Tom Belger
@tombelger.bsky.social
Political and policy journalist and communications consultant, WPI Strategy senior adviser, LabourList columnist and former editor.
Previously a reporter at the Liverpool Echo, Yahoo Finance and Schools Week.
Get in touch at tombelgerwork@gmail.com.
Previously a reporter at the Liverpool Echo, Yahoo Finance and Schools Week.
Get in touch at tombelgerwork@gmail.com.
Thanks to @ecasalicchio.bsky.social and @politico.eu for covering today.
I should say they are still planning to beef up existing law to force firms to do genuine consultation with staff.
Big Q is how and whether that works in practice…
I should say they are still planning to beef up existing law to force firms to do genuine consultation with staff.
Big Q is how and whether that works in practice…
January 30, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Thanks to @ecasalicchio.bsky.social and @politico.eu for covering today.
I should say they are still planning to beef up existing law to force firms to do genuine consultation with staff.
Big Q is how and whether that works in practice…
I should say they are still planning to beef up existing law to force firms to do genuine consultation with staff.
Big Q is how and whether that works in practice…
NEW: @unitetheunion.bsky.social has forced Labour to withdraw “grossly offensive” comments about restaurant, bar and cafe workers.
Govt had said giving them direct control of tips could see staff discriminate against each other under a ‘tyranny of the majority’.
labourlist.org/2026/01/unit...
Govt had said giving them direct control of tips could see staff discriminate against each other under a ‘tyranny of the majority’.
labourlist.org/2026/01/unit...
January 30, 2026 at 6:21 PM
NEW: @unitetheunion.bsky.social has forced Labour to withdraw “grossly offensive” comments about restaurant, bar and cafe workers.
Govt had said giving them direct control of tips could see staff discriminate against each other under a ‘tyranny of the majority’.
labourlist.org/2026/01/unit...
Govt had said giving them direct control of tips could see staff discriminate against each other under a ‘tyranny of the majority’.
labourlist.org/2026/01/unit...
I've found it baffling for years the state of high streets isn't a bigger national political issue.
When I was a local reporter, it came up again and again and again.
Hats off to @theguardian.com's Anna Leach @michaelgoodier.bsky.social for top journalism:
www.theguardian.com/business/ng-...
When I was a local reporter, it came up again and again and again.
Hats off to @theguardian.com's Anna Leach @michaelgoodier.bsky.social for top journalism:
www.theguardian.com/business/ng-...
How has your local high street changed since 2019? Check your postcode
The makeup of Great Britain’s high streets has changed dramatically. See what the data says about where you live
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I've found it baffling for years the state of high streets isn't a bigger national political issue.
When I was a local reporter, it came up again and again and again.
Hats off to @theguardian.com's Anna Leach @michaelgoodier.bsky.social for top journalism:
www.theguardian.com/business/ng-...
When I was a local reporter, it came up again and again and again.
Hats off to @theguardian.com's Anna Leach @michaelgoodier.bsky.social for top journalism:
www.theguardian.com/business/ng-...
Reposted by Tom Belger
NEW: Labour pledged pre-election to let “workers decide how tips are allocated”, via the employment rights act.
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
Tom Belger column: 'Union revolt as U-turn revealed on workers’ tips' - LabourList
A quiet U-turn on workers’ tips has ignited a union revolt. Tom Belger reveals what changed, who’s angry, and why it matters now.
labourlist.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:16 PM
NEW: Labour pledged pre-election to let “workers decide how tips are allocated”, via the employment rights act.
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
Worth flagging - Labour is still proposing reforms to boost genuine consultation which are still a big step forward for workers.
And government’s right to note there are some potential challenges around fully democratic decision-making within workforces, whether you back it or not.
And government’s right to note there are some potential challenges around fully democratic decision-making within workforces, whether you back it or not.
NEW: Labour pledged pre-election to let “workers decide how tips are allocated”, via the employment rights act.
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
Tom Belger column: 'Union revolt as U-turn revealed on workers’ tips' - LabourList
A quiet U-turn on workers’ tips has ignited a union revolt. Tom Belger reveals what changed, who’s angry, and why it matters now.
labourlist.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Worth flagging - Labour is still proposing reforms to boost genuine consultation which are still a big step forward for workers.
And government’s right to note there are some potential challenges around fully democratic decision-making within workforces, whether you back it or not.
And government’s right to note there are some potential challenges around fully democratic decision-making within workforces, whether you back it or not.
NEW: Labour pledged pre-election to let “workers decide how tips are allocated”, via the employment rights act.
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
Tom Belger column: 'Union revolt as U-turn revealed on workers’ tips' - LabourList
A quiet U-turn on workers’ tips has ignited a union revolt. Tom Belger reveals what changed, who’s angry, and why it matters now.
labourlist.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:16 PM
NEW: Labour pledged pre-election to let “workers decide how tips are allocated”, via the employment rights act.
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
But I've just discovered it's quietly decided workers can’t be trusted to decide how tips are allocated.
More in my first @labourlist.bsky.social column:
labourlist.org/2026/01/utur...
New update on this - councils have stepped up their battle to be more involved in new pay negotiations for adult social care workers, as the key funders.
Just being 'spectators' would be 'incomprehensible', says the County Councils Network.
1/2
Just being 'spectators' would be 'incomprehensible', says the County Councils Network.
1/2
January 27, 2026 at 1:21 PM
New update on this - councils have stepped up their battle to be more involved in new pay negotiations for adult social care workers, as the key funders.
Just being 'spectators' would be 'incomprehensible', says the County Councils Network.
1/2
Just being 'spectators' would be 'incomprehensible', says the County Councils Network.
1/2
It’s notable also that the most longstanding voice of the soft left on the NEC said this about Burnham:
‘My chief concern would have been the risk of losing Manchester to Reform in the unavoidable mayoral by-election, but there were no good options.’
‘My chief concern would have been the risk of losing Manchester to Reform in the unavoidable mayoral by-election, but there were no good options.’
annblack.bsky.social has just announced she won’t seek re-election to Labour’s ruling body after 24 years.
Hats off to her for such long, dedicated, selfless service - she’s been a dogged members’ champion.
A tough pair of boots to fill.
Hats off to her for such long, dedicated, selfless service - she’s been a dogged members’ champion.
A tough pair of boots to fill.
Ann Black (@annblack.bsky.social)
Member, Labour Party NEC, owner(?) of Monty. Best contacted at annblack50@btinternet.com
annblack.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 7:39 PM
It’s notable also that the most longstanding voice of the soft left on the NEC said this about Burnham:
‘My chief concern would have been the risk of losing Manchester to Reform in the unavoidable mayoral by-election, but there were no good options.’
‘My chief concern would have been the risk of losing Manchester to Reform in the unavoidable mayoral by-election, but there were no good options.’
Reposted by Tom Belger
Pep Guardiola heard about this and knew what he had to do
January 24, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Pep Guardiola heard about this and knew what he had to do
annblack.bsky.social has just announced she won’t seek re-election to Labour’s ruling body after 24 years.
Hats off to her for such long, dedicated, selfless service - she’s been a dogged members’ champion.
A tough pair of boots to fill.
Hats off to her for such long, dedicated, selfless service - she’s been a dogged members’ champion.
A tough pair of boots to fill.
Ann Black (@annblack.bsky.social)
Member, Labour Party NEC, owner(?) of Monty. Best contacted at annblack50@btinternet.com
annblack.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 7:35 PM
annblack.bsky.social has just announced she won’t seek re-election to Labour’s ruling body after 24 years.
Hats off to her for such long, dedicated, selfless service - she’s been a dogged members’ champion.
A tough pair of boots to fill.
Hats off to her for such long, dedicated, selfless service - she’s been a dogged members’ champion.
A tough pair of boots to fill.
Reposted by Tom Belger
I’m a ‘believer in having the best players in the team’, says @sadiqkhanlondon.bsky.social when asked about Andy Burnham.
But he says Keir transformed Labour’s fortunes after the worst defeat since the 1930s.
But he says Keir transformed Labour’s fortunes after the worst defeat since the 1930s.
January 24, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I’m a ‘believer in having the best players in the team’, says @sadiqkhanlondon.bsky.social when asked about Andy Burnham.
But he says Keir transformed Labour’s fortunes after the worst defeat since the 1930s.
But he says Keir transformed Labour’s fortunes after the worst defeat since the 1930s.
Reposted by Tom Belger
Great to be at @thefabians.bsky.social's New Year Conference at London's Guildhall.
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
January 24, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Great to be at @thefabians.bsky.social's New Year Conference at London's Guildhall.
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
All the latest in this thread from @thefabians.bsky.social conference - including Lucy Powell on the by-election….
🧵🌹
🧵🌹
Great to be at @thefabians.bsky.social's New Year Conference at London's Guildhall.
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
January 24, 2026 at 11:24 AM
All the latest in this thread from @thefabians.bsky.social conference - including Lucy Powell on the by-election….
🧵🌹
🧵🌹
Great to be at @thefabians.bsky.social's New Year Conference at London's Guildhall.
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
January 24, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Great to be at @thefabians.bsky.social's New Year Conference at London's Guildhall.
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
I'll be posting live updates in a thread here throughout the day, with a lineup of big names. Come say hello if you're here too...
🌹🧵
Reposted by Tom Belger
🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT!🚨
🎉 LabourList is proud to present 'In Conversation', our new Live Podcast series, delivered to you in partnership with the Fabian Society...
👀 In 2026, we'll be bringing you interviews with a difference, because YOU can join in!
🤔 Any guesses on our first guest?
🎉 LabourList is proud to present 'In Conversation', our new Live Podcast series, delivered to you in partnership with the Fabian Society...
👀 In 2026, we'll be bringing you interviews with a difference, because YOU can join in!
🤔 Any guesses on our first guest?
January 18, 2026 at 6:01 PM
🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT!🚨
🎉 LabourList is proud to present 'In Conversation', our new Live Podcast series, delivered to you in partnership with the Fabian Society...
👀 In 2026, we'll be bringing you interviews with a difference, because YOU can join in!
🤔 Any guesses on our first guest?
🎉 LabourList is proud to present 'In Conversation', our new Live Podcast series, delivered to you in partnership with the Fabian Society...
👀 In 2026, we'll be bringing you interviews with a difference, because YOU can join in!
🤔 Any guesses on our first guest?
Reposted by Tom Belger
Once upon a time, a President of the United States saying "fuck you" and raising his middle finger to an American factory worker would be front page news around the world. Now it's a "colour lede" on a business analysis. www.ft.com/content/36ab...
January 16, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Once upon a time, a President of the United States saying "fuck you" and raising his middle finger to an American factory worker would be front page news around the world. Now it's a "colour lede" on a business analysis. www.ft.com/content/36ab...
This is really, really ominous.
With Keir Starmer focussing on the cost of living this week, our data shows the lowest net approval for the government's handling of the issue since we started tracking in Oct 2022
Well: 8% (-2 from Dec)
Badly: 85% (=)
Net: -77 (-2)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Well: 8% (-2 from Dec)
Badly: 85% (=)
Net: -77 (-2)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
January 8, 2026 at 10:58 AM
This is really, really ominous.
Reposted by Tom Belger
Charities are needed more and more as social deprivation and division rises but, as the Guardian says, many are struggling with rising costs, increased demand and lower income from donations and grants, as the govt seeks a new partnership. A hidden crisis. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on hard times for Britain’s charities: struggling to do more with less | Editorial
Editorial: Over the holiday period, the Guardian leader column is looking ahead at the themes of 2026. Today, the challenges facing the voluntary sector as it attempts to cope with an ongoing funding ...
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Charities are needed more and more as social deprivation and division rises but, as the Guardian says, many are struggling with rising costs, increased demand and lower income from donations and grants, as the govt seeks a new partnership. A hidden crisis. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Tom Belger
Kidnapping the leader of a foreign state without any declaration of war and announcing it via social media is full-on rogue state stuff. From the world’s number one superpower.
January 3, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Kidnapping the leader of a foreign state without any declaration of war and announcing it via social media is full-on rogue state stuff. From the world’s number one superpower.
Underreported in this is the turnout.
Why are 93% of members of one of Britain's biggest unions not voting?
That's a real shame and should ring alarm bells.
H/t @dangreenjourno.bsky.social spotting the figures
Why are 93% of members of one of Britain's biggest unions not voting?
That's a real shame and should ring alarm bells.
H/t @dangreenjourno.bsky.social spotting the figures
December 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Underreported in this is the turnout.
Why are 93% of members of one of Britain's biggest unions not voting?
That's a real shame and should ring alarm bells.
H/t @dangreenjourno.bsky.social spotting the figures
Why are 93% of members of one of Britain's biggest unions not voting?
That's a real shame and should ring alarm bells.
H/t @dangreenjourno.bsky.social spotting the figures
Reposted by Tom Belger
New: Long-promised reforms to crack down on bogus self-employment in the gig economy and beyond have been delayed, I've just discovered.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
December 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
New: Long-promised reforms to crack down on bogus self-employment in the gig economy and beyond have been delayed, I've just discovered.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
New: Long-promised reforms to crack down on bogus self-employment in the gig economy and beyond have been delayed, I've just discovered.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
December 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
New: Long-promised reforms to crack down on bogus self-employment in the gig economy and beyond have been delayed, I've just discovered.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
My piece for the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social below - and why some experts and MPs fear it leaves a big loophole in Labour’s whole workers' rights package.
Should clarify this - Charlie calls for agency workers' inclusion now, and "scope to include the self-employed a bit later on down the line".
Report say govt must also get on with defining 'workers' - to stop employers 'misclassifying staff as self-employed to avoid the FPA'.
Report say govt must also get on with defining 'workers' - to stop employers 'misclassifying staff as self-employed to avoid the FPA'.
The Resolution Foundation's @charliemccurdy.bsky.social argues agency workers and the self-employed should be included within the deal - meaning unions can negotiate binding deals on their pay, terms and conditions.
Otherwise you get a 'two-tiered system', he warns.
Otherwise you get a 'two-tiered system', he warns.
December 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Should clarify this - Charlie calls for agency workers' inclusion now, and "scope to include the self-employed a bit later on down the line".
Report say govt must also get on with defining 'workers' - to stop employers 'misclassifying staff as self-employed to avoid the FPA'.
Report say govt must also get on with defining 'workers' - to stop employers 'misclassifying staff as self-employed to avoid the FPA'.
Insightful new @resolutionfoundation.org report today on the fair pay agreement for adult care workers I covered this week.
They warn building it fast is vital - or risk being junked, as in New Zealand.
If it succeeds, similar deals could work for cleaners and warehouse workers, they say.
🧵
They warn building it fast is vital - or risk being junked, as in New Zealand.
If it succeeds, similar deals could work for cleaners and warehouse workers, they say.
🧵
What are Fair Pay Agreements? And how will this work in social care where the government is implementing the first one? @tombelger.bsky.social explains all.
Fair pay agreement for care: The most radical policy no-one’s heard of – LabourList
Some call the Fair Pay Agreement ‘Labour’s most radical policy no-one knows about’. For the first time ever, four unions will negotiate on behalf of…
labourlist.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Insightful new @resolutionfoundation.org report today on the fair pay agreement for adult care workers I covered this week.
They warn building it fast is vital - or risk being junked, as in New Zealand.
If it succeeds, similar deals could work for cleaners and warehouse workers, they say.
🧵
They warn building it fast is vital - or risk being junked, as in New Zealand.
If it succeeds, similar deals could work for cleaners and warehouse workers, they say.
🧵
Thanks to @politico.eu's @ecasalicchio.bsky.social for picking this up in Playbook PM:
www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...
www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...
December 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Thanks to @politico.eu's @ecasalicchio.bsky.social for picking this up in Playbook PM:
www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...
www.politico.eu/newsletter/l...