philbullett.bsky.social
@philbullett.bsky.social
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
This is where I think current orthodoxy among chief constables in the UK about where to spend the marginal extra pound is just wrong - most “low impact” crime is done by career criminals who also do the “high impact” stuff.
Antisocial behaviour is largely the result of a small number of reprobates, who can be stopped
San Francisco’s new anti-fare-dodging gates haven’t just increased revenues, they’ve dramatically reduced vandalism and the cost of maintaining the network
February 11, 2026 at 4:36 PM
This is where I think current orthodoxy among chief constables in the UK about where to spend the marginal extra pound is just wrong - most “low impact” crime is done by career criminals who also do the “high impact” stuff.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Rising share of UK public in favour of tax and spending cuts ft.trib.al/VPVCet5
Rising share of UK public in favour of tax and spending cuts
Social attitudes survey highlights widening political divide among British voters
ft.trib.al
February 10, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Rising share of UK public in favour of tax and spending cuts ft.trib.al/VPVCet5
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Instability comes from the government being systematically unable to level with the public about the costs of aging, defence and the green transition. Any government that reaches government having promised the impossible will end up the same.
February 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Instability comes from the government being systematically unable to level with the public about the costs of aging, defence and the green transition. Any government that reaches government having promised the impossible will end up the same.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
@jamesomalley.co.uk wrote a nice piece on the greens opposing hs2 and then complaining when it was cancelled. takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-green-...
The Green Party is being bad at being Green
There's a contradiction at the heart of environmentalism
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
@jamesomalley.co.uk wrote a nice piece on the greens opposing hs2 and then complaining when it was cancelled. takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-green-...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
The Green Party? They're cowboys. And when they're not cowboys, they're buffoons. And when they're not buffoons, they're breast enlargement hypnotists.
February 9, 2026 at 11:40 AM
The Green Party? They're cowboys. And when they're not cowboys, they're buffoons. And when they're not buffoons, they're breast enlargement hypnotists.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
I have today been informed that, despite personal assurances to the contrary, the Green party have once again used my image and misrepresented my words on a second leaflet circulated in Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election. I have now lodged an official complaint with the returning officer.
February 9, 2026 at 11:25 AM
I have today been informed that, despite personal assurances to the contrary, the Green party have once again used my image and misrepresented my words on a second leaflet circulated in Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election. I have now lodged an official complaint with the returning officer.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Green Party opposing new resevoir in oxfordshire even though they elsewhere (correctly) complain we are over extracting ground water resources in the SE and damaging the environment. A reservoir is the pro environment solution.
oxonsouthandvale.greenparty.org.uk/2021/11/sout...
oxonsouthandvale.greenparty.org.uk/2021/11/sout...
South and Vale Greens respond to Abingdon “mega-reservoir” plans. - Oxfordshire South and Vale
Local Green campaigners have objected to the latest Thames water proposal for a mega-reservoir outside Abingdon, calling for water companies to first get their house in order by prioritising measures ...
oxonsouthandvale.greenparty.org.uk
February 9, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Green Party opposing new resevoir in oxfordshire even though they elsewhere (correctly) complain we are over extracting ground water resources in the SE and damaging the environment. A reservoir is the pro environment solution.
oxonsouthandvale.greenparty.org.uk/2021/11/sout...
oxonsouthandvale.greenparty.org.uk/2021/11/sout...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Green Party opposing solar farms www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
The Green Party politicians who oppose solar farms - BBC News
Some Green councillors are against solar projects, which sits uneasily with the party's national policy.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Green Party opposing solar farms www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Green Party deputy leader opposing Green infrastructure www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Green Party's Suffolk MP calls for pause on East Anglia pylons plan - BBC News
Adrian Ramsay wants Labour to consider other options for a 114-mile pylon route across three counties.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Green Party deputy leader opposing Green infrastructure www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Greens are the anti environment party. Pretty much all their voters are much closer to ‘conservationist’ than environmentalist. Which is why they constantly have green leaders campaigning against solar farms and new energy infrastructure like pylons, or insisting we should bury all cables etc.
February 9, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Greens are the anti environment party. Pretty much all their voters are much closer to ‘conservationist’ than environmentalist. Which is why they constantly have green leaders campaigning against solar farms and new energy infrastructure like pylons, or insisting we should bury all cables etc.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Green Party opposing new housing in London on the grounds house prices might go down from islington-labour.org.uk/green-party-...
February 9, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Green Party opposing new housing in London on the grounds house prices might go down from islington-labour.org.uk/green-party-...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Wrote in Sunday Tiimes on what the U.K. can learn from Singapore, South Korea and Japan’s stock market boom.
East Asian countries have used tax incentives and corporate governance changes to help stimulate their markets.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
East Asian countries have used tax incentives and corporate governance changes to help stimulate their markets.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
What London can learn from Asia’s stock market boom
Stock markets in Japan, South Korea and Singapore were once in the same slow lane as the UK, but reforms and tax breaks have unleashed animal spirits
www.thetimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Wrote in Sunday Tiimes on what the U.K. can learn from Singapore, South Korea and Japan’s stock market boom.
East Asian countries have used tax incentives and corporate governance changes to help stimulate their markets.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
East Asian countries have used tax incentives and corporate governance changes to help stimulate their markets.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
The accusation that the Lords are “obstructing democracy” by supporters of the assisted dying bill is a ridiculous one that shows up the flaws in this process that have been there from the very beginning – which have repeatedly been covered up by heated rhetoric (1/?)
February 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM
The accusation that the Lords are “obstructing democracy” by supporters of the assisted dying bill is a ridiculous one that shows up the flaws in this process that have been there from the very beginning – which have repeatedly been covered up by heated rhetoric (1/?)
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
I don’t usually follow the ONS redundancy data that closely, but that’s a fairly notable pickup over the last 18 months.
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
January 29, 2026 at 11:11 AM
I don’t usually follow the ONS redundancy data that closely, but that’s a fairly notable pickup over the last 18 months.
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Earlier this week the government used its majority to strip out an amendment to require a plebiscite of the Chagossians before the deal can go through. It is beyond disgusting for a supposedly progressive party and government to deny the Chagossians' right to self-determination.
If they are going to start this again with this how about the give the Chagossians the ultimate say on any change this time?
Ideally give them as many islands as possible
Ideally give them as many islands as possible
January 23, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Earlier this week the government used its majority to strip out an amendment to require a plebiscite of the Chagossians before the deal can go through. It is beyond disgusting for a supposedly progressive party and government to deny the Chagossians' right to self-determination.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
As predicted in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social’s look ahead to 2025 (which I had handy as in writing the 2026 one atm):
www.thenewworld.co.uk/2025-the-yea...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/2025-the-yea...
December 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
As predicted in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social’s look ahead to 2025 (which I had handy as in writing the 2026 one atm):
www.thenewworld.co.uk/2025-the-yea...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/2025-the-yea...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Another bad set of labour market data today. Don’t think it’s quite entered the public consciousness on here how badly the NICs rises plus soaring minimum wage is affecting employment. Uk labour market very soft now.
December 16, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Another bad set of labour market data today. Don’t think it’s quite entered the public consciousness on here how badly the NICs rises plus soaring minimum wage is affecting employment. Uk labour market very soft now.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
It's utterly bizarre. This country is a WORLD LEADER in vaccines, life sciences, DNA and genetics, pure science, semiconductors, AI, cyber tech, materials, space science, quantum computing etc.
But apparently if your hands aren't filthy and your lungs full of coal dust it doesn't count
But apparently if your hands aren't filthy and your lungs full of coal dust it doesn't count
December 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
It's utterly bizarre. This country is a WORLD LEADER in vaccines, life sciences, DNA and genetics, pure science, semiconductors, AI, cyber tech, materials, space science, quantum computing etc.
But apparently if your hands aren't filthy and your lungs full of coal dust it doesn't count
But apparently if your hands aren't filthy and your lungs full of coal dust it doesn't count
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Agree with @jomichell.bsky.social here.
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Agree with @jomichell.bsky.social here.
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
My earlier piece: "The claim that that MMT means that a future government can dodge hard choices about how to pay for decent public services is just plain nonsense."
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/econom...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
BBC Political Editor Says Rachel Reeves 'Misled' The Public In Run-Up To Budget
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bbc-po...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bbc-po...
BBC Political Editor Says Rachel Reeves 'Misled' The Public In Run-Up To Budget
Chris Mason added to the pressure on the chancellor with his shock judgment.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 8:42 AM
BBC Political Editor Says Rachel Reeves 'Misled' The Public In Run-Up To Budget
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bbc-po...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bbc-po...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Me being grumpy on Peston about the lack of pro-growth tax reform in the Budget: youtu.be/ZKx_qF3YpoU?...
November 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Me being grumpy on Peston about the lack of pro-growth tax reform in the Budget: youtu.be/ZKx_qF3YpoU?...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
The good, the bad and the ugly of the Budget:
The bad: the Budget contained no significant tax reforms, and almost nothing in the way of pro-growth measures. The capital allowance change will reduce business investment - it's positively anti-growth.
The bad: the Budget contained no significant tax reforms, and almost nothing in the way of pro-growth measures. The capital allowance change will reduce business investment - it's positively anti-growth.
November 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The good, the bad and the ugly of the Budget:
The bad: the Budget contained no significant tax reforms, and almost nothing in the way of pro-growth measures. The capital allowance change will reduce business investment - it's positively anti-growth.
The bad: the Budget contained no significant tax reforms, and almost nothing in the way of pro-growth measures. The capital allowance change will reduce business investment - it's positively anti-growth.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
The map on the left shades constituencies by % of top council tax band properties (Band H in England, Band H and I in Wales)
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The map on the left shades constituencies by % of top council tax band properties (Band H in England, Band H and I in Wales)
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Great piece on Municipal Bonds from Morgan Wild.
I continue to be baffled every time I read a piece in this area that HM Treasury under Labour seems completely disinterested in going anywhere near ideas like this. A genuine growth, growth, growth idea.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/municipal-...
I continue to be baffled every time I read a piece in this area that HM Treasury under Labour seems completely disinterested in going anywhere near ideas like this. A genuine growth, growth, growth idea.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/municipal-...
How municipal bond markets can save Britain
The case for more fiscal devolution to build the infrastructure we need
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Great piece on Municipal Bonds from Morgan Wild.
I continue to be baffled every time I read a piece in this area that HM Treasury under Labour seems completely disinterested in going anywhere near ideas like this. A genuine growth, growth, growth idea.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/municipal-...
I continue to be baffled every time I read a piece in this area that HM Treasury under Labour seems completely disinterested in going anywhere near ideas like this. A genuine growth, growth, growth idea.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/municipal-...
Reposted by philbullett.bsky.social
Even more striking is that a quarter of employees will be higher rate tax payers by the end of the decade.
This is a really fundamental shift in the structure of the tax system.
This is a really fundamental shift in the structure of the tax system.
📈 #IFSSatStat: Continuing the current freeze on personal tax thresholds for another two years would mean that by 2029–30, 17% of age 16+ population will pay the higher rate of tax: equivalent to 10.1 million people.
In 2021–22, just 8% were higher-rate tax payers.
In 2021–22, just 8% were higher-rate tax payers.
November 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Even more striking is that a quarter of employees will be higher rate tax payers by the end of the decade.
This is a really fundamental shift in the structure of the tax system.
This is a really fundamental shift in the structure of the tax system.