Ed Pemberton
@epemberton.bsky.social
Senior Policy Researcher, Citizens Advice. Currently researching health inequalities and their relationship to work, housing and debt. Recovering political economist. Views my own.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
This investigation from the @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social is absolutely staggering. It is very common in Sheffield (I live in this bit) to have a leasehold, often with hundreds of years left on and pennies in ground rent. This is extortion pure and simple. www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This investigation from the @sheffieldtribune.bsky.social is absolutely staggering. It is very common in Sheffield (I live in this bit) to have a leasehold, often with hundreds of years left on and pennies in ground rent. This is extortion pure and simple. www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
If you’re living with damp, cold and mould in your home, you’re not alone.
These issues are impacting millions of us in the UK – putting our wellbeing on the line.
Tomorrow, we're launching our new campaign pushing the government to act.
Learn more about some of the issues here. 👉 bit.ly/3LnYatm
These issues are impacting millions of us in the UK – putting our wellbeing on the line.
Tomorrow, we're launching our new campaign pushing the government to act.
Learn more about some of the issues here. 👉 bit.ly/3LnYatm
November 5, 2025 at 11:51 AM
If you’re living with damp, cold and mould in your home, you’re not alone.
These issues are impacting millions of us in the UK – putting our wellbeing on the line.
Tomorrow, we're launching our new campaign pushing the government to act.
Learn more about some of the issues here. 👉 bit.ly/3LnYatm
These issues are impacting millions of us in the UK – putting our wellbeing on the line.
Tomorrow, we're launching our new campaign pushing the government to act.
Learn more about some of the issues here. 👉 bit.ly/3LnYatm
Much more detail on what's gone wrong with housing support for private renters, and what we're asking the government to do at the upcoming budget, in Sarah's excellent briefing.
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
November 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Much more detail on what's gone wrong with housing support for private renters, and what we're asking the government to do at the upcoming budget, in Sarah's excellent briefing.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
📰New @citizensadvice.bsky.social briefing ahead of the #Autumnbudget: The Government if failing private renters by freezing #LocalHousingAllowance #LHA.
New blog out today, as part of our work with @healthfoundation.bsky.social, looking at the unequal health impacts of the current system of housing cost support that fails to cover people's rent.
As the #AutumnBudget approaches, we're calling on the Chancellor to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to support people on low incomes as private rents continue to soar.
Read more in our blog ⤵️
https://t.co/xTGMQRoFsk https://t.co/ijj5LHQyVC
Read more in our blog ⤵️
https://t.co/xTGMQRoFsk https://t.co/ijj5LHQyVC
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 AM
New blog out today, as part of our work with @healthfoundation.bsky.social, looking at the unequal health impacts of the current system of housing cost support that fails to cover people's rent.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
My latest: Move over bat tunnel, here’s the wild story of how HS2 were forced to build a multi-million pound bridge for a road that… doesn’t actually exist.
How HS2 built a bridge to nowhere
A state-of-the-art road bridge has been built deep in the heart of rural Buckinghamshire. Designed to carry traffic over the HS2 railway, there's just one tiny problem - there's no actual road.
martinrobbins.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:16 AM
My latest: Move over bat tunnel, here’s the wild story of how HS2 were forced to build a multi-million pound bridge for a road that… doesn’t actually exist.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Local Housing Allowance rates have been realigned to market rents in just two of the last 13 years, and current Government policy is for these to remain frozen.
But this ongoing freeze means that the 'affordability gap' between LHA rates and local rents is set to reach record levels next year.
But this ongoing freeze means that the 'affordability gap' between LHA rates and local rents is set to reach record levels next year.
October 29, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Local Housing Allowance rates have been realigned to market rents in just two of the last 13 years, and current Government policy is for these to remain frozen.
But this ongoing freeze means that the 'affordability gap' between LHA rates and local rents is set to reach record levels next year.
But this ongoing freeze means that the 'affordability gap' between LHA rates and local rents is set to reach record levels next year.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Can the Manhattan Project avoid building the nuclear bomb?
October 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Can the Manhattan Project avoid building the nuclear bomb?
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
DWP plans to introduce a ‘support conversation’ for disabled claimants who don’t currently meet a work coach. My new paper explores how this conversation can be done effectively and avoid causing harm 🧵
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
A fresh start: transforming engagement with disabled benefits claimants through a case worker model
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
DWP plans to introduce a ‘support conversation’ for disabled claimants who don’t currently meet a work coach. My new paper explores how this conversation can be done effectively and avoid causing harm 🧵
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/policy/publi...
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Yes, I do think that talking about the housing crisis as a single thing misses the point, because it's actually a bunch of different crises in different areas and the one that is most total (London) is also atypical. National approaches only take you so far.
October 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Yes, I do think that talking about the housing crisis as a single thing misses the point, because it's actually a bunch of different crises in different areas and the one that is most total (London) is also atypical. National approaches only take you so far.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
A thread of inspirational quotes from two of my idols: Kemi Badenoch and Ange Postecoglou
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
October 6, 2025 at 9:11 AM
A thread of inspirational quotes from two of my idols: Kemi Badenoch and Ange Postecoglou
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
(uh-oh, I may have gotten some mixed up... or have I??)
🧵
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Couple of things here: crypto boosters need to contend with just how much easier they have made these kind of extortion scams - almost as if it were feature, not bug, of the tech.
Also, cannot be coincidence that these hacks are ramping up as Russia’s economy is feeling the sanctions squeeze.
Also, cannot be coincidence that these hacks are ramping up as Russia’s economy is feeling the sanctions squeeze.
feels a bit weird that we keep having these stories about individual cyber attacks but without anyone really joining the dots and going "okay, shall we maybe talk about this as a major global story"
Japan is just a few days away from running out of Asahi Super Dry as the producer of the nation’s most popular beer wrestles with a devastating cyber attack that has shut down its domestic breweries www.ft.com/content/bb86...
October 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Couple of things here: crypto boosters need to contend with just how much easier they have made these kind of extortion scams - almost as if it were feature, not bug, of the tech.
Also, cannot be coincidence that these hacks are ramping up as Russia’s economy is feeling the sanctions squeeze.
Also, cannot be coincidence that these hacks are ramping up as Russia’s economy is feeling the sanctions squeeze.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
I think this media habit has become such a problem it needs an embarrassing nickname - 'bookie journalism' or 'Mystic Meg' or something - which should be thrown back at journalists every single time they do this.
That every TV spot and discussion I have seen about the NHS has been about 'winning the next election' not 'so what, exactly, are we spending this money on and is that a good idea?' again shapes which MPs get rewarded and also forces smart MPs to sound stupid when they speak in public.
October 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
I think this media habit has become such a problem it needs an embarrassing nickname - 'bookie journalism' or 'Mystic Meg' or something - which should be thrown back at journalists every single time they do this.
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Safe, warm, affordable housing is vital for health, but not everyone has it.
Lives are being cut short by up to 16 years across the UK and where we live is part of the problem.
You can be part of the solution by asking your MP to #MakeHealthEqual. 👉https://bit.ly/4guMfFn
Lives are being cut short by up to 16 years across the UK and where we live is part of the problem.
You can be part of the solution by asking your MP to #MakeHealthEqual. 👉https://bit.ly/4guMfFn
September 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Safe, warm, affordable housing is vital for health, but not everyone has it.
Lives are being cut short by up to 16 years across the UK and where we live is part of the problem.
You can be part of the solution by asking your MP to #MakeHealthEqual. 👉https://bit.ly/4guMfFn
Lives are being cut short by up to 16 years across the UK and where we live is part of the problem.
You can be part of the solution by asking your MP to #MakeHealthEqual. 👉https://bit.ly/4guMfFn
Garbage Day is literally the clearest, best informed source for understanding what is going on in the US right now. Amazing work by Ryan and the team, but also, what a world 😞
Charlie Kirk was killed by a meme
www.garbageday.email/p/charlie-ki...
www.garbageday.email/p/charlie-ki...
September 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Garbage Day is literally the clearest, best informed source for understanding what is going on in the US right now. Amazing work by Ryan and the team, but also, what a world 😞
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
September 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Some thoughts on yesterday
www.garbageday.email/p/the-logica...
www.garbageday.email/p/the-logica...
September 11, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Some thoughts on yesterday
www.garbageday.email/p/the-logica...
www.garbageday.email/p/the-logica...
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Shocking: less than 3% of private rentals in Britain are affordable for people needing housing benefit.
People are being pushed towards homelessness and ill health.
@RachelReevesMP can fix this in Nov’s budget by restoring housing benefit to the real cost of rent. Act now: bit.ly/3V1d76a
People are being pushed towards homelessness and ill health.
@RachelReevesMP can fix this in Nov’s budget by restoring housing benefit to the real cost of rent. Act now: bit.ly/3V1d76a
September 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Shocking: less than 3% of private rentals in Britain are affordable for people needing housing benefit.
People are being pushed towards homelessness and ill health.
@RachelReevesMP can fix this in Nov’s budget by restoring housing benefit to the real cost of rent. Act now: bit.ly/3V1d76a
People are being pushed towards homelessness and ill health.
@RachelReevesMP can fix this in Nov’s budget by restoring housing benefit to the real cost of rent. Act now: bit.ly/3V1d76a
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
For @theleaduk.bsky.social I had another look at the impact of the poorly-designed 'Making Tax Digital' policy on the most economically vulnerable workers in the economy.
The added cost for disabled people at the same time as benefit cuts is inexplicable.
national.thelead.uk/p/making-tax...
The added cost for disabled people at the same time as benefit cuts is inexplicable.
national.thelead.uk/p/making-tax...
Making Tax Digital plans will penalise vulnerable and low-paid workers
Many disabled people are already only surviving because of their ability to work and earn alongside their rights to state support.
national.thelead.uk
August 29, 2025 at 7:07 AM
For @theleaduk.bsky.social I had another look at the impact of the poorly-designed 'Making Tax Digital' policy on the most economically vulnerable workers in the economy.
The added cost for disabled people at the same time as benefit cuts is inexplicable.
national.thelead.uk/p/making-tax...
The added cost for disabled people at the same time as benefit cuts is inexplicable.
national.thelead.uk/p/making-tax...
This is a great piece, and really good to see it citing Citizens Advice data on how many renters have to put up with sub-standard conditions for the benefit of their landlords 'yield'
'Thanks to shows like Homes Under the Hammer, a sizeable chunk of the population see themselves as temporarily embarrassed property tycoons.'
New piece by me on Britain's favourite property programme: www.forthedeskdrawer.com/p/tenants-un...
New piece by me on Britain's favourite property programme: www.forthedeskdrawer.com/p/tenants-un...
Tenants Under the Hammer
Sit back and watch the hassle-free rental income roll in
www.forthedeskdrawer.com
August 20, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This is a great piece, and really good to see it citing Citizens Advice data on how many renters have to put up with sub-standard conditions for the benefit of their landlords 'yield'
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Who’s with me for a campaign to stop politicians wearing hi viz jackets and hard hats when talking about the economy and instead being filmed playing Total War: Warhammer
In Britain video games generate more revenue (£4.3bn) than the film (excluding streaming) and music industries combined (£3.4bn).
economist.com/britain/2025...
economist.com/britain/2025...
Britain is a global gaming superpower
Can it remain one?
economist.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Who’s with me for a campaign to stop politicians wearing hi viz jackets and hard hats when talking about the economy and instead being filmed playing Total War: Warhammer
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
Severe shortage of accessible housing for disabled people causing serious hardship news.sky.com/video/severe...
Severe shortage of adaptive housing for disabled people causing serious hardship
Chrystal Hendry has a rare muscular condition and is facing a no-fault eviction.
news.sky.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Severe shortage of accessible housing for disabled people causing serious hardship news.sky.com/video/severe...
Reposted by Ed Pemberton
I’m quoting this because it is a very fair point for which I have an answer: The first thing is to recognize that in a democracy there is no such thing as “ the majority.” Instead, there are many and multiple overlapping majorities that can be assembled from different parts of the whole.
Most of the criticisms are fairly weak, but he does make the valid point that Americans are not as progressive as we wish they were. How do we achieve these goals when the majority of people are so ignorant and wrong about everything that they voted for Trump?
August 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I’m quoting this because it is a very fair point for which I have an answer: The first thing is to recognize that in a democracy there is no such thing as “ the majority.” Instead, there are many and multiple overlapping majorities that can be assembled from different parts of the whole.