Andrew McRae
@mcraeandrew.bsky.social
English prof, Uni of Exeter. Prone to talk about UK politics, higher education policy, the 17th century, the excellence of English studies, & Aussie sports.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
Changes to the terms for UG loans are rightfully getting some attention this morning, but this MA news is almost unbelievable. The government is effectively taxing MA graduates (or, specifically, those whose parents don’t pay these fees). 1/2
For master’s loans in 2024-25, the underlying maths says the government actually makes money – not loses it. DfE estimates a RAB charge of –20.6 per cent - for every £100 it lends, it expects to get back about £120.60 once you adjust for the time value of money.
November 27, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Changes to the terms for UG loans are rightfully getting some attention this morning, but this MA news is almost unbelievable. The government is effectively taxing MA graduates (or, specifically, those whose parents don’t pay these fees). 1/2
Reposted by Andrew McRae
They are aware that Russians quite literally wrote the capitulation document that some people in the White House and sadly many people in the media refer to as a peace plan.
Congressional Republicans including Senator Mitch McConnell are openly blasting President Trump’s team of appeasing Russia, warning that doing so would not lead to lasting peace.
Republicans Fight With Trump’s Team Over Ukraine Talks
Senator Mitch McConnell and several other lawmakers accused President Trump’s team of appeasing the Kremlin, warning that doing so would not lead to lasting peace.
nyti.ms
November 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
They are aware that Russians quite literally wrote the capitulation document that some people in the White House and sadly many people in the media refer to as a peace plan.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Andrew McRae
beginning to believe I would actually vote for a dead pigeon on a stick if it just promised to restore the fuel duty escalator
November 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
beginning to believe I would actually vote for a dead pigeon on a stick if it just promised to restore the fuel duty escalator
Reposted by Andrew McRae
You can literally say what you want about trans people and the UK courts are fine with it.
This was a *child*
This was a *child*
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been found guilty of criminal damage to the phone of a trans activist but not guilty of harassment.
news.sky.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:37 AM
You can literally say what you want about trans people and the UK courts are fine with it.
This was a *child*
This was a *child*
Excellent thread on Education Committee hearing on higher education. Thanks @davehitchcock.bsky.social
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
November 25, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Excellent thread on Education Committee hearing on higher education. Thanks @davehitchcock.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Because people *still* don’t understand that overseas students subsidise home students. This is punishing everyone involved.
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 25, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Because people *still* don’t understand that overseas students subsidise home students. This is punishing everyone involved.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Here: Streeting and Labour invest £10 million into manufacturing the “evidence” they need to legitimise their cruelty towards Trans+ youth
Elsewhere, in the real world: Scientists - yet again - prove that access to Trans healthcare, including HRT, dramatically benefits Trans+ young people
Elsewhere, in the real world: Scientists - yet again - prove that access to Trans healthcare, including HRT, dramatically benefits Trans+ young people
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Here: Streeting and Labour invest £10 million into manufacturing the “evidence” they need to legitimise their cruelty towards Trans+ youth
Elsewhere, in the real world: Scientists - yet again - prove that access to Trans healthcare, including HRT, dramatically benefits Trans+ young people
Elsewhere, in the real world: Scientists - yet again - prove that access to Trans healthcare, including HRT, dramatically benefits Trans+ young people
Reposted by Andrew McRae
'Ahead of the autumn budget on 26 November, Universities UK (UUK) has calculated that funding per student for teaching in 2025-26 is at 64 per cent of the level it was in 2015-16.' 1/3
University teaching income ‘£6.4 billon less’ than 10 years ago
UUK says shortfall in teaching money is ‘baked in’ to higher education funding system as institutions brace for new tax in upcoming budget
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
'Ahead of the autumn budget on 26 November, Universities UK (UUK) has calculated that funding per student for teaching in 2025-26 is at 64 per cent of the level it was in 2015-16.' 1/3
Reposted by Andrew McRae
I am so angry at the all-too-believable levels of racism in the justice system, media, and politics right now.
November 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I am so angry at the all-too-believable levels of racism in the justice system, media, and politics right now.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Brilliant thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Brilliant thecritic.co.uk/auntie-in-th...
Reposted by Andrew McRae
A lawyer for Nigel Farage (27th Oct 2025) promised "proceedings would be issued forthwith" if the Guardian were to publish "any allegation suggesting that Mr Farage engaged in, condoned, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour"
A bluff?
The paper has done so
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
A bluff?
The paper has done so
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
November 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
A lawyer for Nigel Farage (27th Oct 2025) promised "proceedings would be issued forthwith" if the Guardian were to publish "any allegation suggesting that Mr Farage engaged in, condoned, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour"
A bluff?
The paper has done so
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
A bluff?
The paper has done so
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Andrew McRae
R.I.P. TrumpCare (2:12 pm, November 24, 2025 - 2:14 pm, November 24, 2025)
You will not be mourned.
You will not be mourned.
absolutely incredible -- CNN host introduces a segment about Trump's "new healthcare proposal," but less than two minutes later breaks into her script to announce "breaking news" that Trump's healthcare proposal is being postponed
November 24, 2025 at 8:59 PM
R.I.P. TrumpCare (2:12 pm, November 24, 2025 - 2:14 pm, November 24, 2025)
You will not be mourned.
You will not be mourned.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Just the good, friendly, morale-boosting kind of racism.
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Just the good, friendly, morale-boosting kind of racism.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Prescott comes across as out of his depth even under the intensely mild and ineffectual questioning of DCMS committee.
He has repeatedly returned to one of the most bizarre lines in his report, that Panorama should have matched its Jan 6th episode with an "equally aggressive" one into Kamala.
He has repeatedly returned to one of the most bizarre lines in his report, that Panorama should have matched its Jan 6th episode with an "equally aggressive" one into Kamala.
November 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Prescott comes across as out of his depth even under the intensely mild and ineffectual questioning of DCMS committee.
He has repeatedly returned to one of the most bizarre lines in his report, that Panorama should have matched its Jan 6th episode with an "equally aggressive" one into Kamala.
He has repeatedly returned to one of the most bizarre lines in his report, that Panorama should have matched its Jan 6th episode with an "equally aggressive" one into Kamala.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
This is the other side to the argument international students’ tax. Grants sound nice, but only a small percentage of students will benefit, whereas a big increase in maintenance loans could have helped anyone who needed it.
Only 10% of students would likely qualify for maintenance grants under Westminster govt plans, compared to 50% who accessed them pre-2016, finds @theifs.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/news/mainten... via @helenpacker.bsky.social
Maintenance grant plans reach 10 per cent of students, says IFS
Providing a £4,000 grant for low-income students on priority courses could cost about £500 million, compared with £2.6 billion to restore former system
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This is the other side to the argument international students’ tax. Grants sound nice, but only a small percentage of students will benefit, whereas a big increase in maintenance loans could have helped anyone who needed it.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
Reposted by Andrew McRae
I guess the challenge here is that while this might be personally lucrative for MAGASuperFan1488 from Uganda (which fine I guess, go get that bread Grifter King), the West descending into technofascism is not going to be good for ANYONE.
Those deaths because of USAID cuts weren't in Kansas.
Those deaths because of USAID cuts weren't in Kansas.
November 23, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I guess the challenge here is that while this might be personally lucrative for MAGASuperFan1488 from Uganda (which fine I guess, go get that bread Grifter King), the West descending into technofascism is not going to be good for ANYONE.
Those deaths because of USAID cuts weren't in Kansas.
Those deaths because of USAID cuts weren't in Kansas.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
this is some DC comics villain shit
"Countries with state subsidies for abortion, transgender-friendly policies for children, hate speech laws and affirmative action policies will now be considered to be violating human rights under rules imposed at the [US] State Department..."
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
www.forbes.com/sites/maryro...
Abortion And DEI Policies Now Considered Violations Of Human Rights, U.S. Says
The Trump administration has overhauled how the State Department conducts its annual Human Rights Report.
www.forbes.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
this is some DC comics villain shit
Reposted by Andrew McRae
What we might be learning tonight. JD Vance is on the inside with lots of influence over Trump policy towards Russia/Ukraine, while Rubio is kept in the dark.
Vance, btw, might be the most pro Russian/anti Ukraine person in the administration (other than Trump perhaps)
Vance, btw, might be the most pro Russian/anti Ukraine person in the administration (other than Trump perhaps)
November 23, 2025 at 3:49 AM
What we might be learning tonight. JD Vance is on the inside with lots of influence over Trump policy towards Russia/Ukraine, while Rubio is kept in the dark.
Vance, btw, might be the most pro Russian/anti Ukraine person in the administration (other than Trump perhaps)
Vance, btw, might be the most pro Russian/anti Ukraine person in the administration (other than Trump perhaps)
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Ryan Bridge key figure behind the Raise the Colours movement is being pursued for an eight-year sentence in Spain over claims of fraud and membership of a criminal group according to The Mirror
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
Flag campaign chief praised by Tommy Robinson facing jail over ‘holiday scam’
Ryan Bridge, ringleader of the Raise the Colours movement heralded by ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson, is being pursued for an eight-year sentence in Spain
www.mirror.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Ryan Bridge key figure behind the Raise the Colours movement is being pursued for an eight-year sentence in Spain over claims of fraud and membership of a criminal group according to The Mirror
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
Reposted by Andrew McRae
This is being required of trans teens in the UK in order to start puberty blockers. There is a limited time period in which PBs are even useful.
Are there ANY medical treatments that require this many pre-requisites? This is designed to exhaust patients so that they age out of the system.
Are there ANY medical treatments that require this many pre-requisites? This is designed to exhaust patients so that they age out of the system.
The “Pathways” trial is, IMO on more than one level, a thoroughly unethical piece of “research” to be carrying out on children, especially children who are part of a marginalised minority.
November 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This is being required of trans teens in the UK in order to start puberty blockers. There is a limited time period in which PBs are even useful.
Are there ANY medical treatments that require this many pre-requisites? This is designed to exhaust patients so that they age out of the system.
Are there ANY medical treatments that require this many pre-requisites? This is designed to exhaust patients so that they age out of the system.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
📢📢📢We made it to the national news! This time with an important win for our branch!
Management has decided to withdraw compulsory redundancies for academic staff at least until July 2026. ASOS and next week's strikes are therefore called off.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Management has decided to withdraw compulsory redundancies for academic staff at least until July 2026. ASOS and next week's strikes are therefore called off.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Strikes suspended in Lancaster University staff job cuts row - BBC News
The university is trying to save £30m amid rising costs and a fall in international student numbers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
📢📢📢We made it to the national news! This time with an important win for our branch!
Management has decided to withdraw compulsory redundancies for academic staff at least until July 2026. ASOS and next week's strikes are therefore called off.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Management has decided to withdraw compulsory redundancies for academic staff at least until July 2026. ASOS and next week's strikes are therefore called off.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...