R
@liburghal.bsky.social
Adopted Northerner ‖ AuDHD ‖ 🏳️🌈 ‖ he/him
Reposted by R
I studied for a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship because I couldn't afford to take on a full time MSc. But now Government changes are removing Level 7 Apprenticeship funding for those aged over 21 - penalizing especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I've been working with my industry body and they've launched this petition to protect funding for Level 7 Apprenticeships. Please sign and share.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Fund Level 7 Apprenticeships for over 21s if a MSc Is Essential for Career Entry
Instead of capping funding for Level 7 apprenticeships for those over 21, we urge the government to distinguish between career entry and career progression and continue funding level 7 apprenticeships...
petition.parliament.uk
December 3, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I studied for a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship because I couldn't afford to take on a full time MSc. But now Government changes are removing Level 7 Apprenticeship funding for those aged over 21 - penalizing especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I have a "Days of NHS" spreadsheet on my OneDrive for this very reason.
Tesco's pre-tax profit of £2.29 billion?
5 days of NHS spending.
Tesco's pre-tax profit of £2.29 billion?
5 days of NHS spending.
So many policy debates would be better understood (I’m not saying they would necessarily have better outcomes) if we used percentage figures. Tesco’s pre-tax profit of 4.5 per cent, for example.
I think there might be a case for retiring millions and billions from our vocabulary entirely, and expressing public spending as multiples of a house price.
"The government today committed to spending three streets of terraced housing in Middlesbrough on the NHS to cut waiting lists."
"The government today committed to spending three streets of terraced housing in Middlesbrough on the NHS to cut waiting lists."
December 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I have a "Days of NHS" spreadsheet on my OneDrive for this very reason.
Tesco's pre-tax profit of £2.29 billion?
5 days of NHS spending.
Tesco's pre-tax profit of £2.29 billion?
5 days of NHS spending.
It's no wonder that trust is dissolving from all directions when there is a conscious disconnect between the truth and the message.
Especially when the press is complicit in glossing over this fact, either consciously or not.
Especially when the press is complicit in glossing over this fact, either consciously or not.
There is an actual interesting little deceit in the budget, namely ther have the OBR still forecasting based on increasing net immigration back to 300-350k whilst the Home Secretary is promising to bring it down from 200k, which does dissolve about half the headroom, but somehow we're doing vibes.
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
December 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It's no wonder that trust is dissolving from all directions when there is a conscious disconnect between the truth and the message.
Especially when the press is complicit in glossing over this fact, either consciously or not.
Especially when the press is complicit in glossing over this fact, either consciously or not.
Having just finished Nick Clegg's memoirs, one of the final comments made has stuck with me.
Political affiliation has become more an outward expression of personal identity than a preferred form of governance and direction.
Hence the fractures, disillusionment and divisive anger.
Political affiliation has become more an outward expression of personal identity than a preferred form of governance and direction.
Hence the fractures, disillusionment and divisive anger.
There is an extraordinary sense of entitlement behind the belief that there ought to be political party that aligns 100% with your own opinions.
November 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Having just finished Nick Clegg's memoirs, one of the final comments made has stuck with me.
Political affiliation has become more an outward expression of personal identity than a preferred form of governance and direction.
Hence the fractures, disillusionment and divisive anger.
Political affiliation has become more an outward expression of personal identity than a preferred form of governance and direction.
Hence the fractures, disillusionment and divisive anger.
I'm going to be so sad when Yorp folds.
It satisfies a deep desire for comedy in British politics in a way that has zero actual electoral or institutional impact.
Being able to laugh at the cranks without worrying that they will take charge.
It satisfies a deep desire for comedy in British politics in a way that has zero actual electoral or institutional impact.
Being able to laugh at the cranks without worrying that they will take charge.
Former Labour MP Claudia Webb is announcing the results of voting at YP conference. She was expelled from Labour after being convicted of harassment.
November 30, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I'm going to be so sad when Yorp folds.
It satisfies a deep desire for comedy in British politics in a way that has zero actual electoral or institutional impact.
Being able to laugh at the cranks without worrying that they will take charge.
It satisfies a deep desire for comedy in British politics in a way that has zero actual electoral or institutional impact.
Being able to laugh at the cranks without worrying that they will take charge.
Maybe, just maybe, having the header image for a tax based sob story being someone sat in front of a grand piano isn't the best idea.
November 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Maybe, just maybe, having the header image for a tax based sob story being someone sat in front of a grand piano isn't the best idea.
The two child benefit cap is a popular welfare policy with the public, whereas experts state that it is economically and socially damaging.
Removing it will, by definition, harm the party's electoral prospects for the benefit of the country.
'Journalists' can just say anything without thinking.
Removing it will, by definition, harm the party's electoral prospects for the benefit of the country.
'Journalists' can just say anything without thinking.
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The two child benefit cap is a popular welfare policy with the public, whereas experts state that it is economically and socially damaging.
Removing it will, by definition, harm the party's electoral prospects for the benefit of the country.
'Journalists' can just say anything without thinking.
Removing it will, by definition, harm the party's electoral prospects for the benefit of the country.
'Journalists' can just say anything without thinking.
Both of these instances are likely made up, but it does trigger a hyper-niche opinion. If the UK does have a major overhaul of property taxes it needs to come with either a stamp duty holiday or complete abolition.
November 27, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Both of these instances are likely made up, but it does trigger a hyper-niche opinion. If the UK does have a major overhaul of property taxes it needs to come with either a stamp duty holiday or complete abolition.
I wonder how many of those Rishi Sunak Chessboards actually got installed...
Playgrounds are good, small things that matter for children and their families. Cross-generational 'social' infrastructure.
November 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I wonder how many of those Rishi Sunak Chessboards actually got installed...
Kamala Harris level word salad here.
Government hopes that the new Office for the Impact Economy will help to crowd further capital into the Pride in Place programme.
November 26, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Kamala Harris level word salad here.
Not going to have much time for Labour MPs going "Our Labour Mission 😍" to removing the two child benefit cap.
Being bullied relentlessly by other parties into doing it rather than having it come from an ideological desire isn't something to "😍" over.
Being bullied relentlessly by other parties into doing it rather than having it come from an ideological desire isn't something to "😍" over.
November 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Not going to have much time for Labour MPs going "Our Labour Mission 😍" to removing the two child benefit cap.
Being bullied relentlessly by other parties into doing it rather than having it come from an ideological desire isn't something to "😍" over.
Being bullied relentlessly by other parties into doing it rather than having it come from an ideological desire isn't something to "😍" over.
The British press needs to understand that just because someone is good at one thing, in this case selling microwaves, it doesn't mean that they are good at other things, social and economic policy around poverty and disability.
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
www.independent.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
The British press needs to understand that just because someone is good at one thing, in this case selling microwaves, it doesn't mean that they are good at other things, social and economic policy around poverty and disability.
I have issues with how Labour have gone about it, but I have given them slack because governing is complicated and unpredictable.
It doesn't serve the country if there is a environment where scrutiny is light because of either a lack of time or interest from the journalists.
It doesn't serve the country if there is a environment where scrutiny is light because of either a lack of time or interest from the journalists.
The fact that in both 2019 and 2024, the winning party did so with a set of manifesto promises that could not be kept and dissolved upon contact with actual office is something that as an industry we should be much more bothered by than we are.
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I have issues with how Labour have gone about it, but I have given them slack because governing is complicated and unpredictable.
It doesn't serve the country if there is a environment where scrutiny is light because of either a lack of time or interest from the journalists.
It doesn't serve the country if there is a environment where scrutiny is light because of either a lack of time or interest from the journalists.
Reposted by R
Local universities are about to go bankrupt, killing jobs in the process (and students spend a lot of money locally, too).
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Local universities are about to go bankrupt, killing jobs in the process (and students spend a lot of money locally, too).
Reposted by R
It's good, not bad, that one senior politician is talking to another about ideas and policy, not treating everything like it is just one big exercise in election strategy.
Pretty predictable that the generation of Centrist politicians that underestimated Farage's populist gut appeal from the Right will also underestimate Polanski's populist gut appeal from the Left
November 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
It's good, not bad, that one senior politician is talking to another about ideas and policy, not treating everything like it is just one big exercise in election strategy.
Reposted by R
People worry about AI making stuff up but GPT5.1 did a pretty good job of debunking this utter bullshit post:
November 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
People worry about AI making stuff up but GPT5.1 did a pretty good job of debunking this utter bullshit post:
Reposted by R
I mean, say what you like about coalition, but even they didn't propose nicking people's watches
November 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I mean, say what you like about coalition, but even they didn't propose nicking people's watches
"Lets burn political capital with the left before promptly burning capital with the right for absolutely no gain whatsoever"
Masterful.
Masterful.
My guess is they will end up u-turning on the jewellery thing (you can already see it being softening in interviews) and possibly the 20 years (which is way longer than Denmark).
November 17, 2025 at 11:10 AM
"Lets burn political capital with the left before promptly burning capital with the right for absolutely no gain whatsoever"
Masterful.
Masterful.
It is not 2005 any more.
The government can't print one thing in the S*n and another thing in the Guardian knowing that the two shall never meet and both will be tomorrow's chip paper.
This is just more government incoherence with the gift wrapping that is bad communication strategy.
The government can't print one thing in the S*n and another thing in the Guardian knowing that the two shall never meet and both will be tomorrow's chip paper.
This is just more government incoherence with the gift wrapping that is bad communication strategy.
Labour is going to introduce safe routes for those claiming refugee status while everybody here is talking about ‘jewellery theft’ proposals. I strongly suspect the latter was meant to divert Sun readers’ attention from clocking the former while you are meant to be welcoming the former. 🫤
November 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
It is not 2005 any more.
The government can't print one thing in the S*n and another thing in the Guardian knowing that the two shall never meet and both will be tomorrow's chip paper.
This is just more government incoherence with the gift wrapping that is bad communication strategy.
The government can't print one thing in the S*n and another thing in the Guardian knowing that the two shall never meet and both will be tomorrow's chip paper.
This is just more government incoherence with the gift wrapping that is bad communication strategy.
Would the Home Office decide what was being carried for value and what was for sentiment?
Or would they just take everything?
Or would they just take everything?
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Would the Home Office decide what was being carried for value and what was for sentiment?
Or would they just take everything?
Or would they just take everything?
Why does it feel like "We will always be a country that gives sanctuary to those fleeing danger" was included as an arm twisted caveat.
Not because they want to say it, but because they are expected to say it.
Not because they want to say it, but because they are expected to say it.
BREAKING: “On Monday, I will announce the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times” says Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
November 15, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Why does it feel like "We will always be a country that gives sanctuary to those fleeing danger" was included as an arm twisted caveat.
Not because they want to say it, but because they are expected to say it.
Not because they want to say it, but because they are expected to say it.
Reposted by R
Woke: tax rises
Broke: tax smorgasbord
Bespoke: tax picky bits
Baroque: tax tapas
Broke: tax smorgasbord
Bespoke: tax picky bits
Baroque: tax tapas
November 14, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Woke: tax rises
Broke: tax smorgasbord
Bespoke: tax picky bits
Baroque: tax tapas
Broke: tax smorgasbord
Bespoke: tax picky bits
Baroque: tax tapas
Good example as to why I should never be PM.
My immediate and only response would be "You fucking what? That's completely fucking mad".
My immediate and only response would be "You fucking what? That's completely fucking mad".
November 12, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Good example as to why I should never be PM.
My immediate and only response would be "You fucking what? That's completely fucking mad".
My immediate and only response would be "You fucking what? That's completely fucking mad".