David Lawrence
@davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social
Shooting for UK growth & progress with @britishprogress.org
Previously: Chatham House research fellow and Labour parliamentary candidate.
Britain could have the highest living standards in the world!
Previously: Chatham House research fellow and Labour parliamentary candidate.
Britain could have the highest living standards in the world!
Pinned
I have made a UK growth & progress starter pack! Let me know if you want to be added, or if I have missed anyone.
go.bsky.app/2AGSHqi
go.bsky.app/2AGSHqi
Reposted by David Lawrence
The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro.
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
October 9, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro.
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
Reposted by David Lawrence
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
July 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
The Alan Turing Institute has visibly struggled, and is now at a critical juncture. The Secretary of State has intervened. What happens next?
A new report for @britishprogress.bsky.social by me and @jujulemons.bsky.social sets out a plan: 🧵
🚧 A challenge for this Government, and for Britain: can we build a new runway in under four years?
Our answer? YES, but only if ministers use their powers decisively.
In a new paper, @labourtogether.bsky.social & @britishprogress.bsky.social set out a plan to let Britain fly 🛫
Here's how:
Our answer? YES, but only if ministers use their powers decisively.
In a new paper, @labourtogether.bsky.social & @britishprogress.bsky.social set out a plan to let Britain fly 🛫
Here's how:
✈️ Britain’s talked about a third runway at Heathrow for two decades. Our new report with @BritishProgress shows how a flight could take off before 2029 - if Parliament chooses to speed up the process through a Public Bill.
July 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
🚧 A challenge for this Government, and for Britain: can we build a new runway in under four years?
Our answer? YES, but only if ministers use their powers decisively.
In a new paper, @labourtogether.bsky.social & @britishprogress.bsky.social set out a plan to let Britain fly 🛫
Here's how:
Our answer? YES, but only if ministers use their powers decisively.
In a new paper, @labourtogether.bsky.social & @britishprogress.bsky.social set out a plan to let Britain fly 🛫
Here's how:
Reposted by David Lawrence
Reposted by David Lawrence
Will throwing more money at British companies actually help our economy?
Politicians keep threatening to direct British savings & pensions to UK equities. But this won’t fix the underlying reasons for Britain’s low investment & productivity – and could deliver worse returns. 🧵
Politicians keep threatening to direct British savings & pensions to UK equities. But this won’t fix the underlying reasons for Britain’s low investment & productivity – and could deliver worse returns. 🧵
June 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Will throwing more money at British companies actually help our economy?
Politicians keep threatening to direct British savings & pensions to UK equities. But this won’t fix the underlying reasons for Britain’s low investment & productivity – and could deliver worse returns. 🧵
Politicians keep threatening to direct British savings & pensions to UK equities. But this won’t fix the underlying reasons for Britain’s low investment & productivity – and could deliver worse returns. 🧵
Reposted by David Lawrence
🚨 NEW PAPER KLAXON 🚨
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
April 16, 2025 at 11:05 AM
🚨 NEW PAPER KLAXON 🚨
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
@britishprogress.bsky.social's first research report is out! It is all about the Government's announcement of a new defence innovation unit – UK Defence Innovation.
Here’s how to build this unit for maximum impact on security and prosperity: 🧵
Reposted by David Lawrence
New episode of THE ABUNDANCE AGENDA!
Why we love Luton Airport, and a terrible plan for changing the London Mayoralty.
Plus we speak to @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and @jujulemons.bsky.social about the launch of @britishprogress.bsky.social !
Listen:
www.abundancepod.com/p/why-we-lov...
Why we love Luton Airport, and a terrible plan for changing the London Mayoralty.
Plus we speak to @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and @jujulemons.bsky.social about the launch of @britishprogress.bsky.social !
Listen:
www.abundancepod.com/p/why-we-lov...
Why we love Luton Airport, and a terrible plan for changing the London Mayoralty
Plus the exciting launch of the Centre for British Progress
www.abundancepod.com
April 7, 2025 at 6:37 AM
New episode of THE ABUNDANCE AGENDA!
Why we love Luton Airport, and a terrible plan for changing the London Mayoralty.
Plus we speak to @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and @jujulemons.bsky.social about the launch of @britishprogress.bsky.social !
Listen:
www.abundancepod.com/p/why-we-lov...
Why we love Luton Airport, and a terrible plan for changing the London Mayoralty.
Plus we speak to @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and @jujulemons.bsky.social about the launch of @britishprogress.bsky.social !
Listen:
www.abundancepod.com/p/why-we-lov...
Reposted by David Lawrence
@britishprogress.bsky.social
A new project focussing on policies for British growth for the material and social well being of the British people.
Very much worth following, and featuring the excellent @ersatzben.bsky.social
A new project focussing on policies for British growth for the material and social well being of the British people.
Very much worth following, and featuring the excellent @ersatzben.bsky.social
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 5, 2025 at 5:41 AM
@britishprogress.bsky.social
A new project focussing on policies for British growth for the material and social well being of the British people.
Very much worth following, and featuring the excellent @ersatzben.bsky.social
A new project focussing on policies for British growth for the material and social well being of the British people.
Very much worth following, and featuring the excellent @ersatzben.bsky.social
Reposted by David Lawrence
Very excited to be working with @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social @jujulemons.bsky.social and team to make the progressive case for growth as a fellow at the new Centre for British Progress @britishprogress.bsky.social
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Very excited to be working with @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social @jujulemons.bsky.social and team to make the progressive case for growth as a fellow at the new Centre for British Progress @britishprogress.bsky.social
Reposted by David Lawrence
This is an intriguing addition to the centre-left think tank space, with an impressively dynamic leadership - I will be interested to see the ideas they produce!
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 8:12 AM
This is an intriguing addition to the centre-left think tank space, with an impressively dynamic leadership - I will be interested to see the ideas they produce!
Reposted by David Lawrence
The @ukdayone.bsky.social election year project has now concluded and is now part of @britishprogress.bsky.social - you can check out our founding essay here... 👀
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The @ukdayone.bsky.social election year project has now concluded and is now part of @britishprogress.bsky.social - you can check out our founding essay here... 👀
Reposted by David Lawrence
Also very interesting to note that threaded throughout this excellent essay is the importance of the state in unlocking postal innovation. 👀
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Also very interesting to note that threaded throughout this excellent essay is the importance of the state in unlocking postal innovation. 👀
Reposted by David Lawrence
I am incredibly proud to be founding @britishprogress.bsky.social
with @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social.
For the past year, we've been publishing ideas on economic growth and British progress with @ukdayone.bsky.social.
This will be a continuation and expansion of that work.
with @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social.
For the past year, we've been publishing ideas on economic growth and British progress with @ukdayone.bsky.social.
This will be a continuation and expansion of that work.
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 11:07 AM
I am incredibly proud to be founding @britishprogress.bsky.social
with @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social.
For the past year, we've been publishing ideas on economic growth and British progress with @ukdayone.bsky.social.
This will be a continuation and expansion of that work.
with @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social.
For the past year, we've been publishing ideas on economic growth and British progress with @ukdayone.bsky.social.
This will be a continuation and expansion of that work.
Reposted by David Lawrence
Great to see the team launch the Centre for British Progress today!
And fantastic to see people across the political spectrum making the case against Everythingism. Well done @jujulemons.bsky.social, @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and the rest of the team!
And fantastic to see people across the political spectrum making the case against Everythingism. Well done @jujulemons.bsky.social, @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and the rest of the team!
April 3, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Great to see the team launch the Centre for British Progress today!
And fantastic to see people across the political spectrum making the case against Everythingism. Well done @jujulemons.bsky.social, @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and the rest of the team!
And fantastic to see people across the political spectrum making the case against Everythingism. Well done @jujulemons.bsky.social, @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social and the rest of the team!
Reposted by David Lawrence
So excited to be joining this team!
Can't wait to work with @jujulemons.bsky.social and @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social!
Can't wait to work with @jujulemons.bsky.social and @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social!
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 8:53 AM
So excited to be joining this team!
Can't wait to work with @jujulemons.bsky.social and @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social!
Can't wait to work with @jujulemons.bsky.social and @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social!
Here is what I've been working on for the last few months: we are launching the Centre for British Progress to make the progressive case for growth.
Our founding essay describes how Britain once drove our collective progress, and how we must rediscover this dynamism.
Our founding essay describes how Britain once drove our collective progress, and how we must rediscover this dynamism.
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Here is what I've been working on for the last few months: we are launching the Centre for British Progress to make the progressive case for growth.
Our founding essay describes how Britain once drove our collective progress, and how we must rediscover this dynamism.
Our founding essay describes how Britain once drove our collective progress, and how we must rediscover this dynamism.
Reposted by David Lawrence
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 7:52 AM
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
As @aveek18.bsky.social says, the birth rate challenge is too important to be left to the right.
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
February 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
As @aveek18.bsky.social says, the birth rate challenge is too important to be left to the right.
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
Reposted by David Lawrence
Brilliant thread this, even if I would say so.
We have quietly built an economic superpower, and people rarely talk about it, mostly driven by snobbery.
We have quietly built an economic superpower, and people rarely talk about it, mostly driven by snobbery.
What’s so exciting about the Oxford-Cambridge ‘growth corridor’?
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
February 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Brilliant thread this, even if I would say so.
We have quietly built an economic superpower, and people rarely talk about it, mostly driven by snobbery.
We have quietly built an economic superpower, and people rarely talk about it, mostly driven by snobbery.
What’s so exciting about the Oxford-Cambridge ‘growth corridor’?
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
What’s so exciting about the Oxford-Cambridge ‘growth corridor’?
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
Reposted by David Lawrence
The Sunday Times is right—Milton Keynes is one of the most exciting and innovative places in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. A city built for growth, with the infrastructure, ambition, and economic strength to lead the UK’s next phase of development.
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
New rail link, big tech sector — time to move to Milton Keynes?
The city straddling the Oxford-Cambridge corridor believes its forward-looking ethos will draw skilled people from both university cities
www.thetimes.com
February 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The Sunday Times is right—Milton Keynes is one of the most exciting and innovative places in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. A city built for growth, with the infrastructure, ambition, and economic strength to lead the UK’s next phase of development.
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...
First they came for the bats...
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has folded (again) after pressure from the Hard Right. The tunnel which was going to be built with the Oxford-Cambridge railway to preserve the flight paths of endangered bats will now not be built.
“Other ways will be found,” she says.
“Other ways will be found,” she says.
January 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM
First they came for the bats...
Reforming Judicial Review is one of the best things we can do to get 🇬🇧 building. JRs have held up critical infrastructure and cost the taxpayer millions.
Delighted to see Starmer making reforms that Gabriel Moberg & I proposed for @ukdayone.bsky.social last year!
ukdayone.org/briefings/re...
Delighted to see Starmer making reforms that Gabriel Moberg & I proposed for @ukdayone.bsky.social last year!
ukdayone.org/briefings/re...
January 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Reforming Judicial Review is one of the best things we can do to get 🇬🇧 building. JRs have held up critical infrastructure and cost the taxpayer millions.
Delighted to see Starmer making reforms that Gabriel Moberg & I proposed for @ukdayone.bsky.social last year!
ukdayone.org/briefings/re...
Delighted to see Starmer making reforms that Gabriel Moberg & I proposed for @ukdayone.bsky.social last year!
ukdayone.org/briefings/re...
Reposted by David Lawrence
Yesterday, DSIT announced plans to review pay for digital professionals across the public sector. With an objective to make it 'sustainable and more competitive with the private sector'
Here's what they should do (1/7)
THREAD
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Here's what they should do (1/7)
THREAD
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Shake up of tech and AI usage across NHS and other public services to deliver plan for change
The government has announced a new plan to leverage technology and AI tools like
www.gov.uk
January 22, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Yesterday, DSIT announced plans to review pay for digital professionals across the public sector. With an objective to make it 'sustainable and more competitive with the private sector'
Here's what they should do (1/7)
THREAD
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Here's what they should do (1/7)
THREAD
www.gov.uk/government/n...
We're hiring! @ukdayone.bsky.social is looking for an exceptional leader to become our Head of Operations.
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps
January 9, 2025 at 11:59 AM
We're hiring! @ukdayone.bsky.social is looking for an exceptional leader to become our Head of Operations.
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps