Andrew Sissons
@acjsissons.bsky.social
Day job: climate change, heat pumps, energy at Nesta
Other stuff: low-fi economics on growth, cities & economic geography, general UK policy, occasional basic charts
Bristol, he/him, lots of parenting / caring.
Personal account.
Other stuff: low-fi economics on growth, cities & economic geography, general UK policy, occasional basic charts
Bristol, he/him, lots of parenting / caring.
Personal account.
Pinned
Delighted to publish this personal essay by me and John: Getting Britain out of the hole.
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
We wanted to write something quite readable that covers the big picture of the UK’s economic struggles. Hopefully we’ve managed at least one of those!
@johnspringford.bsky.social
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
November 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
Have had a few texts from family members this morning saying “who is Martin Wolf?”
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
Martin Wolf on our essay. "So, what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future."
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
How to get the UK out of its economic hole
Reeves’ challenge is to remedy the disaster that Brexit has been for the country
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Have had a few texts from family members this morning saying “who is Martin Wolf?”
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
(I may not have entirely played it cool)
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Martin Wolf on our essay. "So, what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future."
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
How to get the UK out of its economic hole
Reeves’ challenge is to remedy the disaster that Brexit has been for the country
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Martin Wolf on our essay. "So, what do I hope for from Wednesday’s Budget? Some sight of a workable and coherent long-term economic strategy. I do not expect it. It may already be too late. But, without that, it is hard to be optimistic about the UK’s future."
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
www.ft.com/content/17e1...
“Britain has fallen out of love with the things it is good at” etc. etc.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 PM
“Britain has fallen out of love with the things it is good at” etc. etc.
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Here’s this week’s column, in which I beg the chancellor to go big this week - on both headroom and narrative - so that by next year, if she’s still here to deliver it, the budget will be boring, because we all know the plan 🙏🏻
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Rachel Reeves, please, let’s make budgets boring again | Heather Stewart
Budgets need to be reassuringly dull with no repeat of this year’s long, drawn-out and chaotic buildup
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Here’s this week’s column, in which I beg the chancellor to go big this week - on both headroom and narrative - so that by next year, if she’s still here to deliver it, the budget will be boring, because we all know the plan 🙏🏻
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
There’s a floating sauna chugging up and down the harbour today.
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
November 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
There’s a floating sauna chugging up and down the harbour today.
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
I am not entirely confident in its seaworthiness
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Thanks to everyone who's read and shared our essay on the UK economy this week. Have been some very kind responses, and some good critiques (though I'd really like to hear more criticism).
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Thanks to everyone who's read and shared our essay on the UK economy this week. Have been some very kind responses, and some good critiques (though I'd really like to hear more criticism).
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
The pre-Budget messaging on climate policy has been so confusing.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Industry experts welcome extra incentives but fear a consultation on a mileage tax sends mixed messages
Drivers will be able to claim government subsidies to cut the cost of buying a new electric car until 2030 under plans to be announced by Rachel Reeves at next week’s budget.
The chancellor will unveil an extra £1.3bn for subsidies for new electric vehicles (EVs) and a further £200m for charging points, as she attempts to prevent the market for clean cars drying up amid concerns about a new pay-per-mile tax. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The pre-Budget messaging on climate policy has been so confusing.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Some amazing Other Lancashire Towers facts in this thread
So, that's the thing I learnt when we went to Morecambe about 20 years ago - actually loads of seaside towns DID have towers. Blackpool's was the only one that survived
November 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Some amazing Other Lancashire Towers facts in this thread
Good day for “relocate institutions to spread economic growth” discourse…
… because it’s “why not just move Strictly to Blackpool permanently?” day
… because it’s “why not just move Strictly to Blackpool permanently?” day
November 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Good day for “relocate institutions to spread economic growth” discourse…
… because it’s “why not just move Strictly to Blackpool permanently?” day
… because it’s “why not just move Strictly to Blackpool permanently?” day
This is a challenging essay by Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the leading academics on autism.
His core proposal is to split the autistic “spectrum” between Type 1 (“profound”) and Type 2 (fka Asperger’s).
This is partly to ensure all autistic people get the right support, and partly because of politics
His core proposal is to split the autistic “spectrum” between Type 1 (“profound”) and Type 2 (fka Asperger’s).
This is partly to ensure all autistic people get the right support, and partly because of politics
The new politics of autism
As contentious claims over rising diagnoses get a presidential platform, Simon Baron-Cohen explains where talk of an ‘epidemic’ goes wrong — and why we need more recognition that autism comes in diffe...
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
This is a challenging essay by Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the leading academics on autism.
His core proposal is to split the autistic “spectrum” between Type 1 (“profound”) and Type 2 (fka Asperger’s).
This is partly to ensure all autistic people get the right support, and partly because of politics
His core proposal is to split the autistic “spectrum” between Type 1 (“profound”) and Type 2 (fka Asperger’s).
This is partly to ensure all autistic people get the right support, and partly because of politics
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Our ratio is the one of the worst in Europe
November 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Our ratio is the one of the worst in Europe
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
The gap between electricity and gas prices in Jan will now be 20% larger than a year before, pushing up bills for a typical household using electric storage heating by £100, compared to typical dual fuel billpayer seeing bills rise by just £2.50 www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
November 22, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The gap between electricity and gas prices in Jan will now be 20% larger than a year before, pushing up bills for a typical household using electric storage heating by £100, compared to typical dual fuel billpayer seeing bills rise by just £2.50 www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
November 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
"Tehran now faces 'catastrophe' as land in parts of the capital sinks by up to 30 centimeters a year and water supplies shrink."
www.iranintl.com/en/202511209...
www.iranintl.com/en/202511209...
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
"Tehran now faces 'catastrophe' as land in parts of the capital sinks by up to 30 centimeters a year and water supplies shrink."
www.iranintl.com/en/202511209...
www.iranintl.com/en/202511209...
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
GDP treats cigarette sales & cancer treatments as “good,” but caring for your kids or creating art doesn’t count at all.
@dianecoyle1859.bsky.social joins Nick & Goldy to explain why GDP no longer reflects the real economy—and how we can measure true progress instead.
🎧Listen here: buff.ly/7HrQ3Wi
@dianecoyle1859.bsky.social joins Nick & Goldy to explain why GDP no longer reflects the real economy—and how we can measure true progress instead.
🎧Listen here: buff.ly/7HrQ3Wi
November 18, 2025 at 11:10 PM
GDP treats cigarette sales & cancer treatments as “good,” but caring for your kids or creating art doesn’t count at all.
@dianecoyle1859.bsky.social joins Nick & Goldy to explain why GDP no longer reflects the real economy—and how we can measure true progress instead.
🎧Listen here: buff.ly/7HrQ3Wi
@dianecoyle1859.bsky.social joins Nick & Goldy to explain why GDP no longer reflects the real economy—and how we can measure true progress instead.
🎧Listen here: buff.ly/7HrQ3Wi
No punches pulled here by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social, who draws on John’s and my essay.
Whenever Britain has been successful, it has been increasingly open to trade. Trying to turn against that history over the last decade has not gone well…
Whenever Britain has been successful, it has been increasingly open to trade. Trying to turn against that history over the last decade has not gone well…
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
No punches pulled here by @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social, who draws on John’s and my essay.
Whenever Britain has been successful, it has been increasingly open to trade. Trying to turn against that history over the last decade has not gone well…
Whenever Britain has been successful, it has been increasingly open to trade. Trying to turn against that history over the last decade has not gone well…
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
As the Budget looms, Labour is ignoring the most obvious cause of Britain's economic woes: Brexit. Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves is studiously ignoring the cause of Britain’s woes: the Brexit-shaped hole in its roof | Jonathan Freedland
The autumn budget will mop up some damage, but the true source of the economic crisis is clear. The government should now fix it – tragically, it won’t, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
As the Budget looms, Labour is ignoring the most obvious cause of Britain's economic woes: Brexit. Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
There have been rumours swirling that the Chancellor might cut subsidies for heat pumps in the budget. This would be a terrible idea, and I've written a blog with all the reasons why...
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
Seven reasons we still need heat pump subsidies
Accelerating the switch from gas to electricity, make electricity cheaper, and balancing electrification with insulation are key policies that could reduce bills and carbon emissions for households
www.nesta.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
There have been rumours swirling that the Chancellor might cut subsidies for heat pumps in the budget. This would be a terrible idea, and I've written a blog with all the reasons why...
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who's read and shared our essay on the UK economy this week. Have been some very kind responses, and some good critiques (though I'd really like to hear more criticism).
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Thanks to everyone who's read and shared our essay on the UK economy this week. Have been some very kind responses, and some good critiques (though I'd really like to hear more criticism).
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Just to share a few reflections on reactions to it...
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
Congratulations to England on winning the first one day international, see you tomorrow night for the decider!
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Congratulations to England on winning the first one day international, see you tomorrow night for the decider!
Sad to hear about Mani.
One of the great things about the Stone Roses was all four members being equally important to their sound. Couldn’t make an intro like this otherwise
One of the great things about the Stone Roses was all four members being equally important to their sound. Couldn’t make an intro like this otherwise
The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored (Official Video)
YouTube video by StoneRosesVEVO
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Sad to hear about Mani.
One of the great things about the Stone Roses was all four members being equally important to their sound. Couldn’t make an intro like this otherwise
One of the great things about the Stone Roses was all four members being equally important to their sound. Couldn’t make an intro like this otherwise
Reposted by Andrew Sissons
Britain is missing 2.3m urban homes.
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Britain is missing 2.3m urban homes.
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
There have been rumours swirling that the Chancellor might cut subsidies for heat pumps in the budget. This would be a terrible idea, and I've written a blog with all the reasons why...
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
Seven reasons we still need heat pump subsidies
Accelerating the switch from gas to electricity, make electricity cheaper, and balancing electrification with insulation are key policies that could reduce bills and carbon emissions for households
www.nesta.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
There have been rumours swirling that the Chancellor might cut subsidies for heat pumps in the budget. This would be a terrible idea, and I've written a blog with all the reasons why...
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-r...
@nestauk.bsky.social
This anecdote - from a story about a "no phone nightclub" - is a pretty perfect illustration of when regulation works and when it doesn't...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 19, 2025 at 5:28 PM
This anecdote - from a story about a "no phone nightclub" - is a pretty perfect illustration of when regulation works and when it doesn't...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...