Melanie Henwood
@melanie-henwood.bsky.social
UK Social policy research analyst for past 40+ years; self-employed; family carer; animal lover; former private pilot, erratic equestrian, Springsteen follower and village dweller.
Reposted by Melanie Henwood
‘Outdated and ever less fit for purpose’: five takeaways from the carer’s allowance report
‘Outdated and ever less fit for purpose’: five takeaways from the carer’s allowance report
Dysfunctional DWP failed to notify some carers that they were accruing enormous debt for years, Liz Sayce’s damning report reveals
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:05 PM
‘Outdated and ever less fit for purpose’: five takeaways from the carer’s allowance report
David Lamy’s plans for dealing with backlog in courts: Get rid of jury trials? Worrying implications for due process and huge power vested in single judge. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
David Lamy’s plans for dealing with backlog in courts: Get rid of jury trials? Worrying implications for due process and huge power vested in single judge. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social the wonderful #LegendTheBruceSpringsteenStory series discussed on #BBCR4 #Feedback today 👍👏
November 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social the wonderful #LegendTheBruceSpringsteenStory series discussed on #BBCR4 #Feedback today 👍👏
@evanhd.bsky.social Wallabies? #BBCR4PM yes - feral populations in South Northants and Buckinghamshire. 👍
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
@evanhd.bsky.social Wallabies? #BBCR4PM yes - feral populations in South Northants and Buckinghamshire. 👍
And this: “In one area – adult social care – the researchers found that government action in the previous year had made things worse.”
Dear God, this is a dreadful indictment of policy-making right across HM Government… www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says thinktank
Keir Starmer accused of failing to adequately strategise while in opposition, leading to uncoordinated policymaking
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 AM
And this: “In one area – adult social care – the researchers found that government action in the previous year had made things worse.”
How did it come to be such a dire situation for Labour? Excellent - but depressing - analysis here 👇
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offer, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:29 AM
How did it come to be such a dire situation for Labour? Excellent - but depressing - analysis here 👇
As someone who regularly watches and waves to #ISS I’ve loved watching #OnceUponATimeInSpace I hadn’t expected to be so moved by it. “Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth.”
November 10, 2025 at 10:07 PM
As someone who regularly watches and waves to #ISS I’ve loved watching #OnceUponATimeInSpace I hadn’t expected to be so moved by it. “Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth.”
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social what a treat the #Legends series on #brucespringsteen has been. Warm, insightful, revealing and hopeful. So important to have a good companion for this part of the ride www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Legend - Episode guide
All episodes of Legend
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:12 PM
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social what a treat the #Legends series on #brucespringsteen has been. Warm, insightful, revealing and hopeful. So important to have a good companion for this part of the ride www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
#BettyBrown @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social @vicderbyshire.bsky.social
93 year old victim of #PostOfficeScandal finally getting compensation. What dignity, courage and determination. 👏”no more shenanigans.”
93 year old victim of #PostOfficeScandal finally getting compensation. What dignity, courage and determination. 👏”no more shenanigans.”
November 5, 2025 at 11:03 PM
#BettyBrown @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social @vicderbyshire.bsky.social
93 year old victim of #PostOfficeScandal finally getting compensation. What dignity, courage and determination. 👏”no more shenanigans.”
93 year old victim of #PostOfficeScandal finally getting compensation. What dignity, courage and determination. 👏”no more shenanigans.”
What? #Today #BBCradio4 interrupts the Chancellor’s speech live from Downing Street for commentary??!
November 4, 2025 at 8:17 AM
What? #Today #BBCradio4 interrupts the Chancellor’s speech live from Downing Street for commentary??!
@allaboutthearchers.bsky.social conversation about #BringMeSunshine for a funeral stopped me in my tracks - that was my Dad’s final farewell music 🙁🥲
October 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM
@allaboutthearchers.bsky.social conversation about #BringMeSunshine for a funeral stopped me in my tracks - that was my Dad’s final farewell music 🙁🥲
Reposted by Melanie Henwood
The #NukedBloodScandal is one of the greatest injustices of our time. These national heroes deserve justice and compensation
These national heroes have now waited more than a year for a meeting with Keir Starmer to discuss the justice & compensation Labour committed to in opposition. They are now in their eighties and are dying waiting for justice. This is no way to treat veterans Prime Minister
youtu.be/hSQNLn2Ocr8?...
youtu.be/hSQNLn2Ocr8?...
Video emerges of Deputy PM,Defence Secretary & other Ministers BACKING compensation for Nuclear Vets
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The #NukedBloodScandal is one of the greatest injustices of our time. These national heroes deserve justice and compensation
Excellent Long View of History from international editor #JeremyBowen #Today BBCR4. He has seen this through the years and understands the complexity more than most #IsraelGaza
October 16, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Excellent Long View of History from international editor #JeremyBowen #Today BBCR4. He has seen this through the years and understands the complexity more than most #IsraelGaza
Excellent Long View of History from international editor #JeremyBowen #Today BBCR4. He has seen this through the years and understands the complexity more than most #IsraelGaza
October 16, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Excellent Long View of History from international editor #JeremyBowen #Today BBCR4. He has seen this through the years and understands the complexity more than most #IsraelGaza
Well, this promises to be marvellous! #Springsteen @ladymissbarton.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Legend, The Bruce Springsteen Story, 1. My Hometown
Bruce's story begins in the small factory town of Freehold, New Jersey.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 4, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Well, this promises to be marvellous! #Springsteen @ladymissbarton.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Stunning oratory from #SirMaxHastings on why he will be on the streets tomorrow protesting against #TrumpVisit. This is what speaking truth to power sounds like listen from 17.50 @evanhd.bsky.social 👍👏 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Radio 4 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds
Listen live to BBC Radio 4 on BBC Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Stunning oratory from #SirMaxHastings on why he will be on the streets tomorrow protesting against #TrumpVisit. This is what speaking truth to power sounds like listen from 17.50 @evanhd.bsky.social 👍👏 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Oh, I’m very sad to hear this #RobertRedford RIP www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Hollywood icon Robert Redford dies aged 89 - latest updates
The actor and filmmaker was known for his blockbuster films like Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Oh, I’m very sad to hear this #RobertRedford RIP www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
A joy to listen to #WhereTheDistanceShimmers A
Eulogy to Route 66, poetic, lyrical, nostalgic
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Eulogy to Route 66, poetic, lyrical, nostalgic
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Illuminated, Where the Distance Shimmers
Laura Barton reflects on the shifting identity of Route 66.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 6:46 PM
A joy to listen to #WhereTheDistanceShimmers A
Eulogy to Route 66, poetic, lyrical, nostalgic
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Eulogy to Route 66, poetic, lyrical, nostalgic
@ladymissbarton.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Loving #BohemianRhapsody at #LastNightIfTheProms How has it taken this long??!
September 13, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Loving #BohemianRhapsody at #LastNightIfTheProms How has it taken this long??!
Universities merger - the shape of things to come? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Greenwich and Kent announce merger to form 'super-university'
Universities are facing ongoing financial worries, with the regulator saying other mergers could follow.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Universities merger - the shape of things to come? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Melanie Henwood
"Who do they think they are?!"
A furious @andyburnham.bsky.social on the news that a Reform UK government would scrap plans to build Northern Powerhouse Rail.
A furious @andyburnham.bsky.social on the news that a Reform UK government would scrap plans to build Northern Powerhouse Rail.
September 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
"Who do they think they are?!"
A furious @andyburnham.bsky.social on the news that a Reform UK government would scrap plans to build Northern Powerhouse Rail.
A furious @andyburnham.bsky.social on the news that a Reform UK government would scrap plans to build Northern Powerhouse Rail.
@channel4tv.bsky.social “less adverts, more bake off.” Nice idea …but that’s ’fewer adverts’. Thank you 🙄😉👍
September 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
@channel4tv.bsky.social “less adverts, more bake off.” Nice idea …but that’s ’fewer adverts’. Thank you 🙄😉👍
#LordChrisPatten pulling no punches on #Wato commenting on China etc and highlighting the totalitarian and sociopathic nature of Trump. This is a man who understands diplomacy and the lack of it currently being displayed by the USA. Dangerous times.
September 3, 2025 at 12:43 PM
#LordChrisPatten pulling no punches on #Wato commenting on China etc and highlighting the totalitarian and sociopathic nature of Trump. This is a man who understands diplomacy and the lack of it currently being displayed by the USA. Dangerous times.