Antony Seely
@taxbts.bsky.social
House of Commons Library taxation policy specialist
Reposted by Antony Seely
Get ready for the Autumn Budget with the Commons Library 🧰
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Get ready for the Autumn Budget with the Commons Library 🧰
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
I'm thrilled to announce that Talk Data to Me now has a podcast.
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
Are we flying blind on the economy? with Jonathan Portes
open.spotify.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I'm thrilled to announce that Talk Data to Me now has a podcast.
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Parliamentary sovereignty is one of the most deceptively difficult things to write about accurately, concisely and accessibly.
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Parliamentary sovereignty
A short research briefing on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, its origins and contemporary application.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Parliamentary sovereignty is one of the most deceptively difficult things to write about accurately, concisely and accessibly.
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
The House of Commons Library Open Day returns in 2026!
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
House of Commons Library Open Day
We are pleased to invite librarians, library staff and information officers to the House of Commons Library Open Day 2026.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
October 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The House of Commons Library Open Day returns in 2026!
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
Reposted by Antony Seely
There's a persistent impression about the migration debate in the UK that one side - that of migration sceptics - cares a lot more.
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
September 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
There's a persistent impression about the migration debate in the UK that one side - that of migration sceptics - cares a lot more.
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Good BBC report on life in asylum hotels www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Behind the doors of asylum hotels - what I found when I went inside
A BBC reporter goes into four hotels and speaks to asylum seekers and staff about what daily life is like.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Good BBC report on life in asylum hotels www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Antony Seely
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
State visits to the UK
What are state visits? Who decides who is invited? Who pays the costs? What is the format of a state visit? Do they always include addresses to Parliament?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
September 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Most of us are in a wobbly position when it comes to our understanding of immigration numbers.
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How to make conversations about immigration less painful
Let's get one thing straight at the very least
georginasturge.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Most of us are in a wobbly position when it comes to our understanding of immigration numbers.
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Recent revisions to US employment stats were less an act of inside sabotage and more about businesses behaving unexpectedly due to Trump's chaotic tariff regime.
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Revising statistics? The real crime is not to do it
Trump's campaign against 'phony' numbers won't lead anywhere good
georginasturge.substack.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Recent revisions to US employment stats were less an act of inside sabotage and more about businesses behaving unexpectedly due to Trump's chaotic tariff regime.
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Have published an update for the Commons Library on the EU's entry exit system, now scheduled for launch on 12 October 2025 and being phased in over six months. Will also operate at Port of Dover, and Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals in the UK 1/2
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
The EU Entry/Exit system and EU travel authorisation system
The EU is introducing new border systems, requiring non-EU nationals to obtain an authorisation before they travel to the EU and go through new automated biometric checks at the border.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
August 8, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Have published an update for the Commons Library on the EU's entry exit system, now scheduled for launch on 12 October 2025 and being phased in over six months. Will also operate at Port of Dover, and Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals in the UK 1/2
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Is now the time? ⌛
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
Electoral reform in the UK feels inevitable
For the first time, a majority of voters across all parties back electoral reform and would prefer to have a coalition government.
georginasturge.substack.com
August 7, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Is now the time? ⌛
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Why are we hooked on bad vibes when they don't reflect reality?
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
In search of bad vibes
A mood of boiling discontentment in Britain is the subject of daily news - but where is the evidence that it even exists?
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Why are we hooked on bad vibes when they don't reflect reality?
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Why do we rely on economic forecasts which are always wrong?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
July 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Why do we rely on economic forecasts which are always wrong?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
Reposted by Antony Seely
An intervention for UK statistics - but will it be enough?
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
An intervention for UK statistics - but will it be enough?
The ONS must change to provide the good data that government and the public need
open.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 9:54 AM
An intervention for UK statistics - but will it be enough?
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Well, this is exciting - I've been grumbling for *years* about how figures at Budgets and Spending Reviews are only given to the nearest £100 million, which makes data analysis needlessly difficult. And the Treasury have just gone ahead and published the unrounded data! www.gov.uk/government/p...
Supporting documents for Spending Review 2025
Supporting documents alongside the main Spending Review 2025 document: distributional analysis, policy costings and data sources.
www.gov.uk
June 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Well, this is exciting - I've been grumbling for *years* about how figures at Budgets and Spending Reviews are only given to the nearest £100 million, which makes data analysis needlessly difficult. And the Treasury have just gone ahead and published the unrounded data! www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Antony Seely
With some trepidation, in my latest piece for Substack I try to verify a claim doing the rounds that 'White British' will have become a minority ethnicity in the UK by 2063.
Enjoy...?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Enjoy...?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
June 25, 2025 at 7:55 AM
With some trepidation, in my latest piece for Substack I try to verify a claim doing the rounds that 'White British' will have become a minority ethnicity in the UK by 2063.
Enjoy...?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Enjoy...?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Now that the 2031 census recommendation is here, it feels like I've done a full "census cycle" as a professional census nerd.
It's a brilliant part of my job, being paid to pay attention to something that's ever-changing and the setting for so many interesting debates about identity and society.
It's a brilliant part of my job, being paid to pay attention to something that's ever-changing and the setting for so many interesting debates about identity and society.
a man and a woman are standing next to each other and the man is saying it 's all the drama
Alt: A GIF from the TV series Gavin and Stacey. Pam, a middle-aged woman, announces excitedly to her husband: "It's all the drama, Mick. I just love it!"
media.tenor.com
June 20, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Now that the 2031 census recommendation is here, it feels like I've done a full "census cycle" as a professional census nerd.
It's a brilliant part of my job, being paid to pay attention to something that's ever-changing and the setting for so many interesting debates about identity and society.
It's a brilliant part of my job, being paid to pay attention to something that's ever-changing and the setting for so many interesting debates about identity and society.
Reposted by Antony Seely
Our Commons Library Insight on last week's announcement on a political agreement on the EU-Gibraltar relationship gives an outline of what was agreed and links to a more detailed paper giving background on the UK/Gibraltar- Spain/EU negotiations commonslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-eu-agreem...
UK–EU agreement on Gibraltar: What has been agreed?
Although Gibraltar, as a British Overseas Territory, has left the EU, an agreement has been reached which removes border checks between Spain and Gibraltar.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
June 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Our Commons Library Insight on last week's announcement on a political agreement on the EU-Gibraltar relationship gives an outline of what was agreed and links to a more detailed paper giving background on the UK/Gibraltar- Spain/EU negotiations commonslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-eu-agreem...
Reposted by Antony Seely
We published a briefing on Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing Israeli-Iranian military strikes
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Israel-Iran 2025: Developments in Iran's nuclear programme and military action
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a series of attacks against Iran’s nuclear programme.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
June 17, 2025 at 11:32 PM
We published a briefing on Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing Israeli-Iranian military strikes
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Great opportunity for anyone with knowledge and experience of UK transport policy - a chance to work in the wonderful House of Commons Library, providing briefings to MPs.
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
Senior Researcher (Transport) - Houses of Parliament
Title: Senior Researcher (Transport). Employer: House of Commons. Salary: £56,180 - £66,497 per annum - Pay on Promotion rules apply. Closes: 29/06/2025, 23:55
housesofparliament.tal.net
June 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Great opportunity for anyone with knowledge and experience of UK transport policy - a chance to work in the wonderful House of Commons Library, providing briefings to MPs.
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
Reposted by Antony Seely
It's out! Everything* you ever wanted to know about next week's Spending Review.
*probably not everything
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
*probably not everything
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Spending Review 2025: Background briefing
Ahead of the Spending Review on 11 June 2025, this briefing looks at the process, the public spending context, and the factors affecting the government’s plans.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
June 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
It's out! Everything* you ever wanted to know about next week's Spending Review.
*probably not everything
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
*probably not everything
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
The Commons Library has published an impartial briefing to update MPs ahead of tomorrow's debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, including clause-by-clause analysis of amendments.
Find out more: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Find out more: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25: Progress of the bill
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25 is scheduled to have its report stage in the House of Commons on 16 May 2025.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
May 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The Commons Library has published an impartial briefing to update MPs ahead of tomorrow's debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, including clause-by-clause analysis of amendments.
Find out more: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Find out more: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
In 2002, the Liaison Committee agreed 10 core tasks to help guide the work of select committees.
These have been revised in 2012, 2019 and 2024. Find out what guides the 'how' and the 'what' of select committee work with the Commons Library's research: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
These have been revised in 2012, 2019 and 2024. Find out what guides the 'how' and the 'what' of select committee work with the Commons Library's research: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
May 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
In 2002, the Liaison Committee agreed 10 core tasks to help guide the work of select committees.
These have been revised in 2012, 2019 and 2024. Find out what guides the 'how' and the 'what' of select committee work with the Commons Library's research: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
These have been revised in 2012, 2019 and 2024. Find out what guides the 'how' and the 'what' of select committee work with the Commons Library's research: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
The Commons Library explains: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10233/?utm_campaign=0425-rice-routine-spotlight&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky&utm_term=hoc
History of local government in English towns and cities
Historically, towns and cities could gain powers of self-government not available to other areas. Successive local government reforms have changed the system.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
April 16, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Antony Seely
Sum of US is out now!! Find it at all good bookshops and online 🙌
April 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Sum of US is out now!! Find it at all good bookshops and online 🙌