Owen Espley (he/him)
@owenespley.bsky.social
Supporting communities to resist data centres @globalactionplan.bsky.social
Previously: #MakeAmazonPay @WaronWant #McStrike #McTax
Opinions & errors: my own (not GAP's!)
Previously: #MakeAmazonPay @WaronWant #McStrike #McTax
Opinions & errors: my own (not GAP's!)
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
Minister defends 'pragmatic' U-turn on workers' rights.
It was a manifesto pledge
Why no 'pragmatic' U-turn' on nationalising water, energy, rail rolling stock companies and freight; ending privatisation of the NHS and social care; taxing the super rich?
It was a manifesto pledge
Why no 'pragmatic' U-turn' on nationalising water, energy, rail rolling stock companies and freight; ending privatisation of the NHS and social care; taxing the super rich?
Minister defends 'pragmatic' U-turn on workers' rights
Bridget Phillipson told the BBC the climbdown would enable wider benefits to be delivered quickly.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Minister defends 'pragmatic' U-turn on workers' rights.
It was a manifesto pledge
Why no 'pragmatic' U-turn' on nationalising water, energy, rail rolling stock companies and freight; ending privatisation of the NHS and social care; taxing the super rich?
It was a manifesto pledge
Why no 'pragmatic' U-turn' on nationalising water, energy, rail rolling stock companies and freight; ending privatisation of the NHS and social care; taxing the super rich?
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
Last night, hundreds of Amazon workers in Frankenthal, Germany, walked off the job for the first time. They defied intimidation from management – and joined trade union ver.di and the growing global movement to #MakeAmazonPay.
UNI Europa stood with them on the picket lines.
UNI Europa stood with them on the picket lines.
November 29, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Last night, hundreds of Amazon workers in Frankenthal, Germany, walked off the job for the first time. They defied intimidation from management – and joined trade union ver.di and the growing global movement to #MakeAmazonPay.
UNI Europa stood with them on the picket lines.
UNI Europa stood with them on the picket lines.
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
The UK government is being sued by a billionaire Russian oligarch in a secret corporate court.
The Govt has confirmed its a respondent in two active Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) cases, including one from Russian billionaire oligarch Mikhail Maratovich Fridman (h/t Global Justice Now)
The Govt has confirmed its a respondent in two active Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) cases, including one from Russian billionaire oligarch Mikhail Maratovich Fridman (h/t Global Justice Now)
November 19, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The UK government is being sued by a billionaire Russian oligarch in a secret corporate court.
The Govt has confirmed its a respondent in two active Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) cases, including one from Russian billionaire oligarch Mikhail Maratovich Fridman (h/t Global Justice Now)
The Govt has confirmed its a respondent in two active Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) cases, including one from Russian billionaire oligarch Mikhail Maratovich Fridman (h/t Global Justice Now)
Big tech's colonisation of the world continues...
🪚 The digital omnibus proposed by the Commission today is an unprecedented rollback of digital rights.
In secretive meetings, the Commission has given privileged access to tech lobbyists to shape its proposals.
👉 corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/p...
In secretive meetings, the Commission has given privileged access to tech lobbyists to shape its proposals.
👉 corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/p...
Preparing a roll-back of digital rights: Commission's secretive meetings with industry | Corporate Europe Observatory
The European Commission is undertaking an unprecedented roll-back of digital rights. In secretive meetings, the Commission has given privileged access to tech lobbyists to shape its proposals, in viol...
corporateeurope.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Big tech's colonisation of the world continues...
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
"10a labs", a 'security research' firm employed by the big AI companies has begun collecting information and attacking organised opposition to data centres, framing them as "NIMBYS" and wildly exaggerating claims.
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/grou...
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/grou...
![Data Center Watch has published a report claiming that $64 billion worth of American data center projects were ‘threatened’ because of grassroots opposition.
Data Center Watch picture
A map produced by Data Center Watch tracking opposition to data centers in America
– Data Center Watch
The organization is backed by 10a Labs, an intelligence company specializing in AI security. Led by Robert McKenzie, a former adjunct professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University, it provides “intelligence collection, investigative research, and analysis for AI unicorns, Fortune 10 companies, and US tech leaders.”
The report claimed that $18bn worth of projects were ‘blocked’ and a further $46bn more were ‘delayed’ in the two years prior to March 2025.
It primarily attributed this opposition to local concern, identifying several “common themes” of opposition, such as “higher utility bills, water consumption, noise, impact on property value, and green space preservation.”
However, the report’s claims should be read with close attention to its definitions. For instance, ‘blocked’ projects include cases where a “company submits a new proposal with similar characteristics in a different but nearby location after withdrawing a previous project.”
Two examples, which amount to $14.5bn out of the total $18bn, fit this criterion.
The first is attributable to Tract, a company specializing in ‘master-planned’ data center parks, which withdrew a $14bn, 1,000-acre project located in Maricopa County, Arizona, in May 2024. Tract then announced in August of the same year that they had acquired a land parcel - double the size of the original project - within the same county for a data center park.
Whether Tract had already intended to develop a second facility prior to the withdrawal of the first is unclear. Grant von Rooyen, Tract’s CEO, previously told DCD that the company “very rarely [goes] into a market with only one solution… [Tract] will ultimately have multiple s…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:66lbtw2porscqpmair6mir37/bafkreihtwegmocoffjawkkb5v5gtnkxsca76piog2t6mexzippglpwjnza@jpeg)
May 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
"10a labs", a 'security research' firm employed by the big AI companies has begun collecting information and attacking organised opposition to data centres, framing them as "NIMBYS" and wildly exaggerating claims.
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/grou...
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/grou...
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
This is an incredible effort among Amazon employees to pressure their employer:
"We believe that the all-costs-justified, warp-speed approach to AI development will do staggering damage to democracy, to our jobs, and to the earth."
www.amazonclimatejustice.org/open-letter?...
"We believe that the all-costs-justified, warp-speed approach to AI development will do staggering damage to democracy, to our jobs, and to the earth."
www.amazonclimatejustice.org/open-letter?...
AI Open Letter — AECJ
Sign our open letter below to tell Amazon leadership that we need a more responsible rollout of AI. Every single signature makes our message stronger.
www.amazonclimatejustice.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
This is an incredible effort among Amazon employees to pressure their employer:
"We believe that the all-costs-justified, warp-speed approach to AI development will do staggering damage to democracy, to our jobs, and to the earth."
www.amazonclimatejustice.org/open-letter?...
"We believe that the all-costs-justified, warp-speed approach to AI development will do staggering damage to democracy, to our jobs, and to the earth."
www.amazonclimatejustice.org/open-letter?...
One reason business opposed to min wages argue for youth-rates, is they help keep everyone's wages down... if your employer can have a younger worker do the same for less, you're less able to push for higher wages #NMW #NoYouthRates #SameWorkSamePay
🔴Nigel Farage Says Minimum Wage Should Be Cut for Young People
The Reform leader said cutting the minimum wage for young people would boost business, as he attacked plans to raise taxes on the wealthy
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/03/n...
The Reform leader said cutting the minimum wage for young people would boost business, as he attacked plans to raise taxes on the wealthy
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/03/n...
Nigel Farage Says Minimum Wage Should Be Cut for Young People
The Reform leader said cutting the minimum wage for young people would boost business, as he attacked plans to raise taxes on the wealthy
bylinetimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:48 PM
One reason business opposed to min wages argue for youth-rates, is they help keep everyone's wages down... if your employer can have a younger worker do the same for less, you're less able to push for higher wages #NMW #NoYouthRates #SameWorkSamePay
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
Google, the world’s largest search engine operating three in four smartphones, has played Brussels like a fiddle – shaping laws, silencing rivals, and calling it "innovation". The chart shows how Big Tech bankrolls Brussels’ top think tanks.
Read our latest story here: www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
Read our latest story here: www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
November 3, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Google, the world’s largest search engine operating three in four smartphones, has played Brussels like a fiddle – shaping laws, silencing rivals, and calling it "innovation". The chart shows how Big Tech bankrolls Brussels’ top think tanks.
Read our latest story here: www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
Read our latest story here: www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
📢 As the EU's deregulation agenda rolls out the red carpet for corporate interests, our new study shows that the tech industry has ramped up its lobby power:
💰 Lobby spending hits a record €151 million
🕴 Almost 900 tech lobbyists
🤝 Big Tech has lobby 3 meetings a day
@lobbycontrol.bsky.social
💰 Lobby spending hits a record €151 million
🕴 Almost 900 tech lobbyists
🤝 Big Tech has lobby 3 meetings a day
@lobbycontrol.bsky.social
Big Tech lobby budgets hit record levels | Corporate Europe Observatory
New figures show that the digital industry as a whole is now spending €151 million a year on lobbying the EU, a major increase to what was already considerable firepower.
corporateeurope.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:58 AM
📢 As the EU's deregulation agenda rolls out the red carpet for corporate interests, our new study shows that the tech industry has ramped up its lobby power:
💰 Lobby spending hits a record €151 million
🕴 Almost 900 tech lobbyists
🤝 Big Tech has lobby 3 meetings a day
@lobbycontrol.bsky.social
💰 Lobby spending hits a record €151 million
🕴 Almost 900 tech lobbyists
🤝 Big Tech has lobby 3 meetings a day
@lobbycontrol.bsky.social
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
I saw the dot coms crash from a front row seat. AI is running out of money way faster.
The evangelism is insecurity from people who made the wrong bet. I’ve seen it before. futurism.com/future-socie...
The evangelism is insecurity from people who made the wrong bet. I’ve seen it before. futurism.com/future-socie...
AI Data Centers Are an Even Bigger Disaster Than Previously Thought
An investment manager realized he made a crucial mistake — and that his grim prediction about AI investments may not have been cynical enough.
futurism.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:46 AM
I saw the dot coms crash from a front row seat. AI is running out of money way faster.
The evangelism is insecurity from people who made the wrong bet. I’ve seen it before. futurism.com/future-socie...
The evangelism is insecurity from people who made the wrong bet. I’ve seen it before. futurism.com/future-socie...
Without punishment there is no law! (sine pune sine lege.. if Latin's your thing)...
It's a total disgrace that workers can go thru the utter mill to get awarded compensation only for bosses to sidestep it in preventable ways...
It's a total disgrace that workers can go thru the utter mill to get awarded compensation only for bosses to sidestep it in preventable ways...
🚨 Our new investigation out today reveals how thousands of people who've taken their bosses to employment tribunals & won, never got paid, even after they approached the government for help.
This has serious implications for the Employment rights bill.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
This has serious implications for the Employment rights bill.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
Thousands of rogue bosses get away with not paying tribunal awards
The government scheme ‘enforcing’ money owed to workers has been unsuccessful in a staggering three-quarters of cases
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Without punishment there is no law! (sine pune sine lege.. if Latin's your thing)...
It's a total disgrace that workers can go thru the utter mill to get awarded compensation only for bosses to sidestep it in preventable ways...
It's a total disgrace that workers can go thru the utter mill to get awarded compensation only for bosses to sidestep it in preventable ways...
What these workers need is a union! Yet this article fails to mention them (?)... Strange... #MakeAmazonPay
@gmb.org.uk
@gmb.org.uk
September 22, 2025 at 3:57 PM
What these workers need is a union! Yet this article fails to mention them (?)... Strange... #MakeAmazonPay
@gmb.org.uk
@gmb.org.uk
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced that will prosecute a senior lawyer at Carter-Ruck for an “improper” threat to sue a journalist over a crypto company story
August 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced that will prosecute a senior lawyer at Carter-Ruck for an “improper” threat to sue a journalist over a crypto company story
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
🚨It’s been a year since Amazon workers in India said:
🥵“It’s too hot in the warehouse.”
📦So… did Amazon fix it?
😡Not really.
✊🏿That's why workers are organizing with Amazon India Workers Union
#MakeAmazonPay
🥵“It’s too hot in the warehouse.”
📦So… did Amazon fix it?
😡Not really.
✊🏿That's why workers are organizing with Amazon India Workers Union
#MakeAmazonPay
July 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
🚨It’s been a year since Amazon workers in India said:
🥵“It’s too hot in the warehouse.”
📦So… did Amazon fix it?
😡Not really.
✊🏿That's why workers are organizing with Amazon India Workers Union
#MakeAmazonPay
🥵“It’s too hot in the warehouse.”
📦So… did Amazon fix it?
😡Not really.
✊🏿That's why workers are organizing with Amazon India Workers Union
#MakeAmazonPay
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
Good news!
The European Commission tightens firewall against #tobacco lobbyists, enforcing Article 5.3 of the UN tobacco control treaty 👏
It will meet tobacco industry #lobbyists "only if strictly necessary for the purpose of its activities" 🚭
#WNTD2025
www.corporateeurope.org/en/2025/05/e...
The European Commission tightens firewall against #tobacco lobbyists, enforcing Article 5.3 of the UN tobacco control treaty 👏
It will meet tobacco industry #lobbyists "only if strictly necessary for the purpose of its activities" 🚭
#WNTD2025
www.corporateeurope.org/en/2025/05/e...
EU Commission tightens firewall enforcement against tobacco lobbyists | Corporate Europe Observatory
Corporate Europe Observatory welcomes the EU’s tightening of enforcement of UN rules for a firewall between decision-makers, and tobacco lobbyists. But we also explore possible loopholes and urge robu...
www.corporateeurope.org
May 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Good news!
The European Commission tightens firewall against #tobacco lobbyists, enforcing Article 5.3 of the UN tobacco control treaty 👏
It will meet tobacco industry #lobbyists "only if strictly necessary for the purpose of its activities" 🚭
#WNTD2025
www.corporateeurope.org/en/2025/05/e...
The European Commission tightens firewall against #tobacco lobbyists, enforcing Article 5.3 of the UN tobacco control treaty 👏
It will meet tobacco industry #lobbyists "only if strictly necessary for the purpose of its activities" 🚭
#WNTD2025
www.corporateeurope.org/en/2025/05/e...
#MakeAmazonPay! France & Canada your turn next!
Our statement on the good news that the US-UK trade deal announced today reportedly *does not* include the end of the UK's digital services tax - which many predicted
This sends a strong signal to other countries, such as France and Canada, to stand strong on their own digital services taxes
This sends a strong signal to other countries, such as France and Canada, to stand strong on their own digital services taxes
May 8, 2025 at 7:38 PM
#MakeAmazonPay! France & Canada your turn next!
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
#PCS has a vacancy for a designer in our communications and campaigns team. We're looking for someone with a strong portfolio of digital, print design and marketing materials.
Closing date 14 May. Interviews 28 May.
More details and how to apply on our website: www.pcs.org.uk/work-pcs
Closing date 14 May. Interviews 28 May.
More details and how to apply on our website: www.pcs.org.uk/work-pcs
April 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
#PCS has a vacancy for a designer in our communications and campaigns team. We're looking for someone with a strong portfolio of digital, print design and marketing materials.
Closing date 14 May. Interviews 28 May.
More details and how to apply on our website: www.pcs.org.uk/work-pcs
Closing date 14 May. Interviews 28 May.
More details and how to apply on our website: www.pcs.org.uk/work-pcs
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
🚜Farming is increasingly at risk of being hi-jacked by the far-right. Now more than ever we need to unite and build a progressive front in UK food and farming.
Join the #FoodInOurHands march on April 26th in London: landworkersalliance.org.uk/foodinourhan...
Join the #FoodInOurHands march on April 26th in London: landworkersalliance.org.uk/foodinourhan...
Food In Our Hands 2025 - Landworkers Alliance
landworkersalliance.org.uk
April 2, 2025 at 12:08 PM
🚜Farming is increasingly at risk of being hi-jacked by the far-right. Now more than ever we need to unite and build a progressive front in UK food and farming.
Join the #FoodInOurHands march on April 26th in London: landworkersalliance.org.uk/foodinourhan...
Join the #FoodInOurHands march on April 26th in London: landworkersalliance.org.uk/foodinourhan...
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
Economist urges Reeves to hike basic rate of income tax.
NO
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
End tax perks of the rich. Align tax on capital gains & dividends with wages, charge NIC. End partnership NIC loopholes.
Wealth tax. FTT.
End corporate welfare.
NO
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
End tax perks of the rich. Align tax on capital gains & dividends with wages, charge NIC. End partnership NIC loopholes.
Wealth tax. FTT.
End corporate welfare.
Reeves urged to raise basic rate of income tax for first time in 50 years
Institute for Fiscal Studies boss Paul Johnson warned Donald Trump’s trade war is ‘badly buffeting’ the UK economy
www.independent.co.uk
April 17, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Economist urges Reeves to hike basic rate of income tax.
NO
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
End tax perks of the rich. Align tax on capital gains & dividends with wages, charge NIC. End partnership NIC loopholes.
Wealth tax. FTT.
End corporate welfare.
NO
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
End tax perks of the rich. Align tax on capital gains & dividends with wages, charge NIC. End partnership NIC loopholes.
Wealth tax. FTT.
End corporate welfare.
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House
Police broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza.
www.quaker.org.uk
March 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
Around 10,000 Reform supporters crowded into the Arena Birmingham to be greeted by a stage bizarrely decked out with a Reform bus, a bus shelter, a pub and a betting shop.
A pretty condescending way of trying to portray yourself as the party of the working class...
A pretty condescending way of trying to portray yourself as the party of the working class...
March 28, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Around 10,000 Reform supporters crowded into the Arena Birmingham to be greeted by a stage bizarrely decked out with a Reform bus, a bus shelter, a pub and a betting shop.
A pretty condescending way of trying to portray yourself as the party of the working class...
A pretty condescending way of trying to portray yourself as the party of the working class...
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
We’ve been travelling across the UK with a very simple message ahead of the #SpringStatement:
Our country misses out on £460 million a week without a wealth tax. No cuts. Tax our wealth.
Our country misses out on £460 million a week without a wealth tax. No cuts. Tax our wealth.
March 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
We’ve been travelling across the UK with a very simple message ahead of the #SpringStatement:
Our country misses out on £460 million a week without a wealth tax. No cuts. Tax our wealth.
Our country misses out on £460 million a week without a wealth tax. No cuts. Tax our wealth.
Reposted by Owen Espley (he/him)
UK financial regulator drops plan to ‘name and shame’ companies under investigation.
Crazy deregulation - Banks, insurance companies can fleece customers, steal, defraud but won't be named for years, people won't be warned.
A licence to harm.
No one protects the people.
archive.ph/nRyQu
Crazy deregulation - Banks, insurance companies can fleece customers, steal, defraud but won't be named for years, people won't be warned.
A licence to harm.
No one protects the people.
archive.ph/nRyQu
FCA drops plan to ‘name and shame’ more UK companies under investigation
Financial regulator says it will scrap new public interest test after backlash from the City and government officials
www.ft.com
March 13, 2025 at 7:45 AM
UK financial regulator drops plan to ‘name and shame’ companies under investigation.
Crazy deregulation - Banks, insurance companies can fleece customers, steal, defraud but won't be named for years, people won't be warned.
A licence to harm.
No one protects the people.
archive.ph/nRyQu
Crazy deregulation - Banks, insurance companies can fleece customers, steal, defraud but won't be named for years, people won't be warned.
A licence to harm.
No one protects the people.
archive.ph/nRyQu