Jennifer Churchill
@redjen.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Economics UWE Bristol; macro, finance (especially pensions) and also philosophy. Previously dabbled in politics, policy, public affairs
I certainly suggest to everybody that they think twice before listening to an austerity-cabinet member about “fiscally necessity”. Look where that got us….
November 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I certainly suggest to everybody that they think twice before listening to an austerity-cabinet member about “fiscally necessity”. Look where that got us….
I urge everyone to strongly resist the presentation of political choices as technocratic inevitabilities
November 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I urge everyone to strongly resist the presentation of political choices as technocratic inevitabilities
What you are really presenting is the argument that *if* SPA is fiscally necessary, then here’s a policy to sweeten the pill. But nothing is “fiscally necessary” taken on its own. It only becomes so in the context of a full budget - a political programme.
November 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
What you are really presenting is the argument that *if* SPA is fiscally necessary, then here’s a policy to sweeten the pill. But nothing is “fiscally necessary” taken on its own. It only becomes so in the context of a full budget - a political programme.
How could you possibly reach the starting premise that “SPA increase is fiscally necessary” without having undertaken a full overview of public revenue and expenditure? I am assuming such an overview was also outside your remit.
November 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
How could you possibly reach the starting premise that “SPA increase is fiscally necessary” without having undertaken a full overview of public revenue and expenditure? I am assuming such an overview was also outside your remit.
This very point highlights the crassness of raising the state pension age. Doing it without some massive move to redistribute income and wealth (and therefore health outcomes) is problematic in the extreme. A five-year guarantee in place of these efforts, I think, pretty insulting
November 8, 2025 at 10:42 AM
This very point highlights the crassness of raising the state pension age. Doing it without some massive move to redistribute income and wealth (and therefore health outcomes) is problematic in the extreme. A five-year guarantee in place of these efforts, I think, pretty insulting
These discussions, imho, should be brought together with discussions to reduce normal working hours. I don’t want five years of guaranteed pension payment. I want lifelong work/life balance. Bring “retirement” forward and enjoy it your whole life
Today @stevewebb1.bsky.social and I released a report setting out our views on where State Pension Age (SPA) needs to go. We submitted to this to the Government SPA review last month.
We recommend sharp increases to SPA, but with a guaranteed payout of 5 years. 🧵
www.lcp.com/en/insights/...
We recommend sharp increases to SPA, but with a guaranteed payout of 5 years. 🧵
www.lcp.com/en/insights/...
November 8, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Our pension system reproduces the fallacy that what gets counted in the national accounts actually represents the work that we do. Pensioners do work! Not least as carers. They have to support younger working people struggling with poor work/life balance
November 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Our pension system reproduces the fallacy that what gets counted in the national accounts actually represents the work that we do. Pensioners do work! Not least as carers. They have to support younger working people struggling with poor work/life balance
The benefits seem there for the taking. So many aspects of social policy are wrapped into this idea: pensions, childcare, gendered pay gap, the shrinking labour force, productivity, wellbeing, automation, etc. etc
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Four-day week good for workers and employers, pilot study finds
A trial has found that 98% of staff felt morale and motivation had improved with reduced hours.
www.bbc.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:07 AM
The benefits seem there for the taking. So many aspects of social policy are wrapped into this idea: pensions, childcare, gendered pay gap, the shrinking labour force, productivity, wellbeing, automation, etc. etc
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
With the rather awkward caveat that you'd only get the money when you're dead?
November 8, 2025 at 9:50 AM
With the rather awkward caveat that you'd only get the money when you're dead?
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
From 'Politics and the English Language' by George Orwell
November 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
From 'Politics and the English Language' by George Orwell