Andrew Sissons
@acjsissons.bsky.social
Day job: climate change, heat pumps, energy at Nesta
Other stuff: low-fi economics on growth, cities & economic geography, general UK policy, occasional basic charts
Bristol, he/him, lots of parenting / caring.
Personal account.
Other stuff: low-fi economics on growth, cities & economic geography, general UK policy, occasional basic charts
Bristol, he/him, lots of parenting / caring.
Personal account.
Pinned
Andrew Sissons
@acjsissons.bsky.social
· Feb 14
Is net zero good or bad for growth?
The underlying facts about net zero and growth keep changing. The proponents for each side, however, do not tend to change their minds…
acjsissons.medium.com
New personal post: is net zero good or bad for growth?
This is a long post on a tricky topic, so this is a thread too.
I wrote it because people are making strong claims about net zero without really paying attention to the facts. And the facts keep changing
acjsissons.medium.com/is-net-zero-...
This is a long post on a tricky topic, so this is a thread too.
I wrote it because people are making strong claims about net zero without really paying attention to the facts. And the facts keep changing
acjsissons.medium.com/is-net-zero-...
I’ve outsourced most of my opinions on the labour market to Nye, @adamcorlett.bsky.social and co, because the official data is so hard to trust.
This looks concerning - especially with inflation still elevated
This looks concerning - especially with inflation still elevated
A surprisingly bad set of labour market stats this morning. The story I was prepared for was "some weakening, but the shake out from the early part of the year is behind us". But it's worse than that - payroll jobs falling again, unemployment now up at 5%.
Here is our PN
Here is our PN
November 11, 2025 at 9:05 AM
I’ve outsourced most of my opinions on the labour market to Nye, @adamcorlett.bsky.social and co, because the official data is so hard to trust.
This looks concerning - especially with inflation still elevated
This looks concerning - especially with inflation still elevated
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
A surprisingly bad set of labour market stats this morning. The story I was prepared for was "some weakening, but the shake out from the early part of the year is behind us". But it's worse than that - payroll jobs falling again, unemployment now up at 5%.
Here is our PN
Here is our PN
November 11, 2025 at 7:55 AM
A surprisingly bad set of labour market stats this morning. The story I was prepared for was "some weakening, but the shake out from the early part of the year is behind us". But it's worse than that - payroll jobs falling again, unemployment now up at 5%.
Here is our PN
Here is our PN
Stupid question, but: is there a name for the thing where what often matters for investors is the real interest rate, but what matters for borrowers is usually the nominal internet rate?
November 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Stupid question, but: is there a name for the thing where what often matters for investors is the real interest rate, but what matters for borrowers is usually the nominal internet rate?
A bit long term, but my favourite version of "how poor the past was" is in this chart.
Working hours go up (peaking at a 66 hour week), real wages go right.
Working hours go up (peaking at a 66 hour week), real wages go right.
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A bit long term, but my favourite version of "how poor the past was" is in this chart.
Working hours go up (peaking at a 66 hour week), real wages go right.
Working hours go up (peaking at a 66 hour week), real wages go right.
Wife reports paying £10 (TEN POUNDS) for a coffee and a pastry today, and I’m not sure any government could survive this
November 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Wife reports paying £10 (TEN POUNDS) for a coffee and a pastry today, and I’m not sure any government could survive this
‘A new service called Objector is offering “policy-backed objections in minutes” to people who are upset about planning applications near their homes.’
Another reminder that AI can be used for things you don’t like as well as things you like…
Another reminder that AI can be used for things you don’t like as well as things you like…
November 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM
‘A new service called Objector is offering “policy-backed objections in minutes” to people who are upset about planning applications near their homes.’
Another reminder that AI can be used for things you don’t like as well as things you like…
Another reminder that AI can be used for things you don’t like as well as things you like…
You’ll probably be hearing a lot about Dieter Helm atm, and this 2012 piece captures a lot of what you need to know about him.
First, why he’s been so influential (he writes very well).
Second, how he seems to have not updated his views on energy in over a decade, despite everything changing
First, why he’s been so influential (he writes very well).
Second, how he seems to have not updated his views on energy in over a decade, despite everything changing
"Prof Helm adroitly identifies many of the reasons we have failed to address climate change so far. But it is not clear whether his proposed solutions, which include a temporary dash for gas and border carbon taxes, would be any easier to implement."
www.ft.com/content/4efa...
www.ft.com/content/4efa...
Ways through the world’s ‘wicked problem’
An adviser on energy policy is an influential advocate of using border taxation to establish a global carbon price
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
You’ll probably be hearing a lot about Dieter Helm atm, and this 2012 piece captures a lot of what you need to know about him.
First, why he’s been so influential (he writes very well).
Second, how he seems to have not updated his views on energy in over a decade, despite everything changing
First, why he’s been so influential (he writes very well).
Second, how he seems to have not updated his views on energy in over a decade, despite everything changing
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
The Chancellor still needs to raise taxes, so I’ve updated my blog about how to make a positive case for tax.
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
How to make the positive case for higher taxes
How to make the positive case for higher taxes (still) NOTE: This piece has been updated several times, because the UK government still needs to raise taxes. The latest update was on 8th November …
acjsissons.medium.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The Chancellor still needs to raise taxes, so I’ve updated my blog about how to make a positive case for tax.
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
One of our local pizza places sells balls of dough to take away for £2.50 each, and honestly it is so good.
Fancy pizza for a lot less money, and a bit of Saturday evening family fun
Fancy pizza for a lot less money, and a bit of Saturday evening family fun
November 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
One of our local pizza places sells balls of dough to take away for £2.50 each, and honestly it is so good.
Fancy pizza for a lot less money, and a bit of Saturday evening family fun
Fancy pizza for a lot less money, and a bit of Saturday evening family fun
The Chancellor still needs to raise taxes, so I’ve updated my blog about how to make a positive case for tax.
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
How to make the positive case for higher taxes
How to make the positive case for higher taxes (still) NOTE: This piece has been updated several times, because the UK government still needs to raise taxes. The latest update was on 8th November …
acjsissons.medium.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The Chancellor still needs to raise taxes, so I’ve updated my blog about how to make a positive case for tax.
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
Emphasise social solidarity. Use the state to lower the cost of living. Invest in better public services. Talk about how the state can make life better
acjsissons.medium.com/how-to-make-...
Why does everyone insist on calling Cambridge Silicon Fen when it clearly should be Neurofen
November 8, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Why does everyone insist on calling Cambridge Silicon Fen when it clearly should be Neurofen
This is fascinating.
Rightmove said it will have lower profits because it’s going to invest heavily in AI. Investors said no thank you, sending shares down by 25% at one point
Rightmove said it will have lower profits because it’s going to invest heavily in AI. Investors said no thank you, sending shares down by 25% at one point
Rightmove shares plummet over AI investment plans
Shares in the property website sink after it cuts profit forecasts to step up investment in AI.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
This is fascinating.
Rightmove said it will have lower profits because it’s going to invest heavily in AI. Investors said no thank you, sending shares down by 25% at one point
Rightmove said it will have lower profits because it’s going to invest heavily in AI. Investors said no thank you, sending shares down by 25% at one point
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Rare opportunity. We are currently recruiting for a member of our senior leadership team to take forward our work on productivity and growth. Do get in touch if interested. www.resolutionfoundation.org/about-us/opp...
Research Director • Resolution Foundation
The Resolution Foundation is looking for an exceptional candidate to help lead our research team. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Foundation’s senior leadership as we seek to turn around t...
www.resolutionfoundation.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Rare opportunity. We are currently recruiting for a member of our senior leadership team to take forward our work on productivity and growth. Do get in touch if interested. www.resolutionfoundation.org/about-us/opp...
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Not necessarily house type, but you can look at some fun small-geography house age data here: mapmaker.geods.ac.uk#/dwelling-ag...
GeoDS Mapmaker
mapmaker.geods.ac.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Not necessarily house type, but you can look at some fun small-geography house age data here: mapmaker.geods.ac.uk#/dwelling-ag...
Slightly odd question, but:
What cities in Britain would you say have the most homogenous homes (i.e., a lot of buildings are quite similar)? And which have the most diversity in their built form?
What cities in Britain would you say have the most homogenous homes (i.e., a lot of buildings are quite similar)? And which have the most diversity in their built form?
November 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Slightly odd question, but:
What cities in Britain would you say have the most homogenous homes (i.e., a lot of buildings are quite similar)? And which have the most diversity in their built form?
What cities in Britain would you say have the most homogenous homes (i.e., a lot of buildings are quite similar)? And which have the most diversity in their built form?
Linear TV is good sometimes
November 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Linear TV is good sometimes
Well worth reading this.
It is imv quite a big problem that Biden’s approach to the economy was so unpopular compared to Obama’s…
It is imv quite a big problem that Biden’s approach to the economy was so unpopular compared to Obama’s…
Bidenomics: Truly Transitory Inflation, Remarkably Successful on Employment & Growth—But Unable to Break Through the Media Misinformation Machine
My attempt to set forth a balance sheet: Bidenomics was an extraordinary success. The economy healed fast; the…
braddelong.substack.com/p/bidenomics...
My attempt to set forth a balance sheet: Bidenomics was an extraordinary success. The economy healed fast; the…
braddelong.substack.com/p/bidenomics...
Bidenomics: Truly Transitory Inflation, Remarkably Successful on Employment & Growth—But Unable to Break Through the Media Misinformation Machine
My attempt to set forth a balance sheet: Bidenomics was an extraordinary success. The economy healed fast; the story never did. A brief moderate transitory inflation. A long and strong jobs and...
braddelong.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Well worth reading this.
It is imv quite a big problem that Biden’s approach to the economy was so unpopular compared to Obama’s…
It is imv quite a big problem that Biden’s approach to the economy was so unpopular compared to Obama’s…
It sounds like this “pay per mile tax” will only apply to EVs, on the basis that petrol cars already pay fuel duty.
But the taxes on electricity are already nearly as high as fuel duty…
But the taxes on electricity are already nearly as high as fuel duty…
Thursday's TELEGRAPH: Pay per mile tax to hit drivers in Budget #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 5, 2025 at 11:55 PM
It sounds like this “pay per mile tax” will only apply to EVs, on the basis that petrol cars already pay fuel duty.
But the taxes on electricity are already nearly as high as fuel duty…
But the taxes on electricity are already nearly as high as fuel duty…
I’m afraid I’ve heard enough to take this seriously - No.10 is thinking of abolishing ECO, the main source of funding for upgrading fuel poor homes.
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
To be clear, what is being proposed here is to axe the main mechanism for getting Britain’s homes insulated - which is by FAR the best way to reduce household energy bills in the long term 🤦♂️
…and also, just incidentally, an absolute non-negotiable requirement for meeting UK climate targets 😬🥵☠️
…and also, just incidentally, an absolute non-negotiable requirement for meeting UK climate targets 😬🥵☠️
Reeves considers cut to green levies in effort to reduce cost of energy bills
Exclusive: Chancellor hopes to save up to £170 from average bill but industry insiders say move would be ‘disastrous’
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I’m afraid I’ve heard enough to take this seriously - No.10 is thinking of abolishing ECO, the main source of funding for upgrading fuel poor homes.
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
There’s no way to sugar coat this: it would be a disaster.
And it would mean this government spending less on upgrading homes than the last one
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
If anyone (say, for instance, Treasury SpAds) is looking for a better idea to reduce energy bills, @acjsissons.bsky.social has you covered www.nesta.org.uk/report/tax-f...
November 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
If anyone (say, for instance, Treasury SpAds) is looking for a better idea to reduce energy bills, @acjsissons.bsky.social has you covered www.nesta.org.uk/report/tax-f...
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
The Treasury is widely reported to be considering cutting energy bills, perhaps via a VAT cut. What's the best way to do this?
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
Tax-free electricity
A proposal to remove most taxes on electricity to reduce bills and promote clean heating
www.nesta.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The Treasury is widely reported to be considering cutting energy bills, perhaps via a VAT cut. What's the best way to do this?
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Two thoughts related to Dhara's good points
1) ECO is not a sacred cow. It has cost more and performed worse with each iteration and does not serve our poorest households well. It needs a complete redesign
2) Funding for poor households is non-negotiable. Any retrenchment would be a major failure
1) ECO is not a sacred cow. It has cost more and performed worse with each iteration and does not serve our poorest households well. It needs a complete redesign
2) Funding for poor households is non-negotiable. Any retrenchment would be a major failure
Rare for trade bodies to be this publicly furious. The Treasury could make some relatively modest savings by cutting energy efficiency schemes, but it would do a lot of long term damage.
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521385...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521385...
November 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Two thoughts related to Dhara's good points
1) ECO is not a sacred cow. It has cost more and performed worse with each iteration and does not serve our poorest households well. It needs a complete redesign
2) Funding for poor households is non-negotiable. Any retrenchment would be a major failure
1) ECO is not a sacred cow. It has cost more and performed worse with each iteration and does not serve our poorest households well. It needs a complete redesign
2) Funding for poor households is non-negotiable. Any retrenchment would be a major failure
The Treasury is widely reported to be considering cutting energy bills, perhaps via a VAT cut. What's the best way to do this?
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
Tax-free electricity
A proposal to remove most taxes on electricity to reduce bills and promote clean heating
www.nesta.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The Treasury is widely reported to be considering cutting energy bills, perhaps via a VAT cut. What's the best way to do this?
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
We think the answer is to remove the taxes from electricity bills. Here is Nesta's proposal out for Tax-free Electricity:
@nestauk.bsky.social
Honestly I don’t think we get enough credit for getting out of bed every morning in the winter.
That moment where every sensory system in your body is telling you to stay under the duvet, and yet still we jolt our body upright. Deserves credit.
That moment where every sensory system in your body is telling you to stay under the duvet, and yet still we jolt our body upright. Deserves credit.
November 5, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Honestly I don’t think we get enough credit for getting out of bed every morning in the winter.
That moment where every sensory system in your body is telling you to stay under the duvet, and yet still we jolt our body upright. Deserves credit.
That moment where every sensory system in your body is telling you to stay under the duvet, and yet still we jolt our body upright. Deserves credit.
Just want to offer some mildly wonky follow up thoughts on my blog last week about why energy prices are higher.
1. We should express energy price changes in real, not nominal terms.
Part of the reason (nominal) energy bills have risen is that we had a ~25% inflation shock, and that won’t reverse
1. We should express energy price changes in real, not nominal terms.
Part of the reason (nominal) energy bills have risen is that we had a ~25% inflation shock, and that won’t reverse
Is gas still the reason GB energy prices are high? New Nesta blog by me.
There's been a lot of talk about non-commodity costs on electricity bills, and how they're now dominating bill rises.
My conclusion is: yes, they're a problem and need tackling; but they're not yet as big a problem as gas.
There's been a lot of talk about non-commodity costs on electricity bills, and how they're now dominating bill rises.
My conclusion is: yes, they're a problem and need tackling; but they're not yet as big a problem as gas.
Is gas still the reason energy bills are so high?
Despite rising non-commodity costs on energy bills, high gas prices remain the primary reason for expensive energy for most British households, making the switch to homegrown energy a top priority
www.nesta.org.uk
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Just want to offer some mildly wonky follow up thoughts on my blog last week about why energy prices are higher.
1. We should express energy price changes in real, not nominal terms.
Part of the reason (nominal) energy bills have risen is that we had a ~25% inflation shock, and that won’t reverse
1. We should express energy price changes in real, not nominal terms.
Part of the reason (nominal) energy bills have risen is that we had a ~25% inflation shock, and that won’t reverse