@donleski.bsky.social
Reposted
The budget didn't bother the powerful.
No windfall tax on banks. Govt subsidy of £23bn+ continues.
No windfall tax on energy companies, £125bn profit since 2020.
Corporate profiteering and subsidies continue. No curbs on corporate welfare.
85,500 have wealth of £2.8 trillion, hardly touched.
No windfall tax on banks. Govt subsidy of £23bn+ continues.
No windfall tax on energy companies, £125bn profit since 2020.
Corporate profiteering and subsidies continue. No curbs on corporate welfare.
85,500 have wealth of £2.8 trillion, hardly touched.
The government’s budget is simply managing decline
The budget does little to improve living standards or facilitate sustained economic growth
leftfootforward.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The budget didn't bother the powerful.
No windfall tax on banks. Govt subsidy of £23bn+ continues.
No windfall tax on energy companies, £125bn profit since 2020.
Corporate profiteering and subsidies continue. No curbs on corporate welfare.
85,500 have wealth of £2.8 trillion, hardly touched.
No windfall tax on banks. Govt subsidy of £23bn+ continues.
No windfall tax on energy companies, £125bn profit since 2020.
Corporate profiteering and subsidies continue. No curbs on corporate welfare.
85,500 have wealth of £2.8 trillion, hardly touched.
Reposted
Wrote this pre-Budget but seems even more relevant now.
The obsession with OBR/forecasts (and even more so the current absurd media firestorm)is a pointless distraction from the UK's real economic and fiscal problems.
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
The obsession with OBR/forecasts (and even more so the current absurd media firestorm)is a pointless distraction from the UK's real economic and fiscal problems.
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
Blaming the OBR for the Budget maths is a waste of time
The government must explain why tax reform is necessary and desirable for fiscal sustainability
www.ft.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Wrote this pre-Budget but seems even more relevant now.
The obsession with OBR/forecasts (and even more so the current absurd media firestorm)is a pointless distraction from the UK's real economic and fiscal problems.
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
The obsession with OBR/forecasts (and even more so the current absurd media firestorm)is a pointless distraction from the UK's real economic and fiscal problems.
www.ft.com/content/a06d...
Reposted
London: 7°C - Pitlochry: -2°C
Yet the person freezing in Pitlochry pays more for electricity — electricity generated in their own town.
Meanwhile, London, which produces almost none, pays less.
This isn’t just unfair. It’s exploitation. And it’s happening in Scotland every single day.
#AreYouYesYet
Yet the person freezing in Pitlochry pays more for electricity — electricity generated in their own town.
Meanwhile, London, which produces almost none, pays less.
This isn’t just unfair. It’s exploitation. And it’s happening in Scotland every single day.
#AreYouYesYet
November 27, 2025 at 7:02 AM
London: 7°C - Pitlochry: -2°C
Yet the person freezing in Pitlochry pays more for electricity — electricity generated in their own town.
Meanwhile, London, which produces almost none, pays less.
This isn’t just unfair. It’s exploitation. And it’s happening in Scotland every single day.
#AreYouYesYet
Yet the person freezing in Pitlochry pays more for electricity — electricity generated in their own town.
Meanwhile, London, which produces almost none, pays less.
This isn’t just unfair. It’s exploitation. And it’s happening in Scotland every single day.
#AreYouYesYet
Reposted
Thanks to TalkingUpScotland for this...
On the back of the covid report we continue to have attacks on Nicola Surgeon's handling of events for the Scottish public.
These attacks are puerile & pathetic, I know because I was there!
🏴🏴🏴
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/21/w...
On the back of the covid report we continue to have attacks on Nicola Surgeon's handling of events for the Scottish public.
These attacks are puerile & pathetic, I know because I was there!
🏴🏴🏴
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/21/w...
Why has STV forgotten their own report – ‘World Health Organisation tells Scotland ‘you are doing well’’ as the Covid inquiry and try to blame Scotland’s FM?
Sir David NabarroKCMG CBE Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to for reminding me of this: From STV, the above and: A special envoy to the World Health Organisation has said he is impressed with ho…
talkingupscotlandtwo.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Thanks to TalkingUpScotland for this...
On the back of the covid report we continue to have attacks on Nicola Surgeon's handling of events for the Scottish public.
These attacks are puerile & pathetic, I know because I was there!
🏴🏴🏴
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/21/w...
On the back of the covid report we continue to have attacks on Nicola Surgeon's handling of events for the Scottish public.
These attacks are puerile & pathetic, I know because I was there!
🏴🏴🏴
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/21/w...
Reposted
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
Reposted
Post Office Horizon IT contract extended for another year.
PO to pay £41m to Fujitsu.
Fujitsu was instrumental in persecution of innocent postmasters. £1.2bn compensation paid from public purse. More to follow. Fujitsu haven't paid a penny, no one has been charged.
Why is Fujitsu being rewarded?
PO to pay £41m to Fujitsu.
Fujitsu was instrumental in persecution of innocent postmasters. £1.2bn compensation paid from public purse. More to follow. Fujitsu haven't paid a penny, no one has been charged.
Why is Fujitsu being rewarded?
Post Office Horizon IT contract extended for another year
It is paying £41m to the Japanese-owned company Fujitsu to use the Horizon system until March 2027.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Post Office Horizon IT contract extended for another year.
PO to pay £41m to Fujitsu.
Fujitsu was instrumental in persecution of innocent postmasters. £1.2bn compensation paid from public purse. More to follow. Fujitsu haven't paid a penny, no one has been charged.
Why is Fujitsu being rewarded?
PO to pay £41m to Fujitsu.
Fujitsu was instrumental in persecution of innocent postmasters. £1.2bn compensation paid from public purse. More to follow. Fujitsu haven't paid a penny, no one has been charged.
Why is Fujitsu being rewarded?
Reposted
UK pensioners account for 44% of all taxpayers facing HMRC bill for interest earned on savings.
Personal allowance frozen since 2021. More pensioners caught in tax and poverty trap, recieve unexpected tax bills.
Phoning HMRC for help is a nightmare.
Personal allowance frozen since 2021. More pensioners caught in tax and poverty trap, recieve unexpected tax bills.
Phoning HMRC for help is a nightmare.
Half of taxpayers facing HMRC interest bills are pensioners
Pensioners account for almost half (44 per cent) of all taxpayers facing an HMRC bill for interest earned on their cash savings, according to a freedom of information request by AJ Bell.
www.ftadviser.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:35 AM
UK pensioners account for 44% of all taxpayers facing HMRC bill for interest earned on savings.
Personal allowance frozen since 2021. More pensioners caught in tax and poverty trap, recieve unexpected tax bills.
Phoning HMRC for help is a nightmare.
Personal allowance frozen since 2021. More pensioners caught in tax and poverty trap, recieve unexpected tax bills.
Phoning HMRC for help is a nightmare.
Reposted
Shetland lands more fish than England, Northern Ireland and Wales combined.
The whole of Scotland got allocated 8% of a new fisheries and coastal fund.
Successive UK governments have shown that that they don't understand or care about our fishing industry.
Scottish Independence please.
The whole of Scotland got allocated 8% of a new fisheries and coastal fund.
Successive UK governments have shown that that they don't understand or care about our fishing industry.
Scottish Independence please.
October 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Shetland lands more fish than England, Northern Ireland and Wales combined.
The whole of Scotland got allocated 8% of a new fisheries and coastal fund.
Successive UK governments have shown that that they don't understand or care about our fishing industry.
Scottish Independence please.
The whole of Scotland got allocated 8% of a new fisheries and coastal fund.
Successive UK governments have shown that that they don't understand or care about our fishing industry.
Scottish Independence please.
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Private equity takeover of US hospitals led to rise in patient deaths.
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Private equity takeover of hospitals led to rise in Medicare emergency patient deaths, says study
Study found seven more deaths per 10,000 patients in private equity hospitals’ versus non-private equity hospitals
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Private equity takeover of US hospitals led to rise in patient deaths.
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Reposted
Greater Anglia rail passenger operator nationalised.
Govt will rent carriages.
Lucrative freight and rolling stock companies remain privatised.
3 Luxembourg-based companies control 87% of rolling stock, paid £1.3bn dividend in last 3 years which bears no UK tax.
Gravy train rolls on.
Govt will rent carriages.
Lucrative freight and rolling stock companies remain privatised.
3 Luxembourg-based companies control 87% of rolling stock, paid £1.3bn dividend in last 3 years which bears no UK tax.
Gravy train rolls on.
Rail operator Greater Anglia transfers to public ownership
Greater Anglia describes renationalisation as a step towards a
www.bbc.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Greater Anglia rail passenger operator nationalised.
Govt will rent carriages.
Lucrative freight and rolling stock companies remain privatised.
3 Luxembourg-based companies control 87% of rolling stock, paid £1.3bn dividend in last 3 years which bears no UK tax.
Gravy train rolls on.
Govt will rent carriages.
Lucrative freight and rolling stock companies remain privatised.
3 Luxembourg-based companies control 87% of rolling stock, paid £1.3bn dividend in last 3 years which bears no UK tax.
Gravy train rolls on.
Reposted
Look what a small, independent nation can do. 🇮🇪
Why not Scotland? 🏴
It’s time to get out of Broken, Brexit Britain, it’s time for independence. 🏴
Why not Scotland? 🏴
It’s time to get out of Broken, Brexit Britain, it’s time for independence. 🏴
October 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Look what a small, independent nation can do. 🇮🇪
Why not Scotland? 🏴
It’s time to get out of Broken, Brexit Britain, it’s time for independence. 🏴
Why not Scotland? 🏴
It’s time to get out of Broken, Brexit Britain, it’s time for independence. 🏴
Reposted
This is a lie.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
October 7, 2025 at 8:03 AM
This is a lie.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
Reposted
England nationalized rail passenger services lease carriages from rolling stock companies (ROSCOs).
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
If the government wants economic growth it must bring essential industries into public ownership
Successive governments clobber households and small businesses by hiking interest rates to manage inflation, but don’t inconvenience corporations.
leftfootforward.org
October 3, 2025 at 5:27 PM
England nationalized rail passenger services lease carriages from rolling stock companies (ROSCOs).
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
Reposted
Reposted
Finland closed down all its for profit schools in the 1970’s.
They have had the best education in the world for the last 20 years.
You should cheer every time a private school closes.
They have had the best education in the world for the last 20 years.
You should cheer every time a private school closes.
September 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Finland closed down all its for profit schools in the 1970’s.
They have had the best education in the world for the last 20 years.
You should cheer every time a private school closes.
They have had the best education in the world for the last 20 years.
You should cheer every time a private school closes.
Reposted
The River Cam should flow with pure chalk spring water. Instead, it runs on sewage outflows laced with phosphorus, and it's killing life in the river. Read the full story for this week's #BigRiverWatch ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Dry summers, dirty water: the river Cam’s slow collapse
The river Cam faces crisis from sewage pollution, over-abstraction, and inaction – locals fight to save its wildlife and natural flow
eastangliabylines.co.uk
September 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The River Cam should flow with pure chalk spring water. Instead, it runs on sewage outflows laced with phosphorus, and it's killing life in the river. Read the full story for this week's #BigRiverWatch ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Reposted
No immigrant caused hikes in the price of energy, water, food, banking, insurance, internet; decline of manufacturing, lack of social housing; PFI; potholed roads; climate change; lack of skilled labour; crisis at universities.
Neoliberalism did that
Why is Labour not countering Reform narratives?
Neoliberalism did that
Why is Labour not countering Reform narratives?
Why the reshuffle alone won’t change the government’s fortunes
"For better electoral fortunes, the government needs to junk neoliberal policies, never-ending austerity; directly invest in infrastructure and redistribute income and wealth."
leftfootforward.org
September 17, 2025 at 8:29 AM
No immigrant caused hikes in the price of energy, water, food, banking, insurance, internet; decline of manufacturing, lack of social housing; PFI; potholed roads; climate change; lack of skilled labour; crisis at universities.
Neoliberalism did that
Why is Labour not countering Reform narratives?
Neoliberalism did that
Why is Labour not countering Reform narratives?
Reposted
Fantastic column by @stephenkb.bsky.social
"Racism in the UK remains the preserve of an extreme minority — but one that is emboldened and growing louder.
It is the result of a year in which neither the government nor the opposition have been willing to draw red lines."
www.ft.com/content/fbbd...
"Racism in the UK remains the preserve of an extreme minority — but one that is emboldened and growing louder.
It is the result of a year in which neither the government nor the opposition have been willing to draw red lines."
www.ft.com/content/fbbd...
Starmer and Badenoch are handling the far-right march all wrong
A look back to the days of Enoch Powell suggests a better model
www.ft.com
September 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Fantastic column by @stephenkb.bsky.social
"Racism in the UK remains the preserve of an extreme minority — but one that is emboldened and growing louder.
It is the result of a year in which neither the government nor the opposition have been willing to draw red lines."
www.ft.com/content/fbbd...
"Racism in the UK remains the preserve of an extreme minority — but one that is emboldened and growing louder.
It is the result of a year in which neither the government nor the opposition have been willing to draw red lines."
www.ft.com/content/fbbd...
Reposted
Nigel Farage (Dulwich), Danny Kruger (Eton), Richard Tice (Uppingham) and Isabel Oakeshott (Gordonstoun) aren't 'standing up to the elite'. They are the elite.
September 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Nigel Farage (Dulwich), Danny Kruger (Eton), Richard Tice (Uppingham) and Isabel Oakeshott (Gordonstoun) aren't 'standing up to the elite'. They are the elite.
Reposted
Privatisation cult destroying UK.
UK gave away North Sea oil/gas, low fees/tax, collected $11 a barrel revenue, wasted on tax cuts for corporations/rich
Norway didn't, levied higher tax, got $30 a barrel.
Norway has $2trn sovereign fund. UK has economic crisis, still obsessed with privatisation
UK gave away North Sea oil/gas, low fees/tax, collected $11 a barrel revenue, wasted on tax cuts for corporations/rich
Norway didn't, levied higher tax, got $30 a barrel.
Norway has $2trn sovereign fund. UK has economic crisis, still obsessed with privatisation
How successive government have created a new rentier economy
Governments appease corporations and the super-rich by following the old policies which benefit a few.
leftfootforward.org
September 10, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Privatisation cult destroying UK.
UK gave away North Sea oil/gas, low fees/tax, collected $11 a barrel revenue, wasted on tax cuts for corporations/rich
Norway didn't, levied higher tax, got $30 a barrel.
Norway has $2trn sovereign fund. UK has economic crisis, still obsessed with privatisation
UK gave away North Sea oil/gas, low fees/tax, collected $11 a barrel revenue, wasted on tax cuts for corporations/rich
Norway didn't, levied higher tax, got $30 a barrel.
Norway has $2trn sovereign fund. UK has economic crisis, still obsessed with privatisation
Reposted
EXCLUSIVE - Today the Guardian is publishing the Boris Files
A trove of leaked data from the office of Boris Johnson.
It reveals how Johnson is using the relationships forged in the UK’s highest elected office to facilitate his personal enrichment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
A trove of leaked data from the office of Boris Johnson.
It reveals how Johnson is using the relationships forged in the UK’s highest elected office to facilitate his personal enrichment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
What are the Boris Files and what do they reveal about former PM’s conduct?
Leaked material from Johnson’s private office raises serious questions relating to his time in No 10 and since he resigned
www.theguardian.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
EXCLUSIVE - Today the Guardian is publishing the Boris Files
A trove of leaked data from the office of Boris Johnson.
It reveals how Johnson is using the relationships forged in the UK’s highest elected office to facilitate his personal enrichment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
A trove of leaked data from the office of Boris Johnson.
It reveals how Johnson is using the relationships forged in the UK’s highest elected office to facilitate his personal enrichment.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted
Lest we forget . . "Scotland is the coldest part of the UK and pays the highest heating costs, despite producing massive amounts of surplus energy. In September 2024 the Labour UK government, including 35 of Scotland’s 37 Labour MPs, voted to cut pensioners’ Winter Heating Allowance." #Indyclan
January 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Lest we forget . . "Scotland is the coldest part of the UK and pays the highest heating costs, despite producing massive amounts of surplus energy. In September 2024 the Labour UK government, including 35 of Scotland’s 37 Labour MPs, voted to cut pensioners’ Winter Heating Allowance." #Indyclan
Reposted
In a functioning democracy with a decent press, these would be wall-to-wall headlines:
Fury as Farage Urges U.S. to Punish Britain
Farage Accused of Undermining UK Sovereignty
But no...
"The stamp duty receipt that ended Angela Rayner’s career"
FML
Fury as Farage Urges U.S. to Punish Britain
Farage Accused of Undermining UK Sovereignty
But no...
"The stamp duty receipt that ended Angela Rayner’s career"
FML
September 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
In a functioning democracy with a decent press, these would be wall-to-wall headlines:
Fury as Farage Urges U.S. to Punish Britain
Farage Accused of Undermining UK Sovereignty
But no...
"The stamp duty receipt that ended Angela Rayner’s career"
FML
Fury as Farage Urges U.S. to Punish Britain
Farage Accused of Undermining UK Sovereignty
But no...
"The stamp duty receipt that ended Angela Rayner’s career"
FML
Reposted
