Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group
@uresg76.bsky.social
Emeritus Professor, regional economist who reads a lot of history. Frustated Architect who likes visiting places. Art, culture, and cat lover. Lifelong Gooner.
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
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Regular reminder that behind all the guff about immigration statistics we are talking about actual people's lives.
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
UK migration is at a record high – but immigration should be celebrated, not weaponised
Experience tells us that there will be those who try and “weaponise” immigration no matter what, says Stand for All's Daniel Sohege.
www.bigissue.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Regular reminder that behind all the guff about immigration statistics we are talking about actual people's lives.
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
We are pretty much guaranteed to see today's figures used to defend anti-immigration policies, and ignore the harm they cause. These are people's lives.
www.bigissue.com/opinion/uk-m...
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
- A 100,000 drop in net migration costs us £7bn
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
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Just occured to me that following the budget the government has now done five of the ten "quick wins" I suggested for their their first few months. Took them a little longer...
(Two child limit; processing asylum seekers; indexing tuition fees; increasing depts delegated authority; ethics rules)
(Two child limit; processing asylum seekers; indexing tuition fees; increasing depts delegated authority; ethics rules)
November 27, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Just occured to me that following the budget the government has now done five of the ten "quick wins" I suggested for their their first few months. Took them a little longer...
(Two child limit; processing asylum seekers; indexing tuition fees; increasing depts delegated authority; ethics rules)
(Two child limit; processing asylum seekers; indexing tuition fees; increasing depts delegated authority; ethics rules)
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Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
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Government "proposals" and Government "policy" are two distinct and different things. The former may lead to the other, but is not it. Please for the love of God can this be made clear
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Government "proposals" and Government "policy" are two distinct and different things. The former may lead to the other, but is not it. Please for the love of God can this be made clear
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Small sums for very wealthy people and about 150,000 homes are worth over £2 million so that's hundreds of millions for the exchequer.
But bear this in mind - King Charles won't pay a penny on his many homes which are mostly worth far more than that.
But bear this in mind - King Charles won't pay a penny on his many homes which are mostly worth far more than that.
what’s not to like? nice one Rachel Reeves for introducing the mansion tax ensuring the super-rich pay their way just like the rest of us 🙏💥
November 26, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Small sums for very wealthy people and about 150,000 homes are worth over £2 million so that's hundreds of millions for the exchequer.
But bear this in mind - King Charles won't pay a penny on his many homes which are mostly worth far more than that.
But bear this in mind - King Charles won't pay a penny on his many homes which are mostly worth far more than that.
Just watched Kurosawa's brilliant Seven Samurai again after 50 years. Still relevant to the world we live in and the silent geopolitics we still live with
November 26, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Just watched Kurosawa's brilliant Seven Samurai again after 50 years. Still relevant to the world we live in and the silent geopolitics we still live with
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Well there are some advantages to AI
November 26, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Well there are some advantages to AI
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Today is the 4th anniversary of the worst ever tragedy in the Channel.
At least 27 men, women & children drowned in the freezing water, & 4 more have never been found.
Since then, neither we nor the French have done a thing to offer people in this situation with real solutions.
At least 27 men, women & children drowned in the freezing water, & 4 more have never been found.
Since then, neither we nor the French have done a thing to offer people in this situation with real solutions.
November 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Today is the 4th anniversary of the worst ever tragedy in the Channel.
At least 27 men, women & children drowned in the freezing water, & 4 more have never been found.
Since then, neither we nor the French have done a thing to offer people in this situation with real solutions.
At least 27 men, women & children drowned in the freezing water, & 4 more have never been found.
Since then, neither we nor the French have done a thing to offer people in this situation with real solutions.
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group
‘Mahmood is just an addition to the ranks of Braverman, Badenoch, Patel and Sunak’ - powerful piece here by @nesrinemalik.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik
‘She is the daughter of immigrants,’ supporters of her cruel asylum policies say. ‘How can she be wrong?’ Let me put them straight, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:51 AM
‘Mahmood is just an addition to the ranks of Braverman, Badenoch, Patel and Sunak’ - powerful piece here by @nesrinemalik.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
FFS Xmas comes early in Valparaiso as well 😜
November 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
FFS Xmas comes early in Valparaiso as well 😜
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I found 2024 incredibly frustrating. Because I (and lots of other people) kept explaining that the fiscal position of all parties was literally impossible but broadcast (in particular) was never willing to go that far.
The fact that in both 2019 and 2024, the winning party did so with a set of manifesto promises that could not be kept and dissolved upon contact with actual office is something that as an industry we should be much more bothered by than we are.
November 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I found 2024 incredibly frustrating. Because I (and lots of other people) kept explaining that the fiscal position of all parties was literally impossible but broadcast (in particular) was never willing to go that far.
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Why do people feel that their everyday lives aren't improving and the public realm is deteriorating? Complete mystery.
November 23, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Why do people feel that their everyday lives aren't improving and the public realm is deteriorating? Complete mystery.
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"Only the Left can solve immigration."
- My Cambridge Debate.
Matt Goodwin pulled out at the last minute, so I told everyone how @GoodwinMJ's brand of racism only leads to violence.
- My Cambridge Debate.
Matt Goodwin pulled out at the last minute, so I told everyone how @GoodwinMJ's brand of racism only leads to violence.
Only the LEFT can solve immigration - Cambridge Debate
YouTube video by Femi - F Politics!
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
"Only the Left can solve immigration."
- My Cambridge Debate.
Matt Goodwin pulled out at the last minute, so I told everyone how @GoodwinMJ's brand of racism only leads to violence.
- My Cambridge Debate.
Matt Goodwin pulled out at the last minute, so I told everyone how @GoodwinMJ's brand of racism only leads to violence.
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group
Boris Johnson’s lack of leadership over the seriousness of Covid led to the first lockdown being introduced too late, which contributed to the loss of 23,000 lives, the official inquiry into his handling of the pandemic has concluded
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Boris Johnson's lack of leadership blamed for 23,000 Covid deaths
A scathing report by inquiry chair Baroness Hallett also criticises the Department of Health, led by the current Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald and the then minister Matt Hancock
inews.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Boris Johnson’s lack of leadership over the seriousness of Covid led to the first lockdown being introduced too late, which contributed to the loss of 23,000 lives, the official inquiry into his handling of the pandemic has concluded
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
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Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Covid inquiry live: ‘Inexcusable’ delays under Johnson led to 23,000 deaths
Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Should we call the Labour Government Hobbesian? Nasty, Brutish and Short. Given its new immigration policy
November 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Should we call the Labour Government Hobbesian? Nasty, Brutish and Short. Given its new immigration policy
Labour Leadership Team Strategic Direction Away Day
November 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Labour Leadership Team Strategic Direction Away Day
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Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire, photo by landscape photographer Paula Beaumont.
November 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire, photo by landscape photographer Paula Beaumont.
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“Having someone like Robbie Gibb on the board is like a wolf in a sheep-pen. In some ways, it’s not his fault. It’s in his nature. He’s doing what he believes to be right. The real problem is the absolute lack of pushback from a weak chairman [Shah] and other board members.”
If Michael Prescott didn’t leak the BBC bias dossier to the Telegraph, who did?
A whodunnit with serious implications for the future of the broadcaster is underway – with all expected to be revealed at a select committee showdown
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:52 AM
“Having someone like Robbie Gibb on the board is like a wolf in a sheep-pen. In some ways, it’s not his fault. It’s in his nature. He’s doing what he believes to be right. The real problem is the absolute lack of pushback from a weak chairman [Shah] and other board members.”
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My latest - handily timed as I'm in Brussels - the EU is not a trade superpower. It might just be the only middle power of trade. Badly missing is any sense of prioritisation, and the institutions are not well set up for a new mix of security and trade. borderlex.net/2025/11/19/p...
Perspectives: The EU is not a trade superpower – how to make the best of it - Borderlex - European trade policy
Brussels is institutionally under-powered and over-fragmented to take on the existential trade and related security challenges it is facing. Reshuffling the same old approaches is not working. Continu...
borderlex.net
November 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
My latest - handily timed as I'm in Brussels - the EU is not a trade superpower. It might just be the only middle power of trade. Badly missing is any sense of prioritisation, and the institutions are not well set up for a new mix of security and trade. borderlex.net/2025/11/19/p...
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Listening to Steve Reed explain on the radio today that he can't say what Mahmood's plan means for kids of people who give birth after they've been granted asylum because that's a hypothetical Q govt can't be expected to answer right now made me think these reforms are going to unravel quite fast
November 18, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Listening to Steve Reed explain on the radio today that he can't say what Mahmood's plan means for kids of people who give birth after they've been granted asylum because that's a hypothetical Q govt can't be expected to answer right now made me think these reforms are going to unravel quite fast
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group
Fantasy numbers.
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform plans to strip EU citizens of benefit rights, says Farage
Leader Nigel Farage says his party would renegotiate the Brexit deal struck by the Tory government.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Fantasy numbers.
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Many of those "EU nationals" claims he can cut benefits to *are already UK citizens*.
Almost all the rest are entitled to UK citizenship.
Idea this will save any significant sum is simply absurd.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...