River
@riverlorien.bsky.social
Happy escapee from the other place. Mix of interests inc health, welfare & disability policy, media, hospice/palliative care, the environment & animal welfare
Reposted by River
This focuses on politics. But we should also care about *outcomes*.
In the UK, migrants (both from EU and elsewhere) are more likely to have a job than the UK born. In Denmark, there's a gap of 15-20%. Similarly for education outcomes.
Why would we want to copy that?
In the UK, migrants (both from EU and elsewhere) are more likely to have a job than the UK born. In Denmark, there's a gap of 15-20%. Similarly for education outcomes.
Why would we want to copy that?
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM
This focuses on politics. But we should also care about *outcomes*.
In the UK, migrants (both from EU and elsewhere) are more likely to have a job than the UK born. In Denmark, there's a gap of 15-20%. Similarly for education outcomes.
Why would we want to copy that?
In the UK, migrants (both from EU and elsewhere) are more likely to have a job than the UK born. In Denmark, there's a gap of 15-20%. Similarly for education outcomes.
Why would we want to copy that?
Reposted by River
A moment of play , captured by Matt Summer ( @Matt_S_1982 ) for your #FoxOfTheDay today
November 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A moment of play , captured by Matt Summer ( @Matt_S_1982 ) for your #FoxOfTheDay today
Reposted by River
I think if 24 people are dead it's more than "testing" a ceasefire.
BREAKING: At least 24 people are dead and 54 wounded after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began in October, officials say.
Israel launches strikes in Gaza ceasefire's latest test as hospitals say 20 killed
Israel's military says it has launched new airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began on October 10.
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I think if 24 people are dead it's more than "testing" a ceasefire.
Reposted by River
COVID-19 has not disappeared. It continues to spread, disable, and disrupt lives - yet national strategies still appear to fail to acknowledge its persistence or the need for stronger infection prevention... open.substack.com/pub/joepajak...
November 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
COVID-19 has not disappeared. It continues to spread, disable, and disrupt lives - yet national strategies still appear to fail to acknowledge its persistence or the need for stronger infection prevention... open.substack.com/pub/joepajak...
'A bankrupt royal family of 1760 has become fantastically wealthy, with King Charles alone having reportedly amassed a fortune worth at least £1.8 billion.'
King’s ransom bit.ly/48rKqGO what the Royal Family really costs as its income ratchets up from the Sovereign Grant after soaring Buckingham Palace costs and offshore wind
How much does the royal family really cost the British public?
The Windsors are the most expensive royal family in Europe, with coronations, weddings, funerals all funded by UK taxpayers. Norman Baker crunches the numbers
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
'A bankrupt royal family of 1760 has become fantastically wealthy, with King Charles alone having reportedly amassed a fortune worth at least £1.8 billion.'
Reposted by River
▪️ every single winter that I’ve been with the NHS has had one constant hum in the background, … if you can’t discharge patients safely, the whole system backs up like a blocked drain.
Insightful article by The Bear on the desperate need for social care reform as a key plank in saving the NHS
Insightful article by The Bear on the desperate need for social care reform as a key plank in saving the NHS
The NHS won’t survive this winter with one of the reasons being that social care has fallen off a cliff - but Shabana Mahmood got to punch down on the migrants propping it up as “low-qualified” and “never expected to be net economic contributors”, so… I guess there’s that.
The Punishment Model of Government
League tables, political cruelty and the quiet fear spreading through the NHS this winter.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:46 PM
▪️ every single winter that I’ve been with the NHS has had one constant hum in the background, … if you can’t discharge patients safely, the whole system backs up like a blocked drain.
Insightful article by The Bear on the desperate need for social care reform as a key plank in saving the NHS
Insightful article by The Bear on the desperate need for social care reform as a key plank in saving the NHS
Some good news...
Britain has set a new wind generation record.
"At 7:30pm on 11 November wind turbines...provided enough clean electricity to power more than 22 million homes"
"Wind was delivering 43.6% of all power on the system which means three quarters of Britain’s homes were effectively running on wind alone"
"At 7:30pm on 11 November wind turbines...provided enough clean electricity to power more than 22 million homes"
"Wind was delivering 43.6% of all power on the system which means three quarters of Britain’s homes were effectively running on wind alone"
Windpower sets new record for baseload - Energy Live News
Wind supplied 43% of all power last week setting a new record of 22.7 GW
www.energylivenews.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Some good news...
Reposted by River
Nish Kumar, "I think Shabana Mahmood's plan is insane" #HIGNFY
"All we ever talk about in this country is immigration"
"Meanwhile we have people paying too much on bills, a climate crisis, I think we now have to reframe everything through the prism of immigration"
"All we ever talk about in this country is immigration"
"Meanwhile we have people paying too much on bills, a climate crisis, I think we now have to reframe everything through the prism of immigration"
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Nish Kumar, "I think Shabana Mahmood's plan is insane" #HIGNFY
"All we ever talk about in this country is immigration"
"Meanwhile we have people paying too much on bills, a climate crisis, I think we now have to reframe everything through the prism of immigration"
"All we ever talk about in this country is immigration"
"Meanwhile we have people paying too much on bills, a climate crisis, I think we now have to reframe everything through the prism of immigration"
'A survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing...found [immigration] plans have sparked profound distress among foreign NHS and social care staff.'
'There are more than 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff, about 25% of the UK’s total workforce'
'There are more than 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff, about 25% of the UK’s total workforce'
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Exclusive: union leaders say proposed changes are immoral and could threaten patient safety if there is staff exodus
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:04 PM
'A survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing...found [immigration] plans have sparked profound distress among foreign NHS and social care staff.'
'There are more than 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff, about 25% of the UK’s total workforce'
'There are more than 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff, about 25% of the UK’s total workforce'
Plans to cut out-of-work disability benefits are likely to have “devastating consequences“
'...making people poorer will not in any way increase the likelihood of them getting into employment, but it will lead to higher overall costs to the economy as people become more ill than they already are.'
'...making people poorer will not in any way increase the likelihood of them getting into employment, but it will lead to higher overall costs to the economy as people become more ill than they already are.'
DWP ministers ‘must be shown’ new research which shows likely results of ‘obscene’ plans to cut benefits
It is “crucial” that the government is shown new research which highlights that “obscene” plans to cut out-of-work disability benefits are likely to have “devastating” consequences for claimants, s…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Plans to cut out-of-work disability benefits are likely to have “devastating consequences“
'...making people poorer will not in any way increase the likelihood of them getting into employment, but it will lead to higher overall costs to the economy as people become more ill than they already are.'
'...making people poorer will not in any way increase the likelihood of them getting into employment, but it will lead to higher overall costs to the economy as people become more ill than they already are.'
Reposted by River
The horror of Russia’s war against Ukraine’s children was brought home once again when I visited the Save Ukraine Centre, which rescues the stolen children & those under occupation
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
One in 10 rescued Ukrainian children sexually abused
Russia is abusing and raping children in the occupied territories, warns centre dedicated to rescuing families
www.opendemocracy.net
November 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The horror of Russia’s war against Ukraine’s children was brought home once again when I visited the Save Ukraine Centre, which rescues the stolen children & those under occupation
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
Reposted by River
🔴 UPD: The death toll in Ternopil has risen to 32. The body of a woman was recovered from the rubble on Saturday.
Seven people are still missing following the Russian attack on November 19.
Seven people are still missing following the Russian attack on November 19.
November 22, 2025 at 8:20 AM
🔴 UPD: The death toll in Ternopil has risen to 32. The body of a woman was recovered from the rubble on Saturday.
Seven people are still missing following the Russian attack on November 19.
Seven people are still missing following the Russian attack on November 19.
'GPs can no longer guarantee safe care'
'Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said surgeries were desperate to hire more doctors to meet soaring demand for care but could not afford to do so because of a lack of core funding.'
'Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said surgeries were desperate to hire more doctors to meet soaring demand for care but could not afford to do so because of a lack of core funding.'
Dangerous shortage of medics threatens safe patient care in England, top GP says
Dangerous shortage of medics threatens safe patient care in England, top GP says
Exclusive: Royal College of GPs chair says surgeries desperate to hire more doctors but lack funding to do so
GPs can no longer guarantee safe care for millions of patients because of a dangerous shortage of medics, Britain’s top family doctor has said.
Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said surgeries were desperate to hire more doctors to meet soaring demand for care but could not afford to do so because of a lack of core funding. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:23 AM
'GPs can no longer guarantee safe care'
'Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said surgeries were desperate to hire more doctors to meet soaring demand for care but could not afford to do so because of a lack of core funding.'
'Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said surgeries were desperate to hire more doctors to meet soaring demand for care but could not afford to do so because of a lack of core funding.'
Reposted by River
Two evenly-matched males spent the afternoon lazily sparring while waiting for the bay to freeze. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Two evenly-matched males spent the afternoon lazily sparring while waiting for the bay to freeze. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The report details the unnecessary and '*grossly disproportionate* rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
The report 'found that it was not until 21 May 2020 that the position of disabled people was first considered at a UK ministerial level.'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The report details the unnecessary and '*grossly disproportionate* rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
The report 'found that it was not until 21 May 2020 that the position of disabled people was first considered at a UK ministerial level.'
UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report Details Damning Failure to Protect
www.disabilityrightsuk.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:42 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The report details the unnecessary and '*grossly disproportionate* rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
The report 'found that it was not until 21 May 2020 that the position of disabled people was first considered at a UK ministerial level.'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The report details the unnecessary and '*grossly disproportionate* rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
The report 'found that it was not until 21 May 2020 that the position of disabled people was first considered at a UK ministerial level.'
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
There was a lot of very well meant Covid hygiene performance - perspex screens, wiping down surfaces & gelling hands.
Yet it was known from fairly early on that this was airborne.
People weren't provided with adequate masks & taught about ventilation.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
There was a lot of very well meant Covid hygiene performance - perspex screens, wiping down surfaces & gelling hands.
Yet it was known from fairly early on that this was airborne.
People weren't provided with adequate masks & taught about ventilation.
November 21, 2025 at 11:27 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
There was a lot of very well meant Covid hygiene performance - perspex screens, wiping down surfaces & gelling hands.
Yet it was known from fairly early on that this was airborne.
People weren't provided with adequate masks & taught about ventilation.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
There was a lot of very well meant Covid hygiene performance - perspex screens, wiping down surfaces & gelling hands.
Yet it was known from fairly early on that this was airborne.
People weren't provided with adequate masks & taught about ventilation.
Reposted by River
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
November 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Ministers were so quick to play down Covid deaths with the claim that many had 'underlying conditions'.
Having an illness or disability didn't make you a lesser human.
It didn't mean that you were disposable or that your potential death was meaningless.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Ministers were so quick to play down Covid deaths with the claim that many had 'underlying conditions'.
Having an illness or disability didn't make you a lesser human.
It didn't mean that you were disposable or that your potential death was meaningless.
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Ministers were so quick to play down Covid deaths with the claim that many had 'underlying conditions'.
Having an illness or disability didn't make you a lesser human.
It didn't mean that you were disposable or that your potential death was meaningless.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Ministers were so quick to play down Covid deaths with the claim that many had 'underlying conditions'.
Having an illness or disability didn't make you a lesser human.
It didn't mean that you were disposable or that your potential death was meaningless.
Reposted by River
'Long covid and severe post-covid complications must be recognised as a prescribed industrial disease for health and social care workers'
'The BMA and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have written to work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden urging the government to “act quickly”
'The BMA and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have written to work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden urging the government to “act quickly”
#LongCovid: Government failure to recognise disease as occupational is “unconscionable,” say unions
BMJ 2025; 391 doi: doi.org/10.1136/bmj.... (Published 14 November 2025)
BMJ 2025; 391 doi: doi.org/10.1136/bmj.... (Published 14 November 2025)
Long covid: Government failure to recognise disease as occupational is “unconscionable,” say unions
Long covid and severe post-covid complications must be recognised as a prescribed industrial disease for health and social care workers, health unions have said.
The BMA and the Royal College of Nurs...
doi.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:37 PM
'Long covid and severe post-covid complications must be recognised as a prescribed industrial disease for health and social care workers'
'The BMA and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have written to work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden urging the government to “act quickly”
'The BMA and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have written to work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden urging the government to “act quickly”
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
November 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
Around the time that my own loved one was very ill, frightened and alone in a Covid isolation bed, Johnson said he had become "epileptically bored" with the virus.
Not long after, they starved painfully to death because of severe Covid complications.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
In the rush to open up & deny the continuing pandemic, mitigations like adequate ventilation & masks were dropped far too soon.
That meant tens of thousands of clinically vulnerable people were forced to spend many more months/years shielding in isolation
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
In the rush to open up & deny the continuing pandemic, mitigations like adequate ventilation & masks were dropped far too soon.
That meant tens of thousands of clinically vulnerable people were forced to spend many more months/years shielding in isolation
November 21, 2025 at 10:31 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
In the rush to open up & deny the continuing pandemic, mitigations like adequate ventilation & masks were dropped far too soon.
That meant tens of thousands of clinically vulnerable people were forced to spend many more months/years shielding in isolation
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
In the rush to open up & deny the continuing pandemic, mitigations like adequate ventilation & masks were dropped far too soon.
That meant tens of thousands of clinically vulnerable people were forced to spend many more months/years shielding in isolation
Eat out to Help Out was killing people, but they “kept it out of the news”.
November 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The Covid report 'lists the grossly disproportionate rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
It details govts' “remarkable” failure to anticipate and plan an effective response to those obvious risks, and the generational carnage that resulted.'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The Covid report 'lists the grossly disproportionate rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
It details govts' “remarkable” failure to anticipate and plan an effective response to those obvious risks, and the generational carnage that resulted.'
UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report Details Damning Failure to Protect
www.disabilityrightsuk.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:12 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The Covid report 'lists the grossly disproportionate rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
It details govts' “remarkable” failure to anticipate and plan an effective response to those obvious risks, and the generational carnage that resulted.'
@lbc.co.uk #lbc
The Covid report 'lists the grossly disproportionate rate at which disabled people died in the pandemic.'
It details govts' “remarkable” failure to anticipate and plan an effective response to those obvious risks, and the generational carnage that resulted.'
'Record numbers of overseas-trained doctors are quitting the UK, leaving the NHS at risk of huge gaps in its workforce.'
'NHS leaders, senior doctors and the GMC warned that the increased denigration of and abuse directed at migrants in the UK was a significant reason for the rise.'
'NHS leaders, senior doctors and the GMC warned that the increased denigration of and abuse directed at migrants in the UK was a significant reason for the rise.'
Overseas-trained doctors leaving the UK in record numbers
Medical bodies warn that hostility towards migrants is behind a 26% rise in departures last year that imperils NHS
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:21 AM
'Record numbers of overseas-trained doctors are quitting the UK, leaving the NHS at risk of huge gaps in its workforce.'
'NHS leaders, senior doctors and the GMC warned that the increased denigration of and abuse directed at migrants in the UK was a significant reason for the rise.'
'NHS leaders, senior doctors and the GMC warned that the increased denigration of and abuse directed at migrants in the UK was a significant reason for the rise.'
Reposted by River
The extraordinary thing about all of this is that the libertarians & conspiracists are openly saying Johnson killing 23,000 innocent people was 'worth it', because lockdown is worse.
How many more people do these people wish had been killed so they could go to the pub?
Give us number.
#r4today
How many more people do these people wish had been killed so they could go to the pub?
Give us number.
#r4today
I see all the usual far right conspiracy nuts are out in force to claim that the multi year inquiry, that took evidence from the most reliable expert scientists, relying on the world's extensive medical evidence, and all of the relevant govt ministers, so s completely wrong about lockdown.
#r4today
#r4today
November 21, 2025 at 6:34 AM
The extraordinary thing about all of this is that the libertarians & conspiracists are openly saying Johnson killing 23,000 innocent people was 'worth it', because lockdown is worse.
How many more people do these people wish had been killed so they could go to the pub?
Give us number.
#r4today
How many more people do these people wish had been killed so they could go to the pub?
Give us number.
#r4today