Reposted by Mark Vickery
Huge respect to the papers for finding both an 88 year old worried about the tax bill on her 6 bedroom Kensington house and a 20 year old fretting about only being able to save £12k a year tax free.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
November 29, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Huge respect to the papers for finding both an 88 year old worried about the tax bill on her 6 bedroom Kensington house and a 20 year old fretting about only being able to save £12k a year tax free.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
I am a touch confused by the OBR letter.
The substance was pretty clear from the actual documents on the day (see below).
Actually spelling it all out in a separate communication feels like a very aggressive step.
The substance was pretty clear from the actual documents on the day (see below).
Actually spelling it all out in a separate communication feels like a very aggressive step.
Minor point. But this is the OBR saying that the briefing about income tax being dropped because of improved forecasts is bollocks.
November 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
I am a touch confused by the OBR letter.
The substance was pretty clear from the actual documents on the day (see below).
Actually spelling it all out in a separate communication feels like a very aggressive step.
The substance was pretty clear from the actual documents on the day (see below).
Actually spelling it all out in a separate communication feels like a very aggressive step.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
If you’d like to know a bit about the Basque refugee children you can listen to me chat to the brilliant Chris Lee on the @outsidewrite.bsky.social podcast. Some of the children went on to play for the likes of #AthleticClub and #RealMadrid.🎧Listen here: tinyurl.com/2dc3hfmr #Euskadi
November 28, 2025 at 9:23 PM
If you’d like to know a bit about the Basque refugee children you can listen to me chat to the brilliant Chris Lee on the @outsidewrite.bsky.social podcast. Some of the children went on to play for the likes of #AthleticClub and #RealMadrid.🎧Listen here: tinyurl.com/2dc3hfmr #Euskadi
Reposted by Mark Vickery
I've signed. Have you?
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I've signed. Have you?
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Ex-Brexit Party MEP named in Nathan Gill messages denies taking pro-Russian payments
Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Ex-Brexit Party MEP named in Nathan Gill messages denies taking pro-Russian payments
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Today's 70% fall in net migration to 205,000 was not one of the six stories in BBC ten o'clock news.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
November 27, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Today's 70% fall in net migration to 205,000 was not one of the six stories in BBC ten o'clock news.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
Ta massive assymetry in whether rises in immigration and falls in immigration are considered newsworthy by broadcasters
Down by 140k isn't thought to be.
Up by 140k undoubtedly would be.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
🚨BOOM!! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 50,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
🚨BOOM!! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 50,000 signatures! Let’s get it to 100,000. If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
Reposted by Mark Vickery
V good Economist article.
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening
economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening
economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
November 27, 2025 at 9:39 AM
V good Economist article.
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening
economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening
economist.com/finance-and-...
from The Economist
Reposted by Mark Vickery
A petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics and democracy has reached over 60,000 signatures with the percentage of people signing it highest in Wales.
Russian influence enquiry petition has higher concentration of signatures in Wales
Emily Price A petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics and democracy has reached over 60,000 signatures with the percentage of people signing it highest in Wales. T...
wp.me
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics and democracy has reached over 60,000 signatures with the percentage of people signing it highest in Wales.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Plus sides to today: Two-child benefit scrapped. Largely progressive tax implications. Good market reaction. No big spending cuts. Nightmare prospect of cutting funding to net zero etc avoided. It's a left-wing budget. Those who say there's no difference between Labour and Tories are bananas.
November 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Plus sides to today: Two-child benefit scrapped. Largely progressive tax implications. Good market reaction. No big spending cuts. Nightmare prospect of cutting funding to net zero etc avoided. It's a left-wing budget. Those who say there's no difference between Labour and Tories are bananas.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Think Reeves can chalk this up as a win. A big win actually.
U.K 30 YEAR GILT YIELD DOWN 9.8 BPS TO 5.23%, IN BIGGEST ONE DAY FALL SINCE APRIL
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Think Reeves can chalk this up as a win. A big win actually.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Rachel Reeves can count herself (at least a bit) lucky. OBR productivity downgrade would have knocked £16 billion off tax receipts. But she was saved by £32 billion of *extra* receipts from higher inflation and a shift to more tax-rich growth (lower profits, higher wages).
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Rachel Reeves can count herself (at least a bit) lucky. OBR productivity downgrade would have knocked £16 billion off tax receipts. But she was saved by £32 billion of *extra* receipts from higher inflation and a shift to more tax-rich growth (lower profits, higher wages).
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Reading the OBR report before the chancellor starts. An illicit thrill.
November 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Reading the OBR report before the chancellor starts. An illicit thrill.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
It’s not good news, but perhaps not surprising - those who’ve gained the most from the global economy are feeling less inclined to fund fixing it. The timing’s not good as the world heads for 2.6°C of warming - a level scientists call a “global disaster.” And the cause?
buff.ly/NmT9FN6
buff.ly/NmT9FN6
November 26, 2025 at 9:40 AM
It’s not good news, but perhaps not surprising - those who’ve gained the most from the global economy are feeling less inclined to fund fixing it. The timing’s not good as the world heads for 2.6°C of warming - a level scientists call a “global disaster.” And the cause?
buff.ly/NmT9FN6
buff.ly/NmT9FN6
Reposted by Mark Vickery
FCA makes inquiries into WH Smith accounting error that wiped £600m off value.
Company accounts are opaque and unfit for purpose, audited by firms hired/paid by companies.
Financial Reporting Council, funded and dominated by big business makes the rules.
Company accounts are opaque and unfit for purpose, audited by firms hired/paid by companies.
Financial Reporting Council, funded and dominated by big business makes the rules.
FCA makes inquiries into WH Smith accounting error that wiped almost £600m off value
Regulator assessing whether firm breached UK disclosure rules for listed companies, but is yet to launch formal investigation
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:06 AM
FCA makes inquiries into WH Smith accounting error that wiped £600m off value.
Company accounts are opaque and unfit for purpose, audited by firms hired/paid by companies.
Financial Reporting Council, funded and dominated by big business makes the rules.
Company accounts are opaque and unfit for purpose, audited by firms hired/paid by companies.
Financial Reporting Council, funded and dominated by big business makes the rules.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Reposted by Mark Vickery
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Just a reminder so hopefully I’m not just talking to myself! I’m doing a talk about the Basque children refugees in Caerleon & my book ‘Los Leones: The Unique Story of Athletic Club Bilbao’ at the Cwtsh Arts Centre on 5th December. Come along! 🏴 #Newport #Euskadi #AthleticClub #RefugeesWelcome
November 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Just a reminder so hopefully I’m not just talking to myself! I’m doing a talk about the Basque children refugees in Caerleon & my book ‘Los Leones: The Unique Story of Athletic Club Bilbao’ at the Cwtsh Arts Centre on 5th December. Come along! 🏴 #Newport #Euskadi #AthleticClub #RefugeesWelcome
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Reposted by Mark Vickery
"The former BBC director general Tim Davie misled the public in suggesting BBC news reporters had a leftwing political agenda, Good Law Project can reveal." goodlaw.social/vyyj
Tim Davie misled audience about the BBC’s supposed leftwing agenda | Good Law Project
Speaking at a book festival, the former director general suggested the BBC newsroom was full of BLM T-shirts and Kamala mugs. But that’s fake news.
goodlaw.social
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"The former BBC director general Tim Davie misled the public in suggesting BBC news reporters had a leftwing political agenda, Good Law Project can reveal." goodlaw.social/vyyj
Reposted by Mark Vickery
This sounds great. But, unfortunately, it’s nonsense. We borrow from the bond markets. There is no alternative. I wish it were otherwise, but it’s not. The real world cannot be wished away.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social on the importance of spending multipliers & borrowing to invest
Zack is, without doubt, a great communicator. And on him talking about democracy & the bond markets I'm reminded of Eddie Dempsey at the Durham Miners Gala when he asked "who elected the bond market?"
Zack is, without doubt, a great communicator. And on him talking about democracy & the bond markets I'm reminded of Eddie Dempsey at the Durham Miners Gala when he asked "who elected the bond market?"
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
This sounds great. But, unfortunately, it’s nonsense. We borrow from the bond markets. There is no alternative. I wish it were otherwise, but it’s not. The real world cannot be wished away.
Reposted by Mark Vickery
"My NHS colleagues & I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Boris no longer mentions them at all."
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
I’ll never forget the horror of the Covid wards | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:18 AM
"My NHS colleagues & I weren’t willing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands. Boris no longer mentions them at all."
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
My piece on the responses to the UK Covid-UK Inquiry report that try to airbrush the dead away.
Sincere thanks, @theobserveruk.bsky.social.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Mark Vickery
Powerful piece by @drrachelclarke.com on the COVID inquiry. Those who say it’s easy to be wise in hindsight are being utterly disingenuous. Many of us spoke out at the time, and it’s in the public record.
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
I’ll never forget the horror of the Covid wards | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Powerful piece by @drrachelclarke.com on the COVID inquiry. Those who say it’s easy to be wise in hindsight are being utterly disingenuous. Many of us spoke out at the time, and it’s in the public record.
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@independentsage.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Mark Vickery
I wrote a few words about Mani for The Sunday Times - I didn’t know it would be behind a paywall, so here it is if you would like to read it:
(1/7)
(1/7)
November 23, 2025 at 7:57 AM
I wrote a few words about Mani for The Sunday Times - I didn’t know it would be behind a paywall, so here it is if you would like to read it:
(1/7)
(1/7)