@duncanik.bsky.social
As someone moving back to the UK with a foreign spouse this has been a source of intense anger and resentment. I imagine many in the same situation would simply say “why bother”? Still, reversing the more stupid elements should be pretty easy if any government were inclined to be sensible.
December 25, 2025 at 2:52 AM
As someone moving back to the UK with a foreign spouse this has been a source of intense anger and resentment. I imagine many in the same situation would simply say “why bother”? Still, reversing the more stupid elements should be pretty easy if any government were inclined to be sensible.
Reposted
Rightly lots of debates about growth this weekend - rightly because it was low productivity growth that saw wages entirely flatline during the 2010s.
November 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Rightly lots of debates about growth this weekend - rightly because it was low productivity growth that saw wages entirely flatline during the 2010s.
Reposted
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Reposted
Indonesia / bullet train project: "Our points of negotiations [with China] are concerning loan period, interest rates, and currencies,” Danantara’s [new SWF] chief operating officer Dony Oskaria said last month, adding that a deal was expected to be reached this year." www.ft.com/content/1cab...
Indonesia’s China-backed bullet train derailed by mounting debt
Jakarta is in restructuring talks with Beijing as flagship ‘Whoosh’ railway project racks up losses
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Indonesia / bullet train project: "Our points of negotiations [with China] are concerning loan period, interest rates, and currencies,” Danantara’s [new SWF] chief operating officer Dony Oskaria said last month, adding that a deal was expected to be reached this year." www.ft.com/content/1cab...
Reposted
After 80yrs of declining wealth inequality, top 1% and top 10% wealth share in the UK has flatlined for the past 40yrs.
via @resfoundation.bsky.social www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
via @resfoundation.bsky.social www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
October 8, 2025 at 7:58 AM
After 80yrs of declining wealth inequality, top 1% and top 10% wealth share in the UK has flatlined for the past 40yrs.
via @resfoundation.bsky.social www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
via @resfoundation.bsky.social www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
Reposted
I know statistics are poorly understood and are misused. But facts matter
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
October 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I know statistics are poorly understood and are misused. But facts matter
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
It is honestly not a very complicated issue. ID cards are perfectly normal in any number of democracies. They make life a lot more convenient on the whole and fundamentally do not add to the existing data that the state holds on you.
One more thing to say on ID cards. This is a complex issue, worth detailed and expert discussion. It needs time and attention, not knee-jerk or rushed policies for headlines and short-term political gain.
If we do this, it will be forever. We need to be very sure.
If we do this, it will be forever. We need to be very sure.
September 27, 2025 at 5:22 AM
It is honestly not a very complicated issue. ID cards are perfectly normal in any number of democracies. They make life a lot more convenient on the whole and fundamentally do not add to the existing data that the state holds on you.
In no world would the UK ambassador to the US usually be described as a senior government figure
I see that the BBC's Chris Mason has discovered that when N=2, he can draw a straight line that fits the data perfectly.
September 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
In no world would the UK ambassador to the US usually be described as a senior government figure
Reposted
He didn’t post it here but thought this was good on Stablecoin issues from @hentove.bsky.social www.statestreet.com/gb/en/insigh...
The stablecoin moment | State Street
The GENIUS Act marks a turning point in digital finance, establishing a regulated stablecoin framework that is set to reshape global monetary dynamics.
www.statestreet.com
September 1, 2025 at 8:26 PM
He didn’t post it here but thought this was good on Stablecoin issues from @hentove.bsky.social www.statestreet.com/gb/en/insigh...
Why am I so unsurprised that when the right comes for a Fed Governor it’s the black woman who’s in the target sights.
President Donald Trump has opened another front in his campaign to bend the Federal Reserve to his will, calling on Fed Governor Lisa Cook after a staunch ally called for an investigation of her mortgages
Trump Escalates Pressure Campaign on Fed, Calls for Cook to Quit
This is Washington Edition, the newsletter about money, power and politics in the nation’s capital. Today, senior editor Joe Sobczyk looks at the Trump administration’s latest salvo at the Federal Reserve. Sign up here and follow us at @bpolitics. Email our editors here.
bloom.bg
August 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Why am I so unsurprised that when the right comes for a Fed Governor it’s the black woman who’s in the target sights.
Reposted
1/ Trump's recent trade agreements with allies are revealing significant interpretation gaps. From Japan to South Korea to the EU, these deals lack formal documentation, creating ongoing disputes over fundamental terms.
August 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
1/ Trump's recent trade agreements with allies are revealing significant interpretation gaps. From Japan to South Korea to the EU, these deals lack formal documentation, creating ongoing disputes over fundamental terms.
Reposted
"And while African governments are right to push rating agencies to refine their approach, they must also work to ensure that they aren’t undermining their own ratings — for example, by failing to produce high-quality economic data, argues [Daouda] Sembene." www.ft.com/content/4bc5...
Rating the rating agencies in Africa
A new African Union-backed service aims to challenge the ‘big three’
www.ft.com
August 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
"And while African governments are right to push rating agencies to refine their approach, they must also work to ensure that they aren’t undermining their own ratings — for example, by failing to produce high-quality economic data, argues [Daouda] Sembene." www.ft.com/content/4bc5...
Reposted
I read somewhere that Texas is the Lonestar state. Like one star out of five?
April 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I read somewhere that Texas is the Lonestar state. Like one star out of five?
Reposted
It’s 9am TFT time here, and citizens are already gathering to protest Tariffs by the United States. Our plain clothes Officer Penguins are attempting to maintain calm, but unfortunately we keep losing them in the crowd.
April 3, 2025 at 4:13 AM
It’s 9am TFT time here, and citizens are already gathering to protest Tariffs by the United States. Our plain clothes Officer Penguins are attempting to maintain calm, but unfortunately we keep losing them in the crowd.
Reposted
Now confirmed by the White House.
April 3, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Now confirmed by the White House.
Reposted
Funnily enough, not a drag queen again.
Texas christian school CFO, Rory Waide, has been arrested for child grooming.
www.newswest9.com/article/news...
www.newswest9.com/article/news...
March 30, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Funnily enough, not a drag queen again.
Reposted
First official electric power data release of 2025 is out, and US solar production continues to grow rapidly. It's up 43% from this time last year, nearing summer-2022 levels in winter of 2025
March 27, 2025 at 6:56 PM
First official electric power data release of 2025 is out, and US solar production continues to grow rapidly. It's up 43% from this time last year, nearing summer-2022 levels in winter of 2025
Reposted
It wasn't mentioned in the Chancellor's speech, but the Spring Statement papers contain a major suite of anti-tax avoidance proposals, probably the toughest ever introduced.
Thread:
Thread:
March 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM
It wasn't mentioned in the Chancellor's speech, but the Spring Statement papers contain a major suite of anti-tax avoidance proposals, probably the toughest ever introduced.
Thread:
Thread:
Reposted
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/irs-p...
DOGE is costing us money we can’t afford to lose.
DOGE is costing us money we can’t afford to lose.
IRS Predicts DOGE Lost Half a Trillion Dollars for the USA
The Post reports today that the IRS’ internal projections estimate that the...
talkingpointsmemo.com
March 25, 2025 at 5:02 AM
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/irs-p...
DOGE is costing us money we can’t afford to lose.
DOGE is costing us money we can’t afford to lose.
Reposted
Last week we launched a free webapp that shows the tens of thousands of UK companies whose ownership is being hidden, in most cases unlawfully.
It's now easier to use, faster, and has way more features. Quick thread.
It's now easier to use, faster, and has way more features. Quick thread.
March 24, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Last week we launched a free webapp that shows the tens of thousands of UK companies whose ownership is being hidden, in most cases unlawfully.
It's now easier to use, faster, and has way more features. Quick thread.
It's now easier to use, faster, and has way more features. Quick thread.
Reposted
1/2
Interesting Caixin article on the redirection of Chinese ODI: "This eastward shift represents a significant realignment in global economic relationships, with China’s outward direct investment increasing 10.1% in 2024. Over 20% of these...
www.caixinglobal.com/2025-03-14/i...
Interesting Caixin article on the redirection of Chinese ODI: "This eastward shift represents a significant realignment in global economic relationships, with China’s outward direct investment increasing 10.1% in 2024. Over 20% of these...
www.caixinglobal.com/2025-03-14/i...
In Depth: Where Chinese Overseas Investment Is Heading
China’s ODI grew 10.1% last year to $162.8 billion, with significant funding going to Southeast Asia and the Belt and Road countries
www.caixinglobal.com
March 23, 2025 at 6:10 AM
1/2
Interesting Caixin article on the redirection of Chinese ODI: "This eastward shift represents a significant realignment in global economic relationships, with China’s outward direct investment increasing 10.1% in 2024. Over 20% of these...
www.caixinglobal.com/2025-03-14/i...
Interesting Caixin article on the redirection of Chinese ODI: "This eastward shift represents a significant realignment in global economic relationships, with China’s outward direct investment increasing 10.1% in 2024. Over 20% of these...
www.caixinglobal.com/2025-03-14/i...
Reposted
Focus group: Trump swing voters in Michigan have buyers' remorse www.axios.com/2025/03/14/t...
Sorry y’all. You only vote once
Sorry y’all. You only vote once
Trump swing voters in Michigan focus group have buyers' remorse
"Erratic," "frightening," "disruptive" and "dictator" were among the words they used to describe their concerns.
www.axios.com
March 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Focus group: Trump swing voters in Michigan have buyers' remorse www.axios.com/2025/03/14/t...
Sorry y’all. You only vote once
Sorry y’all. You only vote once
Reposted
Germany's fiscal stimulus has pushed Italy's 10-year yield up to 4%, above which Italian debt sustainability starts to get dicey. Germany's debt expansion raises the odds ECB must cap Italy's yield using TPI, further worsening already bad ECB fiscal dominance. A German own goal on so many fronts...
March 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Germany's fiscal stimulus has pushed Italy's 10-year yield up to 4%, above which Italian debt sustainability starts to get dicey. Germany's debt expansion raises the odds ECB must cap Italy's yield using TPI, further worsening already bad ECB fiscal dominance. A German own goal on so many fronts...
The fact they have HK as getting drier makes me a little dubious about the quality of this research…
on.ft.com/4bHv6ps More than half of world’s most populated cities are getting wetter, research finds
on.ft.com/4bHv6ps More than half of world’s most populated cities are getting wetter, research finds
More than half of world’s most populated cities are getting wetter, research finds
Shift in weather patterns also sees cities such as Madrid and Hong Kong flip from wet to dry
on.ft.com
March 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
The fact they have HK as getting drier makes me a little dubious about the quality of this research…
on.ft.com/4bHv6ps More than half of world’s most populated cities are getting wetter, research finds
on.ft.com/4bHv6ps More than half of world’s most populated cities are getting wetter, research finds