The Shields
@shieldscreate.bsky.social
Amputee, socialist, disabled rights, human rights and as much comedy and laughing as possible.
Pinned
The Shields
@shieldscreate.bsky.social
· Dec 29
I get you, and enjoy your SOH. But why is anyone surprised that the arseholes and bots we got sick of on Twitter followed us here?
Any new platform will have the same problem after a while because that's the way this shit works in the modern world unfortunately.
The honeymoon is already over.
Any new platform will have the same problem after a while because that's the way this shit works in the modern world unfortunately.
The honeymoon is already over.
Reposted by The Shields
If you can’t sell your soybeans because of Trump’s tariffs after Argentina stepped in and took your customers, you can take solace that the guy you voted for also just gave $20 billion of your tax dollars to the country that is bankrupting you.
October 15, 2025 at 12:07 AM
If you can’t sell your soybeans because of Trump’s tariffs after Argentina stepped in and took your customers, you can take solace that the guy you voted for also just gave $20 billion of your tax dollars to the country that is bankrupting you.
Reposted by The Shields
Just felt like sharing this today. No reason.
October 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Just felt like sharing this today. No reason.
Reposted by The Shields
I have awoken to an utter bastard of a headache.
October 15, 2025 at 5:16 AM
I have awoken to an utter bastard of a headache.
Reposted by The Shields
how happy we’d all be if this was all the internet was for
October 14, 2025 at 10:50 PM
how happy we’d all be if this was all the internet was for
Reposted by The Shields
Polanski appears to be doing an incredible and impressive job, but it is madness that this Labour govt has not only been unable to articulate "a different view" to the far right (call a spade a spade @newsagents.bsky.social), they've spent much of their time agreeing with them.
#r4today
#r4today
"Whether you agree with Zack Polanski or not it is important to have a different view articulated as effectively as some of the radical right have been doing.
"Potentially it helps rebalance the scales a little bit in everyday media discourse"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/zack...
"Potentially it helps rebalance the scales a little bit in everyday media discourse"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/zack...
Zack Polanski: Can the Green Party leader ‘rebalance the scales’ of UK politics? | The News Agents
In little more than a month of leadership, Zack Polanski has grown the party’s membership and become a powerful figure on the left-wing of UK politics. Can he, and the Green Party, take this further…
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Polanski appears to be doing an incredible and impressive job, but it is madness that this Labour govt has not only been unable to articulate "a different view" to the far right (call a spade a spade @newsagents.bsky.social), they've spent much of their time agreeing with them.
#r4today
#r4today
Reposted by The Shields
Temu’s EU operations doubled pre-tax profits to $120m (£90m), employed just 8 people, $18m corporation tax,
It is smoke and mirrors of profit shifting, offshore tax havens.
UK High street can't compete.
Govt must review customs duty exemptions, require multinationals to show where they pay taxes.
It is smoke and mirrors of profit shifting, offshore tax havens.
UK High street can't compete.
Govt must review customs duty exemptions, require multinationals to show where they pay taxes.
China’s Temu more than doubles EU profits to nearly $120m despite having only eight staff
Online marketplace paid just $18m in corporation tax, leading campaigners to call for government action
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Temu’s EU operations doubled pre-tax profits to $120m (£90m), employed just 8 people, $18m corporation tax,
It is smoke and mirrors of profit shifting, offshore tax havens.
UK High street can't compete.
Govt must review customs duty exemptions, require multinationals to show where they pay taxes.
It is smoke and mirrors of profit shifting, offshore tax havens.
UK High street can't compete.
Govt must review customs duty exemptions, require multinationals to show where they pay taxes.
Reposted by The Shields
New industrial robots added in China last yr, 295,000; UK 2,500.
China has 567 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers; UK 104 .
China investing 40.4% of GDP in productive assets; UK 18.2%.
UK won't win the economic race with neoliberalism or without state intervention.
archive.ph/DuZGe
China has 567 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers; UK 104 .
China investing 40.4% of GDP in productive assets; UK 18.2%.
UK won't win the economic race with neoliberalism or without state intervention.
archive.ph/DuZGe
archive.ph
October 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
New industrial robots added in China last yr, 295,000; UK 2,500.
China has 567 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers; UK 104 .
China investing 40.4% of GDP in productive assets; UK 18.2%.
UK won't win the economic race with neoliberalism or without state intervention.
archive.ph/DuZGe
China has 567 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers; UK 104 .
China investing 40.4% of GDP in productive assets; UK 18.2%.
UK won't win the economic race with neoliberalism or without state intervention.
archive.ph/DuZGe
Reposted by The Shields
UK faces highest inflation in G7 this year and next, IMF warns.
Biggest cause is profiteering led by energy, water and food businesses. No govt checks it.
Real average wage stuck at 2008 level. 1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts needs to remove cash from the rich.
Biggest cause is profiteering led by energy, water and food businesses. No govt checks it.
Real average wage stuck at 2008 level. 1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts needs to remove cash from the rich.
UK faces highest inflation in G7 this year and next, IMF warns
According to fund’s World Economic Outlook, Britain is on course to average 3.4% this year and 2.5% in 2026
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:04 AM
UK faces highest inflation in G7 this year and next, IMF warns.
Biggest cause is profiteering led by energy, water and food businesses. No govt checks it.
Real average wage stuck at 2008 level. 1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts needs to remove cash from the rich.
Biggest cause is profiteering led by energy, water and food businesses. No govt checks it.
Real average wage stuck at 2008 level. 1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts needs to remove cash from the rich.
Reposted by The Shields
Crypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first? youtu.be/9oP9HPhB-VI?...
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
Crypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first?
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Crypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first? youtu.be/9oP9HPhB-VI?...
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy.
From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.
Reposted by The Shields
Banks make $26bn in a decade of financing deforesting companies.
Destruction of the world’s forests reached the highest level - agricultural expansion, mining, infrastructure, logging.
Profits before climate change, human lives and the planet.
The cult of deregulation will make matters worse.
Destruction of the world’s forests reached the highest level - agricultural expansion, mining, infrastructure, logging.
Profits before climate change, human lives and the planet.
The cult of deregulation will make matters worse.
Banks make $26bn in decade of financing deforesting companies
US, EU and UK banks have made over $10 billion in income since Paris Agreement by financing companies involved in deforestation, new analysis ahead of COP30 reveals
globalwitness.org
October 15, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Banks make $26bn in a decade of financing deforesting companies.
Destruction of the world’s forests reached the highest level - agricultural expansion, mining, infrastructure, logging.
Profits before climate change, human lives and the planet.
The cult of deregulation will make matters worse.
Destruction of the world’s forests reached the highest level - agricultural expansion, mining, infrastructure, logging.
Profits before climate change, human lives and the planet.
The cult of deregulation will make matters worse.
Reposted by The Shields
"He told me that he was too honourable to break off a friendship in a text or a letter, and then that email says we'll 'play some more soon'," Emily Maitlis says.
"What does that even mean? It sends shivers down my spine"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/prin...
"What does that even mean? It sends shivers down my spine"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/prin...
‘Prince Andrew’s Epstein email sent a shiver down my spine’, says Emily Maitlis | The News Agents
Prince Andrew is accused of maintaining a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein for at least a year later than he previously claimed to have cut all communications, suggesting he lied to Emily Maitlis…
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 6:30 AM
"He told me that he was too honourable to break off a friendship in a text or a letter, and then that email says we'll 'play some more soon'," Emily Maitlis says.
"What does that even mean? It sends shivers down my spine"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/prin...
"What does that even mean? It sends shivers down my spine"
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/prin...
Reposted by The Shields
Rogan, Theo Von, Tim Dillon - all of them dismissively smirked/scoffed at the idea Kamala Harris was a more suitable candidate than Trump.
None of them listened when they were warned about Project 2025, camps, mass deportations etc
Now they all pretend this is unexpected & too far for them.
None of them listened when they were warned about Project 2025, camps, mass deportations etc
Now they all pretend this is unexpected & too far for them.
a bald man is talking on a walkie talkie while another man watches .
ALT: a bald man is talking on a walkie talkie while another man watches .
media.tenor.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Rogan, Theo Von, Tim Dillon - all of them dismissively smirked/scoffed at the idea Kamala Harris was a more suitable candidate than Trump.
None of them listened when they were warned about Project 2025, camps, mass deportations etc
Now they all pretend this is unexpected & too far for them.
None of them listened when they were warned about Project 2025, camps, mass deportations etc
Now they all pretend this is unexpected & too far for them.
Reposted by The Shields
UK banks oppose tax rise.
Falsely claim to be paying 46.4% tax rate.
The PwC generated number includes PAYE, employee national insurance which is paid by workers. VAT which is borne by customers.
it is extrapolated from a sample, can't be verified
Why do media reports not expose this sham claim?
Falsely claim to be paying 46.4% tax rate.
The PwC generated number includes PAYE, employee national insurance which is paid by workers. VAT which is borne by customers.
it is extrapolated from a sample, can't be verified
Why do media reports not expose this sham claim?
Banks step up lobbying over threat of Reeves tax hikes
The gap between the tax burden on British banks and their international rivals is widening, even before the imposition of any further levies in next month's budget, according to a report seen by Sky N...
news.sky.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:41 AM
UK banks oppose tax rise.
Falsely claim to be paying 46.4% tax rate.
The PwC generated number includes PAYE, employee national insurance which is paid by workers. VAT which is borne by customers.
it is extrapolated from a sample, can't be verified
Why do media reports not expose this sham claim?
Falsely claim to be paying 46.4% tax rate.
The PwC generated number includes PAYE, employee national insurance which is paid by workers. VAT which is borne by customers.
it is extrapolated from a sample, can't be verified
Why do media reports not expose this sham claim?
Reposted by The Shields
Private equity takeover of US hospitals led to rise in patient deaths.
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Private equity takeover of hospitals led to rise in Medicare emergency patient deaths, says study
Study found seven more deaths per 10,000 patients in private equity hospitals’ versus non-private equity hospitals
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Private equity takeover of US hospitals led to rise in patient deaths.
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes.
More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications
Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?
Reposted by The Shields
Green party leader urges the Bank of England to stop paying interest on commercial banks' reserves.
ECB stopped paying interest on a portion of banks reserves.
The left has long urged Govt to stop this £20bn subsidy to banks, a consequence of QE.
What could govt do with £20bn?
archive.ph/LyP2e
ECB stopped paying interest on a portion of banks reserves.
The left has long urged Govt to stop this £20bn subsidy to banks, a consequence of QE.
What could govt do with £20bn?
archive.ph/LyP2e
Green leader calls for BoE to end interest payments to commercial banks
Zack Polanski echoes Reform UK’s push for central bank policy change
www.ft.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Green party leader urges the Bank of England to stop paying interest on commercial banks' reserves.
ECB stopped paying interest on a portion of banks reserves.
The left has long urged Govt to stop this £20bn subsidy to banks, a consequence of QE.
What could govt do with £20bn?
archive.ph/LyP2e
ECB stopped paying interest on a portion of banks reserves.
The left has long urged Govt to stop this £20bn subsidy to banks, a consequence of QE.
What could govt do with £20bn?
archive.ph/LyP2e
Reposted by The Shields
‘Motherhood penalty’ costs women an average £65,618 in pay by time first child turns five.
This is followed by gender pay gap, pension gap, health gap; slow career progression, harassment and violence, unpaid carer work, retirement insecurity.
All women deserve justice.
This is followed by gender pay gap, pension gap, health gap; slow career progression, harassment and violence, unpaid carer work, retirement insecurity.
All women deserve justice.
‘Motherhood penalty’ costs women an average £65,618 in pay by time first child turns five
Women’s average monthly earnings fall by 42% compared with one year before birth, ONS study finds
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
‘Motherhood penalty’ costs women an average £65,618 in pay by time first child turns five.
This is followed by gender pay gap, pension gap, health gap; slow career progression, harassment and violence, unpaid carer work, retirement insecurity.
All women deserve justice.
This is followed by gender pay gap, pension gap, health gap; slow career progression, harassment and violence, unpaid carer work, retirement insecurity.
All women deserve justice.
Reposted by The Shields
England nationalized rail passenger services lease carriages from rolling stock companies (ROSCOs).
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
If the government wants economic growth it must bring essential industries into public ownership
Successive governments clobber households and small businesses by hiking interest rates to manage inflation, but don’t inconvenience corporations.
leftfootforward.org
October 3, 2025 at 5:27 PM
England nationalized rail passenger services lease carriages from rolling stock companies (ROSCOs).
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.
Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.
Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.
Reposted by The Shields
Fascism is an ideology that divides humanity into “superior” and “inferior” groups — with catastrophic consequences. In this video, I explain what fascism really means, why its essence is exclusion, and why true democracy depends on equality and respect for all. youtu.be/H7pjd_G3088?...
What is fascism really about?
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
October 4, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Fascism is an ideology that divides humanity into “superior” and “inferior” groups — with catastrophic consequences. In this video, I explain what fascism really means, why its essence is exclusion, and why true democracy depends on equality and respect for all. youtu.be/H7pjd_G3088?...
Reposted by The Shields
Average real wage of UK workers is stuck the 2008 level.
Some bosses are collecting 1,112 times more than the average employee wage. Millions forced to rely on food banks and charity.
Workers have no say in income distribution. Govts do nothing.
Can't build economy/society on huge inequalities.
Some bosses are collecting 1,112 times more than the average employee wage. Millions forced to rely on food banks and charity.
Workers have no say in income distribution. Govts do nothing.
Can't build economy/society on huge inequalities.
The government must ensure fair distribution of income
'The average real wage of workers has hardly moved from the 2008 level whilst bosses never had it so good.'
leftfootforward.org
October 4, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Average real wage of UK workers is stuck the 2008 level.
Some bosses are collecting 1,112 times more than the average employee wage. Millions forced to rely on food banks and charity.
Workers have no say in income distribution. Govts do nothing.
Can't build economy/society on huge inequalities.
Some bosses are collecting 1,112 times more than the average employee wage. Millions forced to rely on food banks and charity.
Workers have no say in income distribution. Govts do nothing.
Can't build economy/society on huge inequalities.
Reposted by The Shields
Thames Water lenders submit rescue plan to stave off collapse- may write off a third of the £20bn debt.
It can't solve the crisis:
It is a monopoly
No competition
No substitute service
Owners want profit
Customers will be fleeced
Public ownership is the only viable option.
It can't solve the crisis:
It is a monopoly
No competition
No substitute service
Owners want profit
Customers will be fleeced
Public ownership is the only viable option.
Thames Water lenders submit rescue plan to stave off collapse
London & Valley Water, a consortium of investors, plans to write off some of the company's huge debts.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Thames Water lenders submit rescue plan to stave off collapse- may write off a third of the £20bn debt.
It can't solve the crisis:
It is a monopoly
No competition
No substitute service
Owners want profit
Customers will be fleeced
Public ownership is the only viable option.
It can't solve the crisis:
It is a monopoly
No competition
No substitute service
Owners want profit
Customers will be fleeced
Public ownership is the only viable option.
Reposted by The Shields
Elon Musk Just Became The First Person Ever Worth $500bn.
He has used his wealth to buy govts/legislators, unleash Trumpism, promising to hand $100m to Farage, create social strife and divisions.
Like the rest of us, he will leave the world empty-handed.
He has used his wealth to buy govts/legislators, unleash Trumpism, promising to hand $100m to Farage, create social strife and divisions.
Like the rest of us, he will leave the world empty-handed.
Elon Musk Just Became The First Person Ever Worth $500 Billion
Musk is now half-way to becoming the first ever trillionaire.
www.forbes.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Elon Musk Just Became The First Person Ever Worth $500bn.
He has used his wealth to buy govts/legislators, unleash Trumpism, promising to hand $100m to Farage, create social strife and divisions.
Like the rest of us, he will leave the world empty-handed.
He has used his wealth to buy govts/legislators, unleash Trumpism, promising to hand $100m to Farage, create social strife and divisions.
Like the rest of us, he will leave the world empty-handed.
Reposted by The Shields
UK workers take bad bosses to employment tribunals for unfair treatment and dismissal, and win cases.
But bosses don't pay. Some liquidate companies and start another one to dodge payments.
Workers can't afford legal action. Successive govts have done nothing, embolden abusive practices.
But bosses don't pay. Some liquidate companies and start another one to dodge payments.
Workers can't afford legal action. Successive govts have done nothing, embolden abusive practices.
'I won £65,000 at an employment tribunal – but I haven't seen a penny'
A BBC investigation reveals thousands of workers are still missing out on tribunal payouts.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 12:12 PM
UK workers take bad bosses to employment tribunals for unfair treatment and dismissal, and win cases.
But bosses don't pay. Some liquidate companies and start another one to dodge payments.
Workers can't afford legal action. Successive govts have done nothing, embolden abusive practices.
But bosses don't pay. Some liquidate companies and start another one to dodge payments.
Workers can't afford legal action. Successive govts have done nothing, embolden abusive practices.
Reposted by The Shields
Thames Water's bidders ask to be excused from fully complying with rules on pollution until 2035-40.
Rule of law?
Anything given to TW can't be denied to others. Sewage will be dumped. Customers will be fleeced. Returns will be extracted.
One law for corporations, another for lesser mortals.
Rule of law?
Anything given to TW can't be denied to others. Sewage will be dumped. Customers will be fleeced. Returns will be extracted.
One law for corporations, another for lesser mortals.
Thames Water creditors ask for up to 15 years’ leniency from river pollution rules
Lenders say a ‘full return to legal, regulatory and environmental compliance’ under new rescue plan would not be completed until at least 2035-2040
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Thames Water's bidders ask to be excused from fully complying with rules on pollution until 2035-40.
Rule of law?
Anything given to TW can't be denied to others. Sewage will be dumped. Customers will be fleeced. Returns will be extracted.
One law for corporations, another for lesser mortals.
Rule of law?
Anything given to TW can't be denied to others. Sewage will be dumped. Customers will be fleeced. Returns will be extracted.
One law for corporations, another for lesser mortals.
Reposted by The Shields
16% of Britons have no savings.
39% have less than £1,000; struggle to survive without income.
Profiteering, low wages, high living costs condemn millions to insecurity.
1% have more wealth than 70% of population.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
39% have less than £1,000; struggle to survive without income.
Profiteering, low wages, high living costs condemn millions to insecurity.
1% have more wealth than 70% of population.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
Average Savings by Age in the UK 2025: by Age, Income & Region
It is important to have some savings aside, but are you putting away enough? Check the 2025 average savings by age and income in the UK here.
blog.moneyfarm.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:27 AM
16% of Britons have no savings.
39% have less than £1,000; struggle to survive without income.
Profiteering, low wages, high living costs condemn millions to insecurity.
1% have more wealth than 70% of population.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
39% have less than £1,000; struggle to survive without income.
Profiteering, low wages, high living costs condemn millions to insecurity.
1% have more wealth than 70% of population.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
Reposted by The Shields
What's effectively happening here (in the British media at large, too) is the construction of "anti-racism" as somehow a "political alternative" to racism, rather than as a minimal civilisational standard, which in turn (further) vindicates racism as *also* an acceptable political position.
I'm a bit concerned about the use of the word "clash" here, @theguardian.com. Not only does this imply 'two-sideism' (my favourite bit is designation of anti-racist protesters as "hardcore" - turns out the only thing they were 'hardcore' about is techno) but also a physical conflict. Was there one?
September 21, 2025 at 6:12 AM
What's effectively happening here (in the British media at large, too) is the construction of "anti-racism" as somehow a "political alternative" to racism, rather than as a minimal civilisational standard, which in turn (further) vindicates racism as *also* an acceptable political position.