David Brennan
@djsb101.bsky.social
Labour markets, skills and policy. UK.
In favour of Diversity. In favour of Equality. In favour of Inclusion.
www.brennanwilson.co.uk
In favour of Diversity. In favour of Equality. In favour of Inclusion.
www.brennanwilson.co.uk
Pinned
David Brennan
@djsb101.bsky.social
· Apr 5
Devolution is an opportunity to unleash the power of colleges for…
A new report published today (Friday 4 April), shows that with modest changes to the devolution system, colleges can be unleashed to deliver so much more…
www.aoc.co.uk
Pleased to see that this report, which I co-authored with Think, has been endorsed by the AOC, city-region Mayors, sector bodies like the CITB, and the BCC. Let's hope ministers listen to the call to replace our market-led skills system with a local plan-led one.
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
www.ons.gov.uk/news/news/on...
If you don't measure things you can't have meaningful government policy to change them.
If you don't measure things you can't have meaningful government policy to change them.
November 12, 2025 at 11:33 AM
www.ons.gov.uk/news/news/on...
If you don't measure things you can't have meaningful government policy to change them.
If you don't measure things you can't have meaningful government policy to change them.
Reposted by David Brennan
Govt publishes England water companies' league of sewage dumping and pollution .
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced
Water and sewerage companies in England: environmental performance report for 2024
www.gov.uk
October 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Govt publishes England water companies' league of sewage dumping and pollution .
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced
Worst since 2011. 9 companies collectively received 19 out of possible 36 stars.
Thames Water the lowest rating of 1. Seven firms score only 2.
No fines on execs. No exec prosecuted. Dividends paid. Customers fleeced
Reposted by David Brennan
Government No 10 communications on this have also been inappropriate
bsky.app/profile/sund...
bsky.app/profile/sund...
Whatever the merits of the policy on information on work checks, this seems ill-judged and inappropriate messagimg & imagery from the UK government.
August 4, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Government No 10 communications on this have also been inappropriate
bsky.app/profile/sund...
bsky.app/profile/sund...
Reposted by David Brennan
We don't have to push children into poverty.
We don't have to make life harder for the sick and disabled.
We don't have to aid and abet genocide.
For too long, people have been denied a real political choice. Not anymore.
Join us at yourparty.uk
We don't have to make life harder for the sick and disabled.
We don't have to aid and abet genocide.
For too long, people have been denied a real political choice. Not anymore.
Join us at yourparty.uk
July 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
We don't have to push children into poverty.
We don't have to make life harder for the sick and disabled.
We don't have to aid and abet genocide.
For too long, people have been denied a real political choice. Not anymore.
Join us at yourparty.uk
We don't have to make life harder for the sick and disabled.
We don't have to aid and abet genocide.
For too long, people have been denied a real political choice. Not anymore.
Join us at yourparty.uk
Reposted by David Brennan
The government has quietly published 12 research reports, nearly all related to disability employment, disability poverty and the benefits system, all on the same day, just 8 days after MPs voted to impose £2 billion-a-year cuts to disability benefits.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-q...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-q...
Government quietly releases multiple disability research reports on the same day… eight days too late for MPs
The government has quietly published 12 detailed research reports, nearly all related to disability employment, disability poverty and the benefits system, all on the same day, just eight days afte…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
July 26, 2025 at 6:30 AM
The government has quietly published 12 research reports, nearly all related to disability employment, disability poverty and the benefits system, all on the same day, just 8 days after MPs voted to impose £2 billion-a-year cuts to disability benefits.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-q...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-q...
Reposted by David Brennan
1. New data shows employers investing 36% less in training per employee than in 2005 in real terms. This is both a cause and consequence of low economic growth & policy instability. It comes alongside a £1bn (20%) real terms cut in Government investment in adult skills in England compared to 2010.
July 25, 2025 at 9:28 AM
1. New data shows employers investing 36% less in training per employee than in 2005 in real terms. This is both a cause and consequence of low economic growth & policy instability. It comes alongside a £1bn (20%) real terms cut in Government investment in adult skills in England compared to 2010.
Reposted by David Brennan
July 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by David Brennan
Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname.
Exactly what you’d expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP.
Exactly what you’d expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP.
July 20, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname.
Exactly what you’d expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP.
Exactly what you’d expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP.
Reposted by David Brennan
2023: Forde told @aljazeera.com “Anti-black racism and Islamophobia is not taken as seriously as antisemitism within the Labour Party…”
🔗 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
🔗 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour accused of still not engaging with ‘hierarchy of racism’ claims
Author of report into party’s culture voices concern antisemitism is taken more seriously than other forms of racism
www.theguardian.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:26 PM
2023: Forde told @aljazeera.com “Anti-black racism and Islamophobia is not taken as seriously as antisemitism within the Labour Party…”
🔗 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
🔗 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I am mixed race Indian/Anglo-Irish. I have experienced racism from those who know my heritage and racists with special "paki radar".
I have no doubt that had my skin been darker my experience of racism would have been worse. I cannot fathom why it would be controversial to make this point.
I have no doubt that had my skin been darker my experience of racism would have been worse. I cannot fathom why it would be controversial to make this point.
July 18, 2025 at 7:46 AM
I am mixed race Indian/Anglo-Irish. I have experienced racism from those who know my heritage and racists with special "paki radar".
I have no doubt that had my skin been darker my experience of racism would have been worse. I cannot fathom why it would be controversial to make this point.
I have no doubt that had my skin been darker my experience of racism would have been worse. I cannot fathom why it would be controversial to make this point.
Reposted by David Brennan
Reeves to say cuts to City red tape will bring trickle-down benefits to households.
Don't do it.
Most post-2008 regs repealed. Regulators now requiredd to promote growth of City. Capital requirements diluted.
Will end in tears.
Boost manufacturing. Redistribute wealth to rebuild economy.
Don't do it.
Most post-2008 regs repealed. Regulators now requiredd to promote growth of City. Capital requirements diluted.
Will end in tears.
Boost manufacturing. Redistribute wealth to rebuild economy.
Reeves to say cuts to City red tape will bring trickle-down benefits to households
Chancellor to announce raft of deregulation changes as City regulators move to pare back transparency rules
www.theguardian.com
July 15, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Reeves to say cuts to City red tape will bring trickle-down benefits to households.
Don't do it.
Most post-2008 regs repealed. Regulators now requiredd to promote growth of City. Capital requirements diluted.
Will end in tears.
Boost manufacturing. Redistribute wealth to rebuild economy.
Don't do it.
Most post-2008 regs repealed. Regulators now requiredd to promote growth of City. Capital requirements diluted.
Will end in tears.
Boost manufacturing. Redistribute wealth to rebuild economy.
Reposted by David Brennan
CCTV appeal after man hurled racist abuse at family outside Wirral mosque
CCTV appeal after man hurled racist abuse at family outside Wirral mosque
A man had reportedly verbally abused members of the public near the Wirral Deen Centre in Birkenead on May 30
dlvr.it
July 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM
CCTV appeal after man hurled racist abuse at family outside Wirral mosque
Reposted by David Brennan
"This Bill will, even now, strip £2 billion from future claimants of Universal Credit health payments.
Around 750,000 people stand to lose an average of £3k a year.
And we know ¾ of those are living in material deprivation."
- @left-foot-forward.bsky.social
leftfootforward.org/2025/07/the-...
Around 750,000 people stand to lose an average of £3k a year.
And we know ¾ of those are living in material deprivation."
- @left-foot-forward.bsky.social
leftfootforward.org/2025/07/the-...
The welfare bill still threatens even deeper cuts and is morally indefensible
'This creates a two-tier welfare state: those lucky enough to qualify before the changes will receive support to live, though not necessarily with dignity'
leftfootforward.org
July 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM
"This Bill will, even now, strip £2 billion from future claimants of Universal Credit health payments.
Around 750,000 people stand to lose an average of £3k a year.
And we know ¾ of those are living in material deprivation."
- @left-foot-forward.bsky.social
leftfootforward.org/2025/07/the-...
Around 750,000 people stand to lose an average of £3k a year.
And we know ¾ of those are living in material deprivation."
- @left-foot-forward.bsky.social
leftfootforward.org/2025/07/the-...
Reposted by David Brennan
We have lost all contact with our UNRWA colleagues in Gaza, communications have been cut off.
This morning, for the first time in months, we did not receive their morning messages to say, "good morning" and "we are fine/alive".
We anxiously await to hear from our colleagues.
This morning, for the first time in months, we did not receive their morning messages to say, "good morning" and "we are fine/alive".
We anxiously await to hear from our colleagues.
June 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
We have lost all contact with our UNRWA colleagues in Gaza, communications have been cut off.
This morning, for the first time in months, we did not receive their morning messages to say, "good morning" and "we are fine/alive".
We anxiously await to hear from our colleagues.
This morning, for the first time in months, we did not receive their morning messages to say, "good morning" and "we are fine/alive".
We anxiously await to hear from our colleagues.
Reposted by David Brennan
Spending on benefits
Surprisingly the UK spends less on pensions, incapacity, unemployment and social care than peers nations
Surprisingly the UK spends less on pensions, incapacity, unemployment and social care than peers nations
June 2, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Spending on benefits
Surprisingly the UK spends less on pensions, incapacity, unemployment and social care than peers nations
Surprisingly the UK spends less on pensions, incapacity, unemployment and social care than peers nations
Reposted by David Brennan
Rushdi Abualouf reports that following its attack on the European hospital in Gaza, Israel is now preventing people from rescuing survivors.
May 14, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Rushdi Abualouf reports that following its attack on the European hospital in Gaza, Israel is now preventing people from rescuing survivors.
Reposted by David Brennan
We know the only real fix for the climate crisis is to cut emissions.
But in the Arctic, scientists are also trialling three surprising ways that might buy us time.
Read what they’re doing – and why.
But in the Arctic, scientists are also trialling three surprising ways that might buy us time.
Read what they’re doing – and why.
Arctic ice is vanishing – our bold experiment is trying to protect it
Scientists are pumping seawater onto existing ice to make it thicker and more resilient
eastangliabylines.co.uk
May 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
We know the only real fix for the climate crisis is to cut emissions.
But in the Arctic, scientists are also trialling three surprising ways that might buy us time.
Read what they’re doing – and why.
But in the Arctic, scientists are also trialling three surprising ways that might buy us time.
Read what they’re doing – and why.
Reposted by David Brennan
The Prime Minister imitating Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech is sickening.
That speech fuelled decades of racism and division. Echoing it today is a disgrace. It adds to anti-migrant rhetoric that puts lives at risk.
Shame on you, Keir Starmer.
That speech fuelled decades of racism and division. Echoing it today is a disgrace. It adds to anti-migrant rhetoric that puts lives at risk.
Shame on you, Keir Starmer.
May 12, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The Prime Minister imitating Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech is sickening.
That speech fuelled decades of racism and division. Echoing it today is a disgrace. It adds to anti-migrant rhetoric that puts lives at risk.
Shame on you, Keir Starmer.
That speech fuelled decades of racism and division. Echoing it today is a disgrace. It adds to anti-migrant rhetoric that puts lives at risk.
Shame on you, Keir Starmer.
Reposted by David Brennan
This is bullshit. You can say there are costs, you can even claim the costs outweigh the benefits. But to say that immigration has caused incalculable damage is not just hugely offensive to millions of people and their families, but simply empirically demonstrably wrong
If you thought the PM’s speech was punchy, his foreword to the immigration white paper says high net migration has done “incalculable damage” to the country.
That is a serious shift in tone for a Labour government/party.
That is a serious shift in tone for a Labour government/party.
May 12, 2025 at 10:25 AM
This is bullshit. You can say there are costs, you can even claim the costs outweigh the benefits. But to say that immigration has caused incalculable damage is not just hugely offensive to millions of people and their families, but simply empirically demonstrably wrong
Reposted by David Brennan
One again, this is simply not true.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
May 12, 2025 at 7:30 AM
One again, this is simply not true.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
Non-UK origin employeea have (slightly) higher median earnings than UK-origin ones -and the gap has if anything widened (slightly) recently.
Reposted by David Brennan
The claim by Yvette Cooper that there is a link between immigration and higher levels of inactivity (related to sickness and disability) has absolutely no basis in evidence or data.
Just retrofitting the evidence to the policy...
Just retrofitting the evidence to the policy...
May 11, 2025 at 8:10 AM
The claim by Yvette Cooper that there is a link between immigration and higher levels of inactivity (related to sickness and disability) has absolutely no basis in evidence or data.
Just retrofitting the evidence to the policy...
Just retrofitting the evidence to the policy...
Reposted by David Brennan
Just 13% of homes built in England and Wales in 2024 had heat pumps installed (58% had gas boilers).
New homes are by far the easiest part of the home heating puzzle to solve; regulations that prevent the installation of high-carbon heating in new homes should be a Government priority.
New homes are by far the easiest part of the home heating puzzle to solve; regulations that prevent the installation of high-carbon heating in new homes should be a Government priority.
May 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Just 13% of homes built in England and Wales in 2024 had heat pumps installed (58% had gas boilers).
New homes are by far the easiest part of the home heating puzzle to solve; regulations that prevent the installation of high-carbon heating in new homes should be a Government priority.
New homes are by far the easiest part of the home heating puzzle to solve; regulations that prevent the installation of high-carbon heating in new homes should be a Government priority.
Reposted by David Brennan
Latest ONS social trends data has some shocking stats on the experience of single parents of cost of living increases, including:
> Around 1 in 5 (20%) adults living alone with at least one dependent child had run out of food in the last two weeks
Available here: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
> Around 1 in 5 (20%) adults living alone with at least one dependent child had run out of food in the last two weeks
Available here: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
April 17, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Latest ONS social trends data has some shocking stats on the experience of single parents of cost of living increases, including:
> Around 1 in 5 (20%) adults living alone with at least one dependent child had run out of food in the last two weeks
Available here: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
> Around 1 in 5 (20%) adults living alone with at least one dependent child had run out of food in the last two weeks
Available here: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Interesting article
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Trade Wars Are Easy to Lose
Beijing has escalation dominance in the U.S.-Chinese tariff fight.
www.foreignaffairs.com
April 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Interesting article
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Pleased to see that this report, which I co-authored with Think, has been endorsed by the AOC, city-region Mayors, sector bodies like the CITB, and the BCC. Let's hope ministers listen to the call to replace our market-led skills system with a local plan-led one.
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
Devolution is an opportunity to unleash the power of colleges for…
A new report published today (Friday 4 April), shows that with modest changes to the devolution system, colleges can be unleashed to deliver so much more…
www.aoc.co.uk
April 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Pleased to see that this report, which I co-authored with Think, has been endorsed by the AOC, city-region Mayors, sector bodies like the CITB, and the BCC. Let's hope ministers listen to the call to replace our market-led skills system with a local plan-led one.
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...