El
@turquoisespiff01.bsky.social
Perimenopausal autistic bookworm 🪱with a couple of bonus chronic conditions and oh the brain fog. LGBTQIA+ ally 🩷🏳️⚧️🩵🏳️🌈 (she/her)
"National Living Wage, will rise by 4.1%. For someone working full-time (37.5 hours a week), that equates to £900 more a year to £24,784.50". And the threshold for Plan 5 student loan repayment to kick in? Frozen again at the new, lower level of £25k. Bloody disgraceful.
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"National Living Wage, will rise by 4.1%. For someone working full-time (37.5 hours a week), that equates to £900 more a year to £24,784.50". And the threshold for Plan 5 student loan repayment to kick in? Frozen again at the new, lower level of £25k. Bloody disgraceful.
Reposted by El
Reeves’ problem is obvious: you can’t iron out the imbalances in an economy as unequal as ours only using the tax system.
The rich don’t just have too much wealth; they have too much power – and they’re using it to capture our democratic institutions.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The rich don’t just have too much wealth; they have too much power – and they’re using it to capture our democratic institutions.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Rachel Reeves is living on another planet
A country in crisis and a government in denial.
substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reeves’ problem is obvious: you can’t iron out the imbalances in an economy as unequal as ours only using the tax system.
The rich don’t just have too much wealth; they have too much power – and they’re using it to capture our democratic institutions.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The rich don’t just have too much wealth; they have too much power – and they’re using it to capture our democratic institutions.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Scary stuff for those working in HE.
Chief exec of OfS 'said the OfS believes there are 24 institutions at risk of exiting the market in the next 12 months, seven of which are large providers with more than 3,000 students. There are another 25 or so institutions of various sizes at risk over a two- to three-year period, she added.'
Seven ‘large providers’ at risk of going under in the next year
Skills minister says no higher education institutions are at imminent risk of collapse this year but OfS confirms more than 20 providers are being closely monitored
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Scary stuff for those working in HE.
Would highly recommend @ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social 's latest episode, talking to Cory Doctorow about enshitification and the demise of the internet. Fascinating and thought-provoking discussion.
www.patreon.com/posts/144304...
www.patreon.com/posts/144304...
The Cosmic Absurd – How The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy nearly explains our world | The Bunker – News without the nonsense
Get more from The Bunker – News without the nonsense on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Would highly recommend @ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social 's latest episode, talking to Cory Doctorow about enshitification and the demise of the internet. Fascinating and thought-provoking discussion.
www.patreon.com/posts/144304...
www.patreon.com/posts/144304...
Cat fight! 10 seconds before this they were happily licking each other's faces. Now Ollie has gained dominion over The Box.
November 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Cat fight! 10 seconds before this they were happily licking each other's faces. Now Ollie has gained dominion over The Box.
Reposted by El
Ireland. The land from which no one historically has ever migrated. Especially no one seeking asylum for their beliefs, to flee political oppression or as an economic migrant.
November 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Ireland. The land from which no one historically has ever migrated. Especially no one seeking asylum for their beliefs, to flee political oppression or as an economic migrant.
Reposted by El
According to the article, as opposed to the headline, the suspension is ‘temporary’. Quite a read.
"Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model by default...tests repeatedly showed that the AI toy dropped its guardrails the longer a conversation went on, until hitting rock bottom on incredibly disturbing topics."
AI-Powered Stuffed Animal Pulled From Market After Disturbing Interactions With Children
FoloToy says it's suspended sales of its AI-powered teddy bear after researchers found it gave wildly inappropriate and dangerous answers.
futurism.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
According to the article, as opposed to the headline, the suspension is ‘temporary’. Quite a read.
Reposted by El
Suggesting that science is or has “orthodoxy” is a fundamental misunderstanding.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Suggesting that science is or has “orthodoxy” is a fundamental misunderstanding.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Orthodoxy implies unquestionable dogma.
Science doesn't work like that: it’s a method designed to question, test, and revise if necessary.
Reposted by El
And yet...
"Higher education generated £24bn in export earnings for the UK in 2022-23, far above aircraft manufacturing with £12bn, legal services with £9.5bn and telecoms with £8.8bn."
#HigherEd
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
#HigherEd
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Less than Greggs? Public have no idea of value of top universities, study finds
Belief that snack chain’s revenues exceed those of Oxford’s one of many misconceptions about UK’s HE sector
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
And yet...
It's time for me to ask, again, why households bear the brunt of any policy changes that mean the utility companies will have to spend more money, despite those utility companies reporting vast profits. Any answers? It baffles and infuriates me.
November 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
It's time for me to ask, again, why households bear the brunt of any policy changes that mean the utility companies will have to spend more money, despite those utility companies reporting vast profits. Any answers? It baffles and infuriates me.
This is a valid ask I think. But I'm not sure it needs pursuing by all legal means. It should just happen.
Covid bereaved call for Boris Johnson to lose ex-PM benefits over inquiry report
Covid bereaved call for Boris Johnson to lose ex-PM benefits over inquiry report
Campaign group says it will pursue all legal means to ensure personal accountability for ‘grave betrayal’
Covid-bereaved families have called for Boris Johnson to lose access to public funds and said they will pursue all legal options for personal accountability after a damning report into his handling of the pandemic.
The families said they want all privileges Johnson receives as a former prime minister, including his ministerial pension, his place on the privy council and access to the public duty costs allowance, to be withdrawn. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This is a valid ask I think. But I'm not sure it needs pursuing by all legal means. It should just happen.
Husband's in a virtual meeting beside where I'm huddled. Six times he tried to interject: "So..."... ... "Bu..."... ... Six times he was ignored. Virtual meetings with lots of people are an absolute nightmare for all but the most assertive. They probably love virtual meetings.
November 21, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Husband's in a virtual meeting beside where I'm huddled. Six times he tried to interject: "So..."... ... "Bu..."... ... Six times he was ignored. Virtual meetings with lots of people are an absolute nightmare for all but the most assertive. They probably love virtual meetings.
This looks a great idea, but they really need to crack on with it. Husband currently working/teaching from home due to a(nother) complete failure of the heating system at the Uni. Labs from home are never hugely successful!
www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news...
www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news...
Heat network to set bar for decarbonising heat - The Engineer
Bradford is set to provide the blueprint for decarbonising urban heat following a £75m investment into its heat network.
www.theengineer.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This looks a great idea, but they really need to crack on with it. Husband currently working/teaching from home due to a(nother) complete failure of the heating system at the Uni. Labs from home are never hugely successful!
www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news...
www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news...
Reposted by El
The Covid Inquiry finds that if Boris Johnson had called the first lockdown even one week earlier then it could have saved at least 20,000 lives.
Here's a quick reminder of what Johnson was actually doing during those weeks
Here's a quick reminder of what Johnson was actually doing during those weeks
November 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The Covid Inquiry finds that if Boris Johnson had called the first lockdown even one week earlier then it could have saved at least 20,000 lives.
Here's a quick reminder of what Johnson was actually doing during those weeks
Here's a quick reminder of what Johnson was actually doing during those weeks
Reposted by El
Journalists - if the person you are all trying to question insults one of your peers and them comes to you, the only reasonable response is to defer back to the insulted journo or to repeat their question. It’s not just about integrity - our main job is to make sure difficult questions are answered
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Journalists - if the person you are all trying to question insults one of your peers and them comes to you, the only reasonable response is to defer back to the insulted journo or to repeat their question. It’s not just about integrity - our main job is to make sure difficult questions are answered
Reposted by El
“Trump’s aim is to raise the cost of telling the truth about his attempt to overturn an election.”
So, naturally, Farage scuttled off to Washington to help him. As did his own propaganda outlet, GBnews… conducting its interview with Trump from a studio somewhere up his backside.
on.ft.com/3X3xuk4
So, naturally, Farage scuttled off to Washington to help him. As did his own propaganda outlet, GBnews… conducting its interview with Trump from a studio somewhere up his backside.
on.ft.com/3X3xuk4
Trump’s little British helpers
Nobody should be surprised that the US president has the BBC in his sights
on.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:25 AM
“Trump’s aim is to raise the cost of telling the truth about his attempt to overturn an election.”
So, naturally, Farage scuttled off to Washington to help him. As did his own propaganda outlet, GBnews… conducting its interview with Trump from a studio somewhere up his backside.
on.ft.com/3X3xuk4
So, naturally, Farage scuttled off to Washington to help him. As did his own propaganda outlet, GBnews… conducting its interview with Trump from a studio somewhere up his backside.
on.ft.com/3X3xuk4
Daughter (19) was started on sertraline last week. GP said to book a review after 1 week due to potential increase in risk of suicide. Appointment on Monday was cancelled that morning: "Rebook if you want to". Hmmm. #NHS #mentalhealth
November 19, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Daughter (19) was started on sertraline last week. GP said to book a review after 1 week due to potential increase in risk of suicide. Appointment on Monday was cancelled that morning: "Rebook if you want to". Hmmm. #NHS #mentalhealth
Reposted by El
'Education and relying on behaviour change by individuals is insufficient. Deteriorating diets are an urgent public health threat that requires coordinated policies and advocacy to regulate and reduce ultra-processed foods and improve access to fresh and minimally processed foods.'
Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health
This 3-paper Series reviews the evidence about the increase in ultra-processed foods in diets globally and highlights the association with many non-communicable diseases. This rise in ultra-processed ...
www.thelancet.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:39 AM
'Education and relying on behaviour change by individuals is insufficient. Deteriorating diets are an urgent public health threat that requires coordinated policies and advocacy to regulate and reduce ultra-processed foods and improve access to fresh and minimally processed foods.'
Woman behind me on the bus is constantly sniffing and coughing. Is it ruder to get up and sit somewhere else or offer her a tissue? My germ anxiety is in overdrive.
November 19, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Woman behind me on the bus is constantly sniffing and coughing. Is it ruder to get up and sit somewhere else or offer her a tissue? My germ anxiety is in overdrive.
Two linked articles and they make a long read, but an example of very good, local investigative journalism so worth the investment of time.
Yet another example of someone with money and power exploiting those with little of either.
I look forward to reading about his comeuppance 🤞
Yet another example of someone with money and power exploiting those with little of either.
I look forward to reading about his comeuppance 🤞
An absolutely shocking story in two parts and outstanding journalism to boot.
Part one
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Part one
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Two linked articles and they make a long read, but an example of very good, local investigative journalism so worth the investment of time.
Yet another example of someone with money and power exploiting those with little of either.
I look forward to reading about his comeuppance 🤞
Yet another example of someone with money and power exploiting those with little of either.
I look forward to reading about his comeuppance 🤞
Reposted by El
Huge shout-out to @becomingjude.bsky.social and Anthony Lexa for such great support of our letter! 💙
It was wonderful to see you both at the @Trans In The City Gala.
Over 60K cisgender women have already signed – will you join us?
✍ Sign: notinourname.org.uk
🔄 Please share
#TransAwarenessWeek
It was wonderful to see you both at the @Trans In The City Gala.
Over 60K cisgender women have already signed – will you join us?
✍ Sign: notinourname.org.uk
🔄 Please share
#TransAwarenessWeek
November 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Huge shout-out to @becomingjude.bsky.social and Anthony Lexa for such great support of our letter! 💙
It was wonderful to see you both at the @Trans In The City Gala.
Over 60K cisgender women have already signed – will you join us?
✍ Sign: notinourname.org.uk
🔄 Please share
#TransAwarenessWeek
It was wonderful to see you both at the @Trans In The City Gala.
Over 60K cisgender women have already signed – will you join us?
✍ Sign: notinourname.org.uk
🔄 Please share
#TransAwarenessWeek
Reposted by El
When Tommy Robinson is celebrating your policies it is time to take a long hard look in the mirror and then quit politics forever.
Not everyone is unhappy about the Government's descent into anti-refugee politics
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
When Tommy Robinson is celebrating your policies it is time to take a long hard look in the mirror and then quit politics forever.
I mean ideally it would be every day of the year, but just today is a start. Be tolerant people. It's compulsory today.
November 16, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I mean ideally it would be every day of the year, but just today is a start. Be tolerant people. It's compulsory today.
Reposted by El
It is so notable how the language of asylum has changed in the post-Farage/small boats world. “Illegal migrants” was once reserved for right wing papers, Now government spokespeople call basic sustenance and shelter for refugees banned from working “handouts”.
November 15, 2025 at 11:28 PM
It is so notable how the language of asylum has changed in the post-Farage/small boats world. “Illegal migrants” was once reserved for right wing papers, Now government spokespeople call basic sustenance and shelter for refugees banned from working “handouts”.
Reposted by El
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
Just some British patriots in Benidorm, taking over a street in Spain to shout in their own language about unwanted foreigners. It’s a blessing that they are too thick to understand irony.
November 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
It's real, and it's mind-blowing.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.
A complete lack of awareness and a national embarrassment.