Ally Tibbitt
@allytibbitt.me
Journalist | Audience @uk.theconversation.com | Trustee of @mysociety.bsky.social | Co-editor of @gairlochtimes.org.uk | Based in Scottish Highlands but often roaming. Contact via @Signal.org username: allytibbitt.92
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Up to £1 billion (!) of new funding for local energy projects to be made available through the Local Power Plan...
Community energy investment to build community wealth and power
Biggest ever public investment in community energy will cut bills and create revenue for community centres, social clubs and places of worship.
www.gov.uk
February 9, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Up to £1 billion (!) of new funding for local energy projects to be made available through the Local Power Plan...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
I really hope people advocating to ban kids from SM read this. Some kids are isolated by disabilities or circumstances. Furthermore, some kids grow up in abusive households. “Ideally, a child’s exposure to online worlds should be moderated by their parents” isn’t a reassuring sentiment for everyone
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
‘I’ve lost my friends’: advocacy groups warn Australia’s social media ban risks isolating kids with disabilities
Despite the ban’s aim to protect young people, experts are concerned that those in marginalised communities or living with disabilities could lose vital support networks
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:06 AM
I really hope people advocating to ban kids from SM read this. Some kids are isolated by disabilities or circumstances. Furthermore, some kids grow up in abusive households. “Ideally, a child’s exposure to online worlds should be moderated by their parents” isn’t a reassuring sentiment for everyone
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
“The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…”
That was last year. I can only imagine where the US reputation is now.
The fastest destruction of a nation’s reputation in history?
That was last year. I can only imagine where the US reputation is now.
The fastest destruction of a nation’s reputation in history?
According to this ranking, Canada’s reputation has improved since 2024. We are now the 2nd most reputable country in the world.
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
February 6, 2026 at 3:12 AM
“The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…”
That was last year. I can only imagine where the US reputation is now.
The fastest destruction of a nation’s reputation in history?
That was last year. I can only imagine where the US reputation is now.
The fastest destruction of a nation’s reputation in history?
This is bit of a spanner in the works. A lot of cash riding on getting this through... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Councillors vote to oppose controversial Fanellan substation plan
SSEN Transmission's facility has been proposed for a site near Beauly in the Highlands.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM
This is bit of a spanner in the works. A lot of cash riding on getting this through... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
An online racism issue led to his resignation as Staffs council Reform UK Ltd group leader just seven days after his appointment. "The move means Reform UK will have had three group leaders in the space of nine months"
Reform UK councillor at centre of TikTok storm quits 'due to family bereavement'
Reform UK councillor at centre of TikTok storm quits 'due to family bereavement'
Chris Large has stepped down seven days after being appointed as the Reform group leader on Staffordshire Country Council
www.stokesentinel.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 9:54 AM
An online racism issue led to his resignation as Staffs council Reform UK Ltd group leader just seven days after his appointment. "The move means Reform UK will have had three group leaders in the space of nine months"
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Good to see the ICO opening an investigation into X to understand whether personal data has been processed lawfully and whether appropriate safeguards were built into Grok to prevent the generation of harmful manipulated images using personal data.
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
ICO announces investigation into Grok
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has opened formal investigations into X Internet Unlimited Company (XIUC) and X.AI LLC (X.AI) covering their processing of personal data in relation to the ...
ico.org.uk
February 3, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Good to see the ICO opening an investigation into X to understand whether personal data has been processed lawfully and whether appropriate safeguards were built into Grok to prevent the generation of harmful manipulated images using personal data.
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Chaotic carnival of chancers latest:
- Jenrick and Braverman vote FOR the abolition of the two child limit while the other four Reform MPs vote against
- and of course Farage doesn’t even bother turning up to do his job
- Jenrick and Braverman vote FOR the abolition of the two child limit while the other four Reform MPs vote against
- and of course Farage doesn’t even bother turning up to do his job
Couldn’t make this up. Farage:
- WAS calling for the two child limit to be scrapped.
- NOW calling for the two child limit to be reinstated.
Reform aren’t just importing failed Tory politicians. They’re importing failed Tory policies.
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
- WAS calling for the two child limit to be scrapped.
- NOW calling for the two child limit to be reinstated.
Reform aren’t just importing failed Tory politicians. They’re importing failed Tory policies.
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Nigel Farage Calls For Lifting Of Two-Child Benefit Cap
Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage has called for the lifting of the two child benefit cap and transferable tax allowance for married couples.
www.politicshome.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Chaotic carnival of chancers latest:
- Jenrick and Braverman vote FOR the abolition of the two child limit while the other four Reform MPs vote against
- and of course Farage doesn’t even bother turning up to do his job
- Jenrick and Braverman vote FOR the abolition of the two child limit while the other four Reform MPs vote against
- and of course Farage doesn’t even bother turning up to do his job
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Today's "few notes on this register" bought to you via train wifi
A new House of Commons register of interests has been released and uploaded to TheyWorkForYou https://www.theyworkforyou.com/interests
Register of Interests
Making it easy to keep an eye on the UK’s parliaments. Discover who represents you, how they’ve voted and what they’ve said in debates.
www.theyworkforyou.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Today's "few notes on this register" bought to you via train wifi
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
🔴NEW: One of Scotland’s high-profile salmon companies has accused other producers of failing to report lice infestations at fish farms “honestly”, according to emails obtained by The Ferret.
Find out more:
Find out more:
Salmon company lashes out at own industry over ‘honesty’ on lice
A well known salmon farming company was told by Scottish Government inspectors to cut lice numbers at three of its sites in Sutherland. It responded by suggesting that other salmon farmers were failing to report lice numbers accurately.
www.theferret.scot
February 3, 2026 at 8:02 AM
🔴NEW: One of Scotland’s high-profile salmon companies has accused other producers of failing to report lice infestations at fish farms “honestly”, according to emails obtained by The Ferret.
Find out more:
Find out more:
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Sad news from Wikipedia. Following lengthy discussion on the talk page, they've removed Matt Goodwin's claim to be the first in his family to go to university on the grounds that it [checks notes] isn't true. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Ma...
Talk:Matt Goodwin - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Sad news from Wikipedia. Following lengthy discussion on the talk page, they've removed Matt Goodwin's claim to be the first in his family to go to university on the grounds that it [checks notes] isn't true. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Ma...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
I'm not prone to exaggeration but this is probably the biggest scoop I've ever been involved in
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Jeffrey Epstein sent £10,000 to Mandelson’s husband, emails show
Epstein sent Reinaldo Avila da Silva payment in 2009
www.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:34 PM
I'm not prone to exaggeration but this is probably the biggest scoop I've ever been involved in
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Mandelson's partner took £10,000 from Epstein to pay for his osteopath course while Mandelson was de facto UK deputy prime minister, according to new files
more to follow
www.ft.com/content/c950...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Issue 2 of the Gairloch and District Times is out today with news that planning officials have given the green light to a proposed mock roundhouse at Gairloch Museum.
gairlochtimes.org.uk/museum-round...
gairlochtimes.org.uk/museum-round...
Museum Roundhouse plan gets green light
Issue 2 of 2026 is available to download now.
gairlochtimes.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Issue 2 of the Gairloch and District Times is out today with news that planning officials have given the green light to a proposed mock roundhouse at Gairloch Museum.
gairlochtimes.org.uk/museum-round...
gairlochtimes.org.uk/museum-round...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Watch the Strange Health podcast from the Conversation with Professor Adam Taylor @adatomy.bsky.social from the Medical School talking to hosts Katie Edwards and Dan Baumgardt about “Tonsils, kidneys and gall: where and why your body makes stones”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPw...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPw...
January 27, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Watch the Strange Health podcast from the Conversation with Professor Adam Taylor @adatomy.bsky.social from the Medical School talking to hosts Katie Edwards and Dan Baumgardt about “Tonsils, kidneys and gall: where and why your body makes stones”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPw...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjPw...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Hang on, I had missed the fact that the AI Skills Hub cost £4m. mahadk.com/posts/ai-ski... If this wasn't tax payers' money it would be quite funny. Also, can only assume PWC spent some time rolling around in gold because they did NOT spend it on building this
The UK paid £4.1 million for a bookmarks site
Or, as they like to call it, the 'AI Skills Hub'. Which was built by PwC because of course it was
mahadk.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Hang on, I had missed the fact that the AI Skills Hub cost £4m. mahadk.com/posts/ai-ski... If this wasn't tax payers' money it would be quite funny. Also, can only assume PWC spent some time rolling around in gold because they did NOT spend it on building this
That's not even all his employees in Scotland.
Of the 32 screenings taking place during the next week, 23 have sold no tickets
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@andrewlearmonth.bsky.social
𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘈𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘯/𝘗𝘈 𝘞𝘪𝘳𝘦/𝘗𝘈 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
@andrewlearmonth.bsky.social
𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘎𝘌: 𝘈𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘯/𝘗𝘈 𝘞𝘪𝘳𝘦/𝘗𝘈 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴
January 28, 2026 at 6:45 PM
That's not even all his employees in Scotland.
Absolutely incredible bit of data crunching here. Factoring in Scotland is scandalously opaque. www.reddit.com/r/Edinburgh/...
From the Edinburgh community on Reddit: The top three factors manage 39% of Edinburgh's factored properties. Since 2021, homeowners have beaten them at tribunal 70% of the time.
Explore this post and more from the Edinburgh community
www.reddit.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Absolutely incredible bit of data crunching here. Factoring in Scotland is scandalously opaque. www.reddit.com/r/Edinburgh/...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Google now moves mobile users into AI Mode when they ask a follow-up question in AI Overviews, taking them out of the main search results page searchengineland.com/google-ai-ov...
Google AI Overviews follow up questions jump you directly to AI Mode
This will result in less traffic to your site and more traffic to Google's AI Mode. Plus, Gemini 3 is now powering all AI Overviews globally by default.
searchengineland.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Google now moves mobile users into AI Mode when they ask a follow-up question in AI Overviews, taking them out of the main search results page searchengineland.com/google-ai-ov...
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
As National Security Adviser, I was often at the UK’s HQ in Helmand, Camp Bastion. Too often, the tannoy would announce medevac helicopters inbound. The huge base w’d fall silent, out of respect for the young men or women who were fighting for their lives. No, they had not stayed a little back.
January 24, 2026 at 1:34 AM
As National Security Adviser, I was often at the UK’s HQ in Helmand, Camp Bastion. Too often, the tannoy would announce medevac helicopters inbound. The huge base w’d fall silent, out of respect for the young men or women who were fighting for their lives. No, they had not stayed a little back.
Reposted by Ally Tibbitt
Great new feature on FixMyStreet!
Faster reporting on FixMyStreet: start your report with a photo
A new feature has been released for FixMyStreet giving users the option to start their reports with a photo, the data from which can be extracted to speed up the reporting process.
As well as making ...
www.mysociety.org
January 23, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Great new feature on FixMyStreet!