David Lawrence
@davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social
Shooting for UK growth & progress with @britishprogress.org
Previously: Chatham House research fellow and Labour parliamentary candidate.
Britain could have the highest living standards in the world!
Previously: Chatham House research fellow and Labour parliamentary candidate.
Britain could have the highest living standards in the world!
3️⃣ Start with short-haul
Instead of relocating the M25 - a requirement for a long runway - a short-haul runway could be built within the current footprint. This would boost domestic and European flights while freeing up space for more long-haul travel on the main runways.
Instead of relocating the M25 - a requirement for a long runway - a short-haul runway could be built within the current footprint. This would boost domestic and European flights while freeing up space for more long-haul travel on the main runways.
July 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
3️⃣ Start with short-haul
Instead of relocating the M25 - a requirement for a long runway - a short-haul runway could be built within the current footprint. This would boost domestic and European flights while freeing up space for more long-haul travel on the main runways.
Instead of relocating the M25 - a requirement for a long runway - a short-haul runway could be built within the current footprint. This would boost domestic and European flights while freeing up space for more long-haul travel on the main runways.
2️⃣ Tighten the timetable
The Public Bill could be passed by early 2026. If ministers are prepared to override Standing Orders as the government did with Scunthorpe steelworks, the Bill could be enacted even faster.
The Public Bill could be passed by early 2026. If ministers are prepared to override Standing Orders as the government did with Scunthorpe steelworks, the Bill could be enacted even faster.
July 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
2️⃣ Tighten the timetable
The Public Bill could be passed by early 2026. If ministers are prepared to override Standing Orders as the government did with Scunthorpe steelworks, the Bill could be enacted even faster.
The Public Bill could be passed by early 2026. If ministers are prepared to override Standing Orders as the government did with Scunthorpe steelworks, the Bill could be enacted even faster.
1️⃣ Speed up planning
We struggle to build because our planning system is too slow and restrictive. A Public Bill on Heathrow expansion would empower Parliament to give the new runway the go-ahead, eliminating the risk of Judicial Review & reducing the number of veto players.
We struggle to build because our planning system is too slow and restrictive. A Public Bill on Heathrow expansion would empower Parliament to give the new runway the go-ahead, eliminating the risk of Judicial Review & reducing the number of veto players.
July 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
1️⃣ Speed up planning
We struggle to build because our planning system is too slow and restrictive. A Public Bill on Heathrow expansion would empower Parliament to give the new runway the go-ahead, eliminating the risk of Judicial Review & reducing the number of veto players.
We struggle to build because our planning system is too slow and restrictive. A Public Bill on Heathrow expansion would empower Parliament to give the new runway the go-ahead, eliminating the risk of Judicial Review & reducing the number of veto players.
We believe that a new runway in 4 years is possible. But it will require bold decisions. Here’s how you do it:
July 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
We believe that a new runway in 4 years is possible. But it will require bold decisions. Here’s how you do it:
But can we actually build a runway before the next election?
Doing so would not only deliver much-needed growth, it would send a clear message to ordinary people who have lost faith in politicians’ ability to deliver: a Britain that can build things again.
Doing so would not only deliver much-needed growth, it would send a clear message to ordinary people who have lost faith in politicians’ ability to deliver: a Britain that can build things again.
July 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
But can we actually build a runway before the next election?
Doing so would not only deliver much-needed growth, it would send a clear message to ordinary people who have lost faith in politicians’ ability to deliver: a Britain that can build things again.
Doing so would not only deliver much-needed growth, it would send a clear message to ordinary people who have lost faith in politicians’ ability to deliver: a Britain that can build things again.
It is a source of national shame that governments have spent decades failing to expand Heathrow.
It is the world’s most congested airport and operates with fewer runways than its competitors (excl Dubai, which runs through the night, and is building a whole new airport)
It is the world’s most congested airport and operates with fewer runways than its competitors (excl Dubai, which runs through the night, and is building a whole new airport)
July 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
It is a source of national shame that governments have spent decades failing to expand Heathrow.
It is the world’s most congested airport and operates with fewer runways than its competitors (excl Dubai, which runs through the night, and is building a whole new airport)
It is the world’s most congested airport and operates with fewer runways than its competitors (excl Dubai, which runs through the night, and is building a whole new airport)
The sobering conclusion is that if we want childcare to be cheaper for parents, we need the state to pick up the bill. Sweden, for instance, has a law requiring that childcare cannot cost more than 3% of parents’ gross income. The rest is publicly funded.
February 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The sobering conclusion is that if we want childcare to be cheaper for parents, we need the state to pick up the bill. Sweden, for instance, has a law requiring that childcare cannot cost more than 3% of parents’ gross income. The rest is publicly funded.
Childcare is just expensive: it is labour intensive and takes up many hours of the week. But unlike other developed countries, we pass on more of the cost directly to parents.
February 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Childcare is just expensive: it is labour intensive and takes up many hours of the week. But unlike other developed countries, we pass on more of the cost directly to parents.
It would be tempting to apply the same logic to high childcare costs. But the evidence shows that nursery providers operate on extremely narrow margins and childcarers are not paid much.
February 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
It would be tempting to apply the same logic to high childcare costs. But the evidence shows that nursery providers operate on extremely narrow margins and childcarers are not paid much.
The UK's economic malaise is often supply side: housing, energy & transport cost too much because there isn’t enough of them. Demand-side solutions can often backfire, as found with the previous government’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, which effectively subsidised housing inflation.
February 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The UK's economic malaise is often supply side: housing, energy & transport cost too much because there isn’t enough of them. Demand-side solutions can often backfire, as found with the previous government’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, which effectively subsidised housing inflation.
As @aveek18.bsky.social says, the birth rate challenge is too important to be left to the right.
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
February 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
As @aveek18.bsky.social says, the birth rate challenge is too important to be left to the right.
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
My small contribution to this essay collection is on the economics of childcare. Unlike many other parts of the economy, expensive childcare is not primarily a 'supply side' issue... 🧵
Oh, and Milton Keynes might just be the most iconic place for an AI Growth Zone. It is the home of Bletchley Park, where British computer scientist Alan Turing broke the enigma code. Turing pioneered AI theory and the world's first AI Safety Summit was held at Bletchley in 2023.
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Oh, and Milton Keynes might just be the most iconic place for an AI Growth Zone. It is the home of Bletchley Park, where British computer scientist Alan Turing broke the enigma code. Turing pioneered AI theory and the world's first AI Safety Summit was held at Bletchley in 2023.
The government is right to invest in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. But it would be a mistake to think that the corridor is just about the two cities at either end. Real innovation is already happening in the places in-between, like Milton Keynes.
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The government is right to invest in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. But it would be a mistake to think that the corridor is just about the two cities at either end. Real innovation is already happening in the places in-between, like Milton Keynes.
ABB Robotics have their robotics training centre in Milton Keynes. ABB builds robots for industrial purposes and industries of the future, including electric vehicles.
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
ABB Robotics have their robotics training centre in Milton Keynes. ABB builds robots for industrial purposes and industries of the future, including electric vehicles.
Autonomous vehicle manufacturer Aurrigo is developing its driverless pods in Milton Keynes, again working with the local council. Imagine all local authorities in the UK were as open to innovation as MK!
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Autonomous vehicle manufacturer Aurrigo is developing its driverless pods in Milton Keynes, again working with the local council. Imagine all local authorities in the UK were as open to innovation as MK!
US robotics company Omron has a lab in Milton Keynes for testing their robots for healthcare and industrial applications - a key growth sector at the frontier of AI development.
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
US robotics company Omron has a lab in Milton Keynes for testing their robots for healthcare and industrial applications - a key growth sector at the frontier of AI development.
There are some amazing examples. Perhaps most iconic is @starshiprobots.bsky.social, whose zero carbon robots can be seen traversing the streets of Milton Keynes delivering food & packages.
Kudos to MK Council for permitting & encouraging this innovation ahead of other local authorities!
Kudos to MK Council for permitting & encouraging this innovation ahead of other local authorities!
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
There are some amazing examples. Perhaps most iconic is @starshiprobots.bsky.social, whose zero carbon robots can be seen traversing the streets of Milton Keynes delivering food & packages.
Kudos to MK Council for permitting & encouraging this innovation ahead of other local authorities!
Kudos to MK Council for permitting & encouraging this innovation ahead of other local authorities!
I tried to map out companies in software, automation, robotics and automotives that base their UK operations in MK. Many of these are homegrown startups, others are international investors basing their UK/European HQ in MK. (and I almost certainly missed some!)
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I tried to map out companies in software, automation, robotics and automotives that base their UK operations in MK. Many of these are homegrown startups, others are international investors basing their UK/European HQ in MK. (and I almost certainly missed some!)
Milton Keynes beats Cambridge, Oxford and Manchester in terms of productivity, way above the UK average.
MK has a larger economy than either Oxford or Cambridge, thanks to its concentration of high-value firms in technology and innovation.
(Research from @centreforcities.bsky.social)
MK has a larger economy than either Oxford or Cambridge, thanks to its concentration of high-value firms in technology and innovation.
(Research from @centreforcities.bsky.social)
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Milton Keynes beats Cambridge, Oxford and Manchester in terms of productivity, way above the UK average.
MK has a larger economy than either Oxford or Cambridge, thanks to its concentration of high-value firms in technology and innovation.
(Research from @centreforcities.bsky.social)
MK has a larger economy than either Oxford or Cambridge, thanks to its concentration of high-value firms in technology and innovation.
(Research from @centreforcities.bsky.social)
What’s so exciting about the Oxford-Cambridge ‘growth corridor’?
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
February 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
What’s so exciting about the Oxford-Cambridge ‘growth corridor’?
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
It’s not just Oxford and Cambridge, which make up less than 15% of the corridor’s GDP.
It’s also places like Milton Keynes, one of the most innovative and productive parts of the UK. 🧵
We're hiring! @ukdayone.bsky.social is looking for an exceptional leader to become our Head of Operations.
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps
January 9, 2025 at 11:59 AM
We're hiring! @ukdayone.bsky.social is looking for an exceptional leader to become our Head of Operations.
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps
It's a great time to join the team - we are building the next stage of the organisation and looking to the future.
Full details here: ukdayone.org/headofopps
I really enjoyed this IFP Statecraft interview with @andrewgreenway.bsky.social & @pahlkadot.bsky.social, which is surprisingly positive about the potential for UK state capacity. We need more of this!
Full interview here: www.statecraft.pub/p/what-can-t...
Full interview here: www.statecraft.pub/p/what-can-t...
January 3, 2025 at 9:31 AM
I really enjoyed this IFP Statecraft interview with @andrewgreenway.bsky.social & @pahlkadot.bsky.social, which is surprisingly positive about the potential for UK state capacity. We need more of this!
Full interview here: www.statecraft.pub/p/what-can-t...
Full interview here: www.statecraft.pub/p/what-can-t...
10. Ending childhood lead poisoning: Lucia Coulter, @leecrawfurd.bsky.social & Tammy Tan highlight how, astonishingly, lead poisoning costs the UK the equivalent of 4.4% of GDP through its impact on children's health. Solving this would save lives and help the NHS.
ukdayone.org/briefings/a-...
ukdayone.org/briefings/a-...
December 28, 2024 at 6:44 PM
10. Ending childhood lead poisoning: Lucia Coulter, @leecrawfurd.bsky.social & Tammy Tan highlight how, astonishingly, lead poisoning costs the UK the equivalent of 4.4% of GDP through its impact on children's health. Solving this would save lives and help the NHS.
ukdayone.org/briefings/a-...
ukdayone.org/briefings/a-...
9. Devolving local transport: @hopkinsonben.bsky.social proposes new powers for local authorities to raise funds and invest in local transport, which is essential for growth. A win-win-win for devolution, regional growth and the green transition.
ukdayone.org/briefings/de...
ukdayone.org/briefings/de...
December 28, 2024 at 6:44 PM
9. Devolving local transport: @hopkinsonben.bsky.social proposes new powers for local authorities to raise funds and invest in local transport, which is essential for growth. A win-win-win for devolution, regional growth and the green transition.
ukdayone.org/briefings/de...
ukdayone.org/briefings/de...
8. Reform Judicial Review to get Britain building (I'm biased because I helped write this with Gabriel Moberg): JRs are being used to hold back, slow down and kill new projects - including energy and green infrastructure.
We propose 7 reforms here: ukdayone.org/briefings/re...
We propose 7 reforms here: ukdayone.org/briefings/re...
December 28, 2024 at 6:44 PM
8. Reform Judicial Review to get Britain building (I'm biased because I helped write this with Gabriel Moberg): JRs are being used to hold back, slow down and kill new projects - including energy and green infrastructure.
We propose 7 reforms here: ukdayone.org/briefings/re...
We propose 7 reforms here: ukdayone.org/briefings/re...