Simon Jones
@peckhamboy.bsky.social
Theologian, activist, writer, husband, father, grandfather, ten books in and still working things out. Likes French holidays, good curries, stimulating conversation.
This is a concern. We need a focus on social rent housing to put a dent in the homelessness figures.
This should not be surprising to anyone. The Conservatives cut funding for social housing, but encouraged building "Affordable Rent" rather than (lower rent) social rent homes to compensate.
If Labour want social rent at scale they need to put up the funding to match.
If Labour want social rent at scale they need to put up the funding to match.
The figures revealed in Hyphen’s investigation are deeply concerning. Only by prioritising investment in social housing can we begin to tackle the housing crisis and deliver on the provision of homes for those most in need.
hyphenonline.com/2025/05/19/h...
hyphenonline.com/2025/05/19/h...
May 20, 2025 at 7:24 AM
This is a concern. We need a focus on social rent housing to put a dent in the homelessness figures.
Reposted by Simon Jones
Reposted by Simon Jones
"On Tyranny" is a #1 NYT bestseller again. I wish the moment were different. But I’m glad the book is useful. And grateful for all the kind words about putting the 20 lessons to work.
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
Twenty Lessons, read by John Lithgow
Key selections from On Tyranny, for viewing and sharing
snyder.substack.com
May 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
"On Tyranny" is a #1 NYT bestseller again. I wish the moment were different. But I’m glad the book is useful. And grateful for all the kind words about putting the 20 lessons to work.
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
France is ready to hold fast fashion accountable with a new eco-label. But the EU might stop it and push a weaker system shaped by big brands. Join the action to protect people and the planet 🌏❗ action.wemove.eu/petition/202...
End fast-fashion’s impunity!
France is ready to hold fast fashion accountable with a new eco-label. But the EU might stop it and push a weaker system shaped by big brands. Join the action to protect people and the planet 🌏❗
action.wemove.eu
May 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
France is ready to hold fast fashion accountable with a new eco-label. But the EU might stop it and push a weaker system shaped by big brands. Join the action to protect people and the planet 🌏❗ action.wemove.eu/petition/202...
Private companies are polluting our rivers, hiking up bills, and failing to deliver. 82% of us want public ownership – let’s make it happen!
Sign the open letter now & demand action! 👉
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/pu...
Sign the open letter now & demand action! 👉
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/pu...
Put Public Ownership of Water Back on the Table
Privatisation of water isn’t failing - it is the failure. The Government is mid-way through a major review of the water sector. But so far, it has refused to consider a potential solution that’s backe...
you.38degrees.org.uk
April 1, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Private companies are polluting our rivers, hiking up bills, and failing to deliver. 82% of us want public ownership – let’s make it happen!
Sign the open letter now & demand action! 👉
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/pu...
Sign the open letter now & demand action! 👉
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/pu...
Just watched @labourlewis.bsky.social's powerful speech on his Water Bill, raising the fundamental question that’s been ignored for too long: who should own our water?
It’s time to bring water back into public hands.
Watch the debate here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gIOTHnvxEI
It’s time to bring water back into public hands.
Watch the debate here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gIOTHnvxEI
March 28, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Just watched @labourlewis.bsky.social's powerful speech on his Water Bill, raising the fundamental question that’s been ignored for too long: who should own our water?
It’s time to bring water back into public hands.
Watch the debate here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gIOTHnvxEI
It’s time to bring water back into public hands.
Watch the debate here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gIOTHnvxEI
Reposted by Simon Jones
Children are being exempted from the government's obscene ban on refugees becoming citizens. Progressives should keep pushing. Concessions are possible. Write to your MP.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Children exempt from Home Office rules denying citizenship to small boat refugees
Former Labour Home Secretary Lord Blunkett is leading criticism of new citizenship measures
inews.co.uk
February 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Children are being exempted from the government's obscene ban on refugees becoming citizens. Progressives should keep pushing. Concessions are possible. Write to your MP.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Simon Jones
A billionaires' coup. By billionaires, for billionaires. To create a country that's run solely in the interests of billionaires.
This is amazing. Via @nytimes.com
February 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A billionaires' coup. By billionaires, for billionaires. To create a country that's run solely in the interests of billionaires.
Reposted by Simon Jones
“It’s easy going for those keen to bash bonds, or politicians, right now. But bond market wobbles are not born equal. I may be proven wrong, but this feels like a repricing, not a rebellion.”
Some calm reasoning from the FT (again).
Some calm reasoning from the FT (again).
Thank goodness for steady takes like this from- on.ft.com/4aeMWQ5 @katie0martin.bsky.social
Bond vigilantes are overexcited (again)
It remains very hard to argue that anything meaningful has changed in the UK
on.ft.com
January 15, 2025 at 8:07 AM
“It’s easy going for those keen to bash bonds, or politicians, right now. But bond market wobbles are not born equal. I may be proven wrong, but this feels like a repricing, not a rebellion.”
Some calm reasoning from the FT (again).
Some calm reasoning from the FT (again).
Sad at the passing of Jimmy Carter. He’d lived a long life devoted to public service, driven by his desire to follow Jesus and do what he’d have done. I met him once at the BWA Congress in Birmingham. In some small way I hope I am following the example he’s left us.
December 30, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Sad at the passing of Jimmy Carter. He’d lived a long life devoted to public service, driven by his desire to follow Jesus and do what he’d have done. I met him once at the BWA Congress in Birmingham. In some small way I hope I am following the example he’s left us.
Starmer thought this was a good idea. Looks like it isn’t. When will we accept the fact of migration and plan our systems accordingly?
Italy/Albania asylum detention centres used as shelters for stray dogs 🐕
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...
‘It cost €1bn and it’s a dog shelter’: red faces as Italy’s Albania migrant centres lie empty
With Giorgia Meloni’s plan in tatters, one centre is housing stray dogs adopted by bored Italian guards
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2024 at 9:40 AM
Starmer thought this was a good idea. Looks like it isn’t. When will we accept the fact of migration and plan our systems accordingly?
On the shuttle on our way back from a wonderful and challenging weekend in Calais, equal measure joy and heartbreak. Good to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Great to see a thriving community of compassion-driven people doing what they can to mitigate the hostile environment.
December 1, 2024 at 11:53 AM
On the shuttle on our way back from a wonderful and challenging weekend in Calais, equal measure joy and heartbreak. Good to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Great to see a thriving community of compassion-driven people doing what they can to mitigate the hostile environment.
What a great evening. Lovely food, amazing company, excellent conversation. Towards the end we were conspiring about how to support the work of MSH that does such a great job providing a safe place for displaced women and children. More to follow. Happy to talk further.
November 30, 2024 at 10:04 PM
What a great evening. Lovely food, amazing company, excellent conversation. Towards the end we were conspiring about how to support the work of MSH that does such a great job providing a safe place for displaced women and children. More to follow. Happy to talk further.
Tonight I am celebrating thanksgiving in Calais with American friends and a plethora of displaced people from across North Africa and the Middle East. A wonderful gathering of great people and gorgeous good.
November 30, 2024 at 6:37 PM
Tonight I am celebrating thanksgiving in Calais with American friends and a plethora of displaced people from across North Africa and the Middle East. A wonderful gathering of great people and gorgeous good.
Just back from a walk in the autumn sunshine at Caroty Wood where our church is having a great weekend away. Good food, lovely company, stimulating conversation.
November 24, 2024 at 11:16 AM
Just back from a walk in the autumn sunshine at Caroty Wood where our church is having a great weekend away. Good food, lovely company, stimulating conversation.
Reposted by Simon Jones
Big day for reasoned debate on farms/inheritance today - a debate undermined by @BBCNews repeatedly and wrongly reporting as fact that “farms worth more than £1m would have to pay inheritance tax”. This is just flatly wrong in vast vast majority of cases
November 19, 2024 at 9:28 AM
Big day for reasoned debate on farms/inheritance today - a debate undermined by @BBCNews repeatedly and wrongly reporting as fact that “farms worth more than £1m would have to pay inheritance tax”. This is just flatly wrong in vast vast majority of cases
Well, lots of lovely friends are flying into this blue sky and making it a much more enjoyable place to be.
November 19, 2024 at 5:15 PM
Well, lots of lovely friends are flying into this blue sky and making it a much more enjoyable place to be.
Reposted by Simon Jones
Very cool analysis by @benediktstranak.bsky.social and Emmet Kiberd for NEF of changing patterns of car-dependency in new homes, including this historical view. Full report here neweconomics.org/2024/11/trap...
November 18, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Very cool analysis by @benediktstranak.bsky.social and Emmet Kiberd for NEF of changing patterns of car-dependency in new homes, including this historical view. Full report here neweconomics.org/2024/11/trap...
Reposted by Simon Jones
It was a brilliant day at the AGM so sad to see Michael Heseltine step down but a great speech.As Mike has posted it was great to see our two new Presidents who gave thundering speeches.I thought it was the best AGM that I have ever attended.Onwards and upwards blue skies are ahead of us for sure.
💥 NEWS! 💥
Delighted to announce that we have TWO new Presidents at European Movement UK:
Caroline Lucas and Dominic Grieve
Our former President, Michael Heseltine stepped down at the AGM this weekend.
Onwards and definitely upwards!
www.europeanmovement.co.uk/new-european...
Delighted to announce that we have TWO new Presidents at European Movement UK:
Caroline Lucas and Dominic Grieve
Our former President, Michael Heseltine stepped down at the AGM this weekend.
Onwards and definitely upwards!
www.europeanmovement.co.uk/new-european...
Caroline Lucas and Dominic Grieve join forces as new European Movement Co-Presidents
Caroline Lucas and Rt Hon Dominic Grieve KC have been unveiled as the new Co-Presidents of European Movement UK, the country’s fastest-growing pro-European organisation
www.europeanmovement.co.uk
November 18, 2024 at 1:33 PM
It was a brilliant day at the AGM so sad to see Michael Heseltine step down but a great speech.As Mike has posted it was great to see our two new Presidents who gave thundering speeches.I thought it was the best AGM that I have ever attended.Onwards and upwards blue skies are ahead of us for sure.
Reposted by Simon Jones
Impact of "Meloni-style migrant deals"?
Italy's deals with Libya and Tunisia may have reduced boat crossings (at immense human cost) but far from clear they've reduced asylum claims overall.
Italy's deals with Libya and Tunisia may have reduced boat crossings (at immense human cost) but far from clear they've reduced asylum claims overall.
November 17, 2024 at 4:01 PM
Impact of "Meloni-style migrant deals"?
Italy's deals with Libya and Tunisia may have reduced boat crossings (at immense human cost) but far from clear they've reduced asylum claims overall.
Italy's deals with Libya and Tunisia may have reduced boat crossings (at immense human cost) but far from clear they've reduced asylum claims overall.
Reposted by Simon Jones
Welfare plays an important role in helping people with health conditions return to work.
Failing to provide sufficient means risks exacerbating health conditions and perpetuating economic inactivity.
Int. comparisons below show that UK is an outlier (in a bad way!) when it comes to welfare
⬇️⬇️
Failing to provide sufficient means risks exacerbating health conditions and perpetuating economic inactivity.
Int. comparisons below show that UK is an outlier (in a bad way!) when it comes to welfare
⬇️⬇️
NEW: Is Britain’s welfare too generous?
Most countries pay workers who lose their jobs more than half of their previous salaries.
In Britain, unemployment benefits are *12%* of the average wage
@thetimes.com
1/5
www.thetimes.com/article/c28d...
Most countries pay workers who lose their jobs more than half of their previous salaries.
In Britain, unemployment benefits are *12%* of the average wage
@thetimes.com
1/5
www.thetimes.com/article/c28d...
November 17, 2024 at 4:03 PM
Welfare plays an important role in helping people with health conditions return to work.
Failing to provide sufficient means risks exacerbating health conditions and perpetuating economic inactivity.
Int. comparisons below show that UK is an outlier (in a bad way!) when it comes to welfare
⬇️⬇️
Failing to provide sufficient means risks exacerbating health conditions and perpetuating economic inactivity.
Int. comparisons below show that UK is an outlier (in a bad way!) when it comes to welfare
⬇️⬇️
We had a great time at church this morning trying out Weaving Trust, a way of holding structured conversations to connect across divides. It’s amazing what you learn about people - even those you know - by simply listening to them.
November 17, 2024 at 4:23 PM
We had a great time at church this morning trying out Weaving Trust, a way of holding structured conversations to connect across divides. It’s amazing what you learn about people - even those you know - by simply listening to them.
Well, I’m making contact with lots of lovely people here. Quit the other place last night. Let the light shine and conversation be gracious.
November 16, 2024 at 9:37 AM
Well, I’m making contact with lots of lovely people here. Quit the other place last night. Let the light shine and conversation be gracious.
What’s the issue here? That the most polluting form of transport will be taken out of service as their polluting cargos are no longer needed? Or that the crews will need retraining and new jobs? The latter is an issue; the former not so.
More than a third of the world’s commercial shipping capacity carries fossil fuels, including:
🛢️13,000 oil tankers
🚢 3,000 LNG/LPG tankers
⛏️2,500 bulk carriers transporting coal
Large proportion of the world’s shipping fleet are ghost ships in the making, even if owners don’t yet realise it.
🛢️13,000 oil tankers
🚢 3,000 LNG/LPG tankers
⛏️2,500 bulk carriers transporting coal
Large proportion of the world’s shipping fleet are ghost ships in the making, even if owners don’t yet realise it.
November 15, 2024 at 2:07 PM
What’s the issue here? That the most polluting form of transport will be taken out of service as their polluting cargos are no longer needed? Or that the crews will need retraining and new jobs? The latter is an issue; the former not so.
Final preparation for teaching a leadership module tomorrow is now complete. More followers here as a result of posting that the platform has reached 10m users of which I am 6,159,660. Is this good?
October 4, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Final preparation for teaching a leadership module tomorrow is now complete. More followers here as a result of posting that the platform has reached 10m users of which I am 6,159,660. Is this good?