation if we were open about tax. It feels scary to do it, but there are many potential upsides.
From allowing journalists to root out tax scams, to helping people understand if they are underpaid compared to colleagues, or partners hiding income.
From allowing journalists to root out tax scams, to helping people understand if they are underpaid compared to colleagues, or partners hiding income.
December 11, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Honestly, I think we'd be much healthier as a nation if we were open about tax. It feels scary to do it, but there are many potential upsides.
From allowing journalists to root out tax scams, to helping people understand if they are underpaid compared to colleagues, or partners hiding income.
From allowing journalists to root out tax scams, to helping people understand if they are underpaid compared to colleagues, or partners hiding income.
Stephen Fry? Sounds like Nish has an in. Although getting mentioned first might have soured the relationship.
bsky.app/profile/free...
bsky.app/profile/free...
20+ influential figures, including Nish Kumar & Stephen Fry send a message to the UK government this Human Rights Day:
“To send anyone back into the hands of their torturers would not be reform, but a profound betrayal of who we are and the values we proudly claim as British”.
bit.ly/4pU6UWS
“To send anyone back into the hands of their torturers would not be reform, but a profound betrayal of who we are and the values we proudly claim as British”.
bit.ly/4pU6UWS
Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley among celebrities urging UK not to weaken torture protections
Public figures sign letter saying plan to reinterpret ECHR for asylum seekers is ‘affront to us all’ and a threat to security
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Stephen Fry? Sounds like Nish has an in. Although getting mentioned first might have soured the relationship.
bsky.app/profile/free...
bsky.app/profile/free...
Obviously not just the UK.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/busines...
"There is a widespread tactic employed by the rich to borrow cash secured against their vast wealth...
The interest on that loan can be deducted from any other income to further reduce income tax liability. "
www.bbc.co.uk/news/busines...
"There is a widespread tactic employed by the rich to borrow cash secured against their vast wealth...
The interest on that loan can be deducted from any other income to further reduce income tax liability. "
US super-rich 'pay almost no income tax'
US authorities probe leak claiming to show how billionaires including Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk pay minimal or no income tax.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Obviously not just the UK.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/busines...
"There is a widespread tactic employed by the rich to borrow cash secured against their vast wealth...
The interest on that loan can be deducted from any other income to further reduce income tax liability. "
www.bbc.co.uk/news/busines...
"There is a widespread tactic employed by the rich to borrow cash secured against their vast wealth...
The interest on that loan can be deducted from any other income to further reduce income tax liability. "
taxjustice.uk/blog/rishi-s...
Rishi Sunak's 2023 tax return being a other case in point.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-4188...
Lewis Hamilton's VAT refund on a plane.
www.theguardian.com/law/2024/nov...
LLP NI dodge
Rishi Sunak's 2023 tax return being a other case in point.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-4188...
Lewis Hamilton's VAT refund on a plane.
www.theguardian.com/law/2024/nov...
LLP NI dodge
Rishi Sunak pays 22.8% tax on £2.2m earnings - Tax Justice UK
taxjustice.uk
December 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
taxjustice.uk/blog/rishi-s...
Rishi Sunak's 2023 tax return being a other case in point.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-4188...
Lewis Hamilton's VAT refund on a plane.
www.theguardian.com/law/2024/nov...
LLP NI dodge
Rishi Sunak's 2023 tax return being a other case in point.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-4188...
Lewis Hamilton's VAT refund on a plane.
www.theguardian.com/law/2024/nov...
LLP NI dodge
I don't understand the need to focus on these kind of cases. The problem of inequality it nicely demonstrated by IHT as an example.
As wealth and income go up, you reach a point where tax (rates) go down.
This is IHT, but it is true for all taxes. LLPs lower NI etc.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
As wealth and income go up, you reach a point where tax (rates) go down.
This is IHT, but it is true for all taxes. LLPs lower NI etc.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
December 10, 2025 at 11:35 AM
I don't understand the need to focus on these kind of cases. The problem of inequality it nicely demonstrated by IHT as an example.
As wealth and income go up, you reach a point where tax (rates) go down.
This is IHT, but it is true for all taxes. LLPs lower NI etc.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
As wealth and income go up, you reach a point where tax (rates) go down.
This is IHT, but it is true for all taxes. LLPs lower NI etc.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
£50m for 800m? That seems excessive!
December 10, 2025 at 8:12 AM
£50m for 800m? That seems excessive!
Probably worth keeping in mind that the entire population of almost any other country is basically a rounding error when set against the population of China or India.
December 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Probably worth keeping in mind that the entire population of almost any other country is basically a rounding error when set against the population of China or India.
I don't understand why planning policy isn't aimed at getting cars to be used less. Even with the best public transport there are always times when a car is useful or even essential.
Plan for people to own cars, and for them to be off the streets as much as possible.
Plan for reality.
Plan for people to own cars, and for them to be off the streets as much as possible.
Plan for reality.
December 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I don't understand why planning policy isn't aimed at getting cars to be used less. Even with the best public transport there are always times when a car is useful or even essential.
Plan for people to own cars, and for them to be off the streets as much as possible.
Plan for reality.
Plan for people to own cars, and for them to be off the streets as much as possible.
Plan for reality.
I can understand why these organisations don't want to get into a legal fight with a billionaire.
So much of the UK's legal system is now pay-to-win. From SLAPPs to cases where costs dwarf payouts.
So much of the UK's legal system is now pay-to-win. From SLAPPs to cases where costs dwarf payouts.
December 9, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I can understand why these organisations don't want to get into a legal fight with a billionaire.
So much of the UK's legal system is now pay-to-win. From SLAPPs to cases where costs dwarf payouts.
So much of the UK's legal system is now pay-to-win. From SLAPPs to cases where costs dwarf payouts.
The points she won on seem entirely administrative. This feels like saying someone won at football for being awarded a penalty in a match they lost.
December 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The points she won on seem entirely administrative. This feels like saying someone won at football for being awarded a penalty in a match they lost.
Are cash for access schemes usually named 'cash for access'? It seems like they'd be really easy to sniff out then. Do they put money into back accounts called 'Bribes'?
December 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Are cash for access schemes usually named 'cash for access'? It seems like they'd be really easy to sniff out then. Do they put money into back accounts called 'Bribes'?
And while the Lords does have a clear constitutional amendment role, over 1000 amendments it not exercising it responsibly. It is merely obstruction through administration.
Rationalisation and consolidation down to a realistic number is required to not look like game playing.
Rationalisation and consolidation down to a realistic number is required to not look like game playing.
December 7, 2025 at 10:59 AM
And while the Lords does have a clear constitutional amendment role, over 1000 amendments it not exercising it responsibly. It is merely obstruction through administration.
Rationalisation and consolidation down to a realistic number is required to not look like game playing.
Rationalisation and consolidation down to a realistic number is required to not look like game playing.
Interestingly the statement does appear to be inline with how Labour generally behaved in the Lords while in opposition. It's almost like the two sides have different understanding of the legal and conventional position.
www.ein.org.uk/news/labour-...
www.ein.org.uk/news/labour-...
Labour confirms it will not block Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill despite further defeats inflicted by the Lords
Lord Coaker reaffirms Labour's position that it will not use second chamber to stop controversial Bill passing
www.ein.org.uk
December 7, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Interestingly the statement does appear to be inline with how Labour generally behaved in the Lords while in opposition. It's almost like the two sides have different understanding of the legal and conventional position.
www.ein.org.uk/news/labour-...
www.ein.org.uk/news/labour-...
That Labour are higher than Conservatives in both LibDem and Green anti-votes shows either a strong belief that the Conservative Party is finished or really short memories.
December 5, 2025 at 9:16 AM
That Labour are higher than Conservatives in both LibDem and Green anti-votes shows either a strong belief that the Conservative Party is finished or really short memories.
Might be worth reposting without the # which is pretty NSFW.
December 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Might be worth reposting without the # which is pretty NSFW.
Both this and the girl guides statement seem to be that they would like to allow transwomen to attend, but they cannot afford to fight a law suit. Even under the assumption that they win, the cost would still be too high to bear.
Not a great advertisement for the British legal or justice systems.
Not a great advertisement for the British legal or justice systems.
December 3, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Both this and the girl guides statement seem to be that they would like to allow transwomen to attend, but they cannot afford to fight a law suit. Even under the assumption that they win, the cost would still be too high to bear.
Not a great advertisement for the British legal or justice systems.
Not a great advertisement for the British legal or justice systems.
Wallace and Gromit disagree.
December 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Wallace and Gromit disagree.
Reposted by Andrew Riley
Yes. I wrote it! national.thelead.uk/p/rachel-ree...
What it means to be wealthy in 2025
Most of us think we're poorer than we are – this disconnect creates worse social outcomes for us all
national.thelead.uk
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Yes. I wrote it! national.thelead.uk/p/rachel-ree...
"For the vast majority of people, saving anywhere near £12,000 a year is impossible."
My favourite line. Incredible the number of people that don't seem to be able to understand it.
My favourite line. Incredible the number of people that don't seem to be able to understand it.
December 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM
"For the vast majority of people, saving anywhere near £12,000 a year is impossible."
My favourite line. Incredible the number of people that don't seem to be able to understand it.
My favourite line. Incredible the number of people that don't seem to be able to understand it.
Which is why the uproar over the reduction of the cash portion to £12k p.a. is ridiculous.
December 2, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Which is why the uproar over the reduction of the cash portion to £12k p.a. is ridiculous.
The UK does £100bn of trade with China each year.
You could lobby the government to cut this off and that might put pressure on China's human rights policies.
The UK alone will do little however, and the gov will not act unilaterally on this and take the trade/growth hit.
You could lobby the government to cut this off and that might put pressure on China's human rights policies.
The UK alone will do little however, and the gov will not act unilaterally on this and take the trade/growth hit.
December 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The UK does £100bn of trade with China each year.
You could lobby the government to cut this off and that might put pressure on China's human rights policies.
The UK alone will do little however, and the gov will not act unilaterally on this and take the trade/growth hit.
You could lobby the government to cut this off and that might put pressure on China's human rights policies.
The UK alone will do little however, and the gov will not act unilaterally on this and take the trade/growth hit.
In order to promote the UK, export and import businesses in their constituency, attract foreign investments and build international relationships.
Talking is not a problem, acting unethically or not registering the interaction is.
The snippet in the OP tells us nothing.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Talking is not a problem, acting unethically or not registering the interaction is.
The snippet in the OP tells us nothing.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Guidance on the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: political influence tier (accessible version)
www.gov.uk
December 2, 2025 at 12:15 PM
In order to promote the UK, export and import businesses in their constituency, attract foreign investments and build international relationships.
Talking is not a problem, acting unethically or not registering the interaction is.
The snippet in the OP tells us nothing.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Talking is not a problem, acting unethically or not registering the interaction is.
The snippet in the OP tells us nothing.
www.gov.uk/government/p...