Incessant
@incessant.bsky.social
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A blogpost in which I return to a continuing theme:
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
December 13, 2025 at 11:54 AM
A blogpost in which I return to a continuing theme:
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
The UK’s continuing economic growth crisis.
GDP per person grew by 2.3% a year between 1955 and 2008, when growth slowed down dramatically, never to recover.
GDP per person is £16,500 (29%) lower than if pre GFC trend continued
Reposted by Incessant
This is a good article, and I am sympathetic to how expensive a Disney vacation is and how price stratified the experience has become. Even as a local WDW AP, there are a lot of things I wish I could do that I’m priced out of and can’t imagine spending the money on. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
Opinion | Disney and the Decline of America’s Middle Class
www.nytimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This is a good article, and I am sympathetic to how expensive a Disney vacation is and how price stratified the experience has become. Even as a local WDW AP, there are a lot of things I wish I could do that I’m priced out of and can’t imagine spending the money on. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
Reposted by Incessant
Who/what to blame for current state of UK?
Nigel Lawson, imo, not blamed enough for 3 policy doctrines which caused long-term damage:
1. Energy is just another commodity that can safely be left to the market
2. Financial services industry should be deregulated
3. The trade deficit doesn't matter
Nigel Lawson, imo, not blamed enough for 3 policy doctrines which caused long-term damage:
1. Energy is just another commodity that can safely be left to the market
2. Financial services industry should be deregulated
3. The trade deficit doesn't matter
August 1, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Who/what to blame for current state of UK?
Nigel Lawson, imo, not blamed enough for 3 policy doctrines which caused long-term damage:
1. Energy is just another commodity that can safely be left to the market
2. Financial services industry should be deregulated
3. The trade deficit doesn't matter
Nigel Lawson, imo, not blamed enough for 3 policy doctrines which caused long-term damage:
1. Energy is just another commodity that can safely be left to the market
2. Financial services industry should be deregulated
3. The trade deficit doesn't matter
Reposted by Incessant
Our new report is on why the English planning system is so weird.
Planning in England has lots of meddling with weak local gov that makes it hard to, well, plan.
Planning in other countries is more rules-based and certain - which means they are better at *actually planning*
Planning in England has lots of meddling with weak local gov that makes it hard to, well, plan.
Planning in other countries is more rules-based and certain - which means they are better at *actually planning*
July 31, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Our new report is on why the English planning system is so weird.
Planning in England has lots of meddling with weak local gov that makes it hard to, well, plan.
Planning in other countries is more rules-based and certain - which means they are better at *actually planning*
Planning in England has lots of meddling with weak local gov that makes it hard to, well, plan.
Planning in other countries is more rules-based and certain - which means they are better at *actually planning*
Reposted by Incessant
Quite a few announcements on housebuilding this week, but IMHO the new proposals for planning committees mark a weakening of the Government's planning reform agenda. There's still time for them to fix this - a quick thread:
May 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Quite a few announcements on housebuilding this week, but IMHO the new proposals for planning committees mark a weakening of the Government's planning reform agenda. There's still time for them to fix this - a quick thread:
Reposted by Incessant
Here's a first attempt - interesting how the education divide widens with Lib Dem voters with age, and there is a complete crossover with Conservative voters.
Although to @psurridge.bsky.social 's point this does not account for the fact that many 18-24 year olds are at uni but don't have a degree
Although to @psurridge.bsky.social 's point this does not account for the fact that many 18-24 year olds are at uni but don't have a degree
April 18, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Here's a first attempt - interesting how the education divide widens with Lib Dem voters with age, and there is a complete crossover with Conservative voters.
Although to @psurridge.bsky.social 's point this does not account for the fact that many 18-24 year olds are at uni but don't have a degree
Although to @psurridge.bsky.social 's point this does not account for the fact that many 18-24 year olds are at uni but don't have a degree
Reposted by Incessant
🤑What makes you rich? Last week we asked what level of income makes someone rich. But Britons are actually overwhelmingly more likely to say that a persons wealth is more important than their income in determining if they are rich. 🧵
April 12, 2025 at 8:32 AM
🤑What makes you rich? Last week we asked what level of income makes someone rich. But Britons are actually overwhelmingly more likely to say that a persons wealth is more important than their income in determining if they are rich. 🧵
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Great that centre-right commentators like @rcolvile.bsky.social
join a widening consensus that UK's deep de-industrialisation a mistake
My worry is that their explanation is ahistorical & too narrow: neither explaining how we got here nor signposting viable path to more future manufacturing
join a widening consensus that UK's deep de-industrialisation a mistake
My worry is that their explanation is ahistorical & too narrow: neither explaining how we got here nor signposting viable path to more future manufacturing
To be a 'defence industrial superpower', it helps if you have some industry. Me for @thetimes.com on the grim state of British manufacturing www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
We can barely make steel any more, so extra weapons might be a stretch
To be a ‘defence industrial superpower’, you don’t just need a defence industry — you need industry, full stop
www.thetimes.com
March 31, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Great that centre-right commentators like @rcolvile.bsky.social
join a widening consensus that UK's deep de-industrialisation a mistake
My worry is that their explanation is ahistorical & too narrow: neither explaining how we got here nor signposting viable path to more future manufacturing
join a widening consensus that UK's deep de-industrialisation a mistake
My worry is that their explanation is ahistorical & too narrow: neither explaining how we got here nor signposting viable path to more future manufacturing
Reposted by Incessant
Had no idea how radically different industrial pricing worked before reading the recent Dieter Helm piece. Not *that* long ago but must have looked almost alien to British policymakers/thinkers by the mid 1990s.
Competitive industrial electricity prices - Dieter Helm
It is a sad fact that the UK’s industry electricity prices are amongst the highest in developed economies – higher than in the EU and around four times the prices in the US. The result is that UK ener...
dieterhelm.co.uk
March 31, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Had no idea how radically different industrial pricing worked before reading the recent Dieter Helm piece. Not *that* long ago but must have looked almost alien to British policymakers/thinkers by the mid 1990s.
Reposted by Incessant
Fascinating graph that I’ve never seen before - govt spending vs tax for age groups from the FT
March 29, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Fascinating graph that I’ve never seen before - govt spending vs tax for age groups from the FT
Reposted by Incessant
This is the linchpin of the Government's planning reforms. It will undeniably be better than what we have now - but sounds to me like they are choosing a slightly more cautious path than the most impactful reform. Quick thread: www.thetimes.com/article/712c...
Councillors to be stripped of powers to block planning schemes
In an effort to push more building and development projects, councillors will be prevented from interfering in the majority of planning applications
www.thetimes.com
March 8, 2025 at 8:39 AM
This is the linchpin of the Government's planning reforms. It will undeniably be better than what we have now - but sounds to me like they are choosing a slightly more cautious path than the most impactful reform. Quick thread: www.thetimes.com/article/712c...
Reposted by Incessant
💔 NEW: A hospital at the centre of the largest NHS maternity scandal let a baby's body decompose so badly it had to be 'triple bagged' for the funeral - midwives then "mocked" the dad, replaying a phone call he'd made months b4 at a "leadership away day" www.thetimes.com/article/82a2... 1/2
‘After my baby died, NHS colleagues mocked me’
A doctor who worked at the scandal-hit Nottingham University Hospitals Trust fought for the truth — and learnt his daughter’s body was left to decompose
www.thetimes.com
March 2, 2025 at 12:08 AM
💔 NEW: A hospital at the centre of the largest NHS maternity scandal let a baby's body decompose so badly it had to be 'triple bagged' for the funeral - midwives then "mocked" the dad, replaying a phone call he'd made months b4 at a "leadership away day" www.thetimes.com/article/82a2... 1/2
Reposted by Incessant
To spell out the stats more clearly:
Young men’s AfD vote is somewhat higher than the national average (25% vs 21%), but their leftwing vote is even more above average (15 vs 9).
Whereas young women’s AfD vote is significantly lower than average (14 vs 21), and leftwing vote far higher (34 vs 9).
Young men’s AfD vote is somewhat higher than the national average (25% vs 21%), but their leftwing vote is even more above average (15 vs 9).
Whereas young women’s AfD vote is significantly lower than average (14 vs 21), and leftwing vote far higher (34 vs 9).
February 24, 2025 at 9:22 AM
To spell out the stats more clearly:
Young men’s AfD vote is somewhat higher than the national average (25% vs 21%), but their leftwing vote is even more above average (15 vs 9).
Whereas young women’s AfD vote is significantly lower than average (14 vs 21), and leftwing vote far higher (34 vs 9).
Young men’s AfD vote is somewhat higher than the national average (25% vs 21%), but their leftwing vote is even more above average (15 vs 9).
Whereas young women’s AfD vote is significantly lower than average (14 vs 21), and leftwing vote far higher (34 vs 9).
Reposted by Incessant
"There was a striking lack of accountability and supervision of Mr Williamson which left a number of patients in pain or with deformities, or worse still, led to their death.... over the years, several whistleblowers had come forward, but these were ignored" - 👏 Baroness Merron
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Minister orders review of all disgraced surgeon's patients after Sunday Times exposé leads to dozens more victims coming forward. Review will also examine allegations of a cover-up at Salford Royal Hospital:
www.thetimes.com/article/3473...
www.thetimes.com/article/3473...
Minister orders urgent review of disgraced surgeon’s patients
Baroness Merron has intervened in the case of the sacked spinal surgeon John Bradley Williamson to investigate the scale of the harm he may have caused
www.thetimes.com
February 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"There was a striking lack of accountability and supervision of Mr Williamson which left a number of patients in pain or with deformities, or worse still, led to their death.... over the years, several whistleblowers had come forward, but these were ignored" - 👏 Baroness Merron
Reposted by Incessant
Britain's productivity puzzle is turning into a crisis...
... if you can believe the data (you can't, but don't be falsely reassured by that)
on.ft.com/41lgCrV
... if you can believe the data (you can't, but don't be falsely reassured by that)
on.ft.com/41lgCrV
February 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Britain's productivity puzzle is turning into a crisis...
... if you can believe the data (you can't, but don't be falsely reassured by that)
on.ft.com/41lgCrV
... if you can believe the data (you can't, but don't be falsely reassured by that)
on.ft.com/41lgCrV
Reposted by Incessant
Barlow is why planning reform is so crucial for the economy - the planning system's most dysfunctional features are intentionally harmful.
Our cities need to be able to change in ways the discretionary planning system was created to stop.
Our cities need to be able to change in ways the discretionary planning system was created to stop.
February 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Barlow is why planning reform is so crucial for the economy - the planning system's most dysfunctional features are intentionally harmful.
Our cities need to be able to change in ways the discretionary planning system was created to stop.
Our cities need to be able to change in ways the discretionary planning system was created to stop.
Reposted by Incessant
We should ask ourselves how our political economy has changed since 1980s, with effect of discouraging long term investment, and dismantling the institutions - both public and private sector - which drove applied R&D and innovation.
We stopped investing in the future, and now the future has arrived
We stopped investing in the future, and now the future has arrived
February 17, 2025 at 7:43 AM
We should ask ourselves how our political economy has changed since 1980s, with effect of discouraging long term investment, and dismantling the institutions - both public and private sector - which drove applied R&D and innovation.
We stopped investing in the future, and now the future has arrived
We stopped investing in the future, and now the future has arrived
Reposted by Incessant
Quinn died after being starved of oxygen because his mother had a placental abruption - staff didn't give them safety advice, call logs went missing and medical records were incorrect. The trust was described as obstructive by the coroner. It admitted liability only last year.
February 16, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Quinn died after being starved of oxygen because his mother had a placental abruption - staff didn't give them safety advice, call logs went missing and medical records were incorrect. The trust was described as obstructive by the coroner. It admitted liability only last year.
Reposted by Incessant
Thought I'd share a few thoughts on the Devolution WP, as a lapsed senior leader in a Combined Authority, and someone who engaged with Central Govt on lots of these topics...
Integrated budgets will get the headlines, but there are far bigger fish in the nets for CA Mayors IMO.
Integrated budgets will get the headlines, but there are far bigger fish in the nets for CA Mayors IMO.
December 16, 2024 at 3:37 PM
Thought I'd share a few thoughts on the Devolution WP, as a lapsed senior leader in a Combined Authority, and someone who engaged with Central Govt on lots of these topics...
Integrated budgets will get the headlines, but there are far bigger fish in the nets for CA Mayors IMO.
Integrated budgets will get the headlines, but there are far bigger fish in the nets for CA Mayors IMO.
Reposted by Incessant
I’m tired of hearing about bats. Do you want to hear a story about jumping spiders and the town that disappeared?
I think I might be breaking this story – do come be the first to read it.
I think I might be breaking this story – do come be the first to read it.
February 1, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I’m tired of hearing about bats. Do you want to hear a story about jumping spiders and the town that disappeared?
I think I might be breaking this story – do come be the first to read it.
I think I might be breaking this story – do come be the first to read it.
Reposted by Incessant
Delighted to be able to release the data from the @centreforcities.bsky.social Restarting Housebuilding series on GitHub today. We are making the most comprehensive dataset that exists on housebuilding at the local level in England since 1946 available for wider use. github.com/CentreforCit...
GitHub - CentreforCities/local_housebuilding_1946_2022: Local authority housebuilding data 1946-2022, digitised in 2024 by Centre for Cities
Local authority housebuilding data 1946-2022, digitised in 2024 by Centre for Cities - GitHub - CentreforCities/local_housebuilding_1946_2022: Local authority housebuilding data 1946-2022, digitis...
github.com
January 23, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Delighted to be able to release the data from the @centreforcities.bsky.social Restarting Housebuilding series on GitHub today. We are making the most comprehensive dataset that exists on housebuilding at the local level in England since 1946 available for wider use. github.com/CentreforCit...
Reposted by Incessant
Housing in the UK is expensive - costing 44% more than the OECD average.
Meanwhile, food and clothing are cheaper in the UK than the OECD average - owing to price competition between retailers, plus Britain's broad range of VAT reliefs and exemptions.
Meanwhile, food and clothing are cheaper in the UK than the OECD average - owing to price competition between retailers, plus Britain's broad range of VAT reliefs and exemptions.
January 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Housing in the UK is expensive - costing 44% more than the OECD average.
Meanwhile, food and clothing are cheaper in the UK than the OECD average - owing to price competition between retailers, plus Britain's broad range of VAT reliefs and exemptions.
Meanwhile, food and clothing are cheaper in the UK than the OECD average - owing to price competition between retailers, plus Britain's broad range of VAT reliefs and exemptions.
Reposted by Incessant
That thing about getting the borders railway opening year forecast is a myth, comes from confusing a forecast for 'return journeys' with data from LENNON which show single journeys.
December 28, 2024 at 7:12 PM
That thing about getting the borders railway opening year forecast is a myth, comes from confusing a forecast for 'return journeys' with data from LENNON which show single journeys.
Reposted by Incessant
Since the HS2 bat tunnel is back in the news (turns out it may actually kill the bats), time for one more story.
Which came first – HS2 or the bats?🚄🦇🧵
Which came first – HS2 or the bats?🚄🦇🧵
December 23, 2024 at 8:25 AM
Since the HS2 bat tunnel is back in the news (turns out it may actually kill the bats), time for one more story.
Which came first – HS2 or the bats?🚄🦇🧵
Which came first – HS2 or the bats?🚄🦇🧵