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Neil Goodrich
@ngoodrichhsg.bsky.social
· Oct 23
Bend Your Arms to Look Like Wings
Sky News have been running a piece on the appalling approach to completing fire safety actions within one of the UK’s largest Housing…
ngoodrich87.medium.com
Some thoughts on assurance, culture, and social landlords doing the right thing.
ngoodrich87.medium.com/bend-your-ar...
ngoodrich87.medium.com/bend-your-ar...
This seems an odd move.
Swindon Borough Council rejects move from Green and Conservative politicians to disclose full scale of losses on ex-Right to Buy Yo-yo Homes.
Labour council blocks bid to reveal full extent of losses caused by Yo-yo Homes
www.bigissue.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This seems an odd move.
As I have repeatedly said - you can either have lower immigration and lower taxes or properly funded, and staffed public services. You cannot have both.
Agree with every word of this
We've gone from 9% of social care staff coming from outside the UK and EEA in 2021/22 to almost 25% in 2024/25
The govt has no near-term replacement
It means either:
1) staffing shortages or
2) councils spending far more to attract staff, with no extra funding
We've gone from 9% of social care staff coming from outside the UK and EEA in 2021/22 to almost 25% in 2024/25
The govt has no near-term replacement
It means either:
1) staffing shortages or
2) councils spending far more to attract staff, with no extra funding
November 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
As I have repeatedly said - you can either have lower immigration and lower taxes or properly funded, and staffed public services. You cannot have both.
Some pretty brutal figures in here.
How the broken social contract for Gen Z encourages financial nihilism.
On the nose from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/c17a...
On the nose from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/c17a...
The housing crisis is pushing Gen Z into crypto and economic nihilism
Locked out of home ownership, young adults are turning to risky financial behaviour
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Some pretty brutal figures in here.
Given *waves at everything* this is rather suboptimal.
Talks over UK joining EU defence fund break down over entry fee
Talks over UK joining EU defence fund break down over entry fee
The two sides had been at odds over a fee to allow UK defence firms to access a greater share of loans.
www.bbc.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Given *waves at everything* this is rather suboptimal.
This is a critical point, especially given housing cost rises. The vast majority of my recent income growth has been through advocating for pay rises or getting a new job. I also work in a sector (social housing) where annual salary uplifts are common. This is, obviously, not everyone's experience.
Inflation was also very low until covid. So although wage growth was sluggish a lot of people in that group did feel richer. Especially pensioners who were getting above inflation rises in the state pension ofc
November 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
This is a critical point, especially given housing cost rises. The vast majority of my recent income growth has been through advocating for pay rises or getting a new job. I also work in a sector (social housing) where annual salary uplifts are common. This is, obviously, not everyone's experience.
Kind of sad to see the likes of Neil O'Brien go deeper into the far right rabbit hole. Our political class is increasingly compromised by X, or by their own limited capacity to learn / think deeply on a subject area. This does not bode well.
November 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Kind of sad to see the likes of Neil O'Brien go deeper into the far right rabbit hole. Our political class is increasingly compromised by X, or by their own limited capacity to learn / think deeply on a subject area. This does not bode well.
Look, I know Badenoch is an utterly unserious and poorly informed politician. But even a cursory look at the new testament would indicate cash transfers and greater support for the poor at the expense of the rich would very much be in keeping with its central message.
November 28, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Look, I know Badenoch is an utterly unserious and poorly informed politician. But even a cursory look at the new testament would indicate cash transfers and greater support for the poor at the expense of the rich would very much be in keeping with its central message.
As with immigration, debates on welfare spend does not meet the reality of things. Pensions, especially, are treated as something other than a benefit whilst the focus on out of work payments is disproportionate to their overall cost.
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
November 28, 2025 at 9:23 AM
As with immigration, debates on welfare spend does not meet the reality of things. Pensions, especially, are treated as something other than a benefit whilst the focus on out of work payments is disproportionate to their overall cost.
We are leaving ourselves vulnerable to severe geopolitical ruptures through managed decline. We are no longer a world superpower. But that does not mean we should accept the crumbling from within of a armed forces.
news.sky.com/story/milita...
news.sky.com/story/milita...
Military chiefs in 'difficult meeting' as tensions mount over money
UK chiefs question how to rebuild defence as funding fails to meet requirements amid rising threats from Russia and China, and pressure from NATO allies.
news.sky.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:51 AM
We are leaving ourselves vulnerable to severe geopolitical ruptures through managed decline. We are no longer a world superpower. But that does not mean we should accept the crumbling from within of a armed forces.
news.sky.com/story/milita...
news.sky.com/story/milita...
A reminder that we have chosen to exacerbate our housing crises through policy decisions made over decades. The net result is people through no fault of their own living in precarious, and unfit accomodation.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Council housing shortage leaves families waiting years for homes
Parents in the South East say they are trapped in
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:25 AM
A reminder that we have chosen to exacerbate our housing crises through policy decisions made over decades. The net result is people through no fault of their own living in precarious, and unfit accomodation.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dylan Thomas: Do not go gentle into that good night.
Labour: How about meekly, whilst blaming immigrants?
Labour: How about meekly, whilst blaming immigrants?
November 27, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Dylan Thomas: Do not go gentle into that good night.
Labour: How about meekly, whilst blaming immigrants?
Labour: How about meekly, whilst blaming immigrants?
There is only one direction to head for confected outrage, and that is more extreme. One does wonder when he'll have had enough.
It sure would be good if Heath woke up one morning, went to his computer, opened a new document, and did not go on to wet and soil himself.
November 27, 2025 at 9:36 PM
There is only one direction to head for confected outrage, and that is more extreme. One does wonder when he'll have had enough.
Feels like exactly the thing you'd say about someone who's in your pocket.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday defended President Trump’s special envoy against accusations of pro-Kremlin bias.
Putin Defends Witkoff Against Accusations of Pro-Russia Bias
The Russian leader called the U.S. special envoy “an intelligent man” who is properly representing his country in peace negotiations.
nyti.ms
November 27, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Feels like exactly the thing you'd say about someone who's in your pocket.
All the cash in the world and then you have a home gym like these. Seen better set ups in the garages of mates.
I feel like there's a good Instagram account in the making here: Crap Private Gyms of Belgravia.
November 27, 2025 at 7:47 PM
All the cash in the world and then you have a home gym like these. Seen better set ups in the garages of mates.
Interesting pieces in here. Below pick of the quotes.
"The architecture of housing systems—mortgage finance, land-use planning, and the scale of public & non-profit provision—determines outcomes. Housing affordability is not a natural market result but the product of political and policy choices."
"The architecture of housing systems—mortgage finance, land-use planning, and the scale of public & non-profit provision—determines outcomes. Housing affordability is not a natural market result but the product of political and policy choices."
Research briefs - Nuffield Politics Research Centre
politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Interesting pieces in here. Below pick of the quotes.
"The architecture of housing systems—mortgage finance, land-use planning, and the scale of public & non-profit provision—determines outcomes. Housing affordability is not a natural market result but the product of political and policy choices."
"The architecture of housing systems—mortgage finance, land-use planning, and the scale of public & non-profit provision—determines outcomes. Housing affordability is not a natural market result but the product of political and policy choices."
Interesting point. But given the stock would just move to home ownership or build out the portfolio of existing landlords it's not necessarily a bad thing, no?.Given these folks don't assist in net additions (at least not to a statistically significant amount) this is deckchair moving, is it not?
From the OBR, who don't seem to buy the theory that squeezing landlords has no impact on rents obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Interesting point. But given the stock would just move to home ownership or build out the portfolio of existing landlords it's not necessarily a bad thing, no?.Given these folks don't assist in net additions (at least not to a statistically significant amount) this is deckchair moving, is it not?
Yes, this is a stupid plan. You front up on tax increases, the pain is then built in by the next election. Maddeningly bad from Labour. Should have used February's Trump-created panic in Europe to Merz-style shift - sell on National security threat and bit the bullet. But what do I know...
Looking forward to the 2029 general election campaign, when the incumbent government will run on "Public services haven't improved, those tax rises we announced years ago just kicked in, and now we have to increase immigration because it went too low and we are skint again."
The government figuring this out slowly over the coming two years is going to be quite something to behold.
November 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Yes, this is a stupid plan. You front up on tax increases, the pain is then built in by the next election. Maddeningly bad from Labour. Should have used February's Trump-created panic in Europe to Merz-style shift - sell on National security threat and bit the bullet. But what do I know...
This sounds like a sensible compromise. Though would have preferred day one.
NEW - the government poised to water down flagship workers rights bill, ditching day one rights to unfair dismissal but reducing qualifying period from two years to six months.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
But in concession to unions, government will remove provisions for up to nine months probation.
November 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This sounds like a sensible compromise. Though would have preferred day one.
Americans will mock British food, then make some abomination involving marshmallows and vegetables for Thanksgiving. Presumably in penance for the atrocities carried out against the indigenous populations they claim to be thanking.
November 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Americans will mock British food, then make some abomination involving marshmallows and vegetables for Thanksgiving. Presumably in penance for the atrocities carried out against the indigenous populations they claim to be thanking.
I will naturally say this given my area of knowledge (housing). But our failure on temporary accommodation post 2010 has been nothing short of catastrophic.
New homelessness figures today show a continued upwards trajectory in the numbers of children and households living in temporary accommodation, reaching new record highs.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
November 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I will naturally say this given my area of knowledge (housing). But our failure on temporary accommodation post 2010 has been nothing short of catastrophic.
Brexit did severe damage here, & deliberately so. There was no sound economic argument for leaving, so focus was on undermining its role in our national discourse (people tired of experts, etc). The thing is, imperfect & as biased as economic theories can be, it's an essential component of politics.
I also think that part of this is the weird disappearance of economics from our national debate.
It just... doesnt seem to matter that much to many people
It just... doesnt seem to matter that much to many people
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Brexit did severe damage here, & deliberately so. There was no sound economic argument for leaving, so focus was on undermining its role in our national discourse (people tired of experts, etc). The thing is, imperfect & as biased as economic theories can be, it's an essential component of politics.
Reposted by Neil Goodrich
With the Progressive Politics Research Network, we have published 8 new research briefs on the politics of housing. What does a progressive agenda on housing look like? Which elements are important? What the hurdles are and how can they be overcome?
politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/progressive-...
politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/progressive-...
November 27, 2025 at 8:02 AM
With the Progressive Politics Research Network, we have published 8 new research briefs on the politics of housing. What does a progressive agenda on housing look like? Which elements are important? What the hurdles are and how can they be overcome?
politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/progressive-...
politicscentre.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/progressive-...
I really cannot get my head around people who are willing to let others live in abject misery just because it means they otherwise would have to pay more tax. Hyper individualism is a virus that eats away at your morality and compassion.
November 27, 2025 at 7:21 AM
I really cannot get my head around people who are willing to let others live in abject misery just because it means they otherwise would have to pay more tax. Hyper individualism is a virus that eats away at your morality and compassion.
Can see the Times article now:
Budget remorse: How Reeves' raid ruined our ability to send Tarquin to private school after our modest £2m mansion meant we have to pay some tax.
Earning a modest £100,000 each per year Mr and Mrs Middle Class can barely afford the £40,000 a year fees for St Titmus.
Budget remorse: How Reeves' raid ruined our ability to send Tarquin to private school after our modest £2m mansion meant we have to pay some tax.
Earning a modest £100,000 each per year Mr and Mrs Middle Class can barely afford the £40,000 a year fees for St Titmus.
the next couple of days are going to see a hell of a lot of "the rich declare themselves poor"
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Can see the Times article now:
Budget remorse: How Reeves' raid ruined our ability to send Tarquin to private school after our modest £2m mansion meant we have to pay some tax.
Earning a modest £100,000 each per year Mr and Mrs Middle Class can barely afford the £40,000 a year fees for St Titmus.
Budget remorse: How Reeves' raid ruined our ability to send Tarquin to private school after our modest £2m mansion meant we have to pay some tax.
Earning a modest £100,000 each per year Mr and Mrs Middle Class can barely afford the £40,000 a year fees for St Titmus.
Instagram, are you on crack?
November 26, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Instagram, are you on crack?