Val Aston
@valaston.bsky.social
Criminal law lecturer, protest law researcher, long covid sufferer.
Reposted by Val Aston
While focus is often solely on asylum, and small boat crossings in particular, it's important to remember that Labour's hostililty against all migrants is harming not only individuals, but the whole country, with an estimated loss of £10.8billion, and zero actual benefits.
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
Tighter visa rules will cost UK up to £10.8bn
Home Office assessment shows impact of latest changes to immigration regime over next five years
www.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:05 AM
While focus is often solely on asylum, and small boat crossings in particular, it's important to remember that Labour's hostililty against all migrants is harming not only individuals, but the whole country, with an estimated loss of £10.8billion, and zero actual benefits.
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
Francis states that he had infiltrated "a political party which was operating entirely openly". Francis's reporting on Militant Labour described as 'extremely valuable' by security service (MI5).
December 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Francis states that he had infiltrated "a political party which was operating entirely openly". Francis's reporting on Militant Labour described as 'extremely valuable' by security service (MI5).
Extraordinary testimony by Peter Francis talking candidly how he infiltrated and reported on trade union activity for the Security Services, including holding positions - eg branch secretary - in the organisations he infiltrated.
Instant report from lunchtime at the Undercover Policing Inquiry where whistleblower #spycops officer Peter Francis has a 3rd day of questioning, talking about his infiltration of antifascist groups & trade unions in the mid 1990s
Tom Fowler is joined by Kate Wilson of @spiesoutoflives.bsky.social
Tom Fowler is joined by Kate Wilson of @spiesoutoflives.bsky.social
Spycops inquiry reaction: lunchtime of 3 Dec 2025 - Peter Francis evidence, day 3
YouTube video by Cops Campaign
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Extraordinary testimony by Peter Francis talking candidly how he infiltrated and reported on trade union activity for the Security Services, including holding positions - eg branch secretary - in the organisations he infiltrated.
Reposted by Val Aston
So this figure is actually strong evidence that most work of executives is just substance-less illusion building. Tricking people into think there is something there.
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
November 30, 2025 at 12:06 AM
So this figure is actually strong evidence that most work of executives is just substance-less illusion building. Tricking people into think there is something there.
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
And *finally* we have a good use case for AI. Let's sack all executives!
Reposted by Val Aston
AI usage: 87% of executives use AI for work; 57% managers; 27% of employees.
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:06 AM
AI usage: 87% of executives use AI for work; 57% managers; 27% of employees.
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
This is both easy to believe and easy to misinterpret. AI is *genuinely* useful if what matters is FORM. Terrible at SUBSTANCE.
If useful for your job = your job just form.
A 🧵
www.businessinsider.com/executives-a...
Reposted by Val Aston
Genuinely one of the greatest derelictions of core duty by western governments of our time - not pushing for the provision of adequate ventilation and/or HEPA filters in most public buildings and settings to curb spread of all airborne pathogens
My hotel in Hong Kong, where people understand airborne transmission of respiratory viruses, has HEPA filters everywhere
November 27, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Genuinely one of the greatest derelictions of core duty by western governments of our time - not pushing for the provision of adequate ventilation and/or HEPA filters in most public buildings and settings to curb spread of all airborne pathogens
There is so much to love about the BBC, including - especially - its Welsh language programming. A publicly, collectively owned, not-for-profit broadcaster is the institution we need right now. But it hurts the profits of Netflix, Prime and Sky, so the knives are out.
"For a century, the BBC has been our classroom, our concert hall, our stage, our storyteller and our window on the world. Politicians need reminding: its much more than a news channel."
Defending our national treasure: the voice of the nation
Politicians see the BBC through the lens of TV news, but those who want to undermine it threaten a central plank of our national culture
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:28 PM
There is so much to love about the BBC, including - especially - its Welsh language programming. A publicly, collectively owned, not-for-profit broadcaster is the institution we need right now. But it hurts the profits of Netflix, Prime and Sky, so the knives are out.
Reposted by Val Aston
1/ The UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its Module 2 report on Thursday.
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
November 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
1/ The UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its Module 2 report on Thursday.
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
This report examines how the UK’s four governments made decisions during the pandemic, and its conclusions are stark:
“Too little, too late.”
🧵👇
Anyone out there have experience of using KEATH.ai for marking? Am hugely concerned that this whole process treats marking as just a repeatable admin task, rather than an integral part of teaching and learning. But genuinely curious as to how it 'advances academic integrity' as it claims.
November 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Anyone out there have experience of using KEATH.ai for marking? Am hugely concerned that this whole process treats marking as just a repeatable admin task, rather than an integral part of teaching and learning. But genuinely curious as to how it 'advances academic integrity' as it claims.
Reposted by Val Aston
The second problem with this — after the fact that it will bankrupt a bunch of institutions — is that the government doesn’t seem to know if it wants to a) raise lots of money from intentional students or b) discourage universities from relying on international students. You can’t have both!!
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The second problem with this — after the fact that it will bankrupt a bunch of institutions — is that the government doesn’t seem to know if it wants to a) raise lots of money from intentional students or b) discourage universities from relying on international students. You can’t have both!!
Reposted by Val Aston
🧵 Thread: The Economic Cost of Long Covid – new 2025 study in Nature
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
November 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🧵 Thread: The Economic Cost of Long Covid – new 2025 study in Nature
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
1/ A new paper has modelled the economic burden of Long Covid in the U.S. and globally. Spoiler: it’s massive. Here’s a breakdown. 👇
Reposted by Val Aston
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry confirms what our communities have lived for years: the government’s pandemic response wasn’t just a failure - it was a historic abandonment. “Too little, too late” doesn’t capture the scale of the harm. /1
November 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry confirms what our communities have lived for years: the government’s pandemic response wasn’t just a failure - it was a historic abandonment. “Too little, too late” doesn’t capture the scale of the harm. /1
Reposted by Val Aston
The second report of the UK COVID Inquiry is out. The two volumes are here: covid19.public-inquiry.uk/documents/mo...
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
Module 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report - Core decision-making and political governance UK Covid-19 Inquiry Archives
A report by The Rt Hon the Baroness Hallett DBE, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on the core decision-making and political governance, dated 20 November 2025.
covid19.public-inquiry.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:09 PM
The second report of the UK COVID Inquiry is out. The two volumes are here: covid19.public-inquiry.uk/documents/mo...
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
The section on "The focus on handwashing over ventilation" begins in section 12.32 of the second volume (page 167 in the PDF of voume 2).
#itsairborne #COVID #longCOVID #aerosol
Reposted by Val Aston
Reform's former Leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, a 10.5 year jail term for taking bribes from the Kremlin.
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?
November 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reform's former Leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, a 10.5 year jail term for taking bribes from the Kremlin.
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?
Cosied up to authoritarian powers & traded principles for payoffs. Reform's leadership laughably claimed they barely knew Gill.
Will all this be on tomorrow's front pages?
Reposted by Val Aston
Our podcast on the proscription of Palestine Action is now available in an audio only format that can be played via your usual podcast platform.
Please do check it out by pasting the RSS feed below into your podcast platform.
feeds.buzzsprout.com/2558297.rss
Please do check it out by pasting the RSS feed below into your podcast platform.
feeds.buzzsprout.com/2558297.rss
feeds.buzzsprout.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Our podcast on the proscription of Palestine Action is now available in an audio only format that can be played via your usual podcast platform.
Please do check it out by pasting the RSS feed below into your podcast platform.
feeds.buzzsprout.com/2558297.rss
Please do check it out by pasting the RSS feed below into your podcast platform.
feeds.buzzsprout.com/2558297.rss
Reposted by Val Aston
If, like me, you lost a loved one in the UK’s deadly second COVID wave, this WhatsApp chat will confirm that the then government has blood on its hands.
Eat out to Help Out was killing people, but they “kept it out of the news”.
November 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
If, like me, you lost a loved one in the UK’s deadly second COVID wave, this WhatsApp chat will confirm that the then government has blood on its hands.
'that was as close to the perfect performance as I have seen' says Bellamy. Who can disagree? Wales playing like that was the stuff of dreams. #ymaohyd
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Wales 7-1 North Macedonia: Close to perfect, says Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy says Wales' 7-1 thrashing of North Macedonia - which secured a home World Cup play-off semi-final - was
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 AM
'that was as close to the perfect performance as I have seen' says Bellamy. Who can disagree? Wales playing like that was the stuff of dreams. #ymaohyd
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
I know, terrorism has a specific defn etc. But I still struggle when police say there is 'nothing to suggest' stabbing ppl on a train is terrorism, but certain nonviolent direct action absolutely is.
November 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I know, terrorism has a specific defn etc. But I still struggle when police say there is 'nothing to suggest' stabbing ppl on a train is terrorism, but certain nonviolent direct action absolutely is.
Of course the nations declining health has a number of causes - most obviously our groaning nhs. But its long covid that has left me unwell for 3+ years and I know I'm not alone.
There are 2 articles in the Guardian:
1️⃣ stating that exhaustion is at EPIDEMIC levels
2️⃣ "The UK’s productivity crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing our economy and long-term health conditions in the workforce are a major factor in this"
🤦♀️Neither mentions #LongCovid
1️⃣ stating that exhaustion is at EPIDEMIC levels
2️⃣ "The UK’s productivity crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing our economy and long-term health conditions in the workforce are a major factor in this"
🤦♀️Neither mentions #LongCovid
November 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Of course the nations declining health has a number of causes - most obviously our groaning nhs. But its long covid that has left me unwell for 3+ years and I know I'm not alone.
Reposted by Val Aston
1984: We're behind schedule.
Couple sues because NYPD aims cameras into their bedroom and living room, perhaps due to their history of activism.
I hope they win but the precedents are mixed.
www.law360.com/cybersecurit...
Couple sues because NYPD aims cameras into their bedroom and living room, perhaps due to their history of activism.
I hope they win but the precedents are mixed.
www.law360.com/cybersecurit...
NYC Sued Over 'Voyeuristic' Police Surveillance System - Law360
A Brooklyn couple has filed a federal lawsuit alleging New York City uses a "voyeuristic" police surveillance system on all visitors and residents, which includes two police cameras that are aimed at ...
www.law360.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM
1984: We're behind schedule.
Couple sues because NYPD aims cameras into their bedroom and living room, perhaps due to their history of activism.
I hope they win but the precedents are mixed.
www.law360.com/cybersecurit...
Couple sues because NYPD aims cameras into their bedroom and living room, perhaps due to their history of activism.
I hope they win but the precedents are mixed.
www.law360.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by Val Aston
Two Just Stop Oil activists convicted of criminal damage have avoided custody after targeting Taylor Swift’s jet in a case that underlines judicial discretion in protest cases.
Partner, Laura O’brien secured the suspended sentences, a decision that balances motivation with proportionality.
Partner, Laura O’brien secured the suspended sentences, a decision that balances motivation with proportionality.
October 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Two Just Stop Oil activists convicted of criminal damage have avoided custody after targeting Taylor Swift’s jet in a case that underlines judicial discretion in protest cases.
Partner, Laura O’brien secured the suspended sentences, a decision that balances motivation with proportionality.
Partner, Laura O’brien secured the suspended sentences, a decision that balances motivation with proportionality.
Reposted by Val Aston
'One of the key issues in front of the inquiry is how for decades the undercover officers have regularly formed sexual relationships with women without disclosing that they had adopted fake personas and had been sent to spy on political activists.'
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Woman tells spycops inquiry of ‘deep mistrust’ of police after relationship with undercover officer
Ellie, who now lives in Australia, tells policing inquiry she was deceived by officer infiltrating animal rights groups
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:43 AM
'One of the key issues in front of the inquiry is how for decades the undercover officers have regularly formed sexual relationships with women without disclosing that they had adopted fake personas and had been sent to spy on political activists.'
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Such good news to wake up to this morning. A very happy start to the day - despite the polls, Reform soundly beaten.
Caerphilly, Senedd constituency by-election result:
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
October 24, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Such good news to wake up to this morning. A very happy start to the day - despite the polls, Reform soundly beaten.
Reposted by Val Aston
Caerphilly, Senedd constituency by-election result:
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
October 24, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Caerphilly, Senedd constituency by-election result:
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
PC: 47.4% (+19.0)
REF: 36.0% (+34.2)
LAB: 11.0% (-34.9)
CON: 2.0% (-15.3)
GRN: 1.5% (+1.5)
LDEM: 1.5% (-1.2)
GWL: 0.3% (+0.3)
UKIP: 0.2% (+0.2)
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Labour.
Reposted by Val Aston
Front page of this morning's 'The National'.
"Extreme Violence – Police Scotland used excessive restrictions to protect the interests of arms firms during Palestine protests, says new report".
The SCALP/Netpol report launches this evening in Glasgow
"Extreme Violence – Police Scotland used excessive restrictions to protect the interests of arms firms during Palestine protests, says new report".
The SCALP/Netpol report launches this evening in Glasgow
October 23, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Front page of this morning's 'The National'.
"Extreme Violence – Police Scotland used excessive restrictions to protect the interests of arms firms during Palestine protests, says new report".
The SCALP/Netpol report launches this evening in Glasgow
"Extreme Violence – Police Scotland used excessive restrictions to protect the interests of arms firms during Palestine protests, says new report".
The SCALP/Netpol report launches this evening in Glasgow