Olly Gark
@arialadam.bsky.social
UBI, LVT, politics, science, Nottingham Forest
I like to post a pithy riposte
I like to post a pithy riposte
Reposted by Olly Gark
The European Union has triggered Article 122 to indefinitely immobilise the assets of the Russian Central Bank, worth a whopping €210 billion.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The European Union has triggered Article 122 to indefinitely immobilise the assets of the Russian Central Bank, worth a whopping €210 billion.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
I explain what just happened and why this is such a big deal for Europeans.
🧵 Long thread.
Reposted by Olly Gark
There is one overriding political problem, from which all others follow. Until it is addressed, every policy advanced by governments is window dressing.
www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...
www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...
Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds
Data from World Inequality Report also showed top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90%
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM
There is one overriding political problem, from which all others follow. Until it is addressed, every policy advanced by governments is window dressing.
www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...
www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...
Reposted by Olly Gark
Water company United Utilities enjoys 131% rise in profits after bills go up £112.
UU has 205+ criminal convictions.
Loses over 175bn litres of water to leaks. In 2024 dumped sewage 450,778 hours in rivers//akes. No exec prosecuted/fined
Rewarded with higher price and profit.
archive.ph/7aP8O
UU has 205+ criminal convictions.
Loses over 175bn litres of water to leaks. In 2024 dumped sewage 450,778 hours in rivers//akes. No exec prosecuted/fined
Rewarded with higher price and profit.
archive.ph/7aP8O
Water company enjoys 131% rise in profits after bills go up £112
United Utilities, whose executives are barred from receiving bonuses because of pollution record, will pay out most of the increase in dividends
www.thetimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Water company United Utilities enjoys 131% rise in profits after bills go up £112.
UU has 205+ criminal convictions.
Loses over 175bn litres of water to leaks. In 2024 dumped sewage 450,778 hours in rivers//akes. No exec prosecuted/fined
Rewarded with higher price and profit.
archive.ph/7aP8O
UU has 205+ criminal convictions.
Loses over 175bn litres of water to leaks. In 2024 dumped sewage 450,778 hours in rivers//akes. No exec prosecuted/fined
Rewarded with higher price and profit.
archive.ph/7aP8O
Reposted by Olly Gark
I love how, in a 20 year timeframe, we've "transitioned to a knowledge economy" - but somehow also unilaterally decided that knowing stuff is so fundamentally worthless, it can be outsourced to a Magic 8 Ball stuffed with pages from a thesaurus by a handful of sociopaths six thousand miles away
November 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
I love how, in a 20 year timeframe, we've "transitioned to a knowledge economy" - but somehow also unilaterally decided that knowing stuff is so fundamentally worthless, it can be outsourced to a Magic 8 Ball stuffed with pages from a thesaurus by a handful of sociopaths six thousand miles away
Reposted by Olly Gark
Reform lost by 11% in Caerphilly - because of a surge in turnout, because Reform looked set to win the seat.
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
October 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Reform lost by 11% in Caerphilly - because of a surge in turnout, because Reform looked set to win the seat.
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
This illustrates Reform's vulnerability *because* they are leading the polls (in a 6 party system) while being an *unpopular* party. A much bigger problem under FPTP 2029 than PR 2026
Reposted by Olly Gark
October 22, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Olly Gark
Reform Party's only black branch chair quits over migration issues, Christian nationalism - www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s only Black branch chair quits over ‘harmful’ migration debate
Exclusive: Neville Watson leaves amid concerns about weaponisation of religion and erosion of community relations
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Reform Party's only black branch chair quits over migration issues, Christian nationalism - www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Olly Gark
Oh and this one I love but don't exactly know why. Taken a couple of months ago in the rain.
#ColorADay #RedWed #EastCoastKin #Philly #StreetPhotography (?) #Photography
#ColorADay #RedWed #EastCoastKin #Philly #StreetPhotography (?) #Photography
October 23, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Oh and this one I love but don't exactly know why. Taken a couple of months ago in the rain.
#ColorADay #RedWed #EastCoastKin #Philly #StreetPhotography (?) #Photography
#ColorADay #RedWed #EastCoastKin #Philly #StreetPhotography (?) #Photography
Reposted by Olly Gark
Chaos engulfs Reform UK in Northumberland
October has been chaotic for Reform UK in Northumberland, with three councillors expelled amid infighting, controversy, and scandal
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
October has been chaotic for Reform UK in Northumberland, with three councillors expelled amid infighting, controversy, and scandal
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Chaos engulfs Reform UK in Northumberland
October has been chaotic for Reform UK in Northumberland, with three councillors expelled amid infighting, controversy, and scandal
northeastbylines.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Chaos engulfs Reform UK in Northumberland
October has been chaotic for Reform UK in Northumberland, with three councillors expelled amid infighting, controversy, and scandal
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
October has been chaotic for Reform UK in Northumberland, with three councillors expelled amid infighting, controversy, and scandal
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Olly Gark
Weird how time works isn’t it? In some US states a pregnant 11 year-old isn’t allowed an abortion because they need to deal with the “adult” consequences of getting pregnant, but 35 year-old neo-Nazis in the govt group chat are “boys” doing “things young boys do”
October 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Weird how time works isn’t it? In some US states a pregnant 11 year-old isn’t allowed an abortion because they need to deal with the “adult” consequences of getting pregnant, but 35 year-old neo-Nazis in the govt group chat are “boys” doing “things young boys do”
Reposted by Olly Gark
It costs ~$70 to produce a year’s supply of insulin.
Yet, the average annual cost of insulin went from $2,864 in 2012 to $5,705 in 2016 to $18,000 in 2025. A 25,714% markup. That isn’t inflation or supply chain—It’s corporate greed.
Now—California will sell insulin for $11. Make this nationwide!
Yet, the average annual cost of insulin went from $2,864 in 2012 to $5,705 in 2016 to $18,000 in 2025. A 25,714% markup. That isn’t inflation or supply chain—It’s corporate greed.
Now—California will sell insulin for $11. Make this nationwide!
October 17, 2025 at 3:43 AM
It costs ~$70 to produce a year’s supply of insulin.
Yet, the average annual cost of insulin went from $2,864 in 2012 to $5,705 in 2016 to $18,000 in 2025. A 25,714% markup. That isn’t inflation or supply chain—It’s corporate greed.
Now—California will sell insulin for $11. Make this nationwide!
Yet, the average annual cost of insulin went from $2,864 in 2012 to $5,705 in 2016 to $18,000 in 2025. A 25,714% markup. That isn’t inflation or supply chain—It’s corporate greed.
Now—California will sell insulin for $11. Make this nationwide!
Reposted by Olly Gark
A story in three parts
October 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A story in three parts
Reposted by Olly Gark
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Olly Gark
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Olly Gark
1. Nations that have bestowed lavish gifts to President Trump — or enriched Trump and his family by striking business deals with Trump-connected companies — have later received extraordinary benefits from the Trump administration.
Quid Pro Presidency
Nations that have bestowed lavish gifts to President Trump — or enriched Trump and his family by striking business deals with Trump-connected companies — have later received extraordinary benefits…
popular.info
October 14, 2025 at 12:49 PM
1. Nations that have bestowed lavish gifts to President Trump — or enriched Trump and his family by striking business deals with Trump-connected companies — have later received extraordinary benefits from the Trump administration.
Reposted by Olly Gark
Neoliberalism is dying. What comes next? youtu.be/VIdhnKskSh8?...
Neoliberalism promised prosperity but delivered austerity, insecurity, and despair. It hollowed out our public services, undermined democracy, and left wealth in the hands of the few.
In this video, I ask "What comes next?"
Neoliberalism promised prosperity but delivered austerity, insecurity, and despair. It hollowed out our public services, undermined democracy, and left wealth in the hands of the few.
In this video, I ask "What comes next?"
Neoliberalism is dying. What comes next?
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
October 14, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Neoliberalism is dying. What comes next? youtu.be/VIdhnKskSh8?...
Neoliberalism promised prosperity but delivered austerity, insecurity, and despair. It hollowed out our public services, undermined democracy, and left wealth in the hands of the few.
In this video, I ask "What comes next?"
Neoliberalism promised prosperity but delivered austerity, insecurity, and despair. It hollowed out our public services, undermined democracy, and left wealth in the hands of the few.
In this video, I ask "What comes next?"
Why is the fucking school sending me emails at 7:30 on Saturday.
The 13th this week.
FUCK OFF
Go back to a piece of A4 on Friday
The 13th this week.
FUCK OFF
Go back to a piece of A4 on Friday
October 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Why is the fucking school sending me emails at 7:30 on Saturday.
The 13th this week.
FUCK OFF
Go back to a piece of A4 on Friday
The 13th this week.
FUCK OFF
Go back to a piece of A4 on Friday
Reposted by Olly Gark
Politician struggling with Britain's intractable problems? This one neat trick will enable you to see easy solutions for everything: simply lose the election! My SKETCH of Tory conference.
thecritic.co.uk/supe...
thecritic.co.uk/supe...
October 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Politician struggling with Britain's intractable problems? This one neat trick will enable you to see easy solutions for everything: simply lose the election! My SKETCH of Tory conference.
thecritic.co.uk/supe...
thecritic.co.uk/supe...
Reposted by Olly Gark
“AI is the asbestos we are shoveling into the walls of our society and our descendants will be digging it out for generations”
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Cory Doctorow Says the AI Industry Is About to Collapse
Famed sci-fi author and tech journalist Cory Doctorow has a spectacularly grim warning about the coming AI-fueled economic disaster.
futurism.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:06 AM
“AI is the asbestos we are shoveling into the walls of our society and our descendants will be digging it out for generations”
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Reposted by Olly Gark
Radical left millennials have killed another company soon after it was taken over by private equity.
Claire's Accessories closing down, but you will NOT predict the reason given.
October 5, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Radical left millennials have killed another company soon after it was taken over by private equity.
Reposted by Olly Gark
The UK was the only country in the world to set up a VIP lane to procure PPE…
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The previous government also spent £b’s on a 2nd VIP lane procuring Covid Tests
🚨Only referrals from the Conservative Party were successful ⬇️
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The previous government also spent £b’s on a 2nd VIP lane procuring Covid Tests
🚨Only referrals from the Conservative Party were successful ⬇️
"No other political party was able to refer a company onto the VIP lane and then go on to win contracts..."
Talking #PPE and the Tories crony contracts during the Covid era with @russellscott1.bsky.social
@goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Talking #PPE and the Tories crony contracts during the Covid era with @russellscott1.bsky.social
@goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Byline Podcast: PPE, The Pandemic and Cronyism with Russell Scott
Adrian Goldberg hears from Russell Scott, author of 'VIP Lane – Cronysim and the Pandemic', which is out now via Byline Books.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Learn mor...
podfollow.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The UK was the only country in the world to set up a VIP lane to procure PPE…
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The previous government also spent £b’s on a 2nd VIP lane procuring Covid Tests
🚨Only referrals from the Conservative Party were successful ⬇️
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The previous government also spent £b’s on a 2nd VIP lane procuring Covid Tests
🚨Only referrals from the Conservative Party were successful ⬇️
Reposted by Olly Gark
Word of the Day is ‘tandsmør’, from Danish. It describes bread that is buttered so thickly you can see tooth marks in it after every bite. Its literal translation? ‘Tooth butter’.
October 5, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Word of the Day is ‘tandsmør’, from Danish. It describes bread that is buttered so thickly you can see tooth marks in it after every bite. Its literal translation? ‘Tooth butter’.
Reposted by Olly Gark
Did you know..
- There were 2 VIP lanes for contracts during pandemic?
- ~£15 billion of taxpayer ££ was wasted on medical goods
- 1 million pallets of PPE has been burnt at cost to taxpayer of £8.6 bn.
Listen to 👇 wrt to the shocking scale, consequences & outcomes of VIP lane contracts.
- There were 2 VIP lanes for contracts during pandemic?
- ~£15 billion of taxpayer ££ was wasted on medical goods
- 1 million pallets of PPE has been burnt at cost to taxpayer of £8.6 bn.
Listen to 👇 wrt to the shocking scale, consequences & outcomes of VIP lane contracts.
"No other political party was able to refer a company onto the VIP lane and then go on to win contracts..."
Talking #PPE and the Tories crony contracts during the Covid era with @russellscott1.bsky.social
@goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Talking #PPE and the Tories crony contracts during the Covid era with @russellscott1.bsky.social
@goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social
podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Byline Podcast: PPE, The Pandemic and Cronyism with Russell Scott
Adrian Goldberg hears from Russell Scott, author of 'VIP Lane – Cronysim and the Pandemic', which is out now via Byline Books.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Learn mor...
podfollow.com
October 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Did you know..
- There were 2 VIP lanes for contracts during pandemic?
- ~£15 billion of taxpayer ££ was wasted on medical goods
- 1 million pallets of PPE has been burnt at cost to taxpayer of £8.6 bn.
Listen to 👇 wrt to the shocking scale, consequences & outcomes of VIP lane contracts.
- There were 2 VIP lanes for contracts during pandemic?
- ~£15 billion of taxpayer ££ was wasted on medical goods
- 1 million pallets of PPE has been burnt at cost to taxpayer of £8.6 bn.
Listen to 👇 wrt to the shocking scale, consequences & outcomes of VIP lane contracts.
Reposted by Olly Gark
"You should never overestimate the extent to which the BBC changed this country by giving endless airtime to Nigel Farage, other far right extremists and the Tufton Street junktanks, while shutting out progressive voices."
– George Monbiot
– George Monbiot
October 3, 2025 at 3:41 PM
"You should never overestimate the extent to which the BBC changed this country by giving endless airtime to Nigel Farage, other far right extremists and the Tufton Street junktanks, while shutting out progressive voices."
– George Monbiot
– George Monbiot
Reposted by Olly Gark
I wrote this about how the Gen Z revolts have the potential to spread:
Fire In The Mountains
Could Nepal’s Gen Z revolt spread to the US and UK?
open.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I wrote this about how the Gen Z revolts have the potential to spread: