Helen
@chalkhillblue.bsky.social
Environment, nature , politics, history,reading, gigs,walking (South Downs) sea swimmer.
Live in Lewes, East Sussex.
Primary teacher and support worker for children and young adults.
Anti fascist.
Escapee from MuskRat (and Twitter)
European.
Reposted by Helen
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
November 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
Reposted by Helen
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms
Treasury select committee calls for higher duties on most addictive forms, such as high-street slots and online games
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:24 AM
MPs urge Reeves to raise gambling taxes despite ‘scaremongering’ from firms.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
Quite right.
Bet365 CEO collected £323m in pay and dividends last year. Company paid 12.7% corporation tax on £1.4bn profit.
Almost all betting companies have offshore tax haven operations, solely to dodge UK taxes.
Reposted by Helen
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests | Mark Cunliffe
@markcunliffe76.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
@markcunliffe76.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
A new survey reveals negative attitudes to Reform UK Ltd
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions
centralbylines.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests | Mark Cunliffe
@markcunliffe76.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
@markcunliffe76.bsky.social @centralbylines.co.uk
Reposted by Helen
Nearly there!
We need around 50 signatures to push my petition calling for transparency and a review of deregulated free zones to 10,000.
Please sign and share across your social media platforms.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
We need around 50 signatures to push my petition calling for transparency and a review of deregulated free zones to 10,000.
Please sign and share across your social media platforms.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
November 7, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Nearly there!
We need around 50 signatures to push my petition calling for transparency and a review of deregulated free zones to 10,000.
Please sign and share across your social media platforms.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
We need around 50 signatures to push my petition calling for transparency and a review of deregulated free zones to 10,000.
Please sign and share across your social media platforms.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
Reposted by Helen
On 13 January 2025, Keir Starmer announced his flagship policy for Britain’s “AI revolution”: AI Growth Zones.
⚠️WARNING ⚠️
These zones are deregulated corporate playgrounds. Communities pay for soaring bills, environmental devastation, with zero democratic say.
open.substack.com/pub/european...
⚠️WARNING ⚠️
These zones are deregulated corporate playgrounds. Communities pay for soaring bills, environmental devastation, with zero democratic say.
open.substack.com/pub/european...
Labour’s AI Growth Zones: The Corporate Land Grab Disguised as Innovation
How Starmer’s government is carving up Britain into deregulated fiefdoms for Big Tech, without asking a single community
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
On 13 January 2025, Keir Starmer announced his flagship policy for Britain’s “AI revolution”: AI Growth Zones.
⚠️WARNING ⚠️
These zones are deregulated corporate playgrounds. Communities pay for soaring bills, environmental devastation, with zero democratic say.
open.substack.com/pub/european...
⚠️WARNING ⚠️
These zones are deregulated corporate playgrounds. Communities pay for soaring bills, environmental devastation, with zero democratic say.
open.substack.com/pub/european...
Reposted by Helen
That the UK - one of the architects of this fund, designed to save the world’s forests - is now refusing to put any money into it is frankly shameful. Starmer’s claim that he still continues to back the fund is meaningless without resources - so much for climate leadership
November 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM
That the UK - one of the architects of this fund, designed to save the world’s forests - is now refusing to put any money into it is frankly shameful. Starmer’s claim that he still continues to back the fund is meaningless without resources - so much for climate leadership
Reposted by Helen
The Power Station film - kickstart a community-led renewable energy revolution... ☀️
power.film/pages/screen...
power.film/pages/screen...
Film Screenings
Power Station
power.film
October 31, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The Power Station film - kickstart a community-led renewable energy revolution... ☀️
power.film/pages/screen...
power.film/pages/screen...
Reposted by Helen
"Meeting society’s housing needs without causing lasting damage to the environment is a challenge. Retrofitting existing homes, providing social housing, reducing second-home ownership and disincentivising the purchase of homes as a financial investment are all possible solutions."
England’s housing strategy carries a high carbon cost – unless politicians are willing to change plans
England’s housing strategy will consume our entire carbon budget by 2050 – there are alternatives, but they face political and economic barriers.
theconversation.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
"Meeting society’s housing needs without causing lasting damage to the environment is a challenge. Retrofitting existing homes, providing social housing, reducing second-home ownership and disincentivising the purchase of homes as a financial investment are all possible solutions."
Autumn walks. St Leonard’s Forest.Sussex.
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Autumn walks. St Leonard’s Forest.Sussex.
Reposted by Helen
Good morning.
I don't know who did this, but I love you.
I don't know who did this, but I love you.
November 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Good morning.
I don't know who did this, but I love you.
I don't know who did this, but I love you.
Reposted by Helen
Sign the petition if you want to continue living in a democracy without corporate free zones stealing your money, your land, your homes, and your human rights.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
Petition: Transparency and Review of the free zones and ports impacts
To ensure full transparency by releasing data on governance, funding, and operations of free zones. Plus a public review to assess impacts, such as job displacement and value for taxpayers money
petition.parliament.uk
September 5, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Sign the petition if you want to continue living in a democracy without corporate free zones stealing your money, your land, your homes, and your human rights.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
Reposted by Helen
What You Can Do About UK Enterprise Zones
🧵 The UK’s enterprise zone network is expanding under Labour’s Industrial Strategy Zones. Here are concrete actions you can take to resist the corporate carve-up of Britain:
Thread 1/12
🧵 The UK’s enterprise zone network is expanding under Labour’s Industrial Strategy Zones. Here are concrete actions you can take to resist the corporate carve-up of Britain:
Thread 1/12
October 31, 2025 at 10:37 AM
What You Can Do About UK Enterprise Zones
🧵 The UK’s enterprise zone network is expanding under Labour’s Industrial Strategy Zones. Here are concrete actions you can take to resist the corporate carve-up of Britain:
Thread 1/12
🧵 The UK’s enterprise zone network is expanding under Labour’s Industrial Strategy Zones. Here are concrete actions you can take to resist the corporate carve-up of Britain:
Thread 1/12
Reposted by Helen
Gaza death toll rises to 68,531 - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-death-toll-rises-68531
Gaza death toll rises to 68,531
<article data-history-node-id="430760" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-death-toll-rises-68531" class="live-blog-update default clearfix">
<h2>
<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-death-toll-rises-68531" rel="bookmark">
<span class="field field-title">Gaza death toll rises to 68,531 </span>
</a>
</h2>
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-field-text"><p>The toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 has risen to 68,531, the Palestinian health ministry announced. The majority of those killed are women and children. </p>
<p>The number of people wounded has risen to 170,402 since the start of the war. </p>
<p>Over the past day, four bodies (including one person recently killed, two whose bodies were recovered, and one who succumbed to their wounds) and seven wounded were taken to hospitals across the Gaza Strip.</p>
<p>Since the ceasefire came into effect on 11 October, Israeli forces have killed 94 people and wounded 344 others. An additional 474 bodies have been recovered in Gaza. </p>
</div>
</div>
</article>
www.middleeasteye.net
October 28, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Gaza death toll rises to 68,531 - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/gaza-death-toll-rises-68531
Reposted by Helen
Seems kind of urgent
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Seems kind of urgent
Reposted by Helen
What we're witnessing with #Melissa is ultra rare in the history of known hurricanes in the Atlantic. This level of sustained intensity and feasting on every joule of ocean heat content without any real disruption is incredible.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
October 28, 2025 at 2:23 AM
What we're witnessing with #Melissa is ultra rare in the history of known hurricanes in the Atlantic. This level of sustained intensity and feasting on every joule of ocean heat content without any real disruption is incredible.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
Reposted by Helen
@greenparty.org.uk has voted to oppose the introduction of Freeports and Special Economic Zones across the United Kingdom at it’s annual party conference in Manchester.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social @mothinali.bsky.social
@rachelmillward.bsky.social
greenparty.org.uk/2024/09/08/g...
@zackpolanski.bsky.social @mothinali.bsky.social
@rachelmillward.bsky.social
greenparty.org.uk/2024/09/08/g...
Greens vote to oppose introduction of Freeports in the UK - Green Party
The Green Party has voted to oppose the introduction of Freeports and Special Economic Zones across the United Kingdom at it’s annual party conference in Manchester. Commenting Green Party Co-Leader A...
greenparty.org.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
@greenparty.org.uk has voted to oppose the introduction of Freeports and Special Economic Zones across the United Kingdom at it’s annual party conference in Manchester.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social @mothinali.bsky.social
@rachelmillward.bsky.social
greenparty.org.uk/2024/09/08/g...
@zackpolanski.bsky.social @mothinali.bsky.social
@rachelmillward.bsky.social
greenparty.org.uk/2024/09/08/g...
Reposted by Helen
New US Dark Age incoming.
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
New US Dark Age incoming.
Reposted by Helen
🚨If you are one of nearly 14 million adults unable to access NHS dentistry in England sign this URGENT message to the Government. Enough is enough
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fu...
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fu...
Save NHS dentistry now!
I just signed the 38 Degrees petition calling on the Government to properly fund NHS dentistry. Millions of us are still struggling to access affordable dental care, so now the Government needs to stu...
you.38degrees.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 7:33 PM
🚨If you are one of nearly 14 million adults unable to access NHS dentistry in England sign this URGENT message to the Government. Enough is enough
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fu...
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fu...
Reposted by Helen
I've written a deep dive into the Tories and Labour nationwide free zones rollout; every day, new info comes to light.
This article is forensically researched, references included. Please read, share and where possible subscribe, thank you❤️
open.substack.com/pub/european...
This article is forensically researched, references included. Please read, share and where possible subscribe, thank you❤️
open.substack.com/pub/european...
The Corporate Carve-Up: How Brexit Enabled the Systematic Privatisation of Britain
An investigation into the network of over 140 enterprise zones transforming Britain into a patchwork of corporate sovereignties
open.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:55 AM
I've written a deep dive into the Tories and Labour nationwide free zones rollout; every day, new info comes to light.
This article is forensically researched, references included. Please read, share and where possible subscribe, thank you❤️
open.substack.com/pub/european...
This article is forensically researched, references included. Please read, share and where possible subscribe, thank you❤️
open.substack.com/pub/european...
Reposted by Helen
In the UK: "new species and overwintering birds are more than curiosities – they are climate change made visible," writes Jenny Rhodes. See which species are regularly taking the risk to stay put and what the pros and cons are.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @jennyrhodes42.bsky.social
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @jennyrhodes42.bsky.social
The truth about migratory birds and the climate emergency
Both the warming climate and wilder weather systems are disrupting birds’ natural migration patterns
eastangliabylines.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
In the UK: "new species and overwintering birds are more than curiosities – they are climate change made visible," writes Jenny Rhodes. See which species are regularly taking the risk to stay put and what the pros and cons are.
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @jennyrhodes42.bsky.social
@eastangliabylines.co.uk @jennyrhodes42.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen
Protection triples in NZ seas.
New Zealand has tripled marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf, creating 19 new marine reserves and seafloor protection zones across 18,000 km². It's the Gulf’s biggest conservation expansion in decades, after years of Māori-led advocacy.
https://f.mtr.cool/eavzmupviz
New Zealand has tripled marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf, creating 19 new marine reserves and seafloor protection zones across 18,000 km². It's the Gulf’s biggest conservation expansion in decades, after years of Māori-led advocacy.
https://f.mtr.cool/eavzmupviz
October 18, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Protection triples in NZ seas.
New Zealand has tripled marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf, creating 19 new marine reserves and seafloor protection zones across 18,000 km². It's the Gulf’s biggest conservation expansion in decades, after years of Māori-led advocacy.
https://f.mtr.cool/eavzmupviz
New Zealand has tripled marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf, creating 19 new marine reserves and seafloor protection zones across 18,000 km². It's the Gulf’s biggest conservation expansion in decades, after years of Māori-led advocacy.
https://f.mtr.cool/eavzmupviz
Reposted by Helen
Shout out to @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social and @zackpolanski.bsky.social advocating for much needed citizen journalism such as the Bylines Network, Freeports being one such policy rollout exposed by many incredible volunteers and activists alike, myself included!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=naOY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=naOY...
Should We Return To The EU? | Mike Galsworthy | Zack Polanski
YouTube video by Bold Politics with Zack Polanski
m.youtube.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Shout out to @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social and @zackpolanski.bsky.social advocating for much needed citizen journalism such as the Bylines Network, Freeports being one such policy rollout exposed by many incredible volunteers and activists alike, myself included!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=naOY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=naOY...
Reposted by Helen
In September 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves flew to New York. Her mission? To meet Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity firm and now, remarkably, what they claim is “the largest provider of newly built affordable housing in the UK for the last three years.”
1/4
1/4
October 17, 2025 at 6:37 AM
In September 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves flew to New York. Her mission? To meet Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity firm and now, remarkably, what they claim is “the largest provider of newly built affordable housing in the UK for the last three years.”
1/4
1/4