James Somerville
@jamessomervlle.bsky.social
Head of Policy at NPC. Interested in evidence-based policy, climate, local growth, and green jobs. Views are my own. He/Him.
@jamessomervlle on X, https://www.linkedin.com/in/james--somerville/
@jamessomervlle on X, https://www.linkedin.com/in/james--somerville/
Reposted by James Somerville
We're delighted these 4 partners: Caudwell youth, Holding Space, Investing in Children and Chilypep - helping us to hear directly from children, young people & carers in understanding how we can rebuild the #mentalhealthsystem so it truly works for those who need it: www.thinknpc.org/blog/barrier...
June 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
We're delighted these 4 partners: Caudwell youth, Holding Space, Investing in Children and Chilypep - helping us to hear directly from children, young people & carers in understanding how we can rebuild the #mentalhealthsystem so it truly works for those who need it: www.thinknpc.org/blog/barrier...
I’m very excited to share that I’ve been awarded a Churchill Fellowship for 2025!
I'll be travelling to Germany, France, and the USA to learn about how best to work with communities to generate buy-in for community energy projects. If you know someone I should speak to, please do let me know!
I'll be travelling to Germany, France, and the USA to learn about how best to work with communities to generate buy-in for community energy projects. If you know someone I should speak to, please do let me know!
🎉 Exciting news! We’re proud to announce our 118 new Churchill Fellows for 2025! From community energy to healthcare innovation, they’ll explore solutions to urgent issues in the UK 🌍✨
Meet them on our website: churchillfellowship.org/news-views/n...
#ChurchillFellowship #ChurchillFellow25
Meet them on our website: churchillfellowship.org/news-views/n...
#ChurchillFellowship #ChurchillFellow25
July 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM
I’m very excited to share that I’ve been awarded a Churchill Fellowship for 2025!
I'll be travelling to Germany, France, and the USA to learn about how best to work with communities to generate buy-in for community energy projects. If you know someone I should speak to, please do let me know!
I'll be travelling to Germany, France, and the USA to learn about how best to work with communities to generate buy-in for community energy projects. If you know someone I should speak to, please do let me know!
Reposted by James Somerville
🆕 NEW BLOG: Following the launch of the Governments Industrial Strategy, aiming to drive growth nationally by focusing on eight industries over 10 years. Our Head of Policy, James Somerville looks at where there is huge potential for green jobs.
Read full blog: www.thinknpc.org/blog/industr...
Read full blog: www.thinknpc.org/blog/industr...
What does the Industrial Strategy mean for green jobs? - NPC
Across the eight industries in the Industrial Strategy, there’s huge potential for green jobs.
www.thinknpc.org
June 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
🆕 NEW BLOG: Following the launch of the Governments Industrial Strategy, aiming to drive growth nationally by focusing on eight industries over 10 years. Our Head of Policy, James Somerville looks at where there is huge potential for green jobs.
Read full blog: www.thinknpc.org/blog/industr...
Read full blog: www.thinknpc.org/blog/industr...
Positive to see the Spending Review reference the impact economy - the impact sector should be a key partner in mission delivery. Housing is a great example, impact investors already put c.£5bn into social & affordable housing. Good to see govt thinking seriously about the role of the impact sector.
June 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Positive to see the Spending Review reference the impact economy - the impact sector should be a key partner in mission delivery. Housing is a great example, impact investors already put c.£5bn into social & affordable housing. Good to see govt thinking seriously about the role of the impact sector.
Great to be at the launch of this last night. Community involvement is at the heart of #EveryonesEnvironment, so it's positive to see govt talking seriously about different models of community ownership.
As always, communities will need clear, accessible info about what these projects mean for them
As always, communities will need clear, accessible info about what these projects mean for them
We’re proud to have Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband contribute to our new report, Power in Our Communities.
Available tomorrow.
Available tomorrow.
June 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Great to be at the launch of this last night. Community involvement is at the heart of #EveryonesEnvironment, so it's positive to see govt talking seriously about different models of community ownership.
As always, communities will need clear, accessible info about what these projects mean for them
As always, communities will need clear, accessible info about what these projects mean for them
Pleased to have fed into this APPG on Race & Community report alongside our #EveryonesEnvironment partners.
It highlights how climate change is making existing inequalities worse, here and abroad, and sets out some really sensible recommendations - great work from @runnymedetrust.bsky.social!
It highlights how climate change is making existing inequalities worse, here and abroad, and sets out some really sensible recommendations - great work from @runnymedetrust.bsky.social!
A new report looks at the relationship between climate change and systemic racism.
Only by profiling voices at the heart of the crisis can we create climate policy that actually works 👇
www.runnymedetrust.org/publications/a-vision-for-climate-justice-a-report-from-the-appg-on-race-and-community
Only by profiling voices at the heart of the crisis can we create climate policy that actually works 👇
www.runnymedetrust.org/publications/a-vision-for-climate-justice-a-report-from-the-appg-on-race-and-community
A vision for climate justice: a report from the APPG on Race and Community
A report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Race and Community, investigating the relationship between the climate emergency and systemic racism
www.runnymedetrust.org
May 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Pleased to have fed into this APPG on Race & Community report alongside our #EveryonesEnvironment partners.
It highlights how climate change is making existing inequalities worse, here and abroad, and sets out some really sensible recommendations - great work from @runnymedetrust.bsky.social!
It highlights how climate change is making existing inequalities worse, here and abroad, and sets out some really sensible recommendations - great work from @runnymedetrust.bsky.social!
Reposted by James Somerville
📩 Lunch time read!
NEW blog: What does the rise of Reform UK mean for the impact sector? 6 things you need to know.
Read our latest blog by NPC's Head of Policy, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social: www.thinknpc.org/blog/rise-re...
#ReformUK #ImpactSector #UKGovernment
NEW blog: What does the rise of Reform UK mean for the impact sector? 6 things you need to know.
Read our latest blog by NPC's Head of Policy, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social: www.thinknpc.org/blog/rise-re...
#ReformUK #ImpactSector #UKGovernment
What does the rise of Reform UK mean for the impact sector? 6 things you need to know. - NPC
Reform-led councils might be more challenging to engage with on certain issues, but the constraints and challenges facing local councils might mitigate this.
www.thinknpc.org
May 14, 2025 at 11:01 AM
📩 Lunch time read!
NEW blog: What does the rise of Reform UK mean for the impact sector? 6 things you need to know.
Read our latest blog by NPC's Head of Policy, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social: www.thinknpc.org/blog/rise-re...
#ReformUK #ImpactSector #UKGovernment
NEW blog: What does the rise of Reform UK mean for the impact sector? 6 things you need to know.
Read our latest blog by NPC's Head of Policy, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social: www.thinknpc.org/blog/rise-re...
#ReformUK #ImpactSector #UKGovernment
It's been great working with Scottish charities on this paper. Like our #EveryonesEnvironment work in England, involving diverse voices in policymaking and accessible information are key priorities.
Environmental policy needs to reflect people's needs, and people need to know what they should do
Environmental policy needs to reflect people's needs, and people need to know what they should do
🆕 New Publication: Making environmental policy inclusive in Scotland.
Our review of #Scottish #environmental #policies and recommendations for how Scottish policy can better reflect the needs of marginalised and disadvantaged groups.
www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
Our review of #Scottish #environmental #policies and recommendations for how Scottish policy can better reflect the needs of marginalised and disadvantaged groups.
www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
April 24, 2025 at 9:34 AM
It's been great working with Scottish charities on this paper. Like our #EveryonesEnvironment work in England, involving diverse voices in policymaking and accessible information are key priorities.
Environmental policy needs to reflect people's needs, and people need to know what they should do
Environmental policy needs to reflect people's needs, and people need to know what they should do
Reposted by James Somerville
📢 Scottish charities call on Holyrood to make environmental policies more inclusive
With #EveryonesEnvironment, we wrote to Scottish Parties with recommendations to improve how environmental policies affect marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Scotland.
www.ercs.scot/news/scottis...
With #EveryonesEnvironment, we wrote to Scottish Parties with recommendations to improve how environmental policies affect marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Scotland.
www.ercs.scot/news/scottis...
April 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
📢 Scottish charities call on Holyrood to make environmental policies more inclusive
With #EveryonesEnvironment, we wrote to Scottish Parties with recommendations to improve how environmental policies affect marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Scotland.
www.ercs.scot/news/scottis...
With #EveryonesEnvironment, we wrote to Scottish Parties with recommendations to improve how environmental policies affect marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Scotland.
www.ercs.scot/news/scottis...
Reposted by James Somerville
Do have a look at these two great roles available with us @thinknpc.bsky.social
💥 We're hiring!
We are looking to fill two exciting new roles here at NPC. Including:
👉 Principal Consultant: Systems Change
👉 Principal Consultant – Effective Philanthropy
Would like to help individuals and organisations maximise their impact? Learn more:
www.thinknpc.org/about-npc/wo...
We are looking to fill two exciting new roles here at NPC. Including:
👉 Principal Consultant: Systems Change
👉 Principal Consultant – Effective Philanthropy
Would like to help individuals and organisations maximise their impact? Learn more:
www.thinknpc.org/about-npc/wo...
April 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Do have a look at these two great roles available with us @thinknpc.bsky.social
Reposted by James Somerville
The crisis for UK steel is exposing another – perhaps even bigger – crisis for the UK
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
April 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The crisis for UK steel is exposing another – perhaps even bigger – crisis for the UK
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
Great report from @green-alliance.org.uk and @cast-centre.bsky.social, and this table is interesting. Shows that there is political space for targeted tax rises - interesting to see if this + the "the world has changed" narrative paves the way for some kind of wealth/windfall tax in the SR
April 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Great report from @green-alliance.org.uk and @cast-centre.bsky.social, and this table is interesting. Shows that there is political space for targeted tax rises - interesting to see if this + the "the world has changed" narrative paves the way for some kind of wealth/windfall tax in the SR
"Half of people would likely switch to heat pumps if it meant savings on bills" - couldn't be clearer that climate politics needs to focus on lower bills, cleaner air, warmer homes etc rather than net zero.
With cost as a key barrier, targeted support is key.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
With cost as a key barrier, targeted support is key.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Many unaware of negative heat pump ‘myths’ but cost is big issue, polling finds
A survey showed half of people would likely switch to heat pumps if it meant savings on bills.
www.independent.co.uk
April 9, 2025 at 9:09 AM
"Half of people would likely switch to heat pumps if it meant savings on bills" - couldn't be clearer that climate politics needs to focus on lower bills, cleaner air, warmer homes etc rather than net zero.
With cost as a key barrier, targeted support is key.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
With cost as a key barrier, targeted support is key.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by James Somerville
📖 Lunch time read! Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth.
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth
Match-funding should be used to tackle barriers to employment
www.thinknpc.org
March 26, 2025 at 12:05 PM
📖 Lunch time read! Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth.
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
Reposted by James Somerville
💥 NEW! Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth.
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth
Match-funding should be used to tackle barriers to employment
www.thinknpc.org
March 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
💥 NEW! Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth.
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
Reposted by James Somerville
But did they ask how much people think is spent on overseas aid?
Jennifer van Heerde-Hudson writes in Sex, Lies and Politics (2019) that the average voter in her research thought 18% of UK government spending went on aid, and wanted it cut to 9%.
The actual spend was 1.7%.
Jennifer van Heerde-Hudson writes in Sex, Lies and Politics (2019) that the average voter in her research thought 18% of UK government spending went on aid, and wanted it cut to 9%.
The actual spend was 1.7%.
With the government cutting overseas aid to pay for an increase in defence spending, 64% of Britons already wanted to see overseas aid spending reduced - twice as many as for any other area
Overseas aid: 64% should be reduced
Welfare benefits: 31%
Environment: 25%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Overseas aid: 64% should be reduced
Welfare benefits: 31%
Environment: 25%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
February 26, 2025 at 10:52 PM
But did they ask how much people think is spent on overseas aid?
Jennifer van Heerde-Hudson writes in Sex, Lies and Politics (2019) that the average voter in her research thought 18% of UK government spending went on aid, and wanted it cut to 9%.
The actual spend was 1.7%.
Jennifer van Heerde-Hudson writes in Sex, Lies and Politics (2019) that the average voter in her research thought 18% of UK government spending went on aid, and wanted it cut to 9%.
The actual spend was 1.7%.
Reposted by James Somerville
💥New! Understanding the role of community-led early years support
Read our new report published today in partnership with
@localtrust.org.uk exploring the types of locally-led early years support on offer, and the difference it can make.
Read the report: www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
Read our new report published today in partnership with
@localtrust.org.uk exploring the types of locally-led early years support on offer, and the difference it can make.
Read the report: www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
Understanding the role of community-led early years support - NPC
In this report we explore the types and distribution of community-led early years provision in England.
www.thinknpc.org
February 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
💥New! Understanding the role of community-led early years support
Read our new report published today in partnership with
@localtrust.org.uk exploring the types of locally-led early years support on offer, and the difference it can make.
Read the report: www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
Read our new report published today in partnership with
@localtrust.org.uk exploring the types of locally-led early years support on offer, and the difference it can make.
Read the report: www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
Reposted by James Somerville
Government cannot expect charities to fill the gap in cuts to international development funding. In this blog, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social writes that Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’ https://buff.ly/41pNrEh #aidcuts #government
Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
buff.ly
February 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Government cannot expect charities to fill the gap in cuts to international development funding. In this blog, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social writes that Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’ https://buff.ly/41pNrEh #aidcuts #government
Reposted by James Somerville
The seventh carbon budget is out. Net Zero will become net positive £ in 2040 and low (0.2% GDP) net cost until then. But behaviour change becomes tougher- cars, heat pumps, fewer flights v trend (NB Heathrow), less meat and dairy. All doable but needs a mindset shift.
February 26, 2025 at 7:17 AM
The seventh carbon budget is out. Net Zero will become net positive £ in 2040 and low (0.2% GDP) net cost until then. But behaviour change becomes tougher- cars, heat pumps, fewer flights v trend (NB Heathrow), less meat and dairy. All doable but needs a mindset shift.
Great to be at the launch of this yesterday. Communities are central to tackling many of the challenges facing the country, and it's positive to see @coopparty.party.coop setting out a clear vision for the role of communities in politics.
Today, we're launching our vision to put communities at the heart of politics.
Community Britain is about making the extraordinary stories in every community, ordinary.
Read more from @fortunejf.bsky.social https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/we-must-do-more-to-empower-communities
Community Britain is about making the extraordinary stories in every community, ordinary.
Read more from @fortunejf.bsky.social https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/we-must-do-more-to-empower-communities
February 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Great to be at the launch of this yesterday. Communities are central to tackling many of the challenges facing the country, and it's positive to see @coopparty.party.coop setting out a clear vision for the role of communities in politics.
This week, we've seen the @thecccuk.bsky.social's 7th Carbon Budget highlight that the green transition would save households around £1,400, and news that the green sector is growing 3x faster than the rest of the economy.
1/
1/
February 26, 2025 at 10:54 AM
This week, we've seen the @thecccuk.bsky.social's 7th Carbon Budget highlight that the green transition would save households around £1,400, and news that the green sector is growing 3x faster than the rest of the economy.
1/
1/
Reposted by James Somerville
I’ll come back with some screenshots of charts, details on changes in pathways and so on in a bit…
… but I think the big change in the 7th carbon budget is that the technology choices for net zero are now pretty clear. We need to stop arguing as much about technologies and electrify things quickly
… but I think the big change in the 7th carbon budget is that the technology choices for net zero are now pretty clear. We need to stop arguing as much about technologies and electrify things quickly
The UK’s Seventh Carbon Budget level should be set at 535 MtCO2e, an 87% reduction against 1990 levels.
This country has a prosperous and secure future ahead.
The fossil fuel age is over – it’s time to electrify the United Kingdom.
www.theccc.org.uk/2025/02/26/e...
This country has a prosperous and secure future ahead.
The fossil fuel age is over – it’s time to electrify the United Kingdom.
www.theccc.org.uk/2025/02/26/e...
End the fossil fuel age for a secure and prosperous future. - Climate Change Committee
Today the country’s climate advisors, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), present a new pathway to a decarbonised UK.…
www.theccc.org.uk
February 26, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I’ll come back with some screenshots of charts, details on changes in pathways and so on in a bit…
… but I think the big change in the 7th carbon budget is that the technology choices for net zero are now pretty clear. We need to stop arguing as much about technologies and electrify things quickly
… but I think the big change in the 7th carbon budget is that the technology choices for net zero are now pretty clear. We need to stop arguing as much about technologies and electrify things quickly
Reposted by James Somerville
Morning read! ☕
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’.
💥 New blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social:
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’.
💥 New blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social:
Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
buff.ly
February 24, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Morning read! ☕
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’.
💥 New blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social:
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’.
💥 New blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social:
Great new report from @ukerc.bsky.social, bringing together 5 years' work on decarbonising heat. Particularly interesting to see the evidence on public engagement!
ukerc.ac.uk/publications...
1/
ukerc.ac.uk/publications...
1/
Decarbonising Heat: Synthesis Report
This synthesis report brings together the findings of the last five years, in which UKERC’s independent analysis has...
ukerc.ac.uk
February 20, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Great new report from @ukerc.bsky.social, bringing together 5 years' work on decarbonising heat. Particularly interesting to see the evidence on public engagement!
ukerc.ac.uk/publications...
1/
ukerc.ac.uk/publications...
1/