Ian
@ibnorfolk.bsky.social
Present: Risk & Security. Past: British Army Veteran. Passions: Renewables, Sustainability, Environment, Nature. Nerd: Solar. Religion/Cult: Home Assistant.
The violent nodding in agreement while reading this report made me feel sick.
Seriously though, absolutely bang on the money.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...
Seriously though, absolutely bang on the money.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...
The UK contribution to European Security
Report of the Defence Committee
publications.parliament.uk
November 19, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The violent nodding in agreement while reading this report made me feel sick.
Seriously though, absolutely bang on the money.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...
Seriously though, absolutely bang on the money.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...
Reposted by Ian
Our new report on Sky Bet's relocation to Malta. Full details of what we think they did, whether it was legal, and how HMRC and the Government could stop it: taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/11/18/s...
Betting on tax avoidance - is Sky Bet avoiding £55m tax per year?
ITV News has just published an investigation: gambling company Sky Bet has migrated its business to Malta to avoid around £55m of tax each year. We provided technical support for the investigation…
taxpolicy.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Our new report on Sky Bet's relocation to Malta. Full details of what we think they did, whether it was legal, and how HMRC and the Government could stop it: taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/11/18/s...
We just broke 10MW annual generation from our roof mounted domestic solar array. *hurrah* 🌤️🔋
November 18, 2025 at 11:38 AM
We just broke 10MW annual generation from our roof mounted domestic solar array. *hurrah* 🌤️🔋
Last week the Treasury/No11 was leaking rumours about cutting the BUS grant for ASHP, today DESNZ expands the scheme to include A2A.
The latter is absolutely the right thing to do, but what a f’ing shambles.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The latter is absolutely the right thing to do, but what a f’ing shambles.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Discounts for families to keep warm in winter and cool in summer
Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been expanded to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries giving families more choice in how they upgrade their home.
www.gov.uk
November 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Last week the Treasury/No11 was leaking rumours about cutting the BUS grant for ASHP, today DESNZ expands the scheme to include A2A.
The latter is absolutely the right thing to do, but what a f’ing shambles.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
The latter is absolutely the right thing to do, but what a f’ing shambles.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Ian
The British Home Secretary, back when she thought it appropriate to show some empathy with refugees.
November 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
The British Home Secretary, back when she thought it appropriate to show some empathy with refugees.
Reposted by Ian
Illegal immigration isn’t tearing the UK apart.
The far right is tearing the country apart, using immigration as a pretext.
The far right is tearing the country apart, using immigration as a pretext.
November 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Illegal immigration isn’t tearing the UK apart.
The far right is tearing the country apart, using immigration as a pretext.
The far right is tearing the country apart, using immigration as a pretext.
Reposted by Ian
It’s the most bizarre form of gaslighting that places the blame of a) Labour’s troubles and b) the prospect of a Reform government, on those who criticise/leave the Party, rather than on the policies, lack of vision and dreadful comms of the current Labour leadership.
November 15, 2025 at 7:33 PM
It’s the most bizarre form of gaslighting that places the blame of a) Labour’s troubles and b) the prospect of a Reform government, on those who criticise/leave the Party, rather than on the policies, lack of vision and dreadful comms of the current Labour leadership.
Reposted by Ian
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
November 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.
Reposted by Ian
Keir Starmer’s week of chaos brings us closer to Nigel Farage as prime minister. My weekend article for @the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/voices/keir-...
Keir Starmer’s week of chaos brings us closer to Nigel Farage as prime minister
No 10 briefing against a cabinet minister and U-turning on the Budget at the last moment are signs of a weak government, says John Rentoul
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Keir Starmer’s week of chaos brings us closer to Nigel Farage as prime minister. My weekend article for @the-independent.com www.independent.co.uk/voices/keir-...
Reposted by Ian
This is probably a crazy idea, but wouldn't it be better to react to the *actual* budget, rather than to every leak and piece of speculation in the months beforehand?
November 14, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This is probably a crazy idea, but wouldn't it be better to react to the *actual* budget, rather than to every leak and piece of speculation in the months beforehand?
Reposted by Ian
While this budget psychodrama is playing out, my LinkedIn feed is full of heat pump engineers worrying their business is doomed because of an HMT briefing yesterday, and there’s a prominent story about the imminent collapse of the SEND system.
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
November 14, 2025 at 8:38 AM
While this budget psychodrama is playing out, my LinkedIn feed is full of heat pump engineers worrying their business is doomed because of an HMT briefing yesterday, and there’s a prominent story about the imminent collapse of the SEND system.
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Reposted by Ian
It will never not be compelling to me that the same people who produced Goldeneye - a fun, campy Bond in which Bond is both younger than he was in Licence to Kill but also apparently was around in it, also said “you know what Bond needs? Lore!” in the 2020s.
“It’s impossible to reboot Bond” says production team who decided Bond first got his licence to kill in the 21st Century, as Daniel Craig, then got incredibly old within two films and was being put out to pasture, but also had Sean Connery’s 1960s car.
It’s Bond. Just do whatever the fuck you like.
It’s Bond. Just do whatever the fuck you like.
November 11, 2025 at 11:07 AM
It will never not be compelling to me that the same people who produced Goldeneye - a fun, campy Bond in which Bond is both younger than he was in Licence to Kill but also apparently was around in it, also said “you know what Bond needs? Lore!” in the 2020s.
Reposted by Ian
Did not expect pretty much the only British institution to respond to bad faith attacks from the right by telling them to 'do one' would be the National Trust.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
November 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Did not expect pretty much the only British institution to respond to bad faith attacks from the right by telling them to 'do one' would be the National Trust.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
Reposted by Ian
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
Reposted by Ian
Incredible that Robbie Gibb - most influential person on BBC board by many accounts and from journalists I speak in BBC - was involved in setting up GB News.
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Enforced veganism’: Ofcom lets GB News flout accuracy rules, say climate campaigners
Exclusive: Regulator has received 1,221 complaints about UK broadcasters since 2020 but found no breaches of its code
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Incredible that Robbie Gibb - most influential person on BBC board by many accounts and from journalists I speak in BBC - was involved in setting up GB News.
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Ian
Proposals for an impartial BBC:
- Ed Davey and Zack Polanski to have as many appearences as Nigel Farage
- Trans people to have as much airtime to talk about themselves as transphobes.
- No holocaust denier to be described as a grass roots protester
- No treating settled science as a debate topic
- Ed Davey and Zack Polanski to have as many appearences as Nigel Farage
- Trans people to have as much airtime to talk about themselves as transphobes.
- No holocaust denier to be described as a grass roots protester
- No treating settled science as a debate topic
November 10, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Proposals for an impartial BBC:
- Ed Davey and Zack Polanski to have as many appearences as Nigel Farage
- Trans people to have as much airtime to talk about themselves as transphobes.
- No holocaust denier to be described as a grass roots protester
- No treating settled science as a debate topic
- Ed Davey and Zack Polanski to have as many appearences as Nigel Farage
- Trans people to have as much airtime to talk about themselves as transphobes.
- No holocaust denier to be described as a grass roots protester
- No treating settled science as a debate topic
Reposted by Ian
From the Gluepot Reserve FB account:
Solar powered kangaroos! These thirsty roos know where to come after a sprinkle of rain on a hot day. They also clean our solar panels for us!
😂
Solar powered kangaroos! These thirsty roos know where to come after a sprinkle of rain on a hot day. They also clean our solar panels for us!
😂
November 10, 2025 at 2:21 AM
From the Gluepot Reserve FB account:
Solar powered kangaroos! These thirsty roos know where to come after a sprinkle of rain on a hot day. They also clean our solar panels for us!
😂
Solar powered kangaroos! These thirsty roos know where to come after a sprinkle of rain on a hot day. They also clean our solar panels for us!
😂
The doll in a dome on antiques roadshow is actually a demon imprisoned in a magical container.
November 9, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The doll in a dome on antiques roadshow is actually a demon imprisoned in a magical container.
Facts.
November 9, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Facts.
So Farage wasn’t laying a wreath at the Cenotaph, he wasn’t laying a wreath in his constituency…. Where was he?
November 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
So Farage wasn’t laying a wreath at the Cenotaph, he wasn’t laying a wreath in his constituency…. Where was he?
Pte Paul Kelty, just mentioned during the Festival of Remembrance, was killed in November 2004, on Operation Bracken, the UK contribution to secure the flank during the 2nd assault on Fallujah.
November 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Pte Paul Kelty, just mentioned during the Festival of Remembrance, was killed in November 2004, on Operation Bracken, the UK contribution to secure the flank during the 2nd assault on Fallujah.
Reposted by Ian
It is a minor miracle the Conservative Party is polling as high as 16 per cent. It is also utterly bizarre Labour has failed to properly land the argument it is dealing with a mess of historic proportions caused in huge part by the people now attacking it.
As context to freeing of an Algerian man, here's some info about HMP Wandsworth, where he was:
• Built for 900 prisoners. Holds 1,600.
• Daily roster of prison officers c.70. Up to 15 staff on long-term sick leave.
• 36% of officers have >3yrs service.
• 12% of prison staff leave *each year*.
• Built for 900 prisoners. Holds 1,600.
• Daily roster of prison officers c.70. Up to 15 staff on long-term sick leave.
• 36% of officers have >3yrs service.
• 12% of prison staff leave *each year*.
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
It is a minor miracle the Conservative Party is polling as high as 16 per cent. It is also utterly bizarre Labour has failed to properly land the argument it is dealing with a mess of historic proportions caused in huge part by the people now attacking it.
Reposted by Ian
"National security threat" "Economic disaster"
Not from a thriller, but warnings from the UK Joint Intelligence Committee about climate breakdown and ecosystem collapse.
The analysis has been delayed - the threat hasn't
Urge your MP to join us at the @nebriefing.bsky.social www.nebriefing.org
Not from a thriller, but warnings from the UK Joint Intelligence Committee about climate breakdown and ecosystem collapse.
The analysis has been delayed - the threat hasn't
Urge your MP to join us at the @nebriefing.bsky.social www.nebriefing.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
"National security threat" "Economic disaster"
Not from a thriller, but warnings from the UK Joint Intelligence Committee about climate breakdown and ecosystem collapse.
The analysis has been delayed - the threat hasn't
Urge your MP to join us at the @nebriefing.bsky.social www.nebriefing.org
Not from a thriller, but warnings from the UK Joint Intelligence Committee about climate breakdown and ecosystem collapse.
The analysis has been delayed - the threat hasn't
Urge your MP to join us at the @nebriefing.bsky.social www.nebriefing.org
Rachel Reeves comes out, says a load of blatantly obvious stuff, & the media loses its mind. 🤷♂️
November 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Rachel Reeves comes out, says a load of blatantly obvious stuff, & the media loses its mind. 🤷♂️
Reposted by Ian
Not necessarily a good thing, then. "Net migration will fall very sharply....Furthermore, emigration will continue to increase....Any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes."
The coming collapse in immigration to the United Kingdom - UK in a changing Europe
James Bowes analyses the fall in net migration to the UK as a result of government policies and explores some of the political and economic consequences.
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Not necessarily a good thing, then. "Net migration will fall very sharply....Furthermore, emigration will continue to increase....Any political benefit the government may gain from this fall in immigration could be jeopardised by the economic damage that it causes."