Beth Stratford
@bethstratford.bsky.social
Economist (mainly ecological macro, housing, rent theory).
Honorary Fellow at UCL's IIPP.
Proud to have helped set up the London Renters Union✊.
Co-author #LandForTheMany.
Honorary Fellow at UCL's IIPP.
Proud to have helped set up the London Renters Union✊.
Co-author #LandForTheMany.
Pinned
Beth Stratford
@bethstratford.bsky.social
· Jun 25
📣Hot off the press!
Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy.
We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍.
Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29
Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy.
We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍.
Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29
Love these guys
A fun afternoon with our members at their local club, @leytonorientfc.bsky.social. We were proud match sponsors and had a great time cheering on the O's.
Patriotic millionaires will always be on the side of the people. It's time to tax the super rich.
#TaxWealthNotWork #WealthTaxNow
Patriotic millionaires will always be on the side of the people. It's time to tax the super rich.
#TaxWealthNotWork #WealthTaxNow
September 16, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Love these guys
Reposted by Beth Stratford
🚨 One week left to apply! We're recruiting an interim Executive Director to lead ECU while our ED is on sabbatical.
If you're an experienced leader with expertise in fundraising, programme management and governance this could be the role for you. 👇
econchange.org/recruitment/...
If you're an experienced leader with expertise in fundraising, programme management and governance this could be the role for you. 👇
econchange.org/recruitment/...
July 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM
🚨 One week left to apply! We're recruiting an interim Executive Director to lead ECU while our ED is on sabbatical.
If you're an experienced leader with expertise in fundraising, programme management and governance this could be the role for you. 👇
econchange.org/recruitment/...
If you're an experienced leader with expertise in fundraising, programme management and governance this could be the role for you. 👇
econchange.org/recruitment/...
Haha, published a report last week – Taking Stock: a foundation for future housing strategy – and my friend asked ChatGPT to rewrite it in style of an 18th Century broadside. Gotta admit it's quite lolz👇.
Anyway, ICYMI, exec summary is a 10min read here: darkmatterlabs.notion.site/hdce-takings...
Anyway, ICYMI, exec summary is a 10min read here: darkmatterlabs.notion.site/hdce-takings...
July 3, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Haha, published a report last week – Taking Stock: a foundation for future housing strategy – and my friend asked ChatGPT to rewrite it in style of an 18th Century broadside. Gotta admit it's quite lolz👇.
Anyway, ICYMI, exec summary is a 10min read here: darkmatterlabs.notion.site/hdce-takings...
Anyway, ICYMI, exec summary is a 10min read here: darkmatterlabs.notion.site/hdce-takings...
📣Hot off the press!
Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy.
We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍.
Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29
Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy.
We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍.
Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29
June 25, 2025 at 5:46 PM
📣Hot off the press!
Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy.
We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍.
Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29
Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy.
We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍.
Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29
Reposted by Beth Stratford
Launching our Homes that don't cost the Earth project online today with Rosie Cade and @bethstratford.bsky.social presenting - get involved here: www.notion.so/darkmatterla...
April 24, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Launching our Homes that don't cost the Earth project online today with Rosie Cade and @bethstratford.bsky.social presenting - get involved here: www.notion.so/darkmatterla...
Reposted by Beth Stratford
Currently confirmed speakers:
- Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis.bsky.social)
- Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen.bsky.social)
- James Meadway (@meadwaj.bsky.social)
- Asad Rehman (@chilledasad.bsky.social)
- Beth Stratford (@bethstratford.bsky.social)
- Zack Polanski MLA (@zackpolanski.bsky.social)
- Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis.bsky.social)
- Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen.bsky.social)
- James Meadway (@meadwaj.bsky.social)
- Asad Rehman (@chilledasad.bsky.social)
- Beth Stratford (@bethstratford.bsky.social)
- Zack Polanski MLA (@zackpolanski.bsky.social)
April 28, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Currently confirmed speakers:
- Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis.bsky.social)
- Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen.bsky.social)
- James Meadway (@meadwaj.bsky.social)
- Asad Rehman (@chilledasad.bsky.social)
- Beth Stratford (@bethstratford.bsky.social)
- Zack Polanski MLA (@zackpolanski.bsky.social)
- Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis.bsky.social)
- Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen.bsky.social)
- James Meadway (@meadwaj.bsky.social)
- Asad Rehman (@chilledasad.bsky.social)
- Beth Stratford (@bethstratford.bsky.social)
- Zack Polanski MLA (@zackpolanski.bsky.social)
Reposted by Beth Stratford
“Labour…pointed out that the Tony Blair Institute works for the government of Saudi Arabia”
April 30, 2025 at 6:52 AM
“Labour…pointed out that the Tony Blair Institute works for the government of Saudi Arabia”
Reposted by Beth Stratford
At the end of a slightly terrifying week, where a major financial crisis was averted – for now – I thought I’d reflect on whether such a crisis might happen anyway, and what this means for UK financial sector policy.
A thread.
/1
A thread.
/1
April 11, 2025 at 10:13 AM
At the end of a slightly terrifying week, where a major financial crisis was averted – for now – I thought I’d reflect on whether such a crisis might happen anyway, and what this means for UK financial sector policy.
A thread.
/1
A thread.
/1
Reposted by Beth Stratford
🚨 The Government urgently needs policies which:
— 📈 Improve the cost of living
— 💰 Do not cost public money
— 👨🏭 Place them on the side of working people
🧵 The answer? Rent controls.
Our latest Perspectives piece by @sachahilhorst.bsky.social 👇
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
— 📈 Improve the cost of living
— 💰 Do not cost public money
— 👨🏭 Place them on the side of working people
🧵 The answer? Rent controls.
Our latest Perspectives piece by @sachahilhorst.bsky.social 👇
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Take Back Rent Controls | Perspectives
Why rent controls are the policy Starmer needs.
www.common-wealth.org
April 4, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🚨 The Government urgently needs policies which:
— 📈 Improve the cost of living
— 💰 Do not cost public money
— 👨🏭 Place them on the side of working people
🧵 The answer? Rent controls.
Our latest Perspectives piece by @sachahilhorst.bsky.social 👇
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
— 📈 Improve the cost of living
— 💰 Do not cost public money
— 👨🏭 Place them on the side of working people
🧵 The answer? Rent controls.
Our latest Perspectives piece by @sachahilhorst.bsky.social 👇
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Reposted by Beth Stratford
I wrote a thing about the unreality of the debate on disability benefits, where it comes from and how it affects us. It cost a few spoons to do it, but I think it would have cost more not to. Have a read if you're interested: www.christineberry.net/2025/03/the-...
The lies we tell ourselves: Starmer and the gaslighting of disabled people – Christine Berry
www.christineberry.net
March 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I wrote a thing about the unreality of the debate on disability benefits, where it comes from and how it affects us. It cost a few spoons to do it, but I think it would have cost more not to. Have a read if you're interested: www.christineberry.net/2025/03/the-...
Reposted by Beth Stratford
Wouldn't necessarily be a game-changer everywhere, but these policies could make a real difference in many parts of the country:
* 150% council tax premium on second homes
* Planning permission to turn residential homes into 2nd/holiday homes
* House prices fall by 12%
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
* 150% council tax premium on second homes
* Planning permission to turn residential homes into 2nd/holiday homes
* House prices fall by 12%
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gwynedd house prices plunge as council acts on second homes
House prices in a Welsh county have fallen by more than 12% year-on-year, according to new figures.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 18, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Wouldn't necessarily be a game-changer everywhere, but these policies could make a real difference in many parts of the country:
* 150% council tax premium on second homes
* Planning permission to turn residential homes into 2nd/holiday homes
* House prices fall by 12%
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
* 150% council tax premium on second homes
* Planning permission to turn residential homes into 2nd/holiday homes
* House prices fall by 12%
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Beth Stratford
German state repression is spiralling out of control. A German climate activist has been banned from becoming a teacher. Here are some justifications from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts—they are completely nuts:
1/7
1/7
Es ist offiziell: Ich habe ein #Berufsverbot bekommen (Auszüge⬇️).
Weil ich eine marxistische Analyse der #Klimakrise vertrete. Ich stehe dazu: Die Wirtschaft muss demokratisiert werden, damit nicht einige wenige Superreiche für ihre Profite den Planeten zugrunde richten können.
Weil ich eine marxistische Analyse der #Klimakrise vertrete. Ich stehe dazu: Die Wirtschaft muss demokratisiert werden, damit nicht einige wenige Superreiche für ihre Profite den Planeten zugrunde richten können.
February 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
German state repression is spiralling out of control. A German climate activist has been banned from becoming a teacher. Here are some justifications from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts—they are completely nuts:
1/7
1/7
Interesting research from Xavier Jaravel reveals "a clear and systematic gap in inflation rates across income percentiles, reflecting the varying consumption patterns of households at different income levels". He's made the data publicly available - link from article.
(h/t @chrismwhayes.bsky.social)
(h/t @chrismwhayes.bsky.social)
Xavier Jaravel finds that a substantial number of individuals in the #US considered above the #poverty line based on the official CPI actually fall below it due to different #inflation dynamics, and may be missing out on poverty alleviation programmes.
cepr.org/voxeu/column...
#EconSky
cepr.org/voxeu/column...
#EconSky
February 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Interesting research from Xavier Jaravel reveals "a clear and systematic gap in inflation rates across income percentiles, reflecting the varying consumption patterns of households at different income levels". He's made the data publicly available - link from article.
(h/t @chrismwhayes.bsky.social)
(h/t @chrismwhayes.bsky.social)
In Dec '23 I conducted a message-testing study in which 66% of the 264 landlords in my sample were persuaded to back rent controls. 🤯
Now @cmmonwealth.bsky.social have done a straight poll and found 44% of landlords back rent controls *without any persuasion*! Nice job @sachahilhorst.bsky.social ! 🙌
Now @cmmonwealth.bsky.social have done a straight poll and found 44% of landlords back rent controls *without any persuasion*! Nice job @sachahilhorst.bsky.social ! 🙌
🚨 NEW POLLING: Our latest @yougov.co.uk polling has found that 44% of landlords would SUPPORT rent controls (based on location & quality of the property)
Support: 44%
Oppose: 47%
Don’t know: 9%
Here’s what else our polling found. 🧵⬇️
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Support: 44%
Oppose: 47%
Don’t know: 9%
Here’s what else our polling found. 🧵⬇️
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
February 4, 2025 at 1:13 PM
In Dec '23 I conducted a message-testing study in which 66% of the 264 landlords in my sample were persuaded to back rent controls. 🤯
Now @cmmonwealth.bsky.social have done a straight poll and found 44% of landlords back rent controls *without any persuasion*! Nice job @sachahilhorst.bsky.social ! 🙌
Now @cmmonwealth.bsky.social have done a straight poll and found 44% of landlords back rent controls *without any persuasion*! Nice job @sachahilhorst.bsky.social ! 🙌
Reposted by Beth Stratford
look I’m no messaging expert but it seems like the American people might be interested to know that Donald Trump just gave our social security numbers to a teen called BigBalls
Contrary to some info I've seen, 19-yr-old Doge staffer "BigBalls" Edward Coristine did not delete his X account, it's just renamed and is private.
Wired reported that govt tech workers had to defend their work to the Neuralink intern in an Office Space-esque scene.
/ more for Canadians
Wired reported that govt tech workers had to defend their work to the Neuralink intern in an Office Space-esque scene.
/ more for Canadians
February 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
look I’m no messaging expert but it seems like the American people might be interested to know that Donald Trump just gave our social security numbers to a teen called BigBalls
Reposted by Beth Stratford
"Elon Musk is going to pay for his tax cut with your Social Security."
@lindsayowens.bsky.social breaks down the billionaire's unprecedented takeover of key government functions, including trillions in Treasury Department payments.
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/3/elon_musk_gov
@lindsayowens.bsky.social breaks down the billionaire's unprecedented takeover of key government functions, including trillions in Treasury Department payments.
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/3/elon_musk_gov
February 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"Elon Musk is going to pay for his tax cut with your Social Security."
@lindsayowens.bsky.social breaks down the billionaire's unprecedented takeover of key government functions, including trillions in Treasury Department payments.
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/3/elon_musk_gov
@lindsayowens.bsky.social breaks down the billionaire's unprecedented takeover of key government functions, including trillions in Treasury Department payments.
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/3/elon_musk_gov
Pretty disturbing analysis from @waleedshahid.bsky.social : waleedshahid.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...
February 4, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Pretty disturbing analysis from @waleedshahid.bsky.social : waleedshahid.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...
Reposted by Beth Stratford
Thames Water is in court demanding a £3bn bailout loan, paid for by customers. It's the latest rip-off in decades of hiking bills, extracting profits, and dumping sewage. What's the point of a water system – to provide water or to make money for the richest? Nationalise it now!
February 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Thames Water is in court demanding a £3bn bailout loan, paid for by customers. It's the latest rip-off in decades of hiking bills, extracting profits, and dumping sewage. What's the point of a water system – to provide water or to make money for the richest? Nationalise it now!
Reposted by Beth Stratford
Been reading through the Government's new Land Use Consultation. Here's the juiciest bits I've seen so far!
An excellent, bold proposal to spare 9% of England's least-productive land for nature & carbon - restoring peat bogs & regenerating woods - & changes to ag land use over a further 10% /1
An excellent, bold proposal to spare 9% of England's least-productive land for nature & carbon - restoring peat bogs & regenerating woods - & changes to ag land use over a further 10% /1
January 31, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Been reading through the Government's new Land Use Consultation. Here's the juiciest bits I've seen so far!
An excellent, bold proposal to spare 9% of England's least-productive land for nature & carbon - restoring peat bogs & regenerating woods - & changes to ag land use over a further 10% /1
An excellent, bold proposal to spare 9% of England's least-productive land for nature & carbon - restoring peat bogs & regenerating woods - & changes to ag land use over a further 10% /1
Reposted by Beth Stratford
There are no shortcuts in the fight for an economy which delivers climate and social justice goals.
That’s the life lesson I've learned thanks to Rachel Reeves’ comments at Davos last week.
My very personal response to the chancellor’s assertion that growth ‘trumps other things’.
bit.ly/40BFGcI
That’s the life lesson I've learned thanks to Rachel Reeves’ comments at Davos last week.
My very personal response to the chancellor’s assertion that growth ‘trumps other things’.
bit.ly/40BFGcI
My gift from the chancellor: a life lesson on going the long way around
Chancellors are supposed to give gifts on Budget Day. A penny off your favourite tipple, a change of tax threshold in your favour.
www.linkedin.com
January 28, 2025 at 8:06 AM
There are no shortcuts in the fight for an economy which delivers climate and social justice goals.
That’s the life lesson I've learned thanks to Rachel Reeves’ comments at Davos last week.
My very personal response to the chancellor’s assertion that growth ‘trumps other things’.
bit.ly/40BFGcI
That’s the life lesson I've learned thanks to Rachel Reeves’ comments at Davos last week.
My very personal response to the chancellor’s assertion that growth ‘trumps other things’.
bit.ly/40BFGcI
Reposted by Beth Stratford
A few years ago there was a lot of discourse about making global online retailers (Amazon specifically) actually pay tax commensurate to their sales in the UK. But that never seems to come up any more, even in conversations about the ongoing death of the high street. Any recent news on this, anyone?
January 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM
A few years ago there was a lot of discourse about making global online retailers (Amazon specifically) actually pay tax commensurate to their sales in the UK. But that never seems to come up any more, even in conversations about the ongoing death of the high street. Any recent news on this, anyone?
Wow, debt owed to private lenders by lower-income countries has *quadrupled* since 2000.
Interestingly, 90% of these loans are governed under English law due to role of City of London, so UK gov't has the power to enact a Debt Justice Law.
Report by CAFOD out today: cafod.org.uk/about-us/pol...
Jubilee 2025: The new global debt crisis and its solutions
This paper outlines why, following the historic success of the Jubilee 2000 debt campaign, the world once again faces an acute global debt crisis in 2025.
cafod.org.uk
January 27, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Wow, debt owed to private lenders by lower-income countries has *quadrupled* since 2000.
Interestingly, 90% of these loans are governed under English law due to role of City of London, so UK gov't has the power to enact a Debt Justice Law.
Report by CAFOD out today: cafod.org.uk/about-us/pol...
George is spot on. Much more attention is needed on the demand-side drivers of the housing crisis.
Excited to say I've just started work on a new collaborative project looking at how we CAN tackle the housing affordability crisis, without trashing the environment. Watch this space...
Excited to say I've just started work on a new collaborative project looking at how we CAN tackle the housing affordability crisis, without trashing the environment. Watch this space...
Labour's simplemindedness will be its downfall - and ours. You can't build and bulldoze your way out of the housing crisis. Unless you also change the system, you'll still leave millions without decent homes. My column today explains why.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Home truths: the only thing Labour is building is a bigger, more dysfunctional housing market | George Monbiot
Private developers offer politicians a simple solution for bulldozing through this crisis – build more. But it won’t work, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
George is spot on. Much more attention is needed on the demand-side drivers of the housing crisis.
Excited to say I've just started work on a new collaborative project looking at how we CAN tackle the housing affordability crisis, without trashing the environment. Watch this space...
Excited to say I've just started work on a new collaborative project looking at how we CAN tackle the housing affordability crisis, without trashing the environment. Watch this space...
Reposted by Beth Stratford
Or - crazy idea - freeze rents??
I still have not heard anything that made any sense about why rent controls would be a bad idea in the UK. Our housing situation has become deranged by commodification of homes into investment assets. Something meaningful has to change
I still have not heard anything that made any sense about why rent controls would be a bad idea in the UK. Our housing situation has become deranged by commodification of homes into investment assets. Something meaningful has to change
🚨 BREAKING: The UK government has frozen housing benefit.
Housing benefit is already not keeping up with sky-rocketing rents, leaving people struggling to afford to live.
To ensure everyone can afford a warm, safe home the government must also increase Local Housing Allowance in line with rents.
Housing benefit is already not keeping up with sky-rocketing rents, leaving people struggling to afford to live.
To ensure everyone can afford a warm, safe home the government must also increase Local Housing Allowance in line with rents.
January 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Or - crazy idea - freeze rents??
I still have not heard anything that made any sense about why rent controls would be a bad idea in the UK. Our housing situation has become deranged by commodification of homes into investment assets. Something meaningful has to change
I still have not heard anything that made any sense about why rent controls would be a bad idea in the UK. Our housing situation has become deranged by commodification of homes into investment assets. Something meaningful has to change
Reposted by Beth Stratford
Severn Trent Water dividends to rise, water bills go up.
A serial offender, dumps sewage in rivers, has 62 criminal convictions.
BBC Panorama claimed Severn Trent inflated its investment by £1.68bn
Water bills to be hiked by 47% to 2030.
Who protects the people?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A serial offender, dumps sewage in rivers, has 62 criminal convictions.
BBC Panorama claimed Severn Trent inflated its investment by £1.68bn
Water bills to be hiked by 47% to 2030.
Who protects the people?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Severn Trent dividends to rise as water bills go up
It comes amid scrutiny over payouts in the sector against a backdrop of rising customer bills.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 24, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Severn Trent Water dividends to rise, water bills go up.
A serial offender, dumps sewage in rivers, has 62 criminal convictions.
BBC Panorama claimed Severn Trent inflated its investment by £1.68bn
Water bills to be hiked by 47% to 2030.
Who protects the people?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A serial offender, dumps sewage in rivers, has 62 criminal convictions.
BBC Panorama claimed Severn Trent inflated its investment by £1.68bn
Water bills to be hiked by 47% to 2030.
Who protects the people?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...