James Riding
@jamesriding.bsky.social
Living Markets Editor at Inside Housing | Book reviews in The Times | Press Awards 30 Under 30 2024 | james.riding@oceanmedia.co.uk
Reposted by James Riding
Is it morning again for the macho novel? I reviewed poet Neil Rollinson’s debut novel, The Dead Don’t Bleed, for @thetimes.com
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Man up, readers — the macho novel is back
Two brothers attempt to wrestle free from their crime boss father and his ‘empire of violence’ in Neil Rollinson’s The Dead Don’t Bleed
www.thetimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Is it morning again for the macho novel? I reviewed poet Neil Rollinson’s debut novel, The Dead Don’t Bleed, for @thetimes.com
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Is it morning again for the macho novel? I reviewed poet Neil Rollinson’s debut novel, The Dead Don’t Bleed, for @thetimes.com
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Man up, readers — the macho novel is back
Two brothers attempt to wrestle free from their crime boss father and his ‘empire of violence’ in Neil Rollinson’s The Dead Don’t Bleed
www.thetimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Is it morning again for the macho novel? I reviewed poet Neil Rollinson’s debut novel, The Dead Don’t Bleed, for @thetimes.com
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
In an early scene, two brothers in 1970s Northumberland try to bury a body on the orders of their father, a crime boss. Manly stuff!
www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
Here are some articles, scoops and book reviews I wrote in 2025 that I'm proud of.
Most recently, I worked hard on this report into the unsolved death of 21-year-old Joe Deacy for @thefence.bsky.social. It's in issue 26 of the mag and will appear online in the new year
Most recently, I worked hard on this report into the unsolved death of 21-year-old Joe Deacy for @thefence.bsky.social. It's in issue 26 of the mag and will appear online in the new year
December 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Here are some articles, scoops and book reviews I wrote in 2025 that I'm proud of.
Most recently, I worked hard on this report into the unsolved death of 21-year-old Joe Deacy for @thefence.bsky.social. It's in issue 26 of the mag and will appear online in the new year
Most recently, I worked hard on this report into the unsolved death of 21-year-old Joe Deacy for @thefence.bsky.social. It's in issue 26 of the mag and will appear online in the new year
Reposted by James Riding
“I wish to God you could pay more money.”
I wrote about F Scott Fitzgerald’s Christmas wish, and how his difficult final year led him to produce some of his best work: the irresistible, cynical, revealing and very funny Pat Hobby stories.
I wrote about F Scott Fitzgerald’s Christmas wish, and how his difficult final year led him to produce some of his best work: the irresistible, cynical, revealing and very funny Pat Hobby stories.
When F Scott Fitzgerald’s Christmas wish came true
The Pat Hobby stories about a washed-up writer in Hollywood were written to make money fast — they are also the final flowering of Fitzgerald’s eccentric genius
giftarticle.ft.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:12 PM
“I wish to God you could pay more money.”
I wrote about F Scott Fitzgerald’s Christmas wish, and how his difficult final year led him to produce some of his best work: the irresistible, cynical, revealing and very funny Pat Hobby stories.
I wrote about F Scott Fitzgerald’s Christmas wish, and how his difficult final year led him to produce some of his best work: the irresistible, cynical, revealing and very funny Pat Hobby stories.
Reposted by James Riding
Are underperformed heat networks poised to become the next cladding crisis for leaseholders?
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
The flat-owners facing £60k bills to upgrade communal boilers
Nearly a million leaseholders may be forced to pay thousands to improve heat networks, which are often unreliable and wasteful
www.thetimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Are underperformed heat networks poised to become the next cladding crisis for leaseholders?
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
New govt rules will require upgrades to tens of thousands of systems... but residents will pay:
www.thetimes.com/article/d81f...
Reposted by James Riding
NEW: Labour just announced the biggest change in planning policy in 80 years.
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
Labour are finally taking the housing shortage seriously
Is the new National Planning Policy Framework Labour’s biggest pro-growth move?
www.samdumitriu.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
NEW: Labour just announced the biggest change in planning policy in 80 years.
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
My breakdown of the key measures and whether they will succeed.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/labour-are...
Reposted by James Riding
John Carey RIP. Everyone should read his books on Dickens and Donne and the Faber Book of Reportage. Vary rarely a dull review...
John Carey obituary: literary critic
Witty, eclectic and sometimes scathing scholar and reviewer who held sacred cows in little respect dies aged 91
www.thetimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
John Carey RIP. Everyone should read his books on Dickens and Donne and the Faber Book of Reportage. Vary rarely a dull review...
Joe Deacy died in West Ireland on 13 August 2017. Every August since, his family and friends walk to the house where he was found and peacefully demand answers. To this day, no one has been found accountable.
My article 'Justice for Joe' is in @thefence.bsky.social issue 26, out now
My article 'Justice for Joe' is in @thefence.bsky.social issue 26, out now
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Joe Deacy died in West Ireland on 13 August 2017. Every August since, his family and friends walk to the house where he was found and peacefully demand answers. To this day, no one has been found accountable.
My article 'Justice for Joe' is in @thefence.bsky.social issue 26, out now
My article 'Justice for Joe' is in @thefence.bsky.social issue 26, out now
Reposted by James Riding
I'm in The Times today coming out to bat for Karl Ove Knausgaard, whose latest Christopher Marlowe-inspired novel is long, weird, frequently repulsive and brilliant
Link to read below
Link to read below
November 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I'm in The Times today coming out to bat for Karl Ove Knausgaard, whose latest Christopher Marlowe-inspired novel is long, weird, frequently repulsive and brilliant
Link to read below
Link to read below
I'm in The Times today coming out to bat for Karl Ove Knausgaard, whose latest Christopher Marlowe-inspired novel is long, weird, frequently repulsive and brilliant
Link to read below
Link to read below
November 19, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I'm in The Times today coming out to bat for Karl Ove Knausgaard, whose latest Christopher Marlowe-inspired novel is long, weird, frequently repulsive and brilliant
Link to read below
Link to read below
David Sexton argues this year's Booker Prize winning novel borrows "the whole plot, the entire arc" of Stanley Kubrick's film Barry Lyndon
November 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
David Sexton argues this year's Booker Prize winning novel borrows "the whole plot, the entire arc" of Stanley Kubrick's film Barry Lyndon
I'm noticing an interesting trend of councils buying up new-build homes from housebuilders to use for social housing. With demand from first-time buyers so low, it makes sense that councils could get some good deals. They just need the money to buy them!
www.mylondon.news/news/north-l...
www.mylondon.news/news/north-l...
Council submits bid to buy 140 new homes off developer for social rent
Harrow Council said it was given an opportunity to buy them at the last minute and didn't want to miss out, so called an urgent meeting to approve the potential purchase
www.mylondon.news
November 6, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I'm noticing an interesting trend of councils buying up new-build homes from housebuilders to use for social housing. With demand from first-time buyers so low, it makes sense that councils could get some good deals. They just need the money to buy them!
www.mylondon.news/news/north-l...
www.mylondon.news/news/north-l...
Reposted by James Riding
New homes: even if you build them, there’s no one to buy them on.ft.com/3Levumr | opinion
New homes: even if you build them, there’s no one to buy them
We’re often told housing demand exceeds supply — so why are new homes struggling to be built and bought?
on.ft.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:37 AM
New homes: even if you build them, there’s no one to buy them on.ft.com/3Levumr | opinion
A tower block completed in 2022 has to undergo a full refurbishment to fix damp, mould and fire safety defects
Amid criticism of the Building Safety Regulator holding up development, it's so crucial to remember why we need to drive up building standards
www.mylondon.news/news/south-l...
Amid criticism of the Building Safety Regulator holding up development, it's so crucial to remember why we need to drive up building standards
www.mylondon.news/news/south-l...
London's newbuild scandal as blocks develop issues within a few years
The Fold was completed in 2022, but just three years later, its owners are forcing all residents to leave in order to carry out a full refurbishment of the mould-ridden building - and it's a symptom o...
www.mylondon.news
October 28, 2025 at 9:38 AM
A tower block completed in 2022 has to undergo a full refurbishment to fix damp, mould and fire safety defects
Amid criticism of the Building Safety Regulator holding up development, it's so crucial to remember why we need to drive up building standards
www.mylondon.news/news/south-l...
Amid criticism of the Building Safety Regulator holding up development, it's so crucial to remember why we need to drive up building standards
www.mylondon.news/news/south-l...
I'm extremely pleased to be shortlisted for a British Journalism Award alongside some truly top-tier talent
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I'm extremely pleased to be shortlisted for a British Journalism Award alongside some truly top-tier talent
The government and Sadiq Khan have announced an emergency package for developers after shockingly low housebuilding figures in London
Affordable housing target lowered from 35% to 20%, PLUS government grant for developers
More on how we got here:
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/lond...
Affordable housing target lowered from 35% to 20%, PLUS government grant for developers
More on how we got here:
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/lond...
London’s housebuilding meltdown: what happens next?
Shockingly poor housebuilding figures emerged from London over the summer. James Riding speaks to developers and London’s deputy mayor Tom Copley to find out where we go from here.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The government and Sadiq Khan have announced an emergency package for developers after shockingly low housebuilding figures in London
Affordable housing target lowered from 35% to 20%, PLUS government grant for developers
More on how we got here:
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/lond...
Affordable housing target lowered from 35% to 20%, PLUS government grant for developers
More on how we got here:
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/lond...
New research shared with Inside Housing today calls for US-style tax credits to raise £18.83bn a year for social rent homes. That’s the level of public subsidy needed to build 90,000 social rent homes a year and make a huge dent in the housing crisis
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/public-...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/public-...
Public-private coalition calls for tax credits to build 90,000 social homes a year
A coalition of private and public sector parties has called for the government to use tax credits to fund 90,000 new social rent homes a year.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 7:11 AM
New research shared with Inside Housing today calls for US-style tax credits to raise £18.83bn a year for social rent homes. That’s the level of public subsidy needed to build 90,000 social rent homes a year and make a huge dent in the housing crisis
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/public-...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/public-...
“Ever since that [act], both the main parties constantly associated the two: that we can’t progress race equality without then also controlling how many immigrants we have in this country"
Fascinating piece in Inside Housing today from @sajeraj.bsky.social
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/60-y...
Fascinating piece in Inside Housing today from @sajeraj.bsky.social
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/60-y...
60 years on: the story of the Race Relations Act 1965
This Black History Month, Inside Housing looks back at the Race Relations Act to consider the legacy of the first anti-racism law in England.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
“Ever since that [act], both the main parties constantly associated the two: that we can’t progress race equality without then also controlling how many immigrants we have in this country"
Fascinating piece in Inside Housing today from @sajeraj.bsky.social
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/60-y...
Fascinating piece in Inside Housing today from @sajeraj.bsky.social
www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/60-y...
Exclusive: Investment giant M&G has widened its focus from shared ownership to all affordable housing tenures
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/exclusi...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/exclusi...
Exclusive: Investment giant widens focus from shared ownership to all affordable tenures
Investment giant M&G has widened its focus from shared ownership to all affordable housing tenures, Inside Housing can reveal.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Exclusive: Investment giant M&G has widened its focus from shared ownership to all affordable housing tenures
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/exclusi...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/exclusi...
New: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party will move towards a pro-social housing agenda because so many social renters are considering voting for them, Sir Keir Starmer’s former economic advisor has said
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/reform-...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/reform-...
Reform will move to a pro-social housing agenda, says Starmer’s ex-economic advisor
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party will move towards a pro-social housing agenda because so many social renters are considering voting for them, Sir Keir Starmer’s former economic advisor has said.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 3:49 PM
New: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party will move towards a pro-social housing agenda because so many social renters are considering voting for them, Sir Keir Starmer’s former economic advisor has said
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/reform-...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/reform-...
Reposted by James Riding
Nothing in this acknowledges the economic reality of why many brownfield sites don’t get away as housing: they’re not financially viable unless someone (usually us, in some form) pays for them to be cleaned up and made ready
Almost 1.5m homes could be built on brownfield sites in England, report finds
Almost 1.5m homes could be built on brownfield sites in England, report finds
Exclusive: CPRE study suggests housebuilding targets can be met without encroaching on green belt land
Almost 1.5m new homes could be built on brownfield sites in England to avoid encroaching on green belt and meet the government target for housing growth by the end of this parliament, new figures suggest.
But despite the scale of brownfield land available, developers are pushing to build on green land, including increased housebuilding on and adjacent to areas of outstanding natural beauty. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Nothing in this acknowledges the economic reality of why many brownfield sites don’t get away as housing: they’re not financially viable unless someone (usually us, in some form) pays for them to be cleaned up and made ready
Reposted by James Riding
It's My Party and I'll cry if I want to
September 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
It's My Party and I'll cry if I want to
Shockingly poor housebuilding figures emerged from London over the summer
Just 2,158 private homes were started in the first half of the year according to Molior: the lowest figure since 2009
I spoke to developers and deputy mayor Tom Copley to find out where we go from here 🧵
Just 2,158 private homes were started in the first half of the year according to Molior: the lowest figure since 2009
I spoke to developers and deputy mayor Tom Copley to find out where we go from here 🧵
September 18, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Shockingly poor housebuilding figures emerged from London over the summer
Just 2,158 private homes were started in the first half of the year according to Molior: the lowest figure since 2009
I spoke to developers and deputy mayor Tom Copley to find out where we go from here 🧵
Just 2,158 private homes were started in the first half of the year according to Molior: the lowest figure since 2009
I spoke to developers and deputy mayor Tom Copley to find out where we go from here 🧵
Does build-to-rent drive up rents in nearby areas? The truth is much more complex, argues Michael Keaveney, director of land and development at Grainger, in Inside Housing today
www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/buil...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/buil...
Build-to-rent won't inevitably drive rents up
Commentators have linked build-to-rent to rising rents but the truth is much more complex, writes Michael Keaveney, director of land and development at Grainger.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Does build-to-rent drive up rents in nearby areas? The truth is much more complex, argues Michael Keaveney, director of land and development at Grainger, in Inside Housing today
www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/buil...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/buil...
Exclusive: An £800m government scheme to decarbonise social homes has underperformed with less than a third of targeted retrofits completed
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/just-27...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/just-27...
Just 27% of retrofits completed under flagship government decarbonisation scheme
An £800m government scheme to decarbonise social homes has underperformed with less than a third of targeted retrofits completed, Inside Housing can reveal.
www.insidehousing.co.uk
September 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Exclusive: An £800m government scheme to decarbonise social homes has underperformed with less than a third of targeted retrofits completed
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/just-27...
www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/just-27...