Jack
@jackrowlands.bsky.social
The recommendations
November 20, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The recommendations
Vance doesn’t seem to understand the implications of his government’s own tariffs… unherd.com/2025/04/jd-v...
April 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Vance doesn’t seem to understand the implications of his government’s own tariffs… unherd.com/2025/04/jd-v...
some interesting reading on zonal pricing for energy within the UK
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
octopus.energy/blog/zonal-p...
Image from Octopus. Seems positive but it will open a can of worms about the boundaries. Boston and Haverfordwest being grouped with London seems controversial.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
octopus.energy/blog/zonal-p...
Image from Octopus. Seems positive but it will open a can of worms about the boundaries. Boston and Haverfordwest being grouped with London seems controversial.
February 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
some interesting reading on zonal pricing for energy within the UK
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
octopus.energy/blog/zonal-p...
Image from Octopus. Seems positive but it will open a can of worms about the boundaries. Boston and Haverfordwest being grouped with London seems controversial.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
octopus.energy/blog/zonal-p...
Image from Octopus. Seems positive but it will open a can of worms about the boundaries. Boston and Haverfordwest being grouped with London seems controversial.
The Spectator has its own DOGE, promising 'to stop the government splurging our cash'.
I'm sure there is excessive spending in the public sector, but most of the Spectator's claims are debunked with a 2 second Google search.
I'm sure there is excessive spending in the public sector, but most of the Spectator's claims are debunked with a 2 second Google search.
February 17, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The Spectator has its own DOGE, promising 'to stop the government splurging our cash'.
I'm sure there is excessive spending in the public sector, but most of the Spectator's claims are debunked with a 2 second Google search.
I'm sure there is excessive spending in the public sector, but most of the Spectator's claims are debunked with a 2 second Google search.
This does make me shudder and compare it to the scale of cuts to youth music services where I went to school.
A sad violin (or piano) for the private schools complaining about VAT.
on.ft.com/3ZVeJAb
A sad violin (or piano) for the private schools complaining about VAT.
on.ft.com/3ZVeJAb
December 30, 2024 at 10:10 AM
This does make me shudder and compare it to the scale of cuts to youth music services where I went to school.
A sad violin (or piano) for the private schools complaining about VAT.
on.ft.com/3ZVeJAb
A sad violin (or piano) for the private schools complaining about VAT.
on.ft.com/3ZVeJAb
Gov’t-owned pension fund Nest is failing to support its members, due to poor service, fund structure and returns
Despite reporting across the media that shows savers are going to be grossly underprepared for retirement, the minister doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue
www.ft.com/content/362c...
Despite reporting across the media that shows savers are going to be grossly underprepared for retirement, the minister doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue
www.ft.com/content/362c...
December 18, 2024 at 5:57 PM
Gov’t-owned pension fund Nest is failing to support its members, due to poor service, fund structure and returns
Despite reporting across the media that shows savers are going to be grossly underprepared for retirement, the minister doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue
www.ft.com/content/362c...
Despite reporting across the media that shows savers are going to be grossly underprepared for retirement, the minister doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue
www.ft.com/content/362c...
Some dire reading in last week’s Economist on Welsh public services
Imo demographic pressures & broken funding drives much of this (esp re NHS)
But Wales having the most people incarcerated per capita is new to me!
@lukesibieta.bsky.social is totally right re poor data. Stats devo was a disaster.
Imo demographic pressures & broken funding drives much of this (esp re NHS)
But Wales having the most people incarcerated per capita is new to me!
@lukesibieta.bsky.social is totally right re poor data. Stats devo was a disaster.
December 16, 2024 at 7:01 PM
Some dire reading in last week’s Economist on Welsh public services
Imo demographic pressures & broken funding drives much of this (esp re NHS)
But Wales having the most people incarcerated per capita is new to me!
@lukesibieta.bsky.social is totally right re poor data. Stats devo was a disaster.
Imo demographic pressures & broken funding drives much of this (esp re NHS)
But Wales having the most people incarcerated per capita is new to me!
@lukesibieta.bsky.social is totally right re poor data. Stats devo was a disaster.
Their content moderation response? Nothing to see. No appeal option. Even on appeal, the content board rejects everything.
Obvious scams. One day old pages, AI profile pics, malicious URLs, fake names and misused trademarks
I refuse to believe in an AI revolution until it can detect obvious scams
Obvious scams. One day old pages, AI profile pics, malicious URLs, fake names and misused trademarks
I refuse to believe in an AI revolution until it can detect obvious scams
November 29, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Their content moderation response? Nothing to see. No appeal option. Even on appeal, the content board rejects everything.
Obvious scams. One day old pages, AI profile pics, malicious URLs, fake names and misused trademarks
I refuse to believe in an AI revolution until it can detect obvious scams
Obvious scams. One day old pages, AI profile pics, malicious URLs, fake names and misused trademarks
I refuse to believe in an AI revolution until it can detect obvious scams
What a shambles Facebook’s content moderation is
A Russian group appears to be carrying out a coordinated scam across the UK impersonating public transport operators with the promise of cheap deals, taking users payment and personal details
Backed up by AI-generated users giving false reviews
A Russian group appears to be carrying out a coordinated scam across the UK impersonating public transport operators with the promise of cheap deals, taking users payment and personal details
Backed up by AI-generated users giving false reviews
November 29, 2024 at 1:53 PM
What a shambles Facebook’s content moderation is
A Russian group appears to be carrying out a coordinated scam across the UK impersonating public transport operators with the promise of cheap deals, taking users payment and personal details
Backed up by AI-generated users giving false reviews
A Russian group appears to be carrying out a coordinated scam across the UK impersonating public transport operators with the promise of cheap deals, taking users payment and personal details
Backed up by AI-generated users giving false reviews
Size alone doesn't fix pensions. Take NEST: biggest fund in the UK. Members are lower earners, SMEs, etc. People gov't want to help most.
Gov't control it. Yet provide so little... poor service, no real fund choice, no transparency over methods. Surely needs fixing.
www.ft.com/content/0b5a...
Gov't control it. Yet provide so little... poor service, no real fund choice, no transparency over methods. Surely needs fixing.
www.ft.com/content/0b5a...
November 14, 2024 at 10:32 AM
Size alone doesn't fix pensions. Take NEST: biggest fund in the UK. Members are lower earners, SMEs, etc. People gov't want to help most.
Gov't control it. Yet provide so little... poor service, no real fund choice, no transparency over methods. Surely needs fixing.
www.ft.com/content/0b5a...
Gov't control it. Yet provide so little... poor service, no real fund choice, no transparency over methods. Surely needs fixing.
www.ft.com/content/0b5a...
Went down to Poundbury for the first time. Now reading about proposals in Kent.
Yes it’s car dependent. But it’s a great template for liveable and attractive housing (maybe slightly pastiche). But imo its biggest success is having walkable retail & amenities
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Yes it’s car dependent. But it’s a great template for liveable and attractive housing (maybe slightly pastiche). But imo its biggest success is having walkable retail & amenities
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
November 8, 2024 at 3:30 PM
Went down to Poundbury for the first time. Now reading about proposals in Kent.
Yes it’s car dependent. But it’s a great template for liveable and attractive housing (maybe slightly pastiche). But imo its biggest success is having walkable retail & amenities
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Yes it’s car dependent. But it’s a great template for liveable and attractive housing (maybe slightly pastiche). But imo its biggest success is having walkable retail & amenities
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
BBC needs to add the context here - the £10,500 allowance and removal of the £100k cap will cover around 80k businesses in the UK who have 3-5 employees (depends on salaries and directors)
It sounds like this pottery business will pay marginally more, or may not at all
It sounds like this pottery business will pay marginally more, or may not at all
October 30, 2024 at 3:52 PM
BBC needs to add the context here - the £10,500 allowance and removal of the £100k cap will cover around 80k businesses in the UK who have 3-5 employees (depends on salaries and directors)
It sounds like this pottery business will pay marginally more, or may not at all
It sounds like this pottery business will pay marginally more, or may not at all
Think that has reversed in gilts - they shot up about 10 basis points vs before the budget. Rise began just after Sunak finished speaking. Now highest they’ve been in 10 months.
October 30, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Think that has reversed in gilts - they shot up about 10 basis points vs before the budget. Rise began just after Sunak finished speaking. Now highest they’ve been in 10 months.
Borrowing figures quite high (h/t @edconway.bsky.social) and suggests we should watch the market reaction in the next few days
Domestic-focussed FTSE 250 has responded positively, in particular the gambling companies
Domestic-focussed FTSE 250 has responded positively, in particular the gambling companies
October 30, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Borrowing figures quite high (h/t @edconway.bsky.social) and suggests we should watch the market reaction in the next few days
Domestic-focussed FTSE 250 has responded positively, in particular the gambling companies
Domestic-focussed FTSE 250 has responded positively, in particular the gambling companies
Fuel duty freeze + 5p cut, while hiking bus fares is… a choice. Probably not what I’d have gone for…
Gilt rates had dropped but now pared back
Gilt rates had dropped but now pared back
October 30, 2024 at 1:12 PM
Fuel duty freeze + 5p cut, while hiking bus fares is… a choice. Probably not what I’d have gone for…
Gilt rates had dropped but now pared back
Gilt rates had dropped but now pared back
Quite a reduction in GDP forecasts for the year 2026 and onwards. Explains the heavy trailing of the OBR’s findings on the black hole.
October 30, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Quite a reduction in GDP forecasts for the year 2026 and onwards. Explains the heavy trailing of the OBR’s findings on the black hole.
While Bristol sees job density and GVA align, West Yorkshire looks like 2024-2025 will be a continuation of the rut.
October 25, 2024 at 4:57 PM
While Bristol sees job density and GVA align, West Yorkshire looks like 2024-2025 will be a continuation of the rut.
Imagine Leeds or Bristol with a London level public transport network
October 25, 2024 at 4:53 PM
Imagine Leeds or Bristol with a London level public transport network
That London school outperformance in one table. Stark,
October 25, 2024 at 4:52 PM
That London school outperformance in one table. Stark,
Interesting PwC report on performance of UK cities
Particularly notable is that Cardiff will record the highest growth in GVA of any city outside London in 2024 www.pwc.co.uk/government-p...
Growth perhaps shifting away from the better performers in recent years (eg Bristol)
Particularly notable is that Cardiff will record the highest growth in GVA of any city outside London in 2024 www.pwc.co.uk/government-p...
Growth perhaps shifting away from the better performers in recent years (eg Bristol)
October 25, 2024 at 4:50 PM
Interesting PwC report on performance of UK cities
Particularly notable is that Cardiff will record the highest growth in GVA of any city outside London in 2024 www.pwc.co.uk/government-p...
Growth perhaps shifting away from the better performers in recent years (eg Bristol)
Particularly notable is that Cardiff will record the highest growth in GVA of any city outside London in 2024 www.pwc.co.uk/government-p...
Growth perhaps shifting away from the better performers in recent years (eg Bristol)
I don’t know if all parts of London suffer this but it often feels like life in Harringay is blighted by the frequent circling of helicopters at 3am…
October 24, 2024 at 9:16 AM
I don’t know if all parts of London suffer this but it often feels like life in Harringay is blighted by the frequent circling of helicopters at 3am…
BBC: "Why are we building homes when so many are standing empty?"
Except we don't have a high % of vacant housing
The measures described are one answer. But a large % of properties are going to be hard to get investors to take on and fix www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Except we don't have a high % of vacant housing
The measures described are one answer. But a large % of properties are going to be hard to get investors to take on and fix www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
October 20, 2024 at 2:35 PM
BBC: "Why are we building homes when so many are standing empty?"
Except we don't have a high % of vacant housing
The measures described are one answer. But a large % of properties are going to be hard to get investors to take on and fix www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Except we don't have a high % of vacant housing
The measures described are one answer. But a large % of properties are going to be hard to get investors to take on and fix www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I knew it’d be low but it still seems really remarkable that the prison population is only 4% female. Not sure what number I would have guessed but not <5%. on.ft.com/3z9AYcA
October 20, 2024 at 9:27 AM
I knew it’d be low but it still seems really remarkable that the prison population is only 4% female. Not sure what number I would have guessed but not <5%. on.ft.com/3z9AYcA
More nonsense from the hellsite
Because public transport always looks like the District Line at Fulham Broadway during Chelsea’s 2014 season
Anyone tried taking a Tesla down North End Road? Almost certainly slower.
Because public transport always looks like the District Line at Fulham Broadway during Chelsea’s 2014 season
Anyone tried taking a Tesla down North End Road? Almost certainly slower.
October 17, 2024 at 7:05 PM
More nonsense from the hellsite
Because public transport always looks like the District Line at Fulham Broadway during Chelsea’s 2014 season
Anyone tried taking a Tesla down North End Road? Almost certainly slower.
Because public transport always looks like the District Line at Fulham Broadway during Chelsea’s 2014 season
Anyone tried taking a Tesla down North End Road? Almost certainly slower.
Really interesting report showing huge beneficial impacts of ULEZ on school journeys. Something the rest of the country could learn from because most areas I see have a driving to school crisis…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Full study: ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Full study: ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
September 5, 2024 at 9:14 AM
Really interesting report showing huge beneficial impacts of ULEZ on school journeys. Something the rest of the country could learn from because most areas I see have a driving to school crisis…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Full study: ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Full study: ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....