Antony Carpen
@acarpen.bsky.social
Ex-Whitehall type still with views on public policy, but now local historian in Cambridge (UK) blogging at https://lostcambridge.com/ - also writing about the future of the city on The Cambridge Town Owl.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
The OBR’s productivity downgrade was expected to present the Chancellor with lots of work to do to stick to her fiscal rules, but in the end that didn’t happen because the OBR also revised up wages and prices.
Wages are taxed more than profits, so that means they expect a more ‘tax-rich’ economy.
Wages are taxed more than profits, so that means they expect a more ‘tax-rich’ economy.
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The OBR’s productivity downgrade was expected to present the Chancellor with lots of work to do to stick to her fiscal rules, but in the end that didn’t happen because the OBR also revised up wages and prices.
Wages are taxed more than profits, so that means they expect a more ‘tax-rich’ economy.
Wages are taxed more than profits, so that means they expect a more ‘tax-rich’ economy.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Really missed the opportunity to radically review Council Tax - 1991 valuations miss out on all the extensions and loft conversions added to big houses since then.
November 26, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Really missed the opportunity to radically review Council Tax - 1991 valuations miss out on all the extensions and loft conversions added to big houses since then.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
This ‘mansion tax’ is a pittance, really.
November 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This ‘mansion tax’ is a pittance, really.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
New pub on King street, run by brewer of excellent beer, Baron. baronbrewing.co.uk/taproom/
Taproom and The Handsome Prince - Baron Brewing
Our bar in Cambridge, The Handsome Prince, is now open! Serving a range of our beers as well as a huge variety of other beers, wines and spritzes. Please
baronbrewing.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
New pub on King street, run by brewer of excellent beer, Baron. baronbrewing.co.uk/taproom/
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Really pleased to see a new commitment to place-based budgets today. Further progress towards the implementation of 'Total Place' principles as urged with @jesstud.bsky.social a couple of years ago. www.newlocal.org.uk/publications....
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Really pleased to see a new commitment to place-based budgets today. Further progress towards the implementation of 'Total Place' principles as urged with @jesstud.bsky.social a couple of years ago. www.newlocal.org.uk/publications....
One for architects & surveyors everywhere: Do you think this research will influence building design? Also town planning people, will future development plans reflect this research? humanise.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
One for architects & surveyors everywhere: Do you think this research will influence building design? Also town planning people, will future development plans reflect this research? humanise.org
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Great chat with Alex Elbro on Cambridge 105 about flexible online learning. NEC's been pioneering distance education since 1963 - removing barriers for learners aged 13 to 80+. Join our Learn & Support Week at Cambridge Central Library, 4-10 Dec, to discover how it works. #DistanceLearning
November 26, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Great chat with Alex Elbro on Cambridge 105 about flexible online learning. NEC's been pioneering distance education since 1963 - removing barriers for learners aged 13 to 80+. Join our Learn & Support Week at Cambridge Central Library, 4-10 Dec, to discover how it works. #DistanceLearning
Reposted by Antony Carpen
🚨 Diane Reay interview out tomorrow
Diane is a highly influential prof of education at Cambridge. She doesn’t hold back in her challenges to Michaela’s approach and her concerns about what their model means for education.
Recent/related blog @lseblogs.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
Diane is a highly influential prof of education at Cambridge. She doesn’t hold back in her challenges to Michaela’s approach and her concerns about what their model means for education.
Recent/related blog @lseblogs.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
The chronic miseducation of working class children in the UK
A regime of “teaching to the test”, harsh discipline and a narrow curriculum is robbing working class children of a good education and tools for self-expression
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
🚨 Diane Reay interview out tomorrow
Diane is a highly influential prof of education at Cambridge. She doesn’t hold back in her challenges to Michaela’s approach and her concerns about what their model means for education.
Recent/related blog @lseblogs.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
Diane is a highly influential prof of education at Cambridge. She doesn’t hold back in her challenges to Michaela’s approach and her concerns about what their model means for education.
Recent/related blog @lseblogs.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities...
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Abolishing the two child benefit cap will make a life changing difference to many families in Walthamstow for whom work is not enough. This budget has much to commend and much to work on - this cannot come a moment too soon for so many for whom there is too much month at the end of their money.
November 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Abolishing the two child benefit cap will make a life changing difference to many families in Walthamstow for whom work is not enough. This budget has much to commend and much to work on - this cannot come a moment too soon for so many for whom there is too much month at the end of their money.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Just before that OBR document dropped, I wrote this about why sluggish household spending is part of the grim plan
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
the chart of misery, and also a sign of success
stagnant household real consumption is what we were told we needed
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Just before that OBR document dropped, I wrote this about why sluggish household spending is part of the grim plan
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
open.substack.com/pub/gileswil...
NEW CONSULTATION: On tourism taxes www.gov.uk/government/c... which covers…
“the types of accommodation that will and will not be included”
“the types of accommodation that will and will not be included”
Visitor levy in England
This consultation seeks views on the design of a new Mayoral power to create visitor levies on overnight stays in England.
www.gov.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
NEW CONSULTATION: On tourism taxes www.gov.uk/government/c... which covers…
“the types of accommodation that will and will not be included”
“the types of accommodation that will and will not be included”
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Pro-tip: when defending yourself against allegations that you used derogatory language, never, under any circumstances, reach for the b-word. Dismissing anything you might have said as 'banter' really is the ultimate red flag.
Nigel Farage's racism denials are dishonest, says ex-classmate
Peter Ettedgui tells the BBC Nigel Farage targeted antisemitic abuse at him when they were teenagers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Pro-tip: when defending yourself against allegations that you used derogatory language, never, under any circumstances, reach for the b-word. Dismissing anything you might have said as 'banter' really is the ultimate red flag.
See the Budget-related consultations at www.gov.uk/search/polic...
Policy papers and consultations
Find policy papers and consultations from government
www.gov.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
See the Budget-related consultations at www.gov.uk/search/polic...
See the various Budget-related press releases at www.gov.uk/search/news-...
News and communications
Find news and communications from government
www.gov.uk
November 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
See the various Budget-related press releases at www.gov.uk/search/news-...
Reposted by Antony Carpen
"Either damaging cuts to unprotected services or fictitious spending numbers"
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
"Either damaging cuts to unprotected services or fictitious spending numbers"
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Reposted by Antony Carpen
The Budget is a choice about the kind of country we want to live in. Today the Government could have protected disabled people's freedom to travel. Instead, they chose to cut support for the vehicles we rely on.
Read our response to the budget: https://bit.ly/4p2bYsa
Read our response to the budget: https://bit.ly/4p2bYsa
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Budget is a choice about the kind of country we want to live in. Today the Government could have protected disabled people's freedom to travel. Instead, they chose to cut support for the vehicles we rely on.
Read our response to the budget: https://bit.ly/4p2bYsa
Read our response to the budget: https://bit.ly/4p2bYsa
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Not well understood that 6 in 10 families impacted by the two-child limit are in work, and that the vast majority have 3 or 4 children.
The Chancellor has scrapped the two-child limit, benefitting more than half a million families.
In April 2025, out of families impacted by the limit:
- 6 in 10 had 3 children.
- 6 in 10 had at least one person in work.
- And 6 in 10 are receiving a health or disability benefit.
In April 2025, out of families impacted by the limit:
- 6 in 10 had 3 children.
- 6 in 10 had at least one person in work.
- And 6 in 10 are receiving a health or disability benefit.
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Not well understood that 6 in 10 families impacted by the two-child limit are in work, and that the vast majority have 3 or 4 children.
Reposted by Antony Carpen
My personal favourite
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
My personal favourite
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Tory MPs now protesting about anti-protest laws which they themselves brought in..
November 26, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Tory MPs now protesting about anti-protest laws which they themselves brought in..
Oh - different Cambridge 🙃
Council amends Cambridge budget lowering tax impact
https://www.newsbeep.com/ca/306380/
Cambridge council was able to lower the tax impact for residents in the Strong Mayor Budget by about…
https://www.newsbeep.com/ca/306380/
Cambridge council was able to lower the tax impact for residents in the Strong Mayor Budget by about…
Council amends Cambridge budget lowering tax impact - Canada News Beep
Cambridge council was able to lower the tax impact for residents in the Strong Mayor Budget by about 2 per cent on Monday; however, the mayor may decide to
www.newsbeep.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Oh - different Cambridge 🙃
Am currently in a meeting - was there any news in the Budget on the growth of Cambridge? Eg the proposed development corporation? 👀
November 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Am currently in a meeting - was there any news in the Budget on the growth of Cambridge? Eg the proposed development corporation? 👀
Note the lack of debate on the international dimension
Prime ministers and home secretaries constantly produce new initiatives to tackle the small boats—but none of them ever work, writes Andrew Adonis.
Yes, Shabana Mahmood is ‘appeasing populist opinion’
But words alone won’t stop the small boats
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Note the lack of debate on the international dimension
Reposted by Antony Carpen
A revaluation doesn't mend the council tax system, but you do need to give an idea of how you replace council tax.
#PoliticsLive
#PoliticsLive
November 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
A revaluation doesn't mend the council tax system, but you do need to give an idea of how you replace council tax.
#PoliticsLive
#PoliticsLive
Reposted by Antony Carpen
💼 Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that she has “asked everyone to contribute” in a Budget that is expected to raise £26bn in tax
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Asks 'Everyone To Contribute' In Tax-Raising Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that she has “asked everyone to contribute” in a Budget that is expected to raise £26bn in tax.
www.politicshome.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
💼 Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that she has “asked everyone to contribute” in a Budget that is expected to raise £26bn in tax
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
@zoecrowther.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Antony Carpen
Reacting to the chancellor’s autumn budget, our chief executive, @dhnnjyn.bsky.social, warns that revenue from tax rises will largely not improve living standards or public services.
Read our statement in full: neweconomics.org/2025/11/autu...
Read our statement in full: neweconomics.org/2025/11/autu...
November 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reacting to the chancellor’s autumn budget, our chief executive, @dhnnjyn.bsky.social, warns that revenue from tax rises will largely not improve living standards or public services.
Read our statement in full: neweconomics.org/2025/11/autu...
Read our statement in full: neweconomics.org/2025/11/autu...