Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Beckie Smith

David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 9d

Underpinning everything, you do not want politicians deciding who is British based on their personal prejudices.

Deportation will also not improve the life of those left behind - plenty of evidence for that.

Ultimately, let's talk about what will improve the country.

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Reposted by Beckie Smith

David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 9d

Let's not humour those advocating deportation of UK residents with reasons why their plans would not work.

Keep it simple, this is not the action of a civilised country.

If needed, this will mean complete chaos and destruction of international reputation.

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 9d

I truly think there should be a disclaimer on any think piece on disability benefits, or chronic illness in general, written by anyone who hasn't experienced chronic illness or disability. There's so much people don't see about what it takes to just make it through the day!

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 9d

This is really all that needs saying on the latest cab sec discourse, isn't it

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 10d

If only anyone had known that Chris Wormald was a conventional civil servant. Kept it so well hidden.

Reposted by Beckie Smith

Nick Davies @njdavies.bsky.social · 17d

The point of a multi-year spending review and regular SR cycle is to provide stability. That stability allows frontline public services to make long-term decisions that will deliver better outcomes and VfM. It's a big failure of policymaking if spending decisions are being reopened 4 months later

Chancellor admits tax rises and spending cuts considered for budget

Speaking exclusively to Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates, Rachel Reeves says Brexit, austerity, and the Liz Truss mini-budget have all played a role in damaging Britain's economy - as she prep...

news.sky.com

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Reposted by Beckie Smith

Resolution Foundation @resfoundation.bsky.social · 17d

Relative child poverty has remained stubbornly high over the last twenty years and has risen over the past decade.

Without action, levels will soon break records.

Scrapping the two-child limit in full would be the most targeted and cost-effective way of reducing child poverty.

chart showing Relative child poverty has
remained stubbornly high over the last twenty years and has risen over the past decade,
from 27 per cent in 2013-14 to 31 per cent in 2023-24. As things stand, child poverty is on
track to reach record highs within this Parliament

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 17d

The new Ethics and Integrity Commission is already facing concerns about its power, independence & resources.

@unlockdemocracy.bsky.social, @anticorruption.bsky.social & @spotlightcorruption.org warn the regulator is “vulnerable to political pressure” while its budget is set by the Cabinet Office:

Experts voice fears as Ethics and Integrity Commission goes live

Successor body to Committee on Standards in Public Life “needs full independence and statutory footing”, anti-corruption organisations warn

www.civilserviceworld.com

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 19d

The Recording Industry would be a fun one

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 22d

Another director general moves to head up a charity. This feels like a theme... www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Home Office DG set to become RSPCA top cat

Joanna Rowland will take over as animal charity chief executive at the beginning of December

www.civilserviceworld.com

Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 23d

Top tier punning!

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 23d

...is to assume people don't have those needs, and is made harder by the widespread belief that disability can be "overcome" by trying harder. It's almost impossible to exist in our society without internalising that to some degree. That's before any real-world pushback on reasonable adjustments.

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 23d

Something I think isn't widely understood is (in many cases) no one tells you you're disabled. A lot of navigating disability is figuring out for yourself what your limits and access/support needs are, accepting that you need them and advocating for yourself. That can be hard when the default...

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 23d

I loved this blog on internalised ableism and reasonable adjustments by @helenjeffries.bsky.social.

V powerful observation on meeting people at training aimed at disabled people: "Almost everyone had that internal sense that if they only pulled themselves together somehow they’d not be disabled."

Fixed desk – hot button

One of my most important reasonable adjustments for autism is having a fixed desk. Like most workplaces, mine operates a hot-desking policy and colleagues have to book in advance where they will si…

helenjeffries.wordpress.com

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 24d

Loved reading this, thanks for sharing it. A really powerful observation about nearly everyone at the training having "that internal sense that if they only pulled themselves together somehow they’d not be disabled".

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 24d

A PSA that no one is ever too old to read a Discworld novel or too young for the Sam Vimes boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness

Ian Moss @thebriefwriters.com · 24d

Am I too old to read a Discworld novel? I hear they are recommended.

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · 24d

Absolutely not! I read them when I was younger but I come back to the Discworld every few years. Incredibly rich world building, clever social commentary & rich characters, written with a lot of heart. A few aimed at a younger audience (Tiffany Aching/Wee Free Men) but most are good reads for adults

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Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 24d

I'm increasingly convinced this is a huge driver of dissatisfaction with govt

Council tax is one of the most visible taxes that people pay, it goes directly out of their bank account and they get a letter about it going up every year

Yet bin collection frequency falls and libraries close

Rob Ford @robfordmancs.bsky.social · 24d

It is also deeply unhealthy to have local govts who don’t provide many visible/valuable services for most residents (because they lack the resources). Encourages distrust and populism - “what am I paying my council tax for? The council does nothing for me.”

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 24d

Amazed this is still going ahead - basic and obvious problem is that essentially everything local government does now is for the poor. You can’t move it around without really hurting poor people somewhere!

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Reposted by Beckie Smith

Janet Hughes @janethughes.bsky.social · Oct 1

Did a little interview with @beckiesmith.bsky.social @civilserviceworld.bsky.social - thanks v much Beckie for having me! :)

Prateek Buch @prateekbuch.bsky.social · Oct 1

Read about how @janethughes.bsky.social is setting about reforming the state, bringing vast experience and #OneTeamGov energy

Be more Janet

www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/art...

'Being a leader isn’t about becoming great at everything': Civil service reform DG Janet Hughes sets out her priorities

Hughes, who became Cabinet Office DG for civil service reform and efficiency in June, on bringing the spirit of One Team Gov to her new role, test ...

www.civilserviceworld.com

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Reposted by Beckie Smith

Alice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · Oct 1

Say what you will about GOV.UK, but this kind of thing (which is, to be clear, an absolutely outrageous political statement to make on an official government website) would never happen

Benjamin Wittes @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org · Oct 1

This is not appropriate.

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · Sep 29

This is horrifying rhetoric. Saying "if you're sick or disabled" in the same breath as suggesting people don't deserve state support if they haven't contributed isn't just nonsense, it's stigmatising and harmful to push the idea (that this government seems v fond of) that everyone CAN work

Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · Sep 29

Rachel Reeves: "We do need a welfare system that is based on the principle of contribution"

What happened to a welfare system based on the principle of need? Or the principle of universalism?

Haven't contributed for whatever reason? Tough.

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Reposted by Beckie Smith

Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social · Sep 24

Great (if not surprising!) to see such a strong emphasis on openness, collaboration and community from @janethughes.bsky.social in the latest @civilserviceworld.bsky.social

www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/art...

Read the autumn 2025 issue of Civil Service World

Can government break the link between background and opportunity? Plus: exclusive interviews with civil service reform DG Janet Hughes, MoJ digital...

www.civilserviceworld.com

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · Sep 23

The obvious image that comes to mind is a phoenix. Whether the Lib Dems would welcome that or not...

PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · Sep 23

🔶 With a new 'Liberal Orange' brand and a pledge that their ambition has “no ceiling”, the Lib Dems are scaling up their hopes for the next general election

👇 @zoecrowther.bsky.social reports from Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth

Lib Dems Rebrand To Bolder 'Liberal Orange' As The Party Begins To Get More Ambitious

With a new 'Liberal Orange' brand and a pledge that their ambition has “no ceiling”, the Liberal Democrats are scaling up their hopes for the next ...

www.politicshome.com

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · Sep 18

It's been an exciting three months putting together our autumn issue as @suzannahb.bsky.social and @jessbowie.bsky.social move on to Exciting New Things (more ↓) and a delight to hand over the news desk to the ace @tevyemarkson.bsky.social.

Read the autumn issue: library.myebook.com/csw/civil-se...

MYEBOOK - Civil Service World 333 - Autumn 2025

library.myebook.com

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · Sep 18

Personal news! I'm now managing editor of @civilserviceworld.bsky.social, which means I'll be editing our quarterly print magazine from now on. If you're a senior civil servant with ideas about what you'd like to see in it, get in touch!

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Beckie Smith @beckiesmith.bsky.social · Sep 17

I've always been deeply suspicious of people who only voice concern about one cause when they're objecting to another. See also: men who comment on articles/posts about women's rights, saying "but what about men's mental health?" but never mention it outside of that. It's in bad faith.

Unchecked UK @unchecked-uk.bsky.social · Sep 17

Reform spent the summer hammering home the need for protection from immigrants - and it worked.

But while Farage talks of protecting women, his party is working to dismantle genuine protections that keep communities safe.

We need to reclaim 'protection'. Here's how we do it 👇
shorturl.at/zyJ6b

Reform UK has hijacked the language of ‘protection’ – now progressives must reclaim it

Reform UK spent the summer hammering home the need for protection from immigrants, meanwhile they seek to dismantle the protections that really matter

unchecked.substack.com