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
· Nov 17
Delighted to publish this personal essay by me and John: Getting Britain out of the hole.
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
This is a crime worthy of excommunication from Bluesky: a link to something I've posted on LinkedIn.
But in case you want to read it...here's a short list of things I changed my mind on in 2025 (on energy, heating, the economy and the climate)
But in case you want to read it...here's a short list of things I changed my mind on in 2025 (on energy, heating, the economy and the climate)
Things I changed my mind about in 2025
Energy Network costs. This was a straightforward mistake: I underestimated how much of an impact rising network costs were having on electricity bills.
www.linkedin.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
This is a crime worthy of excommunication from Bluesky: a link to something I've posted on LinkedIn.
But in case you want to read it...here's a short list of things I changed my mind on in 2025 (on energy, heating, the economy and the climate)
But in case you want to read it...here's a short list of things I changed my mind on in 2025 (on energy, heating, the economy and the climate)
Claire Coutinho and Ed Miliband had this same argument in the Commons today, according to PA.
Just for the record:
In the 10 months that Claire Coutinho was Energy Secretary, policy costs on energy bills rose by £32 and the standing charge rose by £34.
Just for the record:
In the 10 months that Claire Coutinho was Energy Secretary, policy costs on energy bills rose by £32 and the standing charge rose by £34.
January 6, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Claire Coutinho and Ed Miliband had this same argument in the Commons today, according to PA.
Just for the record:
In the 10 months that Claire Coutinho was Energy Secretary, policy costs on energy bills rose by £32 and the standing charge rose by £34.
Just for the record:
In the 10 months that Claire Coutinho was Energy Secretary, policy costs on energy bills rose by £32 and the standing charge rose by £34.
Bit late to it, but this is a very confusing story on the Warm Homes Plan!
The Times: "Plans drawn up by ministers include a £30 levy on gas bills"
The government: "Our plans do not include a new levy"
Claire Coutinho: "The government’s £30 gas levy is nothing short of a hidden tax"
The Times: "Plans drawn up by ministers include a £30 levy on gas bills"
The government: "Our plans do not include a new levy"
Claire Coutinho: "The government’s £30 gas levy is nothing short of a hidden tax"
Ed Miliband’s ‘zero-bill’ dream under fire from his own MPs
Internal row breaks out over Labour’s £15bn green energy plan as critics warn that gas levies to subsidise heat pumps will hit the poorest
www.thetimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Bit late to it, but this is a very confusing story on the Warm Homes Plan!
The Times: "Plans drawn up by ministers include a £30 levy on gas bills"
The government: "Our plans do not include a new levy"
Claire Coutinho: "The government’s £30 gas levy is nothing short of a hidden tax"
The Times: "Plans drawn up by ministers include a £30 levy on gas bills"
The government: "Our plans do not include a new levy"
Claire Coutinho: "The government’s £30 gas levy is nothing short of a hidden tax"
1. The Industrial Revolution wasn’t a revolution, more a process from 1550 - 1820
2. Athens didn’t invent democracy
3. Persistent inflation didn’t really exist until the 1930s
4. Churchill was a disastrous chancellor; Neville Chamberlain a very good one
5. Catherine Parr did not survive
2. Athens didn’t invent democracy
3. Persistent inflation didn’t really exist until the 1930s
4. Churchill was a disastrous chancellor; Neville Chamberlain a very good one
5. Catherine Parr did not survive
Here’s a fun top five: things that are consensus among historians but are essentially unknown by the public. Richard I, a bad king of England. Roman Empire, fell in 1453. Paul, more important than Jesus. Witch burning, a modern phenomenon not a medieval one. Britain last invaded in 1688. Yours?
As someone who wrote a dissertation on that damnable Frenchman; one can only hope.
January 6, 2026 at 7:52 AM
1. The Industrial Revolution wasn’t a revolution, more a process from 1550 - 1820
2. Athens didn’t invent democracy
3. Persistent inflation didn’t really exist until the 1930s
4. Churchill was a disastrous chancellor; Neville Chamberlain a very good one
5. Catherine Parr did not survive
2. Athens didn’t invent democracy
3. Persistent inflation didn’t really exist until the 1930s
4. Churchill was a disastrous chancellor; Neville Chamberlain a very good one
5. Catherine Parr did not survive
Would consider voting for any party that promised to abolish inset days
January 5, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Would consider voting for any party that promised to abolish inset days
Given Starmer’s comments on the Single Market and free movement this morning, worth revisiting what @johnspringford.bsky.social and I said in the Hole essay.
Ruling out free movement - as Starmer did again - probably means ruling out getting any closer to the Single Market
Ruling out free movement - as Starmer did again - probably means ruling out getting any closer to the Single Market
January 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Given Starmer’s comments on the Single Market and free movement this morning, worth revisiting what @johnspringford.bsky.social and I said in the Hole essay.
Ruling out free movement - as Starmer did again - probably means ruling out getting any closer to the Single Market
Ruling out free movement - as Starmer did again - probably means ruling out getting any closer to the Single Market
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
The story of Ram Mohan Roy - a Bengali social reformer and writer known as “the father of the Indian renaissance” - is remarkable.
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
January 2, 2026 at 4:18 PM
The story of Ram Mohan Roy - a Bengali social reformer and writer known as “the father of the Indian renaissance” - is remarkable.
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
I've had two outstanding public service experiences this hols: a new passport within 2 days of application & a prescription ready to pick up within 2 hours of request. Time saved is a key (unmeasured) productivity metric: digital tech makes a huge difference when implemented well.
January 2, 2026 at 4:07 PM
I've had two outstanding public service experiences this hols: a new passport within 2 days of application & a prescription ready to pick up within 2 hours of request. Time saved is a key (unmeasured) productivity metric: digital tech makes a huge difference when implemented well.
The story of Ram Mohan Roy - a Bengali social reformer and writer known as “the father of the Indian renaissance” - is remarkable.
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
January 2, 2026 at 4:18 PM
The story of Ram Mohan Roy - a Bengali social reformer and writer known as “the father of the Indian renaissance” - is remarkable.
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
He is buried in this magnificent tomb in Arnos Vale Cemetry in Bristol. He travelled to Britain as an emissary from the Mughal Emperor and died in Bristol
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Woohoo! Chickenpox vaccines are on the menu in the UK - finally!!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Ignore the sceptics: with this new vaccine, chickenpox could become a thing of the past | Wes Streeting
Thousands develop serious complications from the varicella virus. Today the NHS rolls out a new jab, alongside measles, mumps and rubella, says health secretary Wes Streeting
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Woohoo! Chickenpox vaccines are on the menu in the UK - finally!!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
January 1, 2026 at 11:32 PM
The Traitors switching to an 8pm start is causing a serious diplomatic incident in our household (because of the overlap with bedtime…)
January 1, 2026 at 6:04 PM
The Traitors switching to an 8pm start is causing a serious diplomatic incident in our household (because of the overlap with bedtime…)
Middle age starts at 35, don’t @ me, join me on this hill
One of the weird things about entering your late 30s is seeing your friends age: losing a bit of vitality, withdrawing, becoming set or worn
Its one thing to notice in yourself, its another to see it in those you love
Its one thing to notice in yourself, its another to see it in those you love
January 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Middle age starts at 35, don’t @ me, join me on this hill
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Really hoping 2025 was the year global greenhouse gas emissions peaked. It might have been one of the most historic years in human history.
December 31, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Really hoping 2025 was the year global greenhouse gas emissions peaked. It might have been one of the most historic years in human history.
Mansun’s Taxloss for me.
The director threw 25 grand in cash off the balcony at Liverpool Street Station and filmed it badly
youtu.be/vGtCMzdNV60?...
The director threw 25 grand in cash off the balcony at Liverpool Street Station and filmed it badly
youtu.be/vGtCMzdNV60?...
December 31, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Mansun’s Taxloss for me.
The director threw 25 grand in cash off the balcony at Liverpool Street Station and filmed it badly
youtu.be/vGtCMzdNV60?...
The director threw 25 grand in cash off the balcony at Liverpool Street Station and filmed it badly
youtu.be/vGtCMzdNV60?...
This is interesting.
No idea how useful or important making purer semi-conductors in the vacuum of space is, but: a) an example of the kind of manufacturing UK can be good at; b) it seems like an actual use case for going to space…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No idea how useful or important making purer semi-conductors in the vacuum of space is, but: a) an example of the kind of manufacturing UK can be good at; b) it seems like an actual use case for going to space…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK company sends factory with 1,000C furnace into space
A factory in space has been switched on and has reached temperatures of about 1,000C.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This is interesting.
No idea how useful or important making purer semi-conductors in the vacuum of space is, but: a) an example of the kind of manufacturing UK can be good at; b) it seems like an actual use case for going to space…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No idea how useful or important making purer semi-conductors in the vacuum of space is, but: a) an example of the kind of manufacturing UK can be good at; b) it seems like an actual use case for going to space…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Pov: your father was a tyrannical ruler who chopped off your mother’s head, your guardian molested you from the age of 14, your sister locked you up in the Tower of London, you survived and became Queen and people still wonder why you didn’t want to get married to a man…
December 30, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Pov: your father was a tyrannical ruler who chopped off your mother’s head, your guardian molested you from the age of 14, your sister locked you up in the Tower of London, you survived and became Queen and people still wonder why you didn’t want to get married to a man…
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
British business has an opportunity to defy the gloom - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Nice optimism from John Gapper
I think there's normally a systemic negative bias that leads people to underestimate how things might outperform expectations. Combination of:
- trend following .... 1/
Nice optimism from John Gapper
I think there's normally a systemic negative bias that leads people to underestimate how things might outperform expectations. Combination of:
- trend following .... 1/
British business has an opportunity to defy the gloom
Entrepreneurs are more optimistic than the headlines about the UK’s economic potential
giftarticle.ft.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:24 AM
British business has an opportunity to defy the gloom - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Nice optimism from John Gapper
I think there's normally a systemic negative bias that leads people to underestimate how things might outperform expectations. Combination of:
- trend following .... 1/
Nice optimism from John Gapper
I think there's normally a systemic negative bias that leads people to underestimate how things might outperform expectations. Combination of:
- trend following .... 1/
*reluctantly puts on work hat*
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
Sounds like the end of the 'fabric first' mantra being set out here.
Electrifying homes is the way of the future, with solar panels, batteries and heat pumps being the focus of government subsidy.
Electrifying homes is the way of the future, with solar panels, batteries and heat pumps being the focus of government subsidy.
THE TIMES: Solar grants for millions to cut home energy use #TomorrowsPapersToday
December 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
*reluctantly puts on work hat*
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Many congratulations to the economists in the New Year Honours list - I spotted Paul Mizen, Andrew Scott, Tony Travers, Nancy Hey (@worklifeyou.bsky.social), Jonathan Wadsworth; and a special welcome to the Damehood for Wendy Carlin of @coreecon.bsky.social !
December 30, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Many congratulations to the economists in the New Year Honours list - I spotted Paul Mizen, Andrew Scott, Tony Travers, Nancy Hey (@worklifeyou.bsky.social), Jonathan Wadsworth; and a special welcome to the Damehood for Wendy Carlin of @coreecon.bsky.social !
Oh wow there’s a new Beta Band KEXP.
Exciting because there is not that much good live footage of them out there ime
youtu.be/VFfouWrR6lY?...
Exciting because there is not that much good live footage of them out there ime
youtu.be/VFfouWrR6lY?...
The Beta Band - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
YouTube video by KEXP
youtu.be
December 29, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Oh wow there’s a new Beta Band KEXP.
Exciting because there is not that much good live footage of them out there ime
youtu.be/VFfouWrR6lY?...
Exciting because there is not that much good live footage of them out there ime
youtu.be/VFfouWrR6lY?...
Nice piece asking why companies don’t target the older consumer more.
Over-55s account for roughly half of all global consumer spending (bit depressing tbh) but only a fraction of advertising spend…
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Over-55s account for roughly half of all global consumer spending (bit depressing tbh) but only a fraction of advertising spend…
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Why don’t companies target over 55s as consumers more?
Age group accounts for a rising share of spending but only a fraction of advertising budgets is aimed at it
giftarticle.ft.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Nice piece asking why companies don’t target the older consumer more.
Over-55s account for roughly half of all global consumer spending (bit depressing tbh) but only a fraction of advertising spend…
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Over-55s account for roughly half of all global consumer spending (bit depressing tbh) but only a fraction of advertising spend…
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Aside from the political risks, there are two market issues with YouTube / platforms taking over TV:
1. Relying on advertising revenue rather than subscriptions surely means less revenue (and more consumer surplus) overall
2. Creators / businesses always at the mercy of the algorithm
1. Relying on advertising revenue rather than subscriptions surely means less revenue (and more consumer surplus) overall
2. Creators / businesses always at the mercy of the algorithm
December 28, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Aside from the political risks, there are two market issues with YouTube / platforms taking over TV:
1. Relying on advertising revenue rather than subscriptions surely means less revenue (and more consumer surplus) overall
2. Creators / businesses always at the mercy of the algorithm
1. Relying on advertising revenue rather than subscriptions surely means less revenue (and more consumer surplus) overall
2. Creators / businesses always at the mercy of the algorithm
Happy Christmas from sunny Cornwall!
December 24, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Happy Christmas from sunny Cornwall!
One of my jobs at the Environment Agency was to get the Treasury to pay to fix the navigations we ran.
I think it’s fair to say that England’s waterways are not in a great state of repair, and that this could be quite a big headache…
I think it’s fair to say that England’s waterways are not in a great state of repair, and that this could be quite a big headache…
December 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
One of my jobs at the Environment Agency was to get the Treasury to pay to fix the navigations we ran.
I think it’s fair to say that England’s waterways are not in a great state of repair, and that this could be quite a big headache…
I think it’s fair to say that England’s waterways are not in a great state of repair, and that this could be quite a big headache…