Andrew Brook
@anbrook.bsky.social
Senior programme manager at Power2 @power2org.bsky.social.
Doctoral researcher @mmudecentwork.bsky.social, interested in the relationship between housing and job quality.
Ex-teacher and current special school governor.
Views mine alone.
Doctoral researcher @mmudecentwork.bsky.social, interested in the relationship between housing and job quality.
Ex-teacher and current special school governor.
Views mine alone.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
If people become insecure, we find they’re three times more likely to desert Labour than if they become more concerned about immigration. Around one-third of Britons felt economically insecure as of April 2025.
Focusing on immigration is a ‘red herring’ when financial security is so foundational.
Focusing on immigration is a ‘red herring’ when financial security is so foundational.
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
If people become insecure, we find they’re three times more likely to desert Labour than if they become more concerned about immigration. Around one-third of Britons felt economically insecure as of April 2025.
Focusing on immigration is a ‘red herring’ when financial security is so foundational.
Focusing on immigration is a ‘red herring’ when financial security is so foundational.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
This! There is no simple, single lever that will turn this around … 👇🌻
What does the left want? A wealth tax. What will that accomplish? Very little | Aditya Chakrabortty
What does the left want? A wealth tax. What will that accomplish? Very little | Aditya Chakrabortty
Imposing a 1% levy on the super-rich isn’t a policy, it’s pantomime. Tackling inequality in Britain will require much more far-reaching changes, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:58 AM
This! There is no simple, single lever that will turn this around … 👇🌻
Reposted by Andrew Brook
It is good to see some Labour MPs condemning the Home Secretary's hideous proposals, and rhetoric. I hope that more come forward to condemn this inhumane treatment of people seeking safety, and ensure these proposals never see the light of day in practice.
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
It is good to see some Labour MPs condemning the Home Secretary's hideous proposals, and rhetoric. I hope that more come forward to condemn this inhumane treatment of people seeking safety, and ensure these proposals never see the light of day in practice.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
Research on this is clear: the uncertainty created by this policy will lead to people integrate less into British society. It is trading-off the reasonable policy goal of integration for the useless symbolism of immigration numbers. Bad policy to appease the far right.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Research on this is clear: the uncertainty created by this policy will lead to people integrate less into British society. It is trading-off the reasonable policy goal of integration for the useless symbolism of immigration numbers. Bad policy to appease the far right.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Andrew Brook
The underlying idea is that a normal life, where you can feel safe, settled and plan for future, is a luxury that only some deserve. An awful slippery slope of inhumanity. Which of our rights will crumble next? I never want to hear anything about a 'proud history of blah blah blah' ever again. 🤦♀️😞
To reiterate, this is about making life immeasurably more miserable and stressful for some of the most vulnerable people, in the almost certainly vain hope of winning over the votes of racists.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Asylum in UK to be made temporary under Home Secretary’s plans
Shabana Mahmood will lay out reforms modelled on the Danish system on Monday.
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The underlying idea is that a normal life, where you can feel safe, settled and plan for future, is a luxury that only some deserve. An awful slippery slope of inhumanity. Which of our rights will crumble next? I never want to hear anything about a 'proud history of blah blah blah' ever again. 🤦♀️😞
Reposted by Andrew Brook
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 6:43 AM
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Andrew Brook
The various estimates of how much damage and destruction the Gaza war has wrought on the Strip all point to widespread destruction at a high rate. One of the most conservative estimates I could find (from Oregon State U) was that 60.2% of buildings had been damaged or destroyed by 2nd October /1
@aloner.bsky.social surveys the “systemic destruction” of Gaza’s cities—which some are calling “urbicide”.
“Rafah doesn’t exist. East Khan Younis doesn’t exist. East Gaza [City] doesn’t exist,” says Eyal Weizman from @forensicarchi.bsky.social.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
“Rafah doesn’t exist. East Khan Younis doesn’t exist. East Gaza [City] doesn’t exist,” says Eyal Weizman from @forensicarchi.bsky.social.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
How Gaza’s cities were destroyed
Israel has razed large parts of the Gaza Strip since the war began in October 2023. The evidence points to systemic destruction
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The various estimates of how much damage and destruction the Gaza war has wrought on the Strip all point to widespread destruction at a high rate. One of the most conservative estimates I could find (from Oregon State U) was that 60.2% of buildings had been damaged or destroyed by 2nd October /1
Reposted by Andrew Brook
Since 2023, Sudan’s civil war has claimed more than 150,000 lives and displaced up to 14 million people.
I have written to the government urging it to stop arms sales to the UAE, take stronger action to prevent atrocities, and rapidly scale up humanitarian aid.
I have written to the government urging it to stop arms sales to the UAE, take stronger action to prevent atrocities, and rapidly scale up humanitarian aid.
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Since 2023, Sudan’s civil war has claimed more than 150,000 lives and displaced up to 14 million people.
I have written to the government urging it to stop arms sales to the UAE, take stronger action to prevent atrocities, and rapidly scale up humanitarian aid.
I have written to the government urging it to stop arms sales to the UAE, take stronger action to prevent atrocities, and rapidly scale up humanitarian aid.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
The key is to raise taxes enough to actually be able to do something with it, beyond placating the OBR and bond markets
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
If Labour want a fairer society, they must argue for it
Labour must make the political argument: taxes are the critical downpayment we all pay to live in a fairer society.
It now seems all but certain that direct taxes will rise in the forthcoming Budget...
renewal.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The key is to raise taxes enough to actually be able to do something with it, beyond placating the OBR and bond markets
Reposted by Andrew Brook
The majority of the casework I do involves people in similar situations to Kavin. Trapped in limbo unable to work and move on to new sponsors. The government's toughening up of rules and increase in costs has made the situation worse.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/migrants-...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/migrants-...
Migrant workers on legal visas trapped in modern slavery
Revealed: UK’s employment visas are causing thousands of legal migrant workers to end up in modern slavery
www.opendemocracy.net
October 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
The majority of the casework I do involves people in similar situations to Kavin. Trapped in limbo unable to work and move on to new sponsors. The government's toughening up of rules and increase in costs has made the situation worse.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/migrants-...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/migrants-...
Excellent piece on Taiwanese digital democracy that reframes democracy as ongoing collective involvement with state and society. Democratic participation should be a relationship between people and institutions with tech as an enabler, rather than, as currently seems the case, the end itself.
New from me on what we can learn from the digital democracy of Taiwan. This is the story of how a civic movement of hackers and officials created the conditions for tech to serve democratic purposes. In an age where platforms drive us apart the best response is not only defensive but creative
The Taiwan Alternative: Democratic Renewal in the Digital Age
Why democracy's defenders should look beyond platform regulation
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Excellent piece on Taiwanese digital democracy that reframes democracy as ongoing collective involvement with state and society. Democratic participation should be a relationship between people and institutions with tech as an enabler, rather than, as currently seems the case, the end itself.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
A strategy based on 'well, what if everything political science tells us, everything economics tells us and everything history tells us is wrong?' is ending in a predictable fashion.
It's increasingly obvious that Labour's strategy - call it Starmerism, Blue Labour, whatever - has got it badly wrong. It has alienated the party's core vote while failing to win over those leaning to Reform. There was no shortage of people warning them they were getting it wrong either.
Three years ago, Labour was polling in the 50s.
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
A strategy based on 'well, what if everything political science tells us, everything economics tells us and everything history tells us is wrong?' is ending in a predictable fashion.
Encouraging to read such a strong challenge to the marketisation of worth.
The concept of 'contribution' has long been weaponised to divide the 'deserving' and 'underserving', but it should be something owed to each other, not to the Treasury.
The concept of 'contribution' has long been weaponised to divide the 'deserving' and 'underserving', but it should be something owed to each other, not to the Treasury.
New post just out:
Delighted to have a guest post today from the excellent @cjayanetti.bsky.social.
"The 'something for nothing myth"
Why screaming headlines about the net contribution of immigrants and the low-paid are profoundly wrong.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/the-someth...
Delighted to have a guest post today from the excellent @cjayanetti.bsky.social.
"The 'something for nothing myth"
Why screaming headlines about the net contribution of immigrants and the low-paid are profoundly wrong.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/the-someth...
The "something for nothing" myth
How should we value people's contribution to the country?
samf.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Encouraging to read such a strong challenge to the marketisation of worth.
The concept of 'contribution' has long been weaponised to divide the 'deserving' and 'underserving', but it should be something owed to each other, not to the Treasury.
The concept of 'contribution' has long been weaponised to divide the 'deserving' and 'underserving', but it should be something owed to each other, not to the Treasury.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
Every time we see further increases in people living in temporary accommodation I feel it should be pointed out that the big reason is that Local Housing Allowance is capped based on 2023 rents. Rents are rising, so private renting is increasing out of range for families in particular.
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Every time we see further increases in people living in temporary accommodation I feel it should be pointed out that the big reason is that Local Housing Allowance is capped based on 2023 rents. Rents are rising, so private renting is increasing out of range for families in particular.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
Yeah. It should be an animating concern of this government, consistently.
It's retail and tangible, at the same time as being foundational to having the freedom to choose how you live, and live a good life with dignity and respect (as well as other aspects of the govt's policy agenda).
It's retail and tangible, at the same time as being foundational to having the freedom to choose how you live, and live a good life with dignity and respect (as well as other aspects of the govt's policy agenda).
“I think politicians are ignoring prices and bills and hoping we’ll forget about them and find something else to complain about…”
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
My report on how the flighty Westminster bubble forgot about the cost-of-living crisis, which certainly isn't over:
Energy bills rise while Westminster talks immigration
Why have our politicians forgotten about the cost-of-living crisis?
www.newstatesman.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Yeah. It should be an animating concern of this government, consistently.
It's retail and tangible, at the same time as being foundational to having the freedom to choose how you live, and live a good life with dignity and respect (as well as other aspects of the govt's policy agenda).
It's retail and tangible, at the same time as being foundational to having the freedom to choose how you live, and live a good life with dignity and respect (as well as other aspects of the govt's policy agenda).
Reposted by Andrew Brook
I'm increasingly convinced this is a huge driver of dissatisfaction with govt
Council tax is one of the most visible taxes that people pay, it goes directly out of their bank account and they get a letter about it going up every year
Yet bin collection frequency falls and libraries close
Council tax is one of the most visible taxes that people pay, it goes directly out of their bank account and they get a letter about it going up every year
Yet bin collection frequency falls and libraries close
It is also deeply unhealthy to have local govts who don’t provide many visible/valuable services for most residents (because they lack the resources). Encourages distrust and populism - “what am I paying my council tax for? The council does nothing for me.”
Amazed this is still going ahead - basic and obvious problem is that essentially everything local government does now is for the poor. You can’t move it around without really hurting poor people somewhere!
October 7, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I'm increasingly convinced this is a huge driver of dissatisfaction with govt
Council tax is one of the most visible taxes that people pay, it goes directly out of their bank account and they get a letter about it going up every year
Yet bin collection frequency falls and libraries close
Council tax is one of the most visible taxes that people pay, it goes directly out of their bank account and they get a letter about it going up every year
Yet bin collection frequency falls and libraries close
Reposted by Andrew Brook
Granting leave to people who will either end up getting it or who can’t be removed anyway would free up enough capacity to close the hotels in around 6 months. Granting leave to people from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan and Syria would do it www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Ending the use of hotels to house people seeking asylum - Refugee Council
New analysis outlines how the UK can responsibly end the use of asylum hotels within a year through a secure, practical solution.
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
October 4, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Granting leave to people who will either end up getting it or who can’t be removed anyway would free up enough capacity to close the hotels in around 6 months. Granting leave to people from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan and Syria would do it www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...
Reposted by Andrew Brook
There will be desperate calls behind the scenes, begging the Israeli government to withdraw the invitation. That may actually work, who knows. But it would constitute another refusal to see the Israeli government for what it is. It's not a bug. It's a feature. They are Tommy Robinson.
This Israeli government decision to host Tommy Robinson will widen the growing gulf between the Netanyahu government and the British public, including the broad majority of Jews in Britain (3/4 of whom dsapproved of Netanyahu, before this new link to this anti-Muslim racist UK far right convict).
October 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
There will be desperate calls behind the scenes, begging the Israeli government to withdraw the invitation. That may actually work, who knows. But it would constitute another refusal to see the Israeli government for what it is. It's not a bug. It's a feature. They are Tommy Robinson.
Reposted by Andrew Brook
Labour has a chance now to turn a corner and win support from people who want it to succeed. Or it can continue with this type of vicious populist filth and alienate everyone. It's your call guys.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Labour has a chance now to turn a corner and win support from people who want it to succeed. Or it can continue with this type of vicious populist filth and alienate everyone. It's your call guys.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Andrew Brook
Apart from the unnecessary hardship this will inflict on individuals, this will be bad for integration and social cohesion, bad for the economy, and will increase irregular migration.
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
Mahmood says she will introduce new conditions for indefinite leave to remain:
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
September 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Apart from the unnecessary hardship this will inflict on individuals, this will be bad for integration and social cohesion, bad for the economy, and will increase irregular migration.
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
This is a corrosive shift in how we think about belonging, both for migrants and citizens. It treats people as portfolios of human capital who must constantly invest and perform to gain security. It creates lives of rolling anxiety. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mahmood demands migrants earn right to settlement in UK
New tests will include learning English to a high standard, paying National Insurance and not claiming benefits.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 8:31 PM
This is a corrosive shift in how we think about belonging, both for migrants and citizens. It treats people as portfolios of human capital who must constantly invest and perform to gain security. It creates lives of rolling anxiety. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Andrew Brook
This is of course great news.
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
September 29, 2025 at 7:29 AM
This is of course great news.
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
Reposted by Andrew Brook
The evidence for this argument has grown and grown, and become increasingly convincing.
The policy remains difficult, unavoidably. But the rhetoric is clearly wrong. Critically, the centre left must directly challenge the slow normalisation of far right ideas for both moral and tactical reasons.
The policy remains difficult, unavoidably. But the rhetoric is clearly wrong. Critically, the centre left must directly challenge the slow normalisation of far right ideas for both moral and tactical reasons.
For the Guardian, @turnbulldugarte.com and I discuss our research that clearly shows one thing: Labour's anti-immigration strategy will only strengthen Reform and weaken its own electoral prospects. It won't win voters back but ultimately normalizes the far right
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Our research makes it clear: by capitulating to the right, Labour is driving voters to Reform UK | Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte
Mimicking Farage on immigration is senseless. Labour voters feel betrayed; anti-immigration voters see through the ruse, say academics Tarik Abou-Chadi and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The evidence for this argument has grown and grown, and become increasingly convincing.
The policy remains difficult, unavoidably. But the rhetoric is clearly wrong. Critically, the centre left must directly challenge the slow normalisation of far right ideas for both moral and tactical reasons.
The policy remains difficult, unavoidably. But the rhetoric is clearly wrong. Critically, the centre left must directly challenge the slow normalisation of far right ideas for both moral and tactical reasons.
Very interesting critique of “Have A Big Chat Politics”, a new phrase I am now well into. Politicians' ontologies matter more than their economics (Starmer's problems flow from lacking one) though rarely discussed (although this piece wisely avoids a smart-assery word like ontology).
I've written about Mainstream, "The Starmer Symptom", and why the soft left getting organised is a good idea – if they can update themselves.
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...
www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...
What do the Burnhamites believe?
The soft left are agitating against Starmerism – but are yet to provide a successor ideology
www.newstatesman.com
September 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Very interesting critique of “Have A Big Chat Politics”, a new phrase I am now well into. Politicians' ontologies matter more than their economics (Starmer's problems flow from lacking one) though rarely discussed (although this piece wisely avoids a smart-assery word like ontology).