Ruth Speare
@ruthspeare.bsky.social
Public health consultant working in South Yorkshire. Interested in socio-economic & commercial determinants of health, health equity, climate & health & social justice.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
BP to scrap paid rest breaks and most bank holiday bonuses for forecourt staff.
Changes to employee benefits would cut take-home pay by at least 6.25%.
Would exec pay and dividends be cut? No chance.
Hard-won rights eroded as corporations rule without ever being elected.
Back to Victorian times.
Changes to employee benefits would cut take-home pay by at least 6.25%.
Would exec pay and dividends be cut? No chance.
Hard-won rights eroded as corporations rule without ever being elected.
Back to Victorian times.
BP to scrap paid rest breaks and most bank holiday bonuses for forecourt staff
Exclusive: Plans to offset increase in minimum ‘fair pay’ set by Living Wage Foundation will affect 5,400 employees
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:23 PM
BP to scrap paid rest breaks and most bank holiday bonuses for forecourt staff.
Changes to employee benefits would cut take-home pay by at least 6.25%.
Would exec pay and dividends be cut? No chance.
Hard-won rights eroded as corporations rule without ever being elected.
Back to Victorian times.
Changes to employee benefits would cut take-home pay by at least 6.25%.
Would exec pay and dividends be cut? No chance.
Hard-won rights eroded as corporations rule without ever being elected.
Back to Victorian times.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
While this BBC article on ever-bigger SUVs is perfectly good, it's absurd the way there has to be quotes from people who insist they could not get around without a vehicle the size of a Sherman tank. It's just bollocks. I'm one of three kids and we were all ferried around in a Vauxhall Astra estate.
December 4, 2025 at 1:57 PM
While this BBC article on ever-bigger SUVs is perfectly good, it's absurd the way there has to be quotes from people who insist they could not get around without a vehicle the size of a Sherman tank. It's just bollocks. I'm one of three kids and we were all ferried around in a Vauxhall Astra estate.
I personally hate these ridiculously big cars I increasingly see. Time to make them less attractive by taxing them more? BBC News - 'Carspreading’ is on the rise - not everyone is happy - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Carspreading’ is on the rise - not everyone is happy
In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 6:23 AM
I personally hate these ridiculously big cars I increasingly see. Time to make them less attractive by taxing them more? BBC News - 'Carspreading’ is on the rise - not everyone is happy - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ruth Speare
We love to see initiatives like this one from @reading_buses - free bus travel so you can do your Christmas shopping!
Is your area doing something similar?
www.reading-buses.co.uk/free-bus-tra...
Is your area doing something similar?
www.reading-buses.co.uk/free-bus-tra...
Free bus travel this December
Free travel in Wokingham, West Berkshire, Bracknell Forest, Slough and Windsor & Maidenhead on selected dates this November and December
www.reading-buses.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 1:27 PM
We love to see initiatives like this one from @reading_buses - free bus travel so you can do your Christmas shopping!
Is your area doing something similar?
www.reading-buses.co.uk/free-bus-tra...
Is your area doing something similar?
www.reading-buses.co.uk/free-bus-tra...
Reposted by Ruth Speare
Very well worth a read … I agree with the need for an urgent review of the remit, role, function and membership of SAGE 👇
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
230,000 Deaths and the ‘Calculated Silence’ of the Medical Establishment About the COVID Inquiry
The Covid Inquiry Report is a devastating critique of the medical establishment which led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century, argues Anthony Costello
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Very well worth a read … I agree with the need for an urgent review of the remit, role, function and membership of SAGE 👇
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
Reposted by Ruth Speare
Never let it be said that the British press is out of touch
November 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Never let it be said that the British press is out of touch
Reposted by Ruth Speare
It's such a bizarre framing. Labour MPs think taking 450k kids out of poverty is putting the country first! That's why they wanted it to happen! It's not because they personally benefit.
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
It's such a bizarre framing. Labour MPs think taking 450k kids out of poverty is putting the country first! That's why they wanted it to happen! It's not because they personally benefit.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
"What makes Sudan's crisis even more alarming is its invisibility. The world is not watching closely enough"
The Sudanese civil war is creating the world's worst humanitarian disaster with 12 million people now displaced
This 🧵traces the deep connections b/w this conflict & the #ClimateCrisis 1/n
The Sudanese civil war is creating the world's worst humanitarian disaster with 12 million people now displaced
This 🧵traces the deep connections b/w this conflict & the #ClimateCrisis 1/n
"The cost of silence in Sudan’s civil war is too high"
As Sudan’s brutal civil war rages on, more than 12 million people have been displaced — deepening an already devastating protection and humanitarian crisis. In this episode of The Humans in Human Righ...
www.ohchr.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:43 AM
"What makes Sudan's crisis even more alarming is its invisibility. The world is not watching closely enough"
The Sudanese civil war is creating the world's worst humanitarian disaster with 12 million people now displaced
This 🧵traces the deep connections b/w this conflict & the #ClimateCrisis 1/n
The Sudanese civil war is creating the world's worst humanitarian disaster with 12 million people now displaced
This 🧵traces the deep connections b/w this conflict & the #ClimateCrisis 1/n
Reposted by Ruth Speare
Huge news from the UK today: after UN climate talks in which there was a massive fight over language on fossil fuels, the UK government today announced that it will in fact be keeping many millions of barrels of oil & gas in the ground. Deeds rather than just words for a change! 🧵
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Huge news from the UK today: after UN climate talks in which there was a massive fight over language on fossil fuels, the UK government today announced that it will in fact be keeping many millions of barrels of oil & gas in the ground. Deeds rather than just words for a change! 🧵
Reposted by Ruth Speare
About 83,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide last year.
Partners, family members killed 137 women each day in 2024: UN
About 83,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide last year.
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM
About 83,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide last year.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
"It’s ludicrous that aviation doesn’t pay fuel tax, especially now that Rachel Reeves is making noises about a tax on electric vehicles. If we’re looking for easy wins for revenue, just look to the skies."
~ Flight Free UK Director Anna Hughes in the Guardian today 👇
~ Flight Free UK Director Anna Hughes in the Guardian today 👇
End the tax break that makes flying cheaper than trains | Letters
Letters: Airlines benefit from a tax system that helps them keep fares low, writes Anna Hughes
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:15 AM
"It’s ludicrous that aviation doesn’t pay fuel tax, especially now that Rachel Reeves is making noises about a tax on electric vehicles. If we’re looking for easy wins for revenue, just look to the skies."
~ Flight Free UK Director Anna Hughes in the Guardian today 👇
~ Flight Free UK Director Anna Hughes in the Guardian today 👇
Reposted by Ruth Speare
@zackpolanski.bsky.social on taxing the rich: "This is about inequality. For decades now poor people have got poorer and rich people have got richer... the money [raised] is important but the real point is about tackling inequality.. we need to get those assets flowing around the economy"
November 23, 2025 at 9:37 AM
@zackpolanski.bsky.social on taxing the rich: "This is about inequality. For decades now poor people have got poorer and rich people have got richer... the money [raised] is important but the real point is about tackling inequality.. we need to get those assets flowing around the economy"
Yep.
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Yep.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
UK investors have claimed £19 billion in fossil fuel-related cases – almost twice as much as the international climate finance paid by the British Government
COP30 'must declare an end to ISDS’
British fossil fuel investors claim more than twice as much money as government has paid in climate finance.
theecologist.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 AM
UK investors have claimed £19 billion in fossil fuel-related cases – almost twice as much as the international climate finance paid by the British Government
Reposted by Ruth Speare
‘They have total impunity’: West Bank settler violence surges after Gaza ceasefire
‘They have total impunity’: West Bank settler violence surges after Gaza ceasefire
UN logs 260 attacks in October alone, its highest monthly tally, as settlers attack farmers and burn olive trees
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:36 AM
‘They have total impunity’: West Bank settler violence surges after Gaza ceasefire
Reposted by Ruth Speare
It's no surprise that governments and fossil fuel companies are trying to stall the green revolution: energy is power.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/were-proud-to-be-pioneers-inside-spains-community-energy-revolution
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/were-proud-to-be-pioneers-inside-spains-community-energy-revolution
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are supplying cheap, clean electricity to homes and helping tackle fuel poverty
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It's no surprise that governments and fossil fuel companies are trying to stall the green revolution: energy is power.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/were-proud-to-be-pioneers-inside-spains-community-energy-revolution
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/were-proud-to-be-pioneers-inside-spains-community-energy-revolution
Reposted by Ruth Speare
📣 BREAKING: One out of every 25 attendees at the #COP30 climate talks is a fossil fuel lobbyist.
The arsonists aren’t just in the building — they’re throwing fuel on the fire.
We need to #KickOutTheSuits NOW!
READ: kickbigpollutersout.org/Release-Kick...
The arsonists aren’t just in the building — they’re throwing fuel on the fire.
We need to #KickOutTheSuits NOW!
READ: kickbigpollutersout.org/Release-Kick...
November 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
📣 BREAKING: One out of every 25 attendees at the #COP30 climate talks is a fossil fuel lobbyist.
The arsonists aren’t just in the building — they’re throwing fuel on the fire.
We need to #KickOutTheSuits NOW!
READ: kickbigpollutersout.org/Release-Kick...
The arsonists aren’t just in the building — they’re throwing fuel on the fire.
We need to #KickOutTheSuits NOW!
READ: kickbigpollutersout.org/Release-Kick...
Reposted by Ruth Speare
They market their cars as weapons and we allow them on the same roads as children cycling to school.
And I still get weird middle-aged men in my notifications obfuscating for and defending this.
This is not a serious society.
And I still get weird middle-aged men in my notifications obfuscating for and defending this.
This is not a serious society.
November 13, 2025 at 9:43 PM
They market their cars as weapons and we allow them on the same roads as children cycling to school.
And I still get weird middle-aged men in my notifications obfuscating for and defending this.
This is not a serious society.
And I still get weird middle-aged men in my notifications obfuscating for and defending this.
This is not a serious society.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are supplying cheap, clean electricity to homes and helping tackle fuel poverty
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:09 AM
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
Reposted by Ruth Speare
The majority of Britons think important places for nature should have stronger protections.
Only 2% think protections should be weakened... yet that’s where ministers keep pushing.
Only 2% think protections should be weakened... yet that’s where ministers keep pushing.
November 12, 2025 at 9:33 AM
The majority of Britons think important places for nature should have stronger protections.
Only 2% think protections should be weakened... yet that’s where ministers keep pushing.
Only 2% think protections should be weakened... yet that’s where ministers keep pushing.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
Since 1990, the emissions share of the richest 1% has increased by 13%, and the richest 0.1% has grown by 32%, while the poorest 50% has decreased by 3%.
policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/cl...
policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/cl...
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Since 1990, the emissions share of the richest 1% has increased by 13%, and the richest 0.1% has grown by 32%, while the poorest 50% has decreased by 3%.
policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/cl...
policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/cl...
Reposted by Ruth Speare
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived.
Scares people into paying extortionate price for freehold, 6000% profit.
Previously arrested, charged with stalking offences.
Govt must investigate these vampires.
Scares people into paying extortionate price for freehold, 6000% profit.
Previously arrested, charged with stalking offences.
Govt must investigate these vampires.
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived.
Scares people into paying extortionate price for freehold, 6000% profit.
Previously arrested, charged with stalking offences.
Govt must investigate these vampires.
Scares people into paying extortionate price for freehold, 6000% profit.
Previously arrested, charged with stalking offences.
Govt must investigate these vampires.
Reposted by Ruth Speare
When I was first elected, evidence showed it would take 193 years to bring London's air pollution within legal limits.
Due to our policies, we've done it in 9.
In Brazil this week, we showed that cities are giving the world reason to hope when it comes to tackling the climate emergency.
Due to our policies, we've done it in 9.
In Brazil this week, we showed that cities are giving the world reason to hope when it comes to tackling the climate emergency.
November 8, 2025 at 9:09 AM
When I was first elected, evidence showed it would take 193 years to bring London's air pollution within legal limits.
Due to our policies, we've done it in 9.
In Brazil this week, we showed that cities are giving the world reason to hope when it comes to tackling the climate emergency.
Due to our policies, we've done it in 9.
In Brazil this week, we showed that cities are giving the world reason to hope when it comes to tackling the climate emergency.
