Melanie Simms

Private equity has wrecked the high street, says Iceland boss

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Continuing our year of ferries.

View from the deck of a ferry looking over to the Scottish Western Isles. A glorious October day.

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by Prem Sikka — Reposted by Melanie Simms, Prem Sikka

Prem Sikka

@premnsikka.bsky.social

Private equity wrecked UK high street, says Iceland Foods boss

PE model - low wages, cut staff/investment, high debt, profiteering, tax abuse.

PE devoured Debenhams, Maplin, Byron Burger, Cath Kidson, Comet, Flybe, Poundworld, Toys R Us.

Controls care homes, vets, supermarkets.
archive.ph/tJVkV

Richard Walker says private buyers take out costs and fail to invest then sell to the highest bidder in a cycle that makes retailers steadily worse

www.thetimes.com

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

The morning has been spent on the Glasgow to Oban train line. One of the most beautiful journeys in the world.

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

University catering services is where I learned the term.

Gen Z faces ‘job-pocalypse’ as global firms prioritise AI over new hires, report says

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

I was just going to say exactly this.

David Spencer @davidaspencer.bsky.social · 6d

This result is hard to reconcile with persistently low investment levels in the UK - if jobs are in shorter supply, this is more likely due to old-fashioned cost-cutting than increases in business investment in AI www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...

British Standards Institution study across seven countries found quarter of bosses believe entry-level tasks could be automated to reduce costs

Gen Z faces ‘job-pocalypse’ as global firms prioritise AI over new hires, report says

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Reposted by Melanie Simms

David Spencer

@davidaspencer.bsky.social

This result is hard to reconcile with persistently low investment levels in the UK - if jobs are in shorter supply, this is more likely due to old-fashioned cost-cutting than increases in business investment in AI www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...

British Standards Institution study across seven countries found quarter of bosses believe entry-level tasks could be automated to reduce costs

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

No - labo(u)r relations

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

I often wonder why I watch MAFS. Yes it’s set up. Yes it’s soap opera. And then there’s such a tender moment that we can all learn from.

Reposted by Melanie Simms

Journal of Industrial Relations (A Sage journal)

@jirjournal.bsky.social

Visit the #JIR YouTube channel—it’s full of content perfect for classroom use or professional practice. You’ll find interviews with renowned scholars, case studies, and more.

www.youtube.com/@JournalofIn...

#videoabstracts #JIR #industrialrelations

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The most radical Labour plan you haven’t heard about

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

I like this article a lot - unsurprisingly.

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 8d

Great column from @sarahoconnorft.ft.com where she casts her forensic eye over the introduction of collective bargaining in the social care sector. TL:DR it could work given adult care is a weird market largely paid for by local authorities; but as usual will there be enough cash? on.ft.com/4mSfeVm

Collective bargaining in social care could save an ailing sector — but only if it’s done properly

on.ft.com

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Reposted by Melanie Simms, Mike Brewer

Hetan Shah

@hetanshah.bsky.social

Great column from @sarahoconnorft.ft.com where she casts her forensic eye over the introduction of collective bargaining in the social care sector. TL:DR it could work given adult care is a weird market largely paid for by local authorities; but as usual will there be enough cash? on.ft.com/4mSfeVm

The most radical Labour plan you haven’t heard about

Collective bargaining in social care could save an ailing sector — but only if it’s done properly

on.ft.com

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Let’s make sure they don’t.

10 AI Prompts for Academics

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

The rapid end of belief in and understanding of the institutions of the post-1945 settlement remains surprising to me. Yet here we are. One battle after another.

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Reposted by Melanie Simms, Jonathan Wolff, Martin Paul Eve , and 1 more Melanie Simms, Jonathan Wolff, Martin Paul Eve, Geoff Pearson

profserious

@profserious.bsky.social

Here are your 10 -essential- AI prompts for academics ... make your life easy with help from @profserious.bsky.social profserious.substack.com/p/10-ai-prom...

making those hard jobs a little easier ...

profserious.substack.com

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Going to bed thinking about Greta and everyone else. #Solidarity

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Sunshine on Leith. 😍

Reposted by Melanie Simms

Alex Andreou

@sturdyalex.bsky.social

Years ago a jewish ma who loves me invited me to break fast with her family after Yom Kippur. It was a revealing experience and profound honour. In a small act of solidarity to jewish friends, we will eat tonight at 7:24. I have made lemon chicken soup, potato salad, and honey cake. 1/

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Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Although the title of the (very excellent) movie 'One Battle After Another' is a rubbish move title, it is a very good way to describe the life of activists. (And sorry, Paul - that's not a brilliant photo). www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...

Exclusive: Reintroducing tribunal fees would be ‘a gift for bad bosses’, says TUC chief Paul Nowak

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

All eyes on the flotilla. NOW!

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‘We can leave knowing we left a mark’: how Corsica Studios transformed London nightlife – and why it’s closing

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

I wondered if they’d survive. I’m sad they didn’t. But nothing lasts forever. We had fun!! www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...

The beloved south London club has announced it will shut next year as redevelopment of the site goes ahead. Founder Adrian Jones, DJs and promoters look back

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Not being in education, employment or training (NEET) is NOT the same as claiming social security. Only around 50% of young people NEET claim social security. Those who don’t are usually supported within their family household.

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

You’re frontline workers. You’re exposed to a lot of viruses and other illnesses. Get vaccines. Register with your doctor. And take care of yourself when you’re sick. Yes - sometimes that means not going to work.

£500 million for first ever fair pay agreement for care workers

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Now there’s something to negotiate over. Good news. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Government invests £500 million into first ever fair pay agreement in major milestone for care worker pay.

www.gov.uk

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Love being sent your way.

by Melanie Simms — Reposted by Tom Griffin

Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

This is a really good and accessible (for non-lawyers) post about the Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Kneecap) case.

dag @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 17d

NEW

The Kneecap prosecution collapsed because police and prosecutors did not take terrorism law seriously

Where "a technicality" hides a fundamental error

By me

Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/the-kneeca...

Personal blog:
davidallengreen.com/2025/09/the-...

At the bottom of this mess is a simple point: the police and the prosecutors were careless with terrorism law and careless about its express safeguards.

Things were left to the last minute and a consent (which may or may not have been given) - a step imposed by parliament as a crucial step - was not obtained.

And this mishap meant that the Chief Magistrate of England and Wales had no jurisdiction to hear what was on the face of it a terrorism case.

Police and the prosecutors should remember that this is terrorism law that they are dealing with.

Terrorism law should be taken seriously.

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Reposted by Melanie Simms, Steve Peers, Tom Griffin

dag

@davidallengreen.bsky.social

NEW

The Kneecap prosecution collapsed because police and prosecutors did not take terrorism law seriously

Where "a technicality" hides a fundamental error

By me

Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/the-kneeca...

Personal blog:
davidallengreen.com/2025/09/the-...

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Reposted by Melanie Simms

Resolution Foundation

@resfoundation.bsky.social

The UK is an international outlier when it comes to protection from unfair dismissal.

Our two-year ‘qualifying period’ for unfair dismissal protection is completely out of step with other rich countries, where qualifying periods between three and six months are the norm.

Read more buff.ly/0OSArrI

Chart showing months in job until worker becomes eligible for unfair dismissal protection: OECD countries, 2019
The chart shows that the two-year ‘qualifying period’ in the UK before workers are eligible for unfair dismissal protection is completely out of step with other rich countries, where qualifying periods between three and six months are the norm

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Melanie Simms

@melaniesimms.bsky.social

One Battle After Another. Shite title. BRILLIANT film.