Niall Butchart
@niallbutchart.bsky.social
The outdoors, reading, wood craft, chi kung, and urbanism.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Covid fraud under the Tories cost the UK taxpayer £10.9bn.
VIP lanes and crony contracts.
Lack of anti-fraud controls in Covid scheme.
Money handed out for non-existent employees
Newly formed companies got public money
No competitive tenders
Poor checks on quality.
How much would be recovered?
VIP lanes and crony contracts.
Lack of anti-fraud controls in Covid scheme.
Money handed out for non-existent employees
Newly formed companies got public money
No competitive tenders
Poor checks on quality.
How much would be recovered?
Covid fraud under the Tories cost the taxpayer £10.9 billion
The counter-fraud and error measures during the pandemic under the Conservative Government were accused of being 'so lax they may as well have left the door wide open'
www.mirror.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Covid fraud under the Tories cost the UK taxpayer £10.9bn.
VIP lanes and crony contracts.
Lack of anti-fraud controls in Covid scheme.
Money handed out for non-existent employees
Newly formed companies got public money
No competitive tenders
Poor checks on quality.
How much would be recovered?
VIP lanes and crony contracts.
Lack of anti-fraud controls in Covid scheme.
Money handed out for non-existent employees
Newly formed companies got public money
No competitive tenders
Poor checks on quality.
How much would be recovered?
Reposted by Niall Butchart
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 Niall Butchart
🧵 Thread: The Economic Cost of Long Covid – new 2025 study in Nature
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
November 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🧵 Thread: The Economic Cost of Long Covid – new 2025 study in Nature
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Happy Margaret Thatcher resignation day to all those who celebrate..
November 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Happy Margaret Thatcher resignation day to all those who celebrate..
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Households face higher energy bills.
No end to profiteering - £30bn last yr.
£4.4bn bills arrears.
128000 a year, including 110,000.pensioners die in fuel poverty.
Must remove all subsidies from bills, pay via general taxation.
Exclude gas produced electricity from general Ofgem pricing formula.
No end to profiteering - £30bn last yr.
£4.4bn bills arrears.
128000 a year, including 110,000.pensioners die in fuel poverty.
Must remove all subsidies from bills, pay via general taxation.
Exclude gas produced electricity from general Ofgem pricing formula.
Energy minister says 'there's no shortcut' to bringing down bills - as price cap rise announced
The average annual energy bill will rise by 0.2% in January, despite wholesale costs falling.
news.sky.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Households face higher energy bills.
No end to profiteering - £30bn last yr.
£4.4bn bills arrears.
128000 a year, including 110,000.pensioners die in fuel poverty.
Must remove all subsidies from bills, pay via general taxation.
Exclude gas produced electricity from general Ofgem pricing formula.
No end to profiteering - £30bn last yr.
£4.4bn bills arrears.
128000 a year, including 110,000.pensioners die in fuel poverty.
Must remove all subsidies from bills, pay via general taxation.
Exclude gas produced electricity from general Ofgem pricing formula.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
UK bank customer protection rises to £120,000.
One of many ways in which the state supports banking industry.
The state acts as the lender of last resort, bails out, hands subsidies, covers-up bank crimes, execs rarely prosecuted.
They still resent paying taxes, engage in antisocial practices.
One of many ways in which the state supports banking industry.
The state acts as the lender of last resort, bails out, hands subsidies, covers-up bank crimes, execs rarely prosecuted.
They still resent paying taxes, engage in antisocial practices.
UK bank customer protection if firm goes bust rises to £120,000
Customers will see a significant increase in the amount of money protected if their bank collapses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 7:40 AM
UK bank customer protection rises to £120,000.
One of many ways in which the state supports banking industry.
The state acts as the lender of last resort, bails out, hands subsidies, covers-up bank crimes, execs rarely prosecuted.
They still resent paying taxes, engage in antisocial practices.
One of many ways in which the state supports banking industry.
The state acts as the lender of last resort, bails out, hands subsidies, covers-up bank crimes, execs rarely prosecuted.
They still resent paying taxes, engage in antisocial practices.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
About 1m Ford diesel cars sold in UK with defective emissions controls. Company knew. Many were never formally recalled or fixed.
Companies chase profits by lying, cheating. Yet neoliberals push for deregulation, less consumer rights.
Hold execs personally liable.
Companies chase profits by lying, cheating. Yet neoliberals push for deregulation, less consumer rights.
Hold execs personally liable.
About 1m Ford diesel cars sold in UK with defective emissions controls, court told
Ford denies having created ‘defeat devices’ in legal action on behalf of 1.6 million owners against five carmakers
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:10 AM
About 1m Ford diesel cars sold in UK with defective emissions controls. Company knew. Many were never formally recalled or fixed.
Companies chase profits by lying, cheating. Yet neoliberals push for deregulation, less consumer rights.
Hold execs personally liable.
Companies chase profits by lying, cheating. Yet neoliberals push for deregulation, less consumer rights.
Hold execs personally liable.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Another acquaintance died only middle aged from a sudden heart attack last week. This is the third person I know who has had a heart attack in the last two years. All had one thing in common, they had just had COVID again. 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Another acquaintance died only middle aged from a sudden heart attack last week. This is the third person I know who has had a heart attack in the last two years. All had one thing in common, they had just had COVID again. 🧵
Reposted by Niall Butchart
In the light of this, it's important to establish the relationship between reactivation of EBV (which, of course, can be triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection) and the development of new-onset lupus.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
The Virus That Causes Mono May Also Cause Lupus
Early findings indicate that Epstein-Barr Virus may also cause the autoimmune disease lupus
www.scientificamerican.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 PM
In the light of this, it's important to establish the relationship between reactivation of EBV (which, of course, can be triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection) and the development of new-onset lupus.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Niall Butchart
FYI: Gutting SNAP benefits is outlined in Chapter 10 of Project 2025.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
November 9, 2025 at 10:44 AM
FYI: Gutting SNAP benefits is outlined in Chapter 10 of Project 2025.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
Remember, this is all by design.
ALL OF IT.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
2m UK pensioners live in poverty, 110,000 a year die in fuel poverty.
Neoliberals pushing to cut/freeze state pension.
Evidence: UK state pension is the worst among G7 nations, last on replacement rates, joint-last on state pension spending.
Britons receive pension for fewer years than most.
Neoliberals pushing to cut/freeze state pension.
Evidence: UK state pension is the worst among G7 nations, last on replacement rates, joint-last on state pension spending.
Britons receive pension for fewer years than most.
State pension generosity compared: how does the UK measure up? | Fidelity UK
Get all the latest news, views and opinions from Fidelity’s savings and investment experts on saving and investing for your retirement.
www.fidelity.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:04 AM
2m UK pensioners live in poverty, 110,000 a year die in fuel poverty.
Neoliberals pushing to cut/freeze state pension.
Evidence: UK state pension is the worst among G7 nations, last on replacement rates, joint-last on state pension spending.
Britons receive pension for fewer years than most.
Neoliberals pushing to cut/freeze state pension.
Evidence: UK state pension is the worst among G7 nations, last on replacement rates, joint-last on state pension spending.
Britons receive pension for fewer years than most.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
"Over a period of six months, researchers estimate that COVID-19 infections led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, while vaccinations led to 0.85 extra cases per 100,000."
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
Study compares heart risks of COVID-19 infection and vaccination, and the results may surprise you
The risk of children developing rare but serious heart complications is higher after a COVID-19 infection than after vaccination, according to a new study.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 AM
"Over a period of six months, researchers estimate that COVID-19 infections led to 2.24 extra cases of myocarditis or pericarditis per 100,000 children, while vaccinations led to 0.85 extra cases per 100,000."
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...
Reposted by Niall Butchart
That Covid infection in non-immune people is linked to enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease is known. Whilst reports have shown risks linked to other respiratory infections, A new systematic review adds weight to this showing a range of respiratory infections are risks 🧪🧵#HealthPolicy
Some common viruses may steeply raise risk of cardiovascular disease
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 5, 2025 at 8:27 AM
That Covid infection in non-immune people is linked to enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease is known. Whilst reports have shown risks linked to other respiratory infections, A new systematic review adds weight to this showing a range of respiratory infections are risks 🧪🧵#HealthPolicy
Reposted by Niall Butchart
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
November 5, 2025 at 5:28 AM
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Bird flu is being painted as a problem wild birds are inflicting on the poultry industry, but it's precisely the reverse.
Where do they think it developed in the first place, if not in the disease incubators that are mass battery farms?
share.google/K4FBGkiuuUdc...
Where do they think it developed in the first place, if not in the disease incubators that are mass battery farms?
share.google/K4FBGkiuuUdc...
Bird flu outbreak at commercial turkey flock in Carlow
Restriction zones have been put in place around a commercial turkey farm in Co Carlow, after an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza, or bird flu was detected there.
share.google
November 5, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Bird flu is being painted as a problem wild birds are inflicting on the poultry industry, but it's precisely the reverse.
Where do they think it developed in the first place, if not in the disease incubators that are mass battery farms?
share.google/K4FBGkiuuUdc...
Where do they think it developed in the first place, if not in the disease incubators that are mass battery farms?
share.google/K4FBGkiuuUdc...
Reposted by Niall Butchart
“ICE agents in Illinois tackled a 53-year-old man off his bike, choked him, and repeatedly beat him his head until he ended up in the hospital.
Then they prevented his family from seeing him. His name is Ricardo Rodriguez. He builds homes for a living.”
substack.com/@dissentinbl...
Then they prevented his family from seeing him. His name is Ricardo Rodriguez. He builds homes for a living.”
substack.com/@dissentinbl...
Dissent in Bloom 🌼 (@dissentinbloom)
NEWS: ICE agents in Illinois tackled a 53-year-old man off his bike, choked him, and repeatedly beat him his head until he ended up in the hospital. Then they prevented his family from seeing him. His...
substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:54 AM
“ICE agents in Illinois tackled a 53-year-old man off his bike, choked him, and repeatedly beat him his head until he ended up in the hospital.
Then they prevented his family from seeing him. His name is Ricardo Rodriguez. He builds homes for a living.”
substack.com/@dissentinbl...
Then they prevented his family from seeing him. His name is Ricardo Rodriguez. He builds homes for a living.”
substack.com/@dissentinbl...
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Almost 100% of children in 73 neighbourhoods in England are living in income-deprived families.
Govts push real wage/benefit cuts, two-child benefit cap; oppose universal basic income; don't curb profiteering.
No govt targets to cut poverty.
1% has more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Govts push real wage/benefit cuts, two-child benefit cap; oppose universal basic income; don't curb profiteering.
No govt targets to cut poverty.
1% has more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Almost all children in 73 areas of England live in low-income households
New official measures show levelling up attempts have failed to shift high levels of deprivation
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Almost 100% of children in 73 neighbourhoods in England are living in income-deprived families.
Govts push real wage/benefit cuts, two-child benefit cap; oppose universal basic income; don't curb profiteering.
No govt targets to cut poverty.
1% has more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Govts push real wage/benefit cuts, two-child benefit cap; oppose universal basic income; don't curb profiteering.
No govt targets to cut poverty.
1% has more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
150,000 aged 90 and above wait 12 hours in England’s A&Es each year.
Older people left in excrement, wet beds, denied pain relief, forced to watch/hear other patients die.
NHS money pilfered by PFI and privatisation
But ... Govts have fiscal rules and don't want to tax the rich.
Older people left in excrement, wet beds, denied pain relief, forced to watch/hear other patients die.
NHS money pilfered by PFI and privatisation
But ... Govts have fiscal rules and don't want to tax the rich.
Nearly 150,000 aged 90 and above wait 12 hours in England’s A&Es each year
Older people left in their own excrement and wet beds for hours and forced to watch others die, Age UK report finds
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:20 AM
150,000 aged 90 and above wait 12 hours in England’s A&Es each year.
Older people left in excrement, wet beds, denied pain relief, forced to watch/hear other patients die.
NHS money pilfered by PFI and privatisation
But ... Govts have fiscal rules and don't want to tax the rich.
Older people left in excrement, wet beds, denied pain relief, forced to watch/hear other patients die.
NHS money pilfered by PFI and privatisation
But ... Govts have fiscal rules and don't want to tax the rich.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
The energy bill write off con.
Fuel poverty rising, debt £4.4bn. Ofgem says £500m could be written off.
It would be added to the bills of other customers. Energy companies made £514bn operating profit since 2020.
No cut in their profit. Debt would be rebuilt
Nationalise energy. End profiteering
Fuel poverty rising, debt £4.4bn. Ofgem says £500m could be written off.
It would be added to the bills of other customers. Energy companies made £514bn operating profit since 2020.
No cut in their profit. Debt would be rebuilt
Nationalise energy. End profiteering
Thousands on benefits could have energy debt cancelled by Ofgem
Regulator Ofgem plans to cut £500m from the stack of customer debt - but other billpayers will cover the cost.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:28 AM
The energy bill write off con.
Fuel poverty rising, debt £4.4bn. Ofgem says £500m could be written off.
It would be added to the bills of other customers. Energy companies made £514bn operating profit since 2020.
No cut in their profit. Debt would be rebuilt
Nationalise energy. End profiteering
Fuel poverty rising, debt £4.4bn. Ofgem says £500m could be written off.
It would be added to the bills of other customers. Energy companies made £514bn operating profit since 2020.
No cut in their profit. Debt would be rebuilt
Nationalise energy. End profiteering
Reposted by Niall Butchart
"The risk of myocarditis after COVID-19 infection is approximately 42 times higher than the risk after COVID-19 vaccination"
Of course, COVID's harms are not limited to myocarditis
Of course, COVID's harms are not limited to myocarditis
October 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
"The risk of myocarditis after COVID-19 infection is approximately 42 times higher than the risk after COVID-19 vaccination"
Of course, COVID's harms are not limited to myocarditis
Of course, COVID's harms are not limited to myocarditis
Reposted by Niall Butchart
It's a goal of mine to help make this the most famous, well-known and UNDERSTOOD quote about cities in history. Please share it as much as you can.
October 20, 2025 at 5:30 AM
It's a goal of mine to help make this the most famous, well-known and UNDERSTOOD quote about cities in history. Please share it as much as you can.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Ever since I finished Question Time, Reform have massively been on the attack.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
October 11, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Ever since I finished Question Time, Reform have massively been on the attack.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
Including a rant from Richard Tice entirely designed to distract from Reform and Russia.
Everyone should know about Nathan Gill, the bribes from Russia and the link to Reform.
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Anas Sarwar was confronted at a Labour event by a Labour party member who was *furious* at Labour's plans to open up the NHS to the private sector. Of course the BBC in Scotland refused to pick up this story.
(video: MSM Monitor)
(video: MSM Monitor)
October 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Anas Sarwar was confronted at a Labour event by a Labour party member who was *furious* at Labour's plans to open up the NHS to the private sector. Of course the BBC in Scotland refused to pick up this story.
(video: MSM Monitor)
(video: MSM Monitor)
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Bill Jenrick (father) LinkedIn:
"I served a 5 year apprenticeship at AEI Manchester and qualified as a Management accountant. Then I worked as an accountant...."
Robert Jenrick (son) : "...gas fitters like my dad"
"I served a 5 year apprenticeship at AEI Manchester and qualified as a Management accountant. Then I worked as an accountant...."
Robert Jenrick (son) : "...gas fitters like my dad"
October 7, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Bill Jenrick (father) LinkedIn:
"I served a 5 year apprenticeship at AEI Manchester and qualified as a Management accountant. Then I worked as an accountant...."
Robert Jenrick (son) : "...gas fitters like my dad"
"I served a 5 year apprenticeship at AEI Manchester and qualified as a Management accountant. Then I worked as an accountant...."
Robert Jenrick (son) : "...gas fitters like my dad"
Reposted by Niall Butchart
Please join me in raising funds for medical cargo buses and trucks with electric jamming for brigades of Ukraine's Khartiia Corps. These automobiles make the difference between whether people survive or not. We can do something very specific and meaningful to help.
www.help99.co/patches/timo...
www.help99.co/patches/timo...
Timothy Snyder: Freedom is Action
Professor Timothy Snyder – a prominent voice of freedom, teams up with NAFO to fundraise for ten trucks and ten cargo buses with anti-drone jamming systems. These will transport and protect those who ...
www.help99.co
October 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Please join me in raising funds for medical cargo buses and trucks with electric jamming for brigades of Ukraine's Khartiia Corps. These automobiles make the difference between whether people survive or not. We can do something very specific and meaningful to help.
www.help99.co/patches/timo...
www.help99.co/patches/timo...