Ben Butcher
@benbutcher.bsky.social
Data Editor at the Telegraph. Pro-cats and pro-naps.
📊 A few interesting charts I made to help visualise
Gordon Rayner's weekend essay on the country's untouchable £300bn welfare bill.
By 2029, the Winter Fuel Payment will save £1.7bn a year. In the same period, the pensions bill will go up 10x that figure.
Gordon Rayner's weekend essay on the country's untouchable £300bn welfare bill.
By 2029, the Winter Fuel Payment will save £1.7bn a year. In the same period, the pensions bill will go up 10x that figure.
May 10, 2025 at 7:41 AM
📊 A few interesting charts I made to help visualise
Gordon Rayner's weekend essay on the country's untouchable £300bn welfare bill.
By 2029, the Winter Fuel Payment will save £1.7bn a year. In the same period, the pensions bill will go up 10x that figure.
Gordon Rayner's weekend essay on the country's untouchable £300bn welfare bill.
By 2029, the Winter Fuel Payment will save £1.7bn a year. In the same period, the pensions bill will go up 10x that figure.
🧑🎓🇨🇳 In 2023, the Office for Students warned a number of universities about the risk of over-relying on Chinese students.
My and @poppywood.bsky.social's analysis shows that up to an estimated 55pc of all fees income is from Chinese students at some unis
bit.ly/44qith6
My and @poppywood.bsky.social's analysis shows that up to an estimated 55pc of all fees income is from Chinese students at some unis
bit.ly/44qith6
May 9, 2025 at 7:53 AM
🧑🎓🇨🇳 In 2023, the Office for Students warned a number of universities about the risk of over-relying on Chinese students.
My and @poppywood.bsky.social's analysis shows that up to an estimated 55pc of all fees income is from Chinese students at some unis
bit.ly/44qith6
My and @poppywood.bsky.social's analysis shows that up to an estimated 55pc of all fees income is from Chinese students at some unis
bit.ly/44qith6
⛪️ Quickly read this article before it's entirely irrelevant - a run through of the makeup of the papabilli with some nifty analysis.
Tldr - perception of liberalism after Francis overstated, Vatican represents a very diverse base
Tldr - perception of liberalism after Francis overstated, Vatican represents a very diverse base
May 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
⛪️ Quickly read this article before it's entirely irrelevant - a run through of the makeup of the papabilli with some nifty analysis.
Tldr - perception of liberalism after Francis overstated, Vatican represents a very diverse base
Tldr - perception of liberalism after Francis overstated, Vatican represents a very diverse base
🧑🎓 We've been through the annual reports and the numbers are shocking - 61 universities recorded a deficit last year - 43pc of ttotal.
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
May 8, 2025 at 1:09 PM
🧑🎓 We've been through the annual reports and the numbers are shocking - 61 universities recorded a deficit last year - 43pc of ttotal.
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
🧑🎓 We've been through the annual reports and the numbers are shocking - 61 universities recorded a deficit last year - 43pc of ttotal.
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
Record number of universities in deficit
Worsening cash crisis presents a ‘grave risk’ to the future of some institutions and courses, say MPs
bit.ly
May 8, 2025 at 1:08 PM
🧑🎓 We've been through the annual reports and the numbers are shocking - 61 universities recorded a deficit last year - 43pc of ttotal.
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
That's 43pc. Read mine and Poppy Wood's analysis, and see the unis which are now entering their sixth year in the red
bit.ly/4kaSBdL
🇵🇰🇮🇳 The context before the clash, as provided by
@meikeeijsberg.bsky.social
Violent events across the border regions of Pakistan and India had been increasing significantly in the build up to last nights event.
April saw four times more deaths than the previous month.
@meikeeijsberg.bsky.social
Violent events across the border regions of Pakistan and India had been increasing significantly in the build up to last nights event.
April saw four times more deaths than the previous month.
May 7, 2025 at 2:58 PM
🇵🇰🇮🇳 The context before the clash, as provided by
@meikeeijsberg.bsky.social
Violent events across the border regions of Pakistan and India had been increasing significantly in the build up to last nights event.
April saw four times more deaths than the previous month.
@meikeeijsberg.bsky.social
Violent events across the border regions of Pakistan and India had been increasing significantly in the build up to last nights event.
April saw four times more deaths than the previous month.
🌎 Accountants from South Africa, care workers from Zimbabwe, horticulturalists from Kyrgyzstan.
Each immigrant to the UK comes for a different reason, but data lets us spot the trends in the specialisms they bring...
- with @emily_retter
bit.ly/4kbN1b9
Each immigrant to the UK comes for a different reason, but data lets us spot the trends in the specialisms they bring...
- with @emily_retter
bit.ly/4kbN1b9
May 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
🌎 Accountants from South Africa, care workers from Zimbabwe, horticulturalists from Kyrgyzstan.
Each immigrant to the UK comes for a different reason, but data lets us spot the trends in the specialisms they bring...
- with @emily_retter
bit.ly/4kbN1b9
Each immigrant to the UK comes for a different reason, but data lets us spot the trends in the specialisms they bring...
- with @emily_retter
bit.ly/4kbN1b9
🗳️ Now all the results are in, our piece takes a step back and its puts in context how catastrophic last night was for the Tories.
5 years ago, they controlled over half of councillors in contested elections. Today less than 20%.
Reform have 40% 🧵
- @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social
bit.ly/42YaFAR
5 years ago, they controlled over half of councillors in contested elections. Today less than 20%.
Reform have 40% 🧵
- @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social
bit.ly/42YaFAR
May 3, 2025 at 7:17 AM
🗳️ Now all the results are in, our piece takes a step back and its puts in context how catastrophic last night was for the Tories.
5 years ago, they controlled over half of councillors in contested elections. Today less than 20%.
Reform have 40% 🧵
- @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social
bit.ly/42YaFAR
5 years ago, they controlled over half of councillors in contested elections. Today less than 20%.
Reform have 40% 🧵
- @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social
bit.ly/42YaFAR
🚨🤝 Trump's liberation day has pushed average tariffs to their highest point in over 100 years, redefining global trade policy that has existed since the second world war.
Last year, avg. tariffs were just 2.5pc/after yesterday's announcements, they have soared to ~22pc.
Last year, avg. tariffs were just 2.5pc/after yesterday's announcements, they have soared to ~22pc.
April 3, 2025 at 11:12 AM
🚨🤝 Trump's liberation day has pushed average tariffs to their highest point in over 100 years, redefining global trade policy that has existed since the second world war.
Last year, avg. tariffs were just 2.5pc/after yesterday's announcements, they have soared to ~22pc.
Last year, avg. tariffs were just 2.5pc/after yesterday's announcements, they have soared to ~22pc.
🚨 If Keir Starmer wanted to prove that a new approach to small boats would pay dividends, the first few months of 2025 have not helped.
So far, there have been 6,642 crossings - far higher than this time last year.
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social + @charleshymas
bit.ly/3DNj1CY
So far, there have been 6,642 crossings - far higher than this time last year.
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social + @charleshymas
bit.ly/3DNj1CY
April 1, 2025 at 7:43 AM
🚨 If Keir Starmer wanted to prove that a new approach to small boats would pay dividends, the first few months of 2025 have not helped.
So far, there have been 6,642 crossings - far higher than this time last year.
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social + @charleshymas
bit.ly/3DNj1CY
So far, there have been 6,642 crossings - far higher than this time last year.
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social + @charleshymas
bit.ly/3DNj1CY
🚨🧑⚕️ Another week, another incredibly helpful tool.
We wanted to reflect the metrics people actually care about with GPs: waiting times, ease of reaching them and confidence in staff.
We then weight it to help you find the best surgery in your area
bit.ly/3Y9WVkI
We wanted to reflect the metrics people actually care about with GPs: waiting times, ease of reaching them and confidence in staff.
We then weight it to help you find the best surgery in your area
bit.ly/3Y9WVkI
Are you waiting too long for a GP appointment? Use our tool to find out
Demand for GP appointments has increased considerably in recent years. Find out how your postcode compares to the rest of the country
bit.ly
April 1, 2025 at 7:31 AM
🚨🧑⚕️ Another week, another incredibly helpful tool.
We wanted to reflect the metrics people actually care about with GPs: waiting times, ease of reaching them and confidence in staff.
We then weight it to help you find the best surgery in your area
bit.ly/3Y9WVkI
We wanted to reflect the metrics people actually care about with GPs: waiting times, ease of reaching them and confidence in staff.
We then weight it to help you find the best surgery in your area
bit.ly/3Y9WVkI
🚨🧑🎓 There has been a 40pc increase in children expelled or suspended for violent behaviour in a single year, our analysis shows
Some 25k pupils were excluded in Autumn '23 our analysis shows, including some as young as five - with @poppywood.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
Some 25k pupils were excluded in Autumn '23 our analysis shows, including some as young as five - with @poppywood.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
April 1, 2025 at 7:24 AM
🚨🧑🎓 There has been a 40pc increase in children expelled or suspended for violent behaviour in a single year, our analysis shows
Some 25k pupils were excluded in Autumn '23 our analysis shows, including some as young as five - with @poppywood.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
Some 25k pupils were excluded in Autumn '23 our analysis shows, including some as young as five - with @poppywood.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
🚨✂️ A cut of 10k civil servants sounds like a lot - but that only takes us back to levels seen in...December 2023.
Civil service headcount has exploded since the pandemic - it is now at its highest since 2006.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Civil service headcount has exploded since the pandemic - it is now at its highest since 2006.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
March 25, 2025 at 8:33 AM
🚨✂️ A cut of 10k civil servants sounds like a lot - but that only takes us back to levels seen in...December 2023.
Civil service headcount has exploded since the pandemic - it is now at its highest since 2006.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Civil service headcount has exploded since the pandemic - it is now at its highest since 2006.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
🚨💳 We looked at three-months of departmental procurement card spending.
It's not all ice cream trucks (£500), personality test apps (£859) and Belgian Adventure Parks (£2k), but it is certainly a bit of it...
- with Eleanor Steafel
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
It's not all ice cream trucks (£500), personality test apps (£859) and Belgian Adventure Parks (£2k), but it is certainly a bit of it...
- with Eleanor Steafel
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
£1,700 for ‘Project Charisma’ and £500 on ice cream: The secrets of government credit cards
A Telegraph investigation itemises the astonishing bills racked up by civil servants at the taxpayers’ expense
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
🚨💳 We looked at three-months of departmental procurement card spending.
It's not all ice cream trucks (£500), personality test apps (£859) and Belgian Adventure Parks (£2k), but it is certainly a bit of it...
- with Eleanor Steafel
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
It's not all ice cream trucks (£500), personality test apps (£859) and Belgian Adventure Parks (£2k), but it is certainly a bit of it...
- with Eleanor Steafel
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
👶 What does St Margarets in Richmond-upon-Thames tell us about the looming fertility crisis?
Some 75pc of babies are born to geriatric mothers - as middle-class mothers push back motherhood due to costs, careers and lifestyle
- with Melissa Lawford
bit.ly/4206AM3
Some 75pc of babies are born to geriatric mothers - as middle-class mothers push back motherhood due to costs, careers and lifestyle
- with Melissa Lawford
bit.ly/4206AM3
March 24, 2025 at 1:04 PM
👶 What does St Margarets in Richmond-upon-Thames tell us about the looming fertility crisis?
Some 75pc of babies are born to geriatric mothers - as middle-class mothers push back motherhood due to costs, careers and lifestyle
- with Melissa Lawford
bit.ly/4206AM3
Some 75pc of babies are born to geriatric mothers - as middle-class mothers push back motherhood due to costs, careers and lifestyle
- with Melissa Lawford
bit.ly/4206AM3
🚨🤒 This time five years ago, the country woke up to world of social distancing, face-masks and WFH.
It was a moment that saved lives - but began 5 years of pain.
Now, at a local level we tell you at how lockdowns ruined your area - fives years on...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
It was a moment that saved lives - but began 5 years of pain.
Now, at a local level we tell you at how lockdowns ruined your area - fives years on...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
How Covid lockdowns ruined your constituency (and the country)
From long-term sickness to stunted productivity, most of the UK remains heavily impacted by lockdown measures. See how your area compares
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 24, 2025 at 12:52 PM
🚨🤒 This time five years ago, the country woke up to world of social distancing, face-masks and WFH.
It was a moment that saved lives - but began 5 years of pain.
Now, at a local level we tell you at how lockdowns ruined your area - fives years on...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
It was a moment that saved lives - but began 5 years of pain.
Now, at a local level we tell you at how lockdowns ruined your area - fives years on...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
🤑 The results are in: @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social has crunched the numbers from every council across the UK to reveal that Labour councils are increasing council tax at a faster rate than any other party...just
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
March 21, 2025 at 8:23 AM
🤑 The results are in: @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social has crunched the numbers from every council across the UK to reveal that Labour councils are increasing council tax at a faster rate than any other party...just
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
🟥🤒 Between Sep+Nov 2024, 175,789 people were judged to be too sick to work and were placed on the highest rate of UC.
This compares with 103,579 over the same months of 2023, when the Tories were still in office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
This compares with 103,579 over the same months of 2023, when the Tories were still in office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Sickness benefits soar under Labour
Fivefold rise from before Covid as Liz Kendall prepares to unveil reforms to cut billions from welfare bill
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
🟥🤒 Between Sep+Nov 2024, 175,789 people were judged to be too sick to work and were placed on the highest rate of UC.
This compares with 103,579 over the same months of 2023, when the Tories were still in office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
This compares with 103,579 over the same months of 2023, when the Tories were still in office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
🚨👴 Who had it best from the state?
Despite constant headlines going on about the bloated state of welfare, analysis from @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social shows that boomer pensioners are benefitting from the state more than Gen Z ever will...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/why-bo...
Despite constant headlines going on about the bloated state of welfare, analysis from @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social shows that boomer pensioners are benefitting from the state more than Gen Z ever will...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/why-bo...
The ‘uncomfortable truth’ behind wealth-hoarding boomers
Pensioners have benefited from more state handouts than Gen Z ever will
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
🚨👴 Who had it best from the state?
Despite constant headlines going on about the bloated state of welfare, analysis from @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social shows that boomer pensioners are benefitting from the state more than Gen Z ever will...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/why-bo...
Despite constant headlines going on about the bloated state of welfare, analysis from @the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social shows that boomer pensioners are benefitting from the state more than Gen Z ever will...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/why-bo...
As trade tariffs kick in - worth reminding yourself of the winners and losers, both countries and trades
🚨💸 This morning, Trump's trade war began with China facing tariffs on its imports into the USA.
Canada and Mexico have been given a temporary reprieve, the EU is on notice - but how much and what the US trade with these countries?
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Canada and Mexico have been given a temporary reprieve, the EU is on notice - but how much and what the US trade with these countries?
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Who wins and who loses in a global trade war
The Telegraph takes a deep dive into the data as Donald Trump imposes tariffs on the US’s four largest trading partners
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 4, 2025 at 10:42 AM
As trade tariffs kick in - worth reminding yourself of the winners and losers, both countries and trades
🚨 🚅 As season tickets jump 4.6pc, we analysed the combined mortgage-season ticket cost for London commuters across 168 towns.
Almost 60pc of the average London salary would be swallowed this, compared to less than half a decade ago.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
Almost 60pc of the average London salary would be swallowed this, compared to less than half a decade ago.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
Soaring rail fares mean ‘commuter tax’ swallows up half of incomes
Train tickets and mortgage costs account for 59 per cent of average wages for London workers
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 4, 2025 at 9:23 AM
🚨 🚅 As season tickets jump 4.6pc, we analysed the combined mortgage-season ticket cost for London commuters across 168 towns.
Almost 60pc of the average London salary would be swallowed this, compared to less than half a decade ago.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
Almost 60pc of the average London salary would be swallowed this, compared to less than half a decade ago.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...
🚨📽️ We asked the data science team to see if they could set up a model to predict the #Oscars - and beat our in-house critic.
Their predictions - they got 4/6 main categories right and just beat the critic...
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
Their predictions - they got 4/6 main categories right and just beat the critic...
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
Oscar predictions 2025 – according to data
Anora or The Brutalist? We crunched the numbers to forecast the winners of the 2025 Academy Awards – but does our film critic agree?
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 3, 2025 at 10:54 AM
🚨📽️ We asked the data science team to see if they could set up a model to predict the #Oscars - and beat our in-house critic.
Their predictions - they got 4/6 main categories right and just beat the critic...
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
Their predictions - they got 4/6 main categories right and just beat the critic...
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
🚨💑 Want to save yourself a tenner a day? Get yourself a partner!
Another nifty journey through the stats by
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social, as he explores the how much couples save on rent, tax and bills...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/reveal...
Another nifty journey through the stats by
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social, as he explores the how much couples save on rent, tax and bills...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/reveal...
Revealed: the cost of being chronically single
As housing and living expenses keep rising, those who can’t split the bill face a steep premium
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 3:19 PM
🚨💑 Want to save yourself a tenner a day? Get yourself a partner!
Another nifty journey through the stats by
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social, as he explores the how much couples save on rent, tax and bills...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/reveal...
Another nifty journey through the stats by
@the-one-and-ollie.bsky.social, as he explores the how much couples save on rent, tax and bills...
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/reveal...
🚨📄 From a £100k golf course refurb to murals in Enfield, we scoured through a month of government procurement contracts to see just how well our money is spent.
Some is not as mad as it seems, other stuff less so!
- with Rosa Silverman
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
Some is not as mad as it seems, other stuff less so!
- with Rosa Silverman
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
£100k of taxpayers’ money to redesign a golf hole: A month of public spending laid bare
We sift through public sector procurement in the UK in January and reveal a string of eyebrow-raising decisions
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
🚨📄 From a £100k golf course refurb to murals in Enfield, we scoured through a month of government procurement contracts to see just how well our money is spent.
Some is not as mad as it seems, other stuff less so!
- with Rosa Silverman
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
Some is not as mad as it seems, other stuff less so!
- with Rosa Silverman
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
🚨📽️ Our first collab this year with our data science team - can the data predict the #Oscars better than our film critic Robbie Collins
Model pulled together by Irini Economides - and they agree on 4/6 main awards...but will either get 100% on Sunday!?
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
Model pulled together by Irini Economides - and they agree on 4/6 main awards...but will either get 100% on Sunday!?
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
Oscar predictions 2025 – according to data
Anora or The Brutalist? We crunched the numbers to forecast the winners of the 2025 Academy Awards – but does our film critic agree?
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
🚨📽️ Our first collab this year with our data science team - can the data predict the #Oscars better than our film critic Robbie Collins
Model pulled together by Irini Economides - and they agree on 4/6 main awards...but will either get 100% on Sunday!?
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
Model pulled together by Irini Economides - and they agree on 4/6 main awards...but will either get 100% on Sunday!?
www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...