Dennis Holmes
@denzileeds.bsky.social
Was Local Govt, now NHS, two legged companion to Watson & Sykes.
Here we go again, there’s a govt. review announced & the first Q to guests on the news broadcasts is (just about) ‘what do you think the outcome of this review will be’? - just like the budget, why not just wait for the report & report it???
December 4, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Here we go again, there’s a govt. review announced & the first Q to guests on the news broadcasts is (just about) ‘what do you think the outcome of this review will be’? - just like the budget, why not just wait for the report & report it???
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Also do share this if you feel like being kind. Making a serialised-novel-podcast-stroke-online-world is a mad thing to do with your time, probably. I will be very pleased if people get into it.
November 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Also do share this if you feel like being kind. Making a serialised-novel-podcast-stroke-online-world is a mad thing to do with your time, probably. I will be very pleased if people get into it.
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
With an ageing population and more working-age adults living with complex disabilities, any 'fix' for social care must look not just at today but decades ahead.
We explore the six key problems with social care – and how to tackle them: https://bit.ly/3IPSoQl
We explore the six key problems with social care – and how to tackle them: https://bit.ly/3IPSoQl
Fixing Social Care: The Six Key Problems And How To Tackle Them
Different people have different opinions about what’s ‘wrong’ with social care and how to fix it. This long read outlines the six key issues and the options cited to tackle them.
www.kingsfund.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
With an ageing population and more working-age adults living with complex disabilities, any 'fix' for social care must look not just at today but decades ahead.
We explore the six key problems with social care – and how to tackle them: https://bit.ly/3IPSoQl
We explore the six key problems with social care – and how to tackle them: https://bit.ly/3IPSoQl
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Ball was “so happy to work quietly in the background that he was able to send a friend who looked vaguely like him to mime keyboards in his place behind Almond for a European TV appearance so he could stay in the studio.”
Remembering Dave Ball
(Patrick Clarke / Quietus)
#DaveBall #RIP #SoftCell #MusicSky
Dave Ball, of Soft Cell and The Grid, should be remembered not as a hitmaker, but as one of the most ceaselessly explorative, pioneering musicians of his generation.
thequietus.com/news/remembe...
(Patrick Clarke / Quietus)
#DaveBall #RIP #SoftCell #MusicSky
Dave Ball, of Soft Cell and The Grid, should be remembered not as a hitmaker, but as one of the most ceaselessly explorative, pioneering musicians of his generation.
thequietus.com/news/remembe...
Remembering Dave Ball, by Patrick Clarke
In a moving tribute to his late Soft Cell bandmate Dave Ball, who died this week at the age of 66, Marc Almond remarked that the two were “chalk and cheese”. When I interviewed several dozen of the mu...
thequietus.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Ball was “so happy to work quietly in the background that he was able to send a friend who looked vaguely like him to mime keyboards in his place behind Almond for a European TV appearance so he could stay in the studio.”
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Private equity wrecked UK high street, says Iceland Foods boss
PE model - low wages, cut staff/investment, high debt, profiteering, tax abuse.
PE devoured Debenhams, Maplin, Byron Burger, Cath Kidson, Comet, Flybe, Poundworld, Toys R Us.
Controls care homes, vets, supermarkets.
archive.ph/tJVkV
PE model - low wages, cut staff/investment, high debt, profiteering, tax abuse.
PE devoured Debenhams, Maplin, Byron Burger, Cath Kidson, Comet, Flybe, Poundworld, Toys R Us.
Controls care homes, vets, supermarkets.
archive.ph/tJVkV
Private equity has wrecked the high street, says Iceland boss
Richard Walker says private buyers take out costs and fail to invest then sell to the highest bidder in a cycle that makes retailers steadily worse
www.thetimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Private equity wrecked UK high street, says Iceland Foods boss
PE model - low wages, cut staff/investment, high debt, profiteering, tax abuse.
PE devoured Debenhams, Maplin, Byron Burger, Cath Kidson, Comet, Flybe, Poundworld, Toys R Us.
Controls care homes, vets, supermarkets.
archive.ph/tJVkV
PE model - low wages, cut staff/investment, high debt, profiteering, tax abuse.
PE devoured Debenhams, Maplin, Byron Burger, Cath Kidson, Comet, Flybe, Poundworld, Toys R Us.
Controls care homes, vets, supermarkets.
archive.ph/tJVkV
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Stunning irresponsibility from leaders in the BMA.
Somebody needs to go after them for this, very publicly and very, very hard: www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
Somebody needs to go after them for this, very publicly and very, very hard: www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
BMA leaders suggest GPs ‘overwhelm A&Es’ in revolt against NHS reforms
A letter sent by senior members of the union has been condemned for advising doctors to sabotage the Pharmacy First scheme, which they claim undermines them
www.thetimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Stunning irresponsibility from leaders in the BMA.
Somebody needs to go after them for this, very publicly and very, very hard: www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
Somebody needs to go after them for this, very publicly and very, very hard: www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
all discourse aside, there is one machine with consciousness. it's printers. they are alive and conscious and they hate you and they'd take your arm clean off if you let them. never trust a printer.
October 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
all discourse aside, there is one machine with consciousness. it's printers. they are alive and conscious and they hate you and they'd take your arm clean off if you let them. never trust a printer.
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
‘175 years ago this year, Queen Victoria gave her assent to “an Act for enabling town councils to establish public libraries & museums”, that enabled local authorities… to levy a ha’penny on the rates to establish a free public library.’ @richove.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Libraries are palaces for the people. Their ramparts need...
The spirit of public improvement that led to the legislation that created free public libraries 175 years go needs to be rekindled
observer.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 7:39 AM
‘175 years ago this year, Queen Victoria gave her assent to “an Act for enabling town councils to establish public libraries & museums”, that enabled local authorities… to levy a ha’penny on the rates to establish a free public library.’ @richove.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
My favourite Barry Cryer story is his account of Nicholas Parsons asking Ross Noble who his favourite comedian was. "Richard Pryor" Noble replied, "Genius! So sad he set himself on fire while freebasing crack cocaine".
Parsons, visibly upset, asked Barry later: "did you hear about Richard Briers?"
Parsons, visibly upset, asked Barry later: "did you hear about Richard Briers?"
October 1, 2025 at 8:38 AM
My favourite Barry Cryer story is his account of Nicholas Parsons asking Ross Noble who his favourite comedian was. "Richard Pryor" Noble replied, "Genius! So sad he set himself on fire while freebasing crack cocaine".
Parsons, visibly upset, asked Barry later: "did you hear about Richard Briers?"
Parsons, visibly upset, asked Barry later: "did you hear about Richard Briers?"
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Happy 4th anniversary to the time this happened on Twitter.
September 13, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Happy 4th anniversary to the time this happened on Twitter.
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
😂 Those otters - lol
September 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
😂 Those otters - lol
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Led By Donkeys have got Fartrage's number.
September 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Led By Donkeys have got Fartrage's number.
@tupoheano.bsky.social Peter Buck you say!!
August 30, 2025 at 6:42 PM
@tupoheano.bsky.social Peter Buck you say!!
I got to thinking about the Huguenots..fleeing France & thought that might have included the Francois & perhaps the Farages - hey but what do I know …
August 29, 2025 at 10:54 PM
I got to thinking about the Huguenots..fleeing France & thought that might have included the Francois & perhaps the Farages - hey but what do I know …
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
five years on, this is still one of the best videos i’ve ever seen #thefootball
Ready for Leeds. | 20.08.20 // 08:00
YouTube video by Leeds United Official
youtu.be
August 15, 2025 at 11:46 AM
five years on, this is still one of the best videos i’ve ever seen #thefootball
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
The witch trials of 1612 still cast a long shadow.
August 15, 2025 at 7:27 AM
The witch trials of 1612 still cast a long shadow.
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
About 80% of my grammar suggestions from Microsoft Word are “why not use a simpler word here for clarity?”
No. Fuck you.
I will use a complicated word for evocative precision whenever the muse’s clarion song demands ebullience, vivacity, torpor, or solemnity, you shit-ass suck machine.
No. Fuck you.
I will use a complicated word for evocative precision whenever the muse’s clarion song demands ebullience, vivacity, torpor, or solemnity, you shit-ass suck machine.
August 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
About 80% of my grammar suggestions from Microsoft Word are “why not use a simpler word here for clarity?”
No. Fuck you.
I will use a complicated word for evocative precision whenever the muse’s clarion song demands ebullience, vivacity, torpor, or solemnity, you shit-ass suck machine.
No. Fuck you.
I will use a complicated word for evocative precision whenever the muse’s clarion song demands ebullience, vivacity, torpor, or solemnity, you shit-ass suck machine.
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Ofsted judged TWO children's homes run by the same company inadequate yesterday, with serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected. Take a bow, Dimensions Care Limited. 🧵
July 24, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Ofsted judged TWO children's homes run by the same company inadequate yesterday, with serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected. Take a bow, Dimensions Care Limited. 🧵
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Just as profiteering children’s social care businesses are back in the spotlight CareTech, the most exploitative of all providers, obliges with a new set of accounts. (Long 🧵)
July 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Just as profiteering children’s social care businesses are back in the spotlight CareTech, the most exploitative of all providers, obliges with a new set of accounts. (Long 🧵)
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
How true is this, always the little guy getting dumped on.
July 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
How true is this, always the little guy getting dumped on.
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
Amid everything yesterday you may have missed this.
It is absolutely massive.
At last the local government funding formula will recognise that Sandwell, top ten most deprived in the country, with mostly As and Bs on council tax, has to get more help than somewhere that can raise more locally
It is absolutely massive.
At last the local government funding formula will recognise that Sandwell, top ten most deprived in the country, with mostly As and Bs on council tax, has to get more help than somewhere that can raise more locally
Fairer funding for councils across the country in major reform
An overhaul of the outdated and complex council system will bring fairer funding, more stability and improve lives of people across the country
www.gov.uk
June 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Amid everything yesterday you may have missed this.
It is absolutely massive.
At last the local government funding formula will recognise that Sandwell, top ten most deprived in the country, with mostly As and Bs on council tax, has to get more help than somewhere that can raise more locally
It is absolutely massive.
At last the local government funding formula will recognise that Sandwell, top ten most deprived in the country, with mostly As and Bs on council tax, has to get more help than somewhere that can raise more locally
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
This is a good move, but it would be better if they'd also removed the need to have a referendum to raise council tax above 5%.
Richer southern councils could charge more to cover the gap. As a % of property value, tax is way lower than in poorer areas.
Richer southern councils could charge more to cover the gap. As a % of property value, tax is way lower than in poorer areas.
Amid everything yesterday you may have missed this.
It is absolutely massive.
At last the local government funding formula will recognise that Sandwell, top ten most deprived in the country, with mostly As and Bs on council tax, has to get more help than somewhere that can raise more locally
It is absolutely massive.
At last the local government funding formula will recognise that Sandwell, top ten most deprived in the country, with mostly As and Bs on council tax, has to get more help than somewhere that can raise more locally
Fairer funding for councils across the country in major reform
An overhaul of the outdated and complex council system will bring fairer funding, more stability and improve lives of people across the country
www.gov.uk
June 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is a good move, but it would be better if they'd also removed the need to have a referendum to raise council tax above 5%.
Richer southern councils could charge more to cover the gap. As a % of property value, tax is way lower than in poorer areas.
Richer southern councils could charge more to cover the gap. As a % of property value, tax is way lower than in poorer areas.
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
The #SpendingReview's £4bn overall increase in funding for adult social care by 2028/29 is only enough to prevent a further deterioration in services.
Our analysis from May projects costs of meeting growing demand for care in England and making improvements up to 2034/35 ⬇️
Our analysis from May projects costs of meeting growing demand for care in England and making improvements up to 2034/35 ⬇️
Adult social care funding pressures: 2023–35
We project the costs of meeting growing demand for adult social care in England and making some improvements to care up to 2034/35.
www.health.org.uk
June 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The #SpendingReview's £4bn overall increase in funding for adult social care by 2028/29 is only enough to prevent a further deterioration in services.
Our analysis from May projects costs of meeting growing demand for care in England and making improvements up to 2034/35 ⬇️
Our analysis from May projects costs of meeting growing demand for care in England and making improvements up to 2034/35 ⬇️
Reposted by Dennis Holmes
This is the last thing the BBC needs
June 17, 2025 at 5:44 AM
This is the last thing the BBC needs