Ben Slapper
@benslapper.bsky.social
The Artist Formerly Known As Ben Walker-Collins
Do Westminster press stuff
Do Westminster press stuff
Pinned
Ben Slapper
@benslapper.bsky.social
· Jul 15
My name has changed due to marriage (thanks etc) so I am now called Ben Slapper. All previous nicknames, abbreviations and insults continue to be valid.
Reposted by Ben Slapper
Analysis from me - the budget build up was chaotic long before the OBR accidentally published it - and whoever succeeds Richard Hughes is likely to want reassurance they and their forecasts won’t be kicked all over the press:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
OBR chief’s exit may ease pressure on Rachel Reeves but the battle isn’t over
With the row deepening over budget leaks, who is most likely to replace Richard Hughes in the increasingly thankless role of chair?
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Analysis from me - the budget build up was chaotic long before the OBR accidentally published it - and whoever succeeds Richard Hughes is likely to want reassurance they and their forecasts won’t be kicked all over the press:
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Ben Slapper
When was the last time you read a positive post about UK politics? Well you may want to sit down for this.
I think this is one of the most professionally prepared, well balanced, and knowledgeable Commons Treasury C'tees ever constituted. OBR seems shocked at the depth and seriousness of questions.
I think this is one of the most professionally prepared, well balanced, and knowledgeable Commons Treasury C'tees ever constituted. OBR seems shocked at the depth and seriousness of questions.
December 2, 2025 at 11:41 AM
When was the last time you read a positive post about UK politics? Well you may want to sit down for this.
I think this is one of the most professionally prepared, well balanced, and knowledgeable Commons Treasury C'tees ever constituted. OBR seems shocked at the depth and seriousness of questions.
I think this is one of the most professionally prepared, well balanced, and knowledgeable Commons Treasury C'tees ever constituted. OBR seems shocked at the depth and seriousness of questions.
on.ft.com/45IjNvP
@stephenkb.bsky.social : Mismanagement, not budget cuts, is damaging UK’s official data
@stephenkb.bsky.social : Mismanagement, not budget cuts, is damaging UK’s official data
Mismanagement, not budget cuts, is damaging UK’s official data
Government is right to split the role of UK Statistics Authority chief
on.ft.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
on.ft.com/45IjNvP
@stephenkb.bsky.social : Mismanagement, not budget cuts, is damaging UK’s official data
@stephenkb.bsky.social : Mismanagement, not budget cuts, is damaging UK’s official data
Reposted by Ben Slapper
Reposted by Ben Slapper
“The litany of failures in UK statistics must stop” - excoriating words for ONS and UKSA from Simon Hoare MP, chair of the select committee, blaming poor governance for bad culture and collapse in standards. I agree, and under-resourcing is part of it.
on.ft.com/4olbXQa (£, DM for gift link)
on.ft.com/4olbXQa (£, DM for gift link)
The litany of failures in UK statistics must stop
My committee will press for transparency and accountability so that the country’s official data can be trusted
on.ft.com
August 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
“The litany of failures in UK statistics must stop” - excoriating words for ONS and UKSA from Simon Hoare MP, chair of the select committee, blaming poor governance for bad culture and collapse in standards. I agree, and under-resourcing is part of it.
on.ft.com/4olbXQa (£, DM for gift link)
on.ft.com/4olbXQa (£, DM for gift link)
PACAC Chair Simon Hoare on the state of official statistics
Expect more on this after recess !
Expect more on this after recess !
The litany of failures in UK statistics must stop on.ft.com/3HsGGKu | opinion
The litany of failures in UK statistics must stop
My committee will press for transparency and accountability so that the country’s official data can be trusted
on.ft.com
August 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
PACAC Chair Simon Hoare on the state of official statistics
Expect more on this after recess !
Expect more on this after recess !
Reposted by Ben Slapper
Well this by @jemima.bsky.social is fascinating on multiple levels...
Sunday at the garden party for Curtis Yarvin and the new, new right
What you learn at a gathering of neoreactionaries, Very Online rightwingers and the formerly cancelled
www.ft.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Well this by @jemima.bsky.social is fascinating on multiple levels...
Governor not exactly backing Chancellor statement that regulation is a ‘boot on the neck’ of business
on.ft.com/40uJFZg
on.ft.com/40uJFZg
Bank of England governor distances himself from Rachel Reeves’ attack on regulators
Andrew Bailey backs idea of reform but insists ‘we can’t compromise on basic financial stability’
on.ft.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Governor not exactly backing Chancellor statement that regulation is a ‘boot on the neck’ of business
on.ft.com/40uJFZg
on.ft.com/40uJFZg
My name has changed due to marriage (thanks etc) so I am now called Ben Slapper. All previous nicknames, abbreviations and insults continue to be valid.
July 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
My name has changed due to marriage (thanks etc) so I am now called Ben Slapper. All previous nicknames, abbreviations and insults continue to be valid.
Reposted by Ben Slapper
Excl: PACAC chair's warning over civil service culture 'destabilisation'
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
The government must avoid creating a destabilised culture in Whitehall
While our friends across the Atlantic favour the ostentatious and outrageous when it comes to tackling inefficiency, we must take a different appro...
www.civilserviceworld.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Excl: PACAC chair's warning over civil service culture 'destabilisation'
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Meg Hillier in today’s Mail:
A cashless society risks cutting off the vulnerable
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
A cashless society risks cutting off the vulnerable
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
A cashless society risks cutting off the vulnerable: DAME MEG HILLIER
Online banking and digital payment services have become the norm for many. However, there have been some devastating unintended consequences for some groups.
www.dailymail.co.uk
April 30, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Meg Hillier in today’s Mail:
A cashless society risks cutting off the vulnerable
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
A cashless society risks cutting off the vulnerable
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Meg Hillier in tomorrow’s Times:
If we can’t trust economics data, spending debates are built on sand
www.thetimes.com/article/0400...
If we can’t trust economics data, spending debates are built on sand
www.thetimes.com/article/0400...
If we can’t trust economics data, spending debates are built on sand
Without an accurate picture from the Office for National Statistics of productivity or employment, how can ministers or the Bank of England make the best decisions?
www.thetimes.com
April 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Meg Hillier in tomorrow’s Times:
If we can’t trust economics data, spending debates are built on sand
www.thetimes.com/article/0400...
If we can’t trust economics data, spending debates are built on sand
www.thetimes.com/article/0400...
Reposted by Ben Slapper
For once, though, good pushback, not least from the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee Meg Hillier - "where is the proof that stripping away financial services regulations will generate meaningful growth across the UK?" www.ft.com/content/57c1...
Show me the evidence that City deregulation will help growth
There is a severe risk of ‘Treasury capture’ as consumers are outgunned in the battle for the ear of policymakers
www.ft.com
February 18, 2025 at 8:55 AM
For once, though, good pushback, not least from the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee Meg Hillier - "where is the proof that stripping away financial services regulations will generate meaningful growth across the UK?" www.ft.com/content/57c1...
on.ft.com/3EI32pF Show me the evidence that City deregulation will help growth
Show me the evidence that City deregulation will help growth
There is a severe risk of ‘Treasury capture’ as consumers are outgunned in the battle for the ear of policymakers
on.ft.com
February 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
on.ft.com/3EI32pF Show me the evidence that City deregulation will help growth
Reposted by Ben Slapper
NEW
UK Parliament's Treasury Select Committee is calling in the govt's Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation to ask them questions about the effectiveness and implementation of Russian sanctions.
Next Tuesday. Def one to watch 👀 committees.parliament.uk/work/8654/wo...
UK Parliament's Treasury Select Committee is calling in the govt's Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation to ask them questions about the effectiveness and implementation of Russian sanctions.
Next Tuesday. Def one to watch 👀 committees.parliament.uk/work/8654/wo...
Work of the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation - Committees - UK Parliament
committees.parliament.uk
November 20, 2024 at 4:41 PM
NEW
UK Parliament's Treasury Select Committee is calling in the govt's Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation to ask them questions about the effectiveness and implementation of Russian sanctions.
Next Tuesday. Def one to watch 👀 committees.parliament.uk/work/8654/wo...
UK Parliament's Treasury Select Committee is calling in the govt's Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation to ask them questions about the effectiveness and implementation of Russian sanctions.
Next Tuesday. Def one to watch 👀 committees.parliament.uk/work/8654/wo...