Ann
@agvbergin.net
Both newts and housing, please. Scientific technical editor. Personal account, views my own.
Pinned
Ann
@agvbergin.net
· Mar 5
"What children need to learn most is empathy for others, the capacity for nurturance, cooperation, and the maintenance of social ties, which cannot be done without the strength, respect, self-discipline, and self-reliance that comes through being cared for and caring."
George Lakoff, Moral Politics
George Lakoff, Moral Politics
Reposted by Ann
Wrote my take on the retreat on day one rights against unfair dismissal, for Renewal. Basically Labour made a promise it turned out it couldn't deliver, a small group of serious trade unions then decided to try to salvage this, but this isn't without severe trade offs renewal.org.uk/blog/pragmat...
Pragmatism’s limits?
Following secret negotiations between business confederations and GMB, CWU, Prospect, Unite, USDAW, UNISON, and the TUC, the government has U-turned on its manifesto commitment to introduce day-one ri...
renewal.org.uk
December 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Wrote my take on the retreat on day one rights against unfair dismissal, for Renewal. Basically Labour made a promise it turned out it couldn't deliver, a small group of serious trade unions then decided to try to salvage this, but this isn't without severe trade offs renewal.org.uk/blog/pragmat...
Reposted by Ann
This is fake accountability in my view; scapegoating is still bad when it is a senior leader used as the human shield for the organisation rather than a low level employee. It looks noble but it is not actually helping the organisation - when someone says "I take full responsibility ...
NEW: Richard Hughes resigns from the OBR over budget leak.
Along with BBC leadership, a recent resurgence of people in public service jobs taking responsibility.
Along with BBC leadership, a recent resurgence of people in public service jobs taking responsibility.
December 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This is fake accountability in my view; scapegoating is still bad when it is a senior leader used as the human shield for the organisation rather than a low level employee. It looks noble but it is not actually helping the organisation - when someone says "I take full responsibility ...
Reposted by Ann
Anyone who works in digital will have read that OBR report and seen that there were six (6) people employed across HR, IT, comms and website maintenance. There’s your problem, right there.
December 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Anyone who works in digital will have read that OBR report and seen that there were six (6) people employed across HR, IT, comms and website maintenance. There’s your problem, right there.
The PM has used the word neurodivergent in a Graun oped. Hmm.
December 1, 2025 at 7:27 AM
The PM has used the word neurodivergent in a Graun oped. Hmm.
Reposted by Ann
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
Reposted by Ann
It's Dec 1st tomorrow - which means the start of #BatMas!
a bat is hanging upside down in a duct
ALT: a bat is hanging upside down in a duct
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
It's Dec 1st tomorrow - which means the start of #BatMas!
Reposted by Ann
Latest from me: on the budget, Labour's troubles, & the government's increasingly tense & distant relationship with the UK's squeezed middle www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘squeezed middle’ is back – and this time it could be Labour’s undoing | John Harris
Last week’s budget left middle-income families anxious and angry. The party is turning its back on voters it can little afford to lose, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Latest from me: on the budget, Labour's troubles, & the government's increasingly tense & distant relationship with the UK's squeezed middle www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Ann
A bit of a vulnerable post by me but we need your help to get us through what has been a more difficult period than 2020.
It would be really appreciated if you could read and share in your networks too 💛
bell.bz/its-been-a-v...
It would be really appreciated if you could read and share in your networks too 💛
bell.bz/its-been-a-v...
It’s been a very hard year - Andy Bell
Unlike a lot of places in tech, my company, Set Studio/Piccalilli has no outside funding. Bootstrapped is what the LinkedIn people say, I think. It’s been a hard year this year. A very hard year...
bell.bz
November 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
A bit of a vulnerable post by me but we need your help to get us through what has been a more difficult period than 2020.
It would be really appreciated if you could read and share in your networks too 💛
bell.bz/its-been-a-v...
It would be really appreciated if you could read and share in your networks too 💛
bell.bz/its-been-a-v...
Reposted by Ann
Absolutely wild story from the exempt accommodation sector
“‘Threats, arson and lies' claims as Birmingham supported housing firm goes bust owing over £12.2m”
www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
'Threats, arson and lies' claims as Birmingham supported housing firm goes bust
A company with strong links to the controversial 'exempt supported housing' sector in Birmingham has been forced into liquidation amid shocking claims by administrators
www.birminghammail.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Absolutely wild story from the exempt accommodation sector
Was reading this article yesterday on reduced West Coast Main Line train services with weary resignation. Thought we got to the crux of the matter in paragraphs 14 and 15.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
November 30, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Was reading this article yesterday on reduced West Coast Main Line train services with weary resignation. Thought we got to the crux of the matter in paragraphs 14 and 15.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Ann
Faith that costs something: the Pope's challenge to comfortable Christianity johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Faith that costs something: the Pope's challenge to comfortable Christianity
A new Vatican document challenges wealthy Catholics to move beyond charity toward justice, solidarity and real encounters with the poor.
johnmenadue.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Faith that costs something: the Pope's challenge to comfortable Christianity johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Reposted by Ann
Really bad news. And completely irresponsible given where we are.
Can’t decide who this is worse for, the EU or the UK. But the real looser, of course, is European defence. So all of us.
on.ft.com/4pb0xP6
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
on.ft.com/4pb0xP6
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
Discussions fail after Britain refuses to pay billions of euros in fees
on.ft.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Really bad news. And completely irresponsible given where we are.
Reposted by Ann
Dismal framing. Every aspect of most asylum seekers’ lives is controlled & paid for by the Home Office. They can’t work, are told where to live & have no autonomy or dignity. So they aren’t *choosing* to use taxis & don’t need to be “banned” from doing so. The HO just needs to get its act in order.
Government to ban asylum seekers from using taxis
The ban is set to come in February and any exemptions will have to be signed off by the Home Office.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Dismal framing. Every aspect of most asylum seekers’ lives is controlled & paid for by the Home Office. They can’t work, are told where to live & have no autonomy or dignity. So they aren’t *choosing* to use taxis & don’t need to be “banned” from doing so. The HO just needs to get its act in order.
Reposted by Ann
The Home Office’s absurd taxi bill results entirely from its insistence on forcing people to move round the country without choice or notice, & to live on the breadline so they can’t afford public transport. That Mahmood didn’t know about it till the BBC told her shows how appallingly the HO is run.
November 29, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The Home Office’s absurd taxi bill results entirely from its insistence on forcing people to move round the country without choice or notice, & to live on the breadline so they can’t afford public transport. That Mahmood didn’t know about it till the BBC told her shows how appallingly the HO is run.
Reposted by Ann
The large drop in immigration seen in today's ONS data will likely have huge consequences for social care.
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
Falling immigration presents problems for social care sector
Cyril Lobont responds to new immigration data from the Office for National Statistics.
www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The large drop in immigration seen in today's ONS data will likely have huge consequences for social care.
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
The sector has been entirely reliant on care workers from overseas to meet growing demand.
Read our statement from Researcher @cglobont.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Ann
An interesting #spaceweather story developing. Airbus has made a statement saying that “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Flights disrupted as Airbus requests modifications to thousands of planes
About 6,000 plans are thought to be affected, about half the European aerospace giant's global fleet.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
An interesting #spaceweather story developing. Airbus has made a statement saying that “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Still having lots of problems buying train tickets despite being a regular traveller.
(1) I have stopped buying them from ticket machines due to an experience where a Greater Anglia employee did not know how their machine worked.
(1) I have stopped buying them from ticket machines due to an experience where a Greater Anglia employee did not know how their machine worked.
November 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Still having lots of problems buying train tickets despite being a regular traveller.
(1) I have stopped buying them from ticket machines due to an experience where a Greater Anglia employee did not know how their machine worked.
(1) I have stopped buying them from ticket machines due to an experience where a Greater Anglia employee did not know how their machine worked.
Reposted by Ann
If we put growth to one side, we should not private pavement space so that people ordering a handful of groceries are prioritised over people in wheelchairs. On a narrow pavement, as many in Britain are, it’s not good for pedestrians.
November 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
If we put growth to one side, we should not private pavement space so that people ordering a handful of groceries are prioritised over people in wheelchairs. On a narrow pavement, as many in Britain are, it’s not good for pedestrians.
I think the prostate cancer screening stuff is downstream of culture, e.g. the way BBC local news and the One Show typically report on stories like this is through people who are experts by lived experience with cancer.
November 28, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I think the prostate cancer screening stuff is downstream of culture, e.g. the way BBC local news and the One Show typically report on stories like this is through people who are experts by lived experience with cancer.
Reposted by Ann
This is what happens when as a single condition health charity you’re overly focused on those who die of your condition and you don’t consider outcomes for those who don’t, or the opportunity costs involved for NHS. PCUK are particularly guilty but they’re not alone.
www.thetimes.com/article/4487...
www.thetimes.com/article/4487...
Start prostate cancer testing regardless of advice, Wes Streeting told
NHS advisers are expected to rule against a mass programme for the disease, which causes more than 12,000 deaths a year
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:46 AM
This is what happens when as a single condition health charity you’re overly focused on those who die of your condition and you don’t consider outcomes for those who don’t, or the opportunity costs involved for NHS. PCUK are particularly guilty but they’re not alone.
www.thetimes.com/article/4487...
www.thetimes.com/article/4487...
Reposted by Ann
This is a very timely discussion from John Mahon of @ukandeu.bsky.social. There are all sorts of claims about who these emigrants are & why they are leaving the UK (not least from Goodwin et al) & a lot of anecdotes. So, as Mahon says, we could really do with some proper research evidence.
🔃 "For public policy reasons and Treasury planning, it would be much better if we knew something about these citizen-emigrants."
✍️ John Mahon makes the case for having a better understanding of the British nationals leaving and returning to the UK
ukandeu.ac.uk/who-is-emigr...
✍️ John Mahon makes the case for having a better understanding of the British nationals leaving and returning to the UK
ukandeu.ac.uk/who-is-emigr...
Who is emigrating from the UK? - UK in a changing Europe
John Mahon makes the case for having a better understanding of the British nationals leaving the UK. He argues that the cost to the state of British nationals leaving or returning to the UK varies, so...
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 28, 2025 at 3:11 PM
This is a very timely discussion from John Mahon of @ukandeu.bsky.social. There are all sorts of claims about who these emigrants are & why they are leaving the UK (not least from Goodwin et al) & a lot of anecdotes. So, as Mahon says, we could really do with some proper research evidence.
Reposted by Ann
Here are some avoidable issues that may upset autistic people to the point of self-injury or aggression, yet parents or caregivers might be told such behavior is “just autism,” or that the autistic person needs behavioral conditioning therapy. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
Autism Checklist of DOOM
Our autism checklist of doom is meant to help people the kinds of things that may upset an autistic person, ones that aren't always obvious.
thinkingautismguide.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Here are some avoidable issues that may upset autistic people to the point of self-injury or aggression, yet parents or caregivers might be told such behavior is “just autism,” or that the autistic person needs behavioral conditioning therapy. At TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
thinkingautismguide.com/2022/01/auti... 1/
Reposted by Ann
I say this mostly because Reform and certain journalists friendly to them seem determined to start a “white flight” narrative since net migration has dropped so dramatically.
It’s not true. It’s not even close to true.
It’s not true. It’s not even close to true.
November 27, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I say this mostly because Reform and certain journalists friendly to them seem determined to start a “white flight” narrative since net migration has dropped so dramatically.
It’s not true. It’s not even close to true.
It’s not true. It’s not even close to true.