Debra Cox
@mantascox.bsky.social
Difficult childhood, easier adult life, grateful, hopeful, never take anything for granted!
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Sky news this morning, poll shows about 50% of people think lifting the 2 child benefit cap is a bad idea. How the hell is this even a question? Who are these people that think reducing poverty is a sign of a “too generous” society? Every day is more depressing than the last.
December 2, 2025 at 7:29 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Sky news this morning, poll shows about 50% of people think lifting the 2 child benefit cap is a bad idea. How the hell is this even a question? Who are these people that think reducing poverty is a sign of a “too generous” society? Every day is more depressing than the last.
Reposted by Debra Cox
It’s just over a year ago since I created my embroidery Emma, inspired by the Jane Austen novel. So come with me and take a look back… 😉🪡🌿🌺📚
*completely freehand stitched without patterns, paint or sketch, everything you see is thread.
#stitchedart #thesewingsongbird
*completely freehand stitched without patterns, paint or sketch, everything you see is thread.
#stitchedart #thesewingsongbird
May 24, 2025 at 9:50 AM
It’s just over a year ago since I created my embroidery Emma, inspired by the Jane Austen novel. So come with me and take a look back… 😉🪡🌿🌺📚
*completely freehand stitched without patterns, paint or sketch, everything you see is thread.
#stitchedart #thesewingsongbird
*completely freehand stitched without patterns, paint or sketch, everything you see is thread.
#stitchedart #thesewingsongbird
Reposted by Debra Cox
I realize posting this here is preaching to the choir. But after the Grok White Genocide thing & Ye essentially launching an exclusive Neo Nazi single on the platform... I felt motivated to write about X and how bizarre it is that so many people (news outlets, celebrities, politicians) use it
What Are People Still Doing on X?
Imagine if your favorite neighborhood bar turned into a Nazi hangout
www.theatlantic.com
May 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I realize posting this here is preaching to the choir. But after the Grok White Genocide thing & Ye essentially launching an exclusive Neo Nazi single on the platform... I felt motivated to write about X and how bizarre it is that so many people (news outlets, celebrities, politicians) use it
Reposted by Debra Cox
Reposted by Debra Cox
Wrote for Vittles about Irish cuisine in London - our ambivalent relationship to our own food, the Yellow Bittern, the Devonshire, posh chicken fillet rolls, deep-fried rabbit, the Blaskets diet and being a country of Europe instead of Britain's mirror.
www.vittlesmagazine.com/p/trial-and-...
www.vittlesmagazine.com/p/trial-and-...
Trial and Éire
On the new Irish cuisine in London. By Karl McDonald. Photography by Michaël Protin.
www.vittlesmagazine.com
May 23, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Wrote for Vittles about Irish cuisine in London - our ambivalent relationship to our own food, the Yellow Bittern, the Devonshire, posh chicken fillet rolls, deep-fried rabbit, the Blaskets diet and being a country of Europe instead of Britain's mirror.
www.vittlesmagazine.com/p/trial-and-...
www.vittlesmagazine.com/p/trial-and-...
Reposted by Debra Cox
DAY 1431 #MyChallenge to the Govt @DCMS @Lisanandy @TNLUK
#RoadToDeaflympics has been long. It’s not my deafness that’s to blame for this. It’s a policy. It’s that simple. A policy that hides the existence of every child born deaf, a young adult learning their way, an adult becoming isolated.
#RoadToDeaflympics has been long. It’s not my deafness that’s to blame for this. It’s a policy. It’s that simple. A policy that hides the existence of every child born deaf, a young adult learning their way, an adult becoming isolated.
May 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM
DAY 1431 #MyChallenge to the Govt @DCMS @Lisanandy @TNLUK
#RoadToDeaflympics has been long. It’s not my deafness that’s to blame for this. It’s a policy. It’s that simple. A policy that hides the existence of every child born deaf, a young adult learning their way, an adult becoming isolated.
#RoadToDeaflympics has been long. It’s not my deafness that’s to blame for this. It’s a policy. It’s that simple. A policy that hides the existence of every child born deaf, a young adult learning their way, an adult becoming isolated.
Reposted by Debra Cox
I miss the days when there was understanding of the incredible benefits of properly supporting children and families. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Sure Start centres saved UK government £2 for every £1 spent, study finds
New Labour initiative created ‘remarkably long-lasting’ health and education improvements, says report
www.theguardian.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:39 AM
I miss the days when there was understanding of the incredible benefits of properly supporting children and families. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Debra Cox
You have to get a very long way through this Sun story labelling the Foreign Secretary "LAMMY DODGER" and a "THUG" before they report his fare was actually paid in full, and the taxi driver concerned admitted trying to scam him out of an extra £600 before being arrested and charged with theft
May 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
You have to get a very long way through this Sun story labelling the Foreign Secretary "LAMMY DODGER" and a "THUG" before they report his fare was actually paid in full, and the taxi driver concerned admitted trying to scam him out of an extra £600 before being arrested and charged with theft
Reposted by Debra Cox
The government's new rules making migrants wait 10 years instead of 5 to qualify for permanent settlement in the UK are set to apply to people ALREADY in the country, subject to consultation
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Migrants already in UK face longer wait for permanent settlement
People will typically have to live in the UK for 10 years before applying for the right to stay indefinitely.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
The government's new rules making migrants wait 10 years instead of 5 to qualify for permanent settlement in the UK are set to apply to people ALREADY in the country, subject to consultation
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Debra Cox
And it’s absolutely vile & hugely offensive
If you thought the PM’s speech was punchy, his foreword to the immigration white paper says high net migration has done “incalculable damage” to the country.
That is a serious shift in tone for a Labour government/party.
That is a serious shift in tone for a Labour government/party.
May 12, 2025 at 12:12 PM
And it’s absolutely vile & hugely offensive
Reposted by Debra Cox
Shameful bullish. What's done incalculable damage is a decade of pernicious falsehoods about immigration, while people who should know better refuse to counter the lies of the increasingly normalised far right.
Let's tackle those lies:
Let's tackle those lies:
May 12, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Shameful bullish. What's done incalculable damage is a decade of pernicious falsehoods about immigration, while people who should know better refuse to counter the lies of the increasingly normalised far right.
Let's tackle those lies:
Let's tackle those lies:
Reposted by Debra Cox
One again, this is simply not true.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
May 12, 2025 at 7:30 AM
One again, this is simply not true.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
Reposted by Debra Cox
The Home Secretary might want to look at Spain which, against the prevailing populist trend, encourages & welcomes migration & legalises undocumented migrants. In 2024, it generated 40% Eurozone growth as a result. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why is Spain’s economy booming? Thanks to migration – which proves xenophobia doesn’t pay | María Ramírez
With Spanish GDP growth leading Europe last year, diversity is making us richer – not only financially but culturally, too, says journalist María Ramírez
www.theguardian.com
May 11, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The Home Secretary might want to look at Spain which, against the prevailing populist trend, encourages & welcomes migration & legalises undocumented migrants. In 2024, it generated 40% Eurozone growth as a result. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Debra Cox
In my experience most refugees are desperate to learn English and if they don’t, the reason usually isn’t that they somehow lack motivation to integrate but that funding for English classes has been slashed over the course of many years
English language standards for work visas could be increased, and refugees required to pass an English test to get permanent residence, as part of white paper proposals (Times reports) www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
May 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
In my experience most refugees are desperate to learn English and if they don’t, the reason usually isn’t that they somehow lack motivation to integrate but that funding for English classes has been slashed over the course of many years
Reposted by Debra Cox
Downing Street sources playing down what to expect from the supposed "full and comprehensive" trade deal with the UK announced by Trump.
Deal not yet agreed. This is just the general terms of an agreement which will need significant further negotiation before it can be ratified.
Deal not yet agreed. This is just the general terms of an agreement which will need significant further negotiation before it can be ratified.
May 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Downing Street sources playing down what to expect from the supposed "full and comprehensive" trade deal with the UK announced by Trump.
Deal not yet agreed. This is just the general terms of an agreement which will need significant further negotiation before it can be ratified.
Deal not yet agreed. This is just the general terms of an agreement which will need significant further negotiation before it can be ratified.
Reposted by Debra Cox
LibDem MP Max Wilkinson makes an important Point of Order,
"A Reform UK social media account digitally manipulated those comments to give the appearance that I had described Nigel Farage using a four letter expletive"
"This is misinformation, it is fake news, this is Trumpian tactics"
"A Reform UK social media account digitally manipulated those comments to give the appearance that I had described Nigel Farage using a four letter expletive"
"This is misinformation, it is fake news, this is Trumpian tactics"
May 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
LibDem MP Max Wilkinson makes an important Point of Order,
"A Reform UK social media account digitally manipulated those comments to give the appearance that I had described Nigel Farage using a four letter expletive"
"This is misinformation, it is fake news, this is Trumpian tactics"
"A Reform UK social media account digitally manipulated those comments to give the appearance that I had described Nigel Farage using a four letter expletive"
"This is misinformation, it is fake news, this is Trumpian tactics"
Reposted by Debra Cox
The Conservatives' "two-tier tax" claim over the UK-India trade deal is nonsensical.
We already have such deals with numerous countries.
It's only for some short-term workers.
It means companies aren't paying into 2 parallel social security schemes at the same time.
And the deal's reciprocal.
We already have such deals with numerous countries.
It's only for some short-term workers.
It means companies aren't paying into 2 parallel social security schemes at the same time.
And the deal's reciprocal.
May 7, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The Conservatives' "two-tier tax" claim over the UK-India trade deal is nonsensical.
We already have such deals with numerous countries.
It's only for some short-term workers.
It means companies aren't paying into 2 parallel social security schemes at the same time.
And the deal's reciprocal.
We already have such deals with numerous countries.
It's only for some short-term workers.
It means companies aren't paying into 2 parallel social security schemes at the same time.
And the deal's reciprocal.
Reposted by Debra Cox
Hugely misleading headline in the Daily Mail. This only applies to Indian workers who are seconded to the UK from a company based in India on a short term basis. India nationals applying for jobs based in the UK will not benefit from this convention and it does not disadvantage UK workers
May 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Hugely misleading headline in the Daily Mail. This only applies to Indian workers who are seconded to the UK from a company based in India on a short term basis. India nationals applying for jobs based in the UK will not benefit from this convention and it does not disadvantage UK workers
Reposted by Debra Cox
UK Labour govt says it will not reverse cuts to winter fuel payments.
Hopes dashed.
Marching headlong off the electoral cliff is not a smart strategy.
Labour needs to lift up the bottom 50%, that will stimulate the economy, make less demands on welfare and public services.
Hopes dashed.
Marching headlong off the electoral cliff is not a smart strategy.
Labour needs to lift up the bottom 50%, that will stimulate the economy, make less demands on welfare and public services.
No 10 resists Labour calls for winter fuel rethink
Calls to abandon cuts to the pensions top-up have grown in the wake of local election losses last week.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 6, 2025 at 1:20 PM
UK Labour govt says it will not reverse cuts to winter fuel payments.
Hopes dashed.
Marching headlong off the electoral cliff is not a smart strategy.
Labour needs to lift up the bottom 50%, that will stimulate the economy, make less demands on welfare and public services.
Hopes dashed.
Marching headlong off the electoral cliff is not a smart strategy.
Labour needs to lift up the bottom 50%, that will stimulate the economy, make less demands on welfare and public services.
Reposted by Debra Cox
The Greens now have nearly 200 more councillors than Reform.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
Another record year for the Green Party 👏
859 Councillors on 170 Councils in England & Wales
Now join us to keep Greens growing and to take the fight to Reform join.greenparty.org.uk
859 Councillors on 170 Councils in England & Wales
Now join us to keep Greens growing and to take the fight to Reform join.greenparty.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The Greens now have nearly 200 more councillors than Reform.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
This is not something you'd be likely to guess from all the copiously salivating media coverage of Farage & his crew of billionaire-backed far-right chancers.
Reposted by Debra Cox
Dear Labour,
Please stop dicking around. Do a bit of constructive taxation, fund some hospitals and invest in the future. You were elected to be Labour. Resurrect SureStart. Quit using gas to set the energy price. Fund some hospitals…
Be Labour.
Yrs Everyone
Please stop dicking around. Do a bit of constructive taxation, fund some hospitals and invest in the future. You were elected to be Labour. Resurrect SureStart. Quit using gas to set the energy price. Fund some hospitals…
Be Labour.
Yrs Everyone
May 3, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Dear Labour,
Please stop dicking around. Do a bit of constructive taxation, fund some hospitals and invest in the future. You were elected to be Labour. Resurrect SureStart. Quit using gas to set the energy price. Fund some hospitals…
Be Labour.
Yrs Everyone
Please stop dicking around. Do a bit of constructive taxation, fund some hospitals and invest in the future. You were elected to be Labour. Resurrect SureStart. Quit using gas to set the energy price. Fund some hospitals…
Be Labour.
Yrs Everyone
Reposted by Debra Cox
It's obvious that taking over major services and large budgets with no experience, Reform councillors will fail
But I take no comfort from that
It will result in further loss of faith in democracy
Which is Farage's real objective
But I take no comfort from that
It will result in further loss of faith in democracy
Which is Farage's real objective
May 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
It's obvious that taking over major services and large budgets with no experience, Reform councillors will fail
But I take no comfort from that
It will result in further loss of faith in democracy
Which is Farage's real objective
But I take no comfort from that
It will result in further loss of faith in democracy
Which is Farage's real objective
Reposted by Debra Cox
Sheila Hancock articulates here why I can never support politicians the likes of Farage, Johnson, Trump. It’s a betrayal of those who put their lives on the line to face down authoritarianism and fascism. Zero solutions to complex problems. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My VE Day was nothing like our image of it today. I hope we can honour what it really meant | Sheila Hancock
Our street party tea was a muted celebration, full of uncertainty. Then, as now, we faced a long struggle towards a better world, says actor and writer Sheila Hancock
www.theguardian.com
May 3, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Sheila Hancock articulates here why I can never support politicians the likes of Farage, Johnson, Trump. It’s a betrayal of those who put their lives on the line to face down authoritarianism and fascism. Zero solutions to complex problems. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Debra Cox
LIBERTY DEFEATS GOVERNMENT APPEAL AS COURT RULES ANTI-PROTEST LAWS ARE UNLAWFUL
This should be on every UK News channel
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/libert...
This should be on every UK News channel
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/libert...
Liberty defeats Government appeal as Court rules anti-protest laws are unlawful - Liberty
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
LIBERTY DEFEATS GOVERNMENT APPEAL AS COURT RULES ANTI-PROTEST LAWS ARE UNLAWFUL
This should be on every UK News channel
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/libert...
This should be on every UK News channel
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/libert...
Reposted by Debra Cox
Gaza community kitchens say food is running out after two months of Israeli blockade.
“We used to receive more than 100 trucks every week - trucks of food parcels and hygiene kits. Now we don't have anything.”
UN warns of starvation if blockade holds.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“We used to receive more than 100 trucks every week - trucks of food parcels and hygiene kits. Now we don't have anything.”
UN warns of starvation if blockade holds.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Gaza kitchens warn food running out after two-months Israeli blockade
Many Palestinians depend on community kitchens, but one says they have only two weeks of supplies left.
www.bbc.com
May 2, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Gaza community kitchens say food is running out after two months of Israeli blockade.
“We used to receive more than 100 trucks every week - trucks of food parcels and hygiene kits. Now we don't have anything.”
UN warns of starvation if blockade holds.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“We used to receive more than 100 trucks every week - trucks of food parcels and hygiene kits. Now we don't have anything.”
UN warns of starvation if blockade holds.
www.bbc.com/news/article...