JɄ₴₮ł₦ ɄⱠ฿Ɽł₲Ⱨ₮
@justinalbright.bsky.social
Reflect on your understanding of the world, to that of the other possibilities, then test for reasonableness.
On your: "There’s no Brexit costing comparator addressed."
I stated a pure counterfactual welfare position on the up and downs of GDP, not a causal Brexit one.
Independent to Brexit, the welfare of the bulk of the population is fixable by a big cut in housing costs.
I stated a pure counterfactual welfare position on the up and downs of GDP, not a causal Brexit one.
Independent to Brexit, the welfare of the bulk of the population is fixable by a big cut in housing costs.
December 18, 2025 at 2:15 PM
On your: "There’s no Brexit costing comparator addressed."
I stated a pure counterfactual welfare position on the up and downs of GDP, not a causal Brexit one.
Independent to Brexit, the welfare of the bulk of the population is fixable by a big cut in housing costs.
I stated a pure counterfactual welfare position on the up and downs of GDP, not a causal Brexit one.
Independent to Brexit, the welfare of the bulk of the population is fixable by a big cut in housing costs.
I do agree that that UK's productivity growth since ~2008 has been very weak. This is the main reason middle incomes have stagnated.
I think the leaders in elite companies know how to deliver high productivity but the leaders outside of this elite circle do not or not fare so well with no money.
I think the leaders in elite companies know how to deliver high productivity but the leaders outside of this elite circle do not or not fare so well with no money.
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I do agree that that UK's productivity growth since ~2008 has been very weak. This is the main reason middle incomes have stagnated.
I think the leaders in elite companies know how to deliver high productivity but the leaders outside of this elite circle do not or not fare so well with no money.
I think the leaders in elite companies know how to deliver high productivity but the leaders outside of this elite circle do not or not fare so well with no money.
3/ The government’s £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme opens for bids in February 2026. www.gov.uk/government/c...
Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026 to 2036
Includes MHCLG’s policy statement, links to Homes England (HE) and Greater London Authority (GLA) prospectuses, and a letter to Private Registered Providers.
www.gov.uk
December 18, 2025 at 1:52 PM
3/ The government’s £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme opens for bids in February 2026. www.gov.uk/government/c...
2/ The Labour government's Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-2036 aims to substantially reduce housing costs by prioritising a massive increase in social rent homes (60% target), which may also dampen private rental costs.
December 18, 2025 at 1:52 PM
2/ The Labour government's Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-2036 aims to substantially reduce housing costs by prioritising a massive increase in social rent homes (60% target), which may also dampen private rental costs.
Much, if not all of the Brexit negatives in personal wellbeing and welfare could have been offset had the Conservatives concentrated on delivering cheaper housing in 14 years.
bsky.app/profile/just...
bsky.app/profile/just...
GDP measures activity, not well-being of the people. GDP does not directly measure:
Affordability
Cost of living
Security
Leisure
Distribution of income
E.g. Much lower rents can reduce GDP but improve welfare of the renters - build more homes to cut rent.
Affordability
Cost of living
Security
Leisure
Distribution of income
E.g. Much lower rents can reduce GDP but improve welfare of the renters - build more homes to cut rent.
December 18, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Much, if not all of the Brexit negatives in personal wellbeing and welfare could have been offset had the Conservatives concentrated on delivering cheaper housing in 14 years.
bsky.app/profile/just...
bsky.app/profile/just...
Even with Brexit’s GDP loss, the UK could have made most people better off if it had independently pursued an aggressive housing-supply expansion that significantly lowered rents and house prices.
The Conservatives failed to effect this people's welfare action after Brexit for 14 years.
The Conservatives failed to effect this people's welfare action after Brexit for 14 years.
December 18, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Even with Brexit’s GDP loss, the UK could have made most people better off if it had independently pursued an aggressive housing-supply expansion that significantly lowered rents and house prices.
The Conservatives failed to effect this people's welfare action after Brexit for 14 years.
The Conservatives failed to effect this people's welfare action after Brexit for 14 years.
GDP measures activity, not well-being of the people. GDP does not directly measure:
Affordability
Cost of living
Security
Leisure
Distribution of income
E.g. Much lower rents can reduce GDP but improve welfare of the renters - build more homes to cut rent.
Affordability
Cost of living
Security
Leisure
Distribution of income
E.g. Much lower rents can reduce GDP but improve welfare of the renters - build more homes to cut rent.
December 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
GDP measures activity, not well-being of the people. GDP does not directly measure:
Affordability
Cost of living
Security
Leisure
Distribution of income
E.g. Much lower rents can reduce GDP but improve welfare of the renters - build more homes to cut rent.
Affordability
Cost of living
Security
Leisure
Distribution of income
E.g. Much lower rents can reduce GDP but improve welfare of the renters - build more homes to cut rent.
2 /...and CHatGPT's bottom line on my question above:-
December 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM
2 /...and CHatGPT's bottom line on my question above:-
1/ I questioned ChatGPT with my thoughts on "misunderstand basic economics..." Here is its reply to my question - Can an expert "misunderstand basic economics" but excellent in advanced practical economics for the population?
December 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM
1/ I questioned ChatGPT with my thoughts on "misunderstand basic economics..." Here is its reply to my question - Can an expert "misunderstand basic economics" but excellent in advanced practical economics for the population?
Is this his "comeback": Rishi Sunak has said his favourite food to order at McDonald’s is a breakfast wrap which has been off the menu for more than two years?!
December 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Is this his "comeback": Rishi Sunak has said his favourite food to order at McDonald’s is a breakfast wrap which has been off the menu for more than two years?!
@justlurkingabout00.bsky.social Your "More pensioners = more spare bedrooms" - using rental income as a supplement to owner pensioners' pension is a workable complex solution. A possible delivery is a national system - using the local government housing departments - why they have not done it!
December 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
@justlurkingabout00.bsky.social Your "More pensioners = more spare bedrooms" - using rental income as a supplement to owner pensioners' pension is a workable complex solution. A possible delivery is a national system - using the local government housing departments - why they have not done it!
2/ For example: Singapore's Central Provident Fund which is fully funded. This 10-15% rate would likely have been sufficient to build a robust fund over 45 years from 1980 to 2025. Moreover, North Sea oil tax revenue was streaming in from 1970s - look at Norway's provident funds from this oil!
December 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
2/ For example: Singapore's Central Provident Fund which is fully funded. This 10-15% rate would likely have been sufficient to build a robust fund over 45 years from 1980 to 2025. Moreover, North Sea oil tax revenue was streaming in from 1970s - look at Norway's provident funds from this oil!
1/ @justlurkingabout00.bsky.social You are missing a big critical point, @ryfford.bsky.social is correct. You can check and do a Q&A dialogue with ChatGPT.
The critical point is that UK gov did not put in a mandatory 10-15% personal income contribution to a central provident pension from the 1980s.
The critical point is that UK gov did not put in a mandatory 10-15% personal income contribution to a central provident pension from the 1980s.
December 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
1/ @justlurkingabout00.bsky.social You are missing a big critical point, @ryfford.bsky.social is correct. You can check and do a Q&A dialogue with ChatGPT.
The critical point is that UK gov did not put in a mandatory 10-15% personal income contribution to a central provident pension from the 1980s.
The critical point is that UK gov did not put in a mandatory 10-15% personal income contribution to a central provident pension from the 1980s.
@decahedronx.bsky.social the "highest" is nominal or numerical.
E.g. on UK's triple-locked pension, how it compares to local living standards, and how it compares to local pensioners' experience in living in other European countries.
bsky.app/profile/just...
E.g. on UK's triple-locked pension, how it compares to local living standards, and how it compares to local pensioners' experience in living in other European countries.
bsky.app/profile/just...
1/ You are correct @dcharlie.bsky.social , the highest of the low-values is still low!
I attach two links which illustrate how our "triple-locked" pension compares in the European geography:-
www.ii.co.uk/analysis-com...
I attach two links which illustrate how our "triple-locked" pension compares in the European geography:-
www.ii.co.uk/analysis-com...
Is the UK state pension really the worst in Europe?
Britain’s pensions system has attracted criticism and its very existence, certainly in its current form, is under threat. Alice Guy compares our pensions with those available in Europe.
www.ii.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 11:33 AM
@decahedronx.bsky.social the "highest" is nominal or numerical.
E.g. on UK's triple-locked pension, how it compares to local living standards, and how it compares to local pensioners' experience in living in other European countries.
bsky.app/profile/just...
E.g. on UK's triple-locked pension, how it compares to local living standards, and how it compares to local pensioners' experience in living in other European countries.
bsky.app/profile/just...
Above 1/ & 2/ explain the current status in 2025.
Back in 2010, state pension was in much worse position.
A key reason the UK's State Pension Triple Lock (introduced 2010/2011) was brought in was to address the UK's relatively low state pension compared to other European countries then.
Back in 2010, state pension was in much worse position.
A key reason the UK's State Pension Triple Lock (introduced 2010/2011) was brought in was to address the UK's relatively low state pension compared to other European countries then.
December 16, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Above 1/ & 2/ explain the current status in 2025.
Back in 2010, state pension was in much worse position.
A key reason the UK's State Pension Triple Lock (introduced 2010/2011) was brought in was to address the UK's relatively low state pension compared to other European countries then.
Back in 2010, state pension was in much worse position.
A key reason the UK's State Pension Triple Lock (introduced 2010/2011) was brought in was to address the UK's relatively low state pension compared to other European countries then.
Another analysis - to say why looking at a cost movement or a low wage amount in isolation is never as good as looing at the net effect of living values.
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre....
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre....
Low-income households still falling short of minimum living standard despite wage rises
Many UK households are falling short of what they need for a minimum socially acceptable standard of living – even when working full-time – according to new research.
www.lboro.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 11:04 AM
2/ The UK's triple-locked state pension provides
relatively low sufficiency compared to many other European pensions when adjusted for the actual cost of living, as the UK system relies heavily on private pensions to supplement state provision.
www.fidelity.co.uk/markets-insi...
relatively low sufficiency compared to many other European pensions when adjusted for the actual cost of living, as the UK system relies heavily on private pensions to supplement state provision.
www.fidelity.co.uk/markets-insi...
State pension generosity compared: how does the UK measure up? | Fidelity UK
Get all the latest news, views and opinions from Fidelity’s savings and investment experts on saving and investing for your retirement.
www.fidelity.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
2/ The UK's triple-locked state pension provides
relatively low sufficiency compared to many other European pensions when adjusted for the actual cost of living, as the UK system relies heavily on private pensions to supplement state provision.
www.fidelity.co.uk/markets-insi...
relatively low sufficiency compared to many other European pensions when adjusted for the actual cost of living, as the UK system relies heavily on private pensions to supplement state provision.
www.fidelity.co.uk/markets-insi...
1/ You are correct @dcharlie.bsky.social , the highest of the low-values is still low!
I attach two links which illustrate how our "triple-locked" pension compares in the European geography:-
www.ii.co.uk/analysis-com...
I attach two links which illustrate how our "triple-locked" pension compares in the European geography:-
www.ii.co.uk/analysis-com...
Is the UK state pension really the worst in Europe?
Britain’s pensions system has attracted criticism and its very existence, certainly in its current form, is under threat. Alice Guy compares our pensions with those available in Europe.
www.ii.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
1/ You are correct @dcharlie.bsky.social , the highest of the low-values is still low!
I attach two links which illustrate how our "triple-locked" pension compares in the European geography:-
www.ii.co.uk/analysis-com...
I attach two links which illustrate how our "triple-locked" pension compares in the European geography:-
www.ii.co.uk/analysis-com...
Another analysis - to say why looking at a cost movement or a low wage amount in isolation is never as good as looing at the net effect of living values.
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre....
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre....
Low-income households still falling short of minimum living standard despite wage rises
Many UK households are falling short of what they need for a minimum socially acceptable standard of living – even when working full-time – according to new research.
www.lboro.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Another analysis - to say why looking at a cost movement or a low wage amount in isolation is never as good as looing at the net effect of living values.
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre....
www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre....
In European geography, minimum wages, though nominal values have increase in all European countries in time - the common social-economic critical point is what you can buy and pay locally to live, real cost of living - rather than the nominal values.
www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk/2025/08/12/i...
www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk/2025/08/12/i...
Income comparison in the EU – minimum wage is hardly enough to live on anywhere – Family Friendly Working
www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 10:54 AM
In European geography, minimum wages, though nominal values have increase in all European countries in time - the common social-economic critical point is what you can buy and pay locally to live, real cost of living - rather than the nominal values.
www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk/2025/08/12/i...
www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk/2025/08/12/i...
2 / Their (UK) productivity growth since ~2008 has been very weak. This is the main reason middle incomes have stagnated. Therefore, the middle-income people could be the ones mostly not happy about the wins. They, with change, need to increase their own productivity. ifs.org.uk/news/decade-...
A decade and a half of historically poor growth has taken its toll | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Low investment, policy mistakes, political instability, and Brexit have combined to hold back growth by more than in many comparable nations.
ifs.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM
2 / Their (UK) productivity growth since ~2008 has been very weak. This is the main reason middle incomes have stagnated. Therefore, the middle-income people could be the ones mostly not happy about the wins. They, with change, need to increase their own productivity. ifs.org.uk/news/decade-...
1 / There are wins and losses as you said.
A big issue, remains largely unresolved, is that the "pot of money" for sharing out in the population is not getting bigger with higher productivity by the middle class in spite of university education - those in the middle 25-75 percentile in income.
A big issue, remains largely unresolved, is that the "pot of money" for sharing out in the population is not getting bigger with higher productivity by the middle class in spite of university education - those in the middle 25-75 percentile in income.
December 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM
1 / There are wins and losses as you said.
A big issue, remains largely unresolved, is that the "pot of money" for sharing out in the population is not getting bigger with higher productivity by the middle class in spite of university education - those in the middle 25-75 percentile in income.
A big issue, remains largely unresolved, is that the "pot of money" for sharing out in the population is not getting bigger with higher productivity by the middle class in spite of university education - those in the middle 25-75 percentile in income.