Stefan Czerniawski
@pubstr.at
Blogging less than the olden days. Still working to make public services better, now in healthcare regulation.
Reposted by Stefan Czerniawski
I've just responded to the Earned Settlement consultation. It closes tonight. The whole idea is dreadful but what stuck with me most is the gross arrogance of the whole exercise. A (cross) thread 🧵
gov.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I've just responded to the Earned Settlement consultation. It closes tonight. The whole idea is dreadful but what stuck with me most is the gross arrogance of the whole exercise. A (cross) thread 🧵
In case @johnlsheridan.bsky.social is bored one rainy afternoon
Beware invisible law
An interesting aspect of domestic law-making is what I think of as the “invisible provisions”. Here is an example which finally made it off the statute books recently. If, prior to the last week, y…
informationrightsandwrongs.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:46 PM
In case @johnlsheridan.bsky.social is bored one rainy afternoon
I want to give an organisation money. They presumably want to take my money. So well done for coding so obscure that my mobile device doesn't recognise the data entry fields - so no keyboard, no way forward. Well done, @financialtimes.com #FixTheForms
February 4, 2026 at 6:07 PM
I want to give an organisation money. They presumably want to take my money. So well done for coding so obscure that my mobile device doesn't recognise the data entry fields - so no keyboard, no way forward. Well done, @financialtimes.com #FixTheForms
A tale of three emails. Another masterpiece of back end integration between systems
January 17, 2026 at 10:01 AM
A tale of three emails. Another masterpiece of back end integration between systems
A small service design masterclass for #ukgc26 being delivered at Euston.
The announcer keeps saying that people are "strongly advised" to find alternative routes.
But the main departure board shows trains as delayed rather than cancelled, which encourages people to stay and hope.
The announcer keeps saying that people are "strongly advised" to find alternative routes.
But the main departure board shows trains as delayed rather than cancelled, which encourages people to stay and hope.
January 17, 2026 at 8:26 AM
A small service design masterclass for #ukgc26 being delivered at Euston.
The announcer keeps saying that people are "strongly advised" to find alternative routes.
But the main departure board shows trains as delayed rather than cancelled, which encourages people to stay and hope.
The announcer keeps saying that people are "strongly advised" to find alternative routes.
But the main departure board shows trains as delayed rather than cancelled, which encourages people to stay and hope.
In 1943, a Foreign Office report sets out the overwhelming circumstantial evidence that the Katyń massacre was a Soviet crime. And then reflects on why that truth was not to be told.
Being reluctant to call out notional allies is not a new phenomenon.
Being reluctant to call out notional allies is not a new phenomenon.
January 4, 2026 at 2:51 PM
In 1943, a Foreign Office report sets out the overwhelming circumstantial evidence that the Katyń massacre was a Soviet crime. And then reflects on why that truth was not to be told.
Being reluctant to call out notional allies is not a new phenomenon.
Being reluctant to call out notional allies is not a new phenomenon.
The theme of the walk was the rising sun
January 3, 2026 at 12:38 PM
The theme of the walk was the rising sun
The theme of the walk was mostly grey
December 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The theme of the walk was mostly grey
Reposted by Stefan Czerniawski
Good enough wins because of what you are able to treat as externalities
December 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Good enough wins because of what you are able to treat as externalities
Standard grump that publishers show not the slightest interest in taking money off people who might want to preorder ebooks, with the publisher in this case contenting themselves with supplying a collection of broken links, some of which go to the wrong country. Not the fault of authors, of course
Lots of you will be logging off at the end of today. So what's coming up in 2026? It'll be packed. On 10 February I'll be publishing 'New Labour, New Britain?' - a whole book on the Blair governments. Have I said anything about it yet? www.amazon.co.uk/New-Labour-B...
New Labour, New Britain?: How the Blair Governments Reshaped the Country
Buy New Labour, New Britain?: How the Blair Governments Reshaped the Country by O’Hara, Glen (ISBN: 9781526146328) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Standard grump that publishers show not the slightest interest in taking money off people who might want to preorder ebooks, with the publisher in this case contenting themselves with supplying a collection of broken links, some of which go to the wrong country. Not the fault of authors, of course
Reposted by Stefan Czerniawski
"Every time I pull a lever" says the Prime Minister.
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
There aren't any levers
A dead metaphor is killing the government's ability to get things done
howtorunacountry.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM
"Every time I pull a lever" says the Prime Minister.
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
The theme of the walk was winter orchards
December 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
The theme of the walk was winter orchards
This is just one reason why RSS feeds are wonderful things - a blog lies dormant for eight years, but the moment of its reawakening is instantly recognised.
www.wordyard.com/2025/12/01/w...
www.wordyard.com/2025/12/01/w...
December 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
This is just one reason why RSS feeds are wonderful things - a blog lies dormant for eight years, but the moment of its reawakening is instantly recognised.
www.wordyard.com/2025/12/01/w...
www.wordyard.com/2025/12/01/w...
The theme of the walk was cloudless sunshine
November 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
The theme of the walk was cloudless sunshine
To this day, English law makes special provision for red diesel in customs and excise law. Implausible connections with red eels are invited.
www.nationwidefuels.co.uk/faq/red-dies...
www.nationwidefuels.co.uk/faq/red-dies...
Medieval English laws categorized eels by size. The most common types were:
Pimpernell / Pimper eels: very small
Shaft / Dole eels: medium
Stub eels: larger
Red: ??
No one knows for sure what red eels were. But they were bad, & customs officers threw them out if they found any.
🗃️🧪
Pimpernell / Pimper eels: very small
Shaft / Dole eels: medium
Stub eels: larger
Red: ??
No one knows for sure what red eels were. But they were bad, & customs officers threw them out if they found any.
🗃️🧪
November 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
To this day, English law makes special provision for red diesel in customs and excise law. Implausible connections with red eels are invited.
www.nationwidefuels.co.uk/faq/red-dies...
www.nationwidefuels.co.uk/faq/red-dies...
This is nominative determinism of the very highest order
November 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This is nominative determinism of the very highest order
Impressive how it is possible to spot an @anothertimbre.bsky.social cover design at twenty paces - with the attendant promise of something weird and glorious.
#NowPlaying I have no issues with this instrumentation.
November 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Impressive how it is possible to spot an @anothertimbre.bsky.social cover design at twenty paces - with the attendant promise of something weird and glorious.
Reposted by Stefan Czerniawski
A fundraiser for people affected by the flooding in Monmouth has been set up by the town council and the mayor.
You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Help raise £5000 to Monmouth Mayor's fund to help Monmouth residents affected by the devastating flood – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to Monmouth Mayor's fund to help Monmouth residents affected by the devastating flood. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
www.justgiving.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:27 PM
A fundraiser for people affected by the flooding in Monmouth has been set up by the town council and the mayor.
You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
Reposted by Stefan Czerniawski
also you know refugees are allowed to have unremarkable lives - they don't need to prove that giving them refuge was 'worthwhile' their need is justification enough
November 15, 2025 at 10:38 AM
also you know refugees are allowed to have unremarkable lives - they don't need to prove that giving them refuge was 'worthwhile' their need is justification enough
Reposted by Stefan Czerniawski
This is absolute gold from @richardpope.org on digitally enabled preventative healthcare
Preventative healthcare: designing for the service loop
A set of provocations about the design of digitally enabled preventative healthcare
www.rpp.works
November 13, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This is absolute gold from @richardpope.org on digitally enabled preventative healthcare
Reposted by Stefan Czerniawski
It's sometimes hard to remember that public services can be delivered with pride and self confidence
November 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
It's sometimes hard to remember that public services can be delivered with pride and self confidence