@frapacioli.bsky.social
‘If the first rule of democracy is “Learn how to count”, perhaps the first rule of economics should be “Learn how to account”.’ https://substack.com/@frapacioli?r=7dnd50&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile&shareImageVariant=image
Pinned
The Self-Financing State
A Layperson's Summary
substack.com
How the UK government’s finances really work. Prepare to be surprised – shocked, even. substack.com/@frapacioli/...
Reposted
We have to stop calling some jobs ‘low skilled’ ft.trib.al/HKcfQ7P | opinion
We have to stop calling some jobs ‘low skilled’
Freeing ourselves of these labels might help young people to think more creatively about the future
ft.trib.al
February 17, 2026 at 5:06 AM
We have to stop calling some jobs ‘low skilled’ ft.trib.al/HKcfQ7P | opinion
Reposted
UK wage growth cools further as unemployment rises ft.trib.al/rDxi4eT
UK wage growth cools further as unemployment rises
Jobless rate increases to 5.2%
ft.trib.al
February 17, 2026 at 7:22 AM
UK wage growth cools further as unemployment rises ft.trib.al/rDxi4eT
Reposted
"It's unfair to blame people for not having jobs, when the jobs simply aren't available."
@georgebangham.bsky.social talking about the benefits system and work on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live
@georgebangham.bsky.social talking about the benefits system and work on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live
February 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
"It's unfair to blame people for not having jobs, when the jobs simply aren't available."
@georgebangham.bsky.social talking about the benefits system and work on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live
@georgebangham.bsky.social talking about the benefits system and work on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live
Reposted
Cost of Privatisation
Royal Mail letters sit undelivered 'for weeks', parcels prioritised
RM doesn't meet letter delivery targets. Urgent letters missed. Fines passed to customers
Profiteering:
Price Now: Ist class stamp £1.70; 2nd class 87p.
When privatised in 2013: 1st class 60p; 2nd class 50p.
Royal Mail letters sit undelivered 'for weeks', parcels prioritised
RM doesn't meet letter delivery targets. Urgent letters missed. Fines passed to customers
Profiteering:
Price Now: Ist class stamp £1.70; 2nd class 87p.
When privatised in 2013: 1st class 60p; 2nd class 50p.
Royal Mail staff tell BBC letters sit undelivered as firm prioritises parcels
Staff and customers tell the BBC prioritising parcels can mean missed NHS appointments and late payment fines.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Cost of Privatisation
Royal Mail letters sit undelivered 'for weeks', parcels prioritised
RM doesn't meet letter delivery targets. Urgent letters missed. Fines passed to customers
Profiteering:
Price Now: Ist class stamp £1.70; 2nd class 87p.
When privatised in 2013: 1st class 60p; 2nd class 50p.
Royal Mail letters sit undelivered 'for weeks', parcels prioritised
RM doesn't meet letter delivery targets. Urgent letters missed. Fines passed to customers
Profiteering:
Price Now: Ist class stamp £1.70; 2nd class 87p.
When privatised in 2013: 1st class 60p; 2nd class 50p.
Reposted
Tomorrow the ONS publishes new unemployment data.
In the UK's current framework, unemployment is the primary tool used to contain inflation. That is a policy choice.
An alternative stabilisation approach exists: mmtuk.org/job-guarantee #MMT
In the UK's current framework, unemployment is the primary tool used to contain inflation. That is a policy choice.
An alternative stabilisation approach exists: mmtuk.org/job-guarantee #MMT
Job Guarantee | MMTUK
Learn about the Job Guarantee proposal.
mmtuk.org
February 16, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Tomorrow the ONS publishes new unemployment data.
In the UK's current framework, unemployment is the primary tool used to contain inflation. That is a policy choice.
An alternative stabilisation approach exists: mmtuk.org/job-guarantee #MMT
In the UK's current framework, unemployment is the primary tool used to contain inflation. That is a policy choice.
An alternative stabilisation approach exists: mmtuk.org/job-guarantee #MMT
Reposted
Neoliberalism was designed to fail ordinary people, and it is through its politics of destruction. youtu.be/8LpJTB7shXs?...
Neoliberalism was designed to fail ordinary people, and it is through its politics of destruction
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 7:10 AM
Neoliberalism was designed to fail ordinary people, and it is through its politics of destruction. youtu.be/8LpJTB7shXs?...
This is the long term effect of neoliberal economic thinking that
- taxes fund spending
- the markets lend to the government
- the government must run balanced budgets
None of it is true. Read this👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/frapacio...
- taxes fund spending
- the markets lend to the government
- the government must run balanced budgets
None of it is true. Read this👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/frapacio...
February 16, 2026 at 7:27 AM
This is the long term effect of neoliberal economic thinking that
- taxes fund spending
- the markets lend to the government
- the government must run balanced budgets
None of it is true. Read this👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/frapacio...
- taxes fund spending
- the markets lend to the government
- the government must run balanced budgets
None of it is true. Read this👇🏻
open.substack.com/pub/frapacio...
‘The top 20 EU banks [have] amassed $600bn of excess capital over the past three years, which they are eager to deploy on deals.’ And which suggests a structural question – why/how are they sucking this much money out of the EU economy?
EU cross-border banking deals jump to highest since 2008 crisis ft.trib.al/R2dIrAl
EU cross-border banking deals jump to highest since 2008 crisis
Lenders’ rising profits make international mergers more attractive despite regulatory hurdles
ft.trib.al
February 16, 2026 at 7:15 AM
‘The top 20 EU banks [have] amassed $600bn of excess capital over the past three years, which they are eager to deploy on deals.’ And which suggests a structural question – why/how are they sucking this much money out of the EU economy?
Reposted
Unemployment is the result of political choices.
MMTUK's UK Job Guarantee proposal shows how a different set of choices could end involuntary unemployment and strengthen local economies across Britain.
It launches on 25 Feb. Join us: mmtuk.org/news/bill-mi... #MMT
MMTUK's UK Job Guarantee proposal shows how a different set of choices could end involuntary unemployment and strengthen local economies across Britain.
It launches on 25 Feb. Join us: mmtuk.org/news/bill-mi... #MMT
February 15, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Unemployment is the result of political choices.
MMTUK's UK Job Guarantee proposal shows how a different set of choices could end involuntary unemployment and strengthen local economies across Britain.
It launches on 25 Feb. Join us: mmtuk.org/news/bill-mi... #MMT
MMTUK's UK Job Guarantee proposal shows how a different set of choices could end involuntary unemployment and strengthen local economies across Britain.
It launches on 25 Feb. Join us: mmtuk.org/news/bill-mi... #MMT
These Labour MPs are 100% correct to oppose the Chancellor’s fiscal rules.
Unless the government increases spending (through a vote in Parliament) the economy will continue to flatline, public infrastructure and services will continue to decline and ordinary people will continue to struggle.
Unless the government increases spending (through a vote in Parliament) the economy will continue to flatline, public infrastructure and services will continue to decline and ordinary people will continue to struggle.
🧵New polling from @investinbritain.bsky.social by
@survation.bsky.social reveals a majority of Labour MPs want the Chancellor to change course on fiscal policy.
1/8 thetimes.com/article/6448...
@survation.bsky.social reveals a majority of Labour MPs want the Chancellor to change course on fiscal policy.
1/8 thetimes.com/article/6448...
Majority of Labour MPs oppose Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules
Divisions within the party are exposed as two thirds of MPs are against the Rachel Reeves’ fiscal plans
www.thetimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:29 AM
These Labour MPs are 100% correct to oppose the Chancellor’s fiscal rules.
Unless the government increases spending (through a vote in Parliament) the economy will continue to flatline, public infrastructure and services will continue to decline and ordinary people will continue to struggle.
Unless the government increases spending (through a vote in Parliament) the economy will continue to flatline, public infrastructure and services will continue to decline and ordinary people will continue to struggle.
How the UK government’s finances really work. Prepare to be surprised – shocked, even. substack.com/@frapacioli/...
The Self-Financing State
A Layperson's Summary
substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:25 AM
How the UK government’s finances really work. Prepare to be surprised – shocked, even. substack.com/@frapacioli/...