Martin Rathfelder
@rathfelder.bsky.social
Retired Mancunian agitator. Patient representative/ public contributor in Manchester University. Unpaid advocate for disabled people. Wikipedian. Whalley Range Labour Party.
Perfection is the enemy of improvement!
Perfection is the enemy of improvement!
June 2025, around 21.3% of NHS staff in England reported a nationality other than British. That amounts to roughly 325,000 out of about 1.5 million staff.
November 28, 2025 at 11:06 AM
June 2025, around 21.3% of NHS staff in England reported a nationality other than British. That amounts to roughly 325,000 out of about 1.5 million staff.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
In this map @eurostats shows us that the total fertility rate in the EU stood at 1.38 live births per woman in 2023. My beloved Tenerife recorded the lowest rate of the whole of Europe (0.79). Source: link.europa.eu/p8WYPC
November 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
In this map @eurostats shows us that the total fertility rate in the EU stood at 1.38 live births per woman in 2023. My beloved Tenerife recorded the lowest rate of the whole of Europe (0.79). Source: link.europa.eu/p8WYPC
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
"It’s not just me that’s perhaps not being heard"
Andy Burnham ‘disappointed’ after ‘massively important’ taxi changes dropped
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:16 PM
"It’s not just me that’s perhaps not being heard"
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
OBR commentary on the budget:
"The implementation of digital ID cards is provisionally forecast to cost £1.8 billion in total over the next three years".
Govt says the cost will be met from existing departmental budgets.
Which services will be cut? Will the budget overrun?
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
"The implementation of digital ID cards is provisionally forecast to cost £1.8 billion in total over the next three years".
Govt says the cost will be met from existing departmental budgets.
Which services will be cut? Will the budget overrun?
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
obr.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:49 PM
OBR commentary on the budget:
"The implementation of digital ID cards is provisionally forecast to cost £1.8 billion in total over the next three years".
Govt says the cost will be met from existing departmental budgets.
Which services will be cut? Will the budget overrun?
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
"The implementation of digital ID cards is provisionally forecast to cost £1.8 billion in total over the next three years".
Govt says the cost will be met from existing departmental budgets.
Which services will be cut? Will the budget overrun?
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
The large drop in immigration seen in today's ONS data will likely have huge consequences for social care.
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
Falling immigration presents problems for social care sector
Cyril Lobont responds to new immigration data from the Office for National Statistics.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The large drop in immigration seen in today's ONS data will likely have huge consequences for social care.
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
The threat to UK growth from falling net migration. How could the government have missed this?
One big risk to the OBR forecasts has already materialised -migration is falling more quickly than their projections and that will hit growth and tax revenue.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
UK net migration drops sharply to 204,000 in year to June - live updates
Net migration fell by around two-thirds - from 649,000 in the year to June 2024 to 204,000 in the year to June 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The threat to UK growth from falling net migration. How could the government have missed this?
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Public Law Project's latest report finds that the average universal credit sanction is hundreds of pounds more than a criminal fine.
Universal credit sanctions more 'severe' and 'damaging' than criminal fines
www.bigissue.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Public Law Project's latest report finds that the average universal credit sanction is hundreds of pounds more than a criminal fine.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Who benefits from changes made in this budget?
Low-income families with children, particularly with three or more children, are clear winners.
In 2028-29, a low-wage single parent with 3 children who receives UC will be £4,960 per year better off, thanks to the removal of the two-child limit.
Low-income families with children, particularly with three or more children, are clear winners.
In 2028-29, a low-wage single parent with 3 children who receives UC will be £4,960 per year better off, thanks to the removal of the two-child limit.
November 27, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Who benefits from changes made in this budget?
Low-income families with children, particularly with three or more children, are clear winners.
In 2028-29, a low-wage single parent with 3 children who receives UC will be £4,960 per year better off, thanks to the removal of the two-child limit.
Low-income families with children, particularly with three or more children, are clear winners.
In 2028-29, a low-wage single parent with 3 children who receives UC will be £4,960 per year better off, thanks to the removal of the two-child limit.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Benefit cap excludes those working (enough £) and those on UC Health post WCA, so very much the minority still affected. The DWP spreadsheet linked says how many families benefit by the change (excluding the still benefit capped). www.gov.uk/government/p...
Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025
Estimates of the impact of social security changes at Budget 2025 on low income poverty levels.
www.gov.uk
November 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Benefit cap excludes those working (enough £) and those on UC Health post WCA, so very much the minority still affected. The DWP spreadsheet linked says how many families benefit by the change (excluding the still benefit capped). www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
➡️ ALL parts of our special report into the Lucy Letby case are now available online: www.private-eye.co.uk/special-repo...
🧵3/3
🧵3/3
Special Report: The Lessons of the Lucy Letby Case
After Lucy Letby was convicted in August 2023 of murdering seven babies, a number of experts contacted Eye columnist MD because they
www.private-eye.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
➡️ ALL parts of our special report into the Lucy Letby case are now available online: www.private-eye.co.uk/special-repo...
🧵3/3
🧵3/3
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
This Government has hugely increased public spending, which will have large in-kind benefits for households.
Families across the income distribution will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they use public services more, and these represent a larger proportion of their income.
Families across the income distribution will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they use public services more, and these represent a larger proportion of their income.
November 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This Government has hugely increased public spending, which will have large in-kind benefits for households.
Families across the income distribution will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they use public services more, and these represent a larger proportion of their income.
Families across the income distribution will benefit, but poorer households will benefit more as they use public services more, and these represent a larger proportion of their income.
Barry Elliott, a Reform councillor in the Blyth ward of Newsham, appeared in court on Tuesday in relation to more than £38,000 worth of council tax and business rates owed to Northumberland County Council www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Northumberland Reform councillor ordered to pay £38,000 debt to his own council
Barry Elliott, a Reform councillor in the Blyth ward of Newsham, appeared in court on Tuesday in relation to more than £38,000 worth of council tax and business rates owed to Northumberland County Cou...
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Barry Elliott, a Reform councillor in the Blyth ward of Newsham, appeared in court on Tuesday in relation to more than £38,000 worth of council tax and business rates owed to Northumberland County Council www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
The Autumn Budget 2025 is here, but what does it mean for the world of health and care?
Siva Anandaciva runs us through the headlines of the budget for the NHS, social care and the announcements away from health that might help improve population health. https://bit.ly/4oCDTy9
Siva Anandaciva runs us through the headlines of the budget for the NHS, social care and the announcements away from health that might help improve population health. https://bit.ly/4oCDTy9
November 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Autumn Budget 2025 is here, but what does it mean for the world of health and care?
Siva Anandaciva runs us through the headlines of the budget for the NHS, social care and the announcements away from health that might help improve population health. https://bit.ly/4oCDTy9
Siva Anandaciva runs us through the headlines of the budget for the NHS, social care and the announcements away from health that might help improve population health. https://bit.ly/4oCDTy9
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
The two-child cap pushed half of children in larger families into poverty. Today, Labour abolishes it.
I stood for office to stop drawing charts and start changing them. This change will see the biggest drop in child poverty of any parliament on record.
Know what that is? Hope.
I stood for office to stop drawing charts and start changing them. This change will see the biggest drop in child poverty of any parliament on record.
Know what that is? Hope.
November 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The two-child cap pushed half of children in larger families into poverty. Today, Labour abolishes it.
I stood for office to stop drawing charts and start changing them. This change will see the biggest drop in child poverty of any parliament on record.
Know what that is? Hope.
I stood for office to stop drawing charts and start changing them. This change will see the biggest drop in child poverty of any parliament on record.
Know what that is? Hope.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Cue rich people moaning about how they can no longer afford to live in their castles.... God it's all so horribly predictable
🚨 BREXIT BUDGET🚨
"From 2028, I am introducing a high value council tax surcharge in England. An annual £2,500 charge for properties worth more than £2 million, rising to £7,500 for properties worth more than £5 million."
"From 2028, I am introducing a high value council tax surcharge in England. An annual £2,500 charge for properties worth more than £2 million, rising to £7,500 for properties worth more than £5 million."
November 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Cue rich people moaning about how they can no longer afford to live in their castles.... God it's all so horribly predictable
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Cost of extending the fuel duty cut plus cancelled uprating next year: £2.4 billion.
Cost of freezing rail fares next year: £145 million.
Sixteen times more expensive to maintain the fuel duty cut/freeze than to freeze rail fares
Imagine how much fares could be *cut* by ending car fuel subsidies.
Cost of freezing rail fares next year: £145 million.
Sixteen times more expensive to maintain the fuel duty cut/freeze than to freeze rail fares
Imagine how much fares could be *cut* by ending car fuel subsidies.
November 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Cost of extending the fuel duty cut plus cancelled uprating next year: £2.4 billion.
Cost of freezing rail fares next year: £145 million.
Sixteen times more expensive to maintain the fuel duty cut/freeze than to freeze rail fares
Imagine how much fares could be *cut* by ending car fuel subsidies.
Cost of freezing rail fares next year: £145 million.
Sixteen times more expensive to maintain the fuel duty cut/freeze than to freeze rail fares
Imagine how much fares could be *cut* by ending car fuel subsidies.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
November 26, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Frustrating to see the fuel duty cut extended again. This is a policy that benefits the richest households much more than the poorest as they spend more on petrol. That's without even accounting for the environmental impact.
November 26, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Frustrating to see the fuel duty cut extended again. This is a policy that benefits the richest households much more than the poorest as they spend more on petrol. That's without even accounting for the environmental impact.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Side point, but it can’t be said often enough that so much of today’s political debate is taken up with migration, when it is *plunging* 📉 (from OBR docs):
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Side point, but it can’t be said often enough that so much of today’s political debate is taken up with migration, when it is *plunging* 📉 (from OBR docs):
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Budget 2025 live: Rolling update ....
.... live updates on the social welfare law highlights from today's #Budget2025
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69056
.... live updates on the social welfare law highlights from today's #Budget2025
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69056
November 26, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Budget 2025 live: Rolling update ....
.... live updates on the social welfare law highlights from today's #Budget2025
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69056
.... live updates on the social welfare law highlights from today's #Budget2025
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69056
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
An update on this: today's More in Common has no change in Reform score. That fits with this trend as the five most recent More in Common results for Reform have been:
33 (oldest)
31
31
30
30 (newest)
33 (oldest)
31
31
30
30 (newest)
Change in Reform rating between latest and previous poll from each pollster in recent polls:
YouGov -2
Opinium -1
Find Out Now -1
Focaldata -2
More in Common -1
Lord Ashcroft -3
Freshwater -3
JL Partners -1
Ipsos -1
This is starting to look like a trend...
YouGov -2
Opinium -1
Find Out Now -1
Focaldata -2
More in Common -1
Lord Ashcroft -3
Freshwater -3
JL Partners -1
Ipsos -1
This is starting to look like a trend...
November 26, 2025 at 10:21 AM
An update on this: today's More in Common has no change in Reform score. That fits with this trend as the five most recent More in Common results for Reform have been:
33 (oldest)
31
31
30
30 (newest)
33 (oldest)
31
31
30
30 (newest)
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Peter Etedgui, a Jewish former classmate of Nigel Farage, says he is angered by Reform leader claiming his recollection of racist bullying is untrue. Two former classmates bsck Etedgui's challenge to Farage's (partial) denial among 20 who recalled Farage's conduct then
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nigel Farage's racism denials are dishonest, says ex-classmate
Peter Ettedgui tells the BBC Nigel Farage targeted antisemitic abuse at him when they were teenagers.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Peter Etedgui, a Jewish former classmate of Nigel Farage, says he is angered by Reform leader claiming his recollection of racist bullying is untrue. Two former classmates bsck Etedgui's challenge to Farage's (partial) denial among 20 who recalled Farage's conduct then
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Martin Rathfelder
Wes Streeting made a speech today, on the eve of the budget, addressing child health, poverty and the two child limit.
Streeting makes eve of budget intervention on child health, poverty and two-child limit – LabourList
Today Health Secretary Wes Streeting gave a wide ranging speech to health think tank Kings Fund at their conference held in partnership with children's charity…
labourlist.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Wes Streeting made a speech today, on the eve of the budget, addressing child health, poverty and the two child limit.