Tom Hill
@tomhill.bsky.social
Environmental economist | Stoicism | Wildlife Gardening | Deliberative democracy | Aspiring Hiccup | 🏳️🌈 (he/him) |
Thank you for drumming this beat. Government's need high quality criticism and challenge and, at the moment, they're not getting it through the usual channels.
December 1, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Thank you for drumming this beat. Government's need high quality criticism and challenge and, at the moment, they're not getting it through the usual channels.
I should say, all three articles are good. I guess that the economy has been so badly managed for so long now that it seems like we're all crabs in a barrel with distorted senses of what 'the middle' now means.
November 30, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I should say, all three articles are good. I guess that the economy has been so badly managed for so long now that it seems like we're all crabs in a barrel with distorted senses of what 'the middle' now means.
Nice article Ben. @johnharris1969.bsky.social's article seems to be somewhat at odds with @danoneillwrites.bsky.social's recent article in the Times in that the latter argues 'the middle' has actually been protected by both Labour and the Conservatives and that it's the top 20% who have been hit.
November 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Nice article Ben. @johnharris1969.bsky.social's article seems to be somewhat at odds with @danoneillwrites.bsky.social's recent article in the Times in that the latter argues 'the middle' has actually been protected by both Labour and the Conservatives and that it's the top 20% who have been hit.
Good way to give yourself food poisoning this.
November 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Good way to give yourself food poisoning this.
I think mixed courses can be useful in certain situations. I did environment and economics and it's definitely helped me out in many ways.
November 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I think mixed courses can be useful in certain situations. I did environment and economics and it's definitely helped me out in many ways.
That said, there's probably little harm in doing so as you'd still get this year's benefit and, who knows, they may retain the benefit for existing users.
November 29, 2025 at 2:46 PM
That said, there's probably little harm in doing so as you'd still get this year's benefit and, who knows, they may retain the benefit for existing users.
Yeah, but that's really not the way that most punters will think.
November 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Yeah, but that's really not the way that most punters will think.
That's a fair point. A lower limit with a 'flexible' ISA approach could address your point whilst offering a lower annual limit. Personally, I agree with folks here that the work/income is tax too highly compared with accumulated wealth.
November 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
That's a fair point. A lower limit with a 'flexible' ISA approach could address your point whilst offering a lower annual limit. Personally, I agree with folks here that the work/income is tax too highly compared with accumulated wealth.
The article is bonkers, but a slither of fairness is that it always felt ambiguous to me re whether you should save for a house deposit in cash or via an index fund. The usual advice is that if less than around five years you should stick to cash.
November 29, 2025 at 8:52 AM
The article is bonkers, but a slither of fairness is that it always felt ambiguous to me re whether you should save for a house deposit in cash or via an index fund. The usual advice is that if less than around five years you should stick to cash.
While I 100% agree with you, I fear that the likely forthcoming implosion of the AI boom is shortly going to put off another generation of would-be investors.
November 29, 2025 at 8:38 AM
While I 100% agree with you, I fear that the likely forthcoming implosion of the AI boom is shortly going to put off another generation of would-be investors.
Might not be worth opening a LISA now as in the last budget the Gov's indicated that it's going to scrap them shortly (my guess is from FY26/27 onwards, but could be later).
November 29, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Might not be worth opening a LISA now as in the last budget the Gov's indicated that it's going to scrap them shortly (my guess is from FY26/27 onwards, but could be later).
Is it that social media has made us, the public, much dimmer? I'm guessing so.
November 28, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Is it that social media has made us, the public, much dimmer? I'm guessing so.
Agreed. Excellent insight.
November 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Agreed. Excellent insight.
Why has politics become so anti-intellectual? Is it just a pay issue or perhaps an invasion in to people's personal lives issue?
November 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Why has politics become so anti-intellectual? Is it just a pay issue or perhaps an invasion in to people's personal lives issue?
Hello 2008 Financial crisis.
November 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Hello 2008 Financial crisis.
I wonder if there's any analysis of why people are opposed. Personally I'm not against the policy per se but it peeves me that over 65s are exempt.
November 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I wonder if there's any analysis of why people are opposed. Personally I'm not against the policy per se but it peeves me that over 65s are exempt.
Hmmm I doubt it. That wouldn't save them money and would cause a MUCH bigger problem for those with staff paid over £100k.
Seems more likely to me that they'll look to formally reduce salaries and up employer contributions (thereby negating the need for sal sacrifice)
Seems more likely to me that they'll look to formally reduce salaries and up employer contributions (thereby negating the need for sal sacrifice)
November 26, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Hmmm I doubt it. That wouldn't save them money and would cause a MUCH bigger problem for those with staff paid over £100k.
Seems more likely to me that they'll look to formally reduce salaries and up employer contributions (thereby negating the need for sal sacrifice)
Seems more likely to me that they'll look to formally reduce salaries and up employer contributions (thereby negating the need for sal sacrifice)
Landlords are price takers not price makers so they can sell up but not directly increase rents (over and above what theyd be inclined to do anyway)
November 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Landlords are price takers not price makers so they can sell up but not directly increase rents (over and above what theyd be inclined to do anyway)