Andy Bruce (Reuters)
@bruceandy.bsky.social
Bit of this, bit of that at Reuters.
UK economy and north of England correspondent.
☀️ Stockport ☀️
💬 Signal: bruce.369
UK economy and north of England correspondent.
☀️ Stockport ☀️
💬 Signal: bruce.369
Pinned
Drop me a line if you:
💁have an interesting story to tell
⚠️think an issue needs national press attention
☕️have insight into big institutions or powerful people
🙊heard interesting rumours or gossip
DM/Signal in bio
@reuters.com has a long history of protecting sources
💁have an interesting story to tell
⚠️think an issue needs national press attention
☕️have insight into big institutions or powerful people
🙊heard interesting rumours or gossip
DM/Signal in bio
@reuters.com has a long history of protecting sources
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Holy shit.
Renee Good was alive when the bystander physician asked to check her pulse. She was alive when ICE refused to let him help. She was alive when they told him “I don’t care.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Renee Good was alive when the bystander physician asked to check her pulse. She was alive when ICE refused to let him help. She was alive when they told him “I don’t care.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Live Updates: Newly Released Records Detail Chaos During Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Holy shit.
Renee Good was alive when the bystander physician asked to check her pulse. She was alive when ICE refused to let him help. She was alive when they told him “I don’t care.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Renee Good was alive when the bystander physician asked to check her pulse. She was alive when ICE refused to let him help. She was alive when they told him “I don’t care.”
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
I deleted my Giles Coren post, it was grumpy and not very clever.
Here is my cat instead.
Here is my cat instead.
January 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I deleted my Giles Coren post, it was grumpy and not very clever.
Here is my cat instead.
Here is my cat instead.
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
The UK government needs to find someone to buy gilts now that pension funds are pretty much done buying
DMO is already shifting issuance to shorter maturities in response
But how about going big on zero coupon gilts to lean into retail demand, given favourable tax treatment?
DMO is already shifting issuance to shorter maturities in response
But how about going big on zero coupon gilts to lean into retail demand, given favourable tax treatment?
January 15, 2026 at 3:32 PM
The UK government needs to find someone to buy gilts now that pension funds are pretty much done buying
DMO is already shifting issuance to shorter maturities in response
But how about going big on zero coupon gilts to lean into retail demand, given favourable tax treatment?
DMO is already shifting issuance to shorter maturities in response
But how about going big on zero coupon gilts to lean into retail demand, given favourable tax treatment?
One thing I wonder about is who wrote this bizarrely long description of the music video to 'What Do You Want From Me?' by Monaco, and why.
January 15, 2026 at 3:41 PM
One thing I wonder about is who wrote this bizarrely long description of the music video to 'What Do You Want From Me?' by Monaco, and why.
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
wikipedia turns 25 today! the last unenshittified major website! backbone of online info! triumph of humanity! powered by urge of unpaid randos to correct each other! somehow mostly reliable! "good thing wikipedia works in practice, because it sure doesn't work in theory" - old wiki adage
January 15, 2026 at 1:47 PM
wikipedia turns 25 today! the last unenshittified major website! backbone of online info! triumph of humanity! powered by urge of unpaid randos to correct each other! somehow mostly reliable! "good thing wikipedia works in practice, because it sure doesn't work in theory" - old wiki adage
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Thought I’d do a mega hread on NPR, partly because I’ve seen some London based commentary that doesn’t really get the bigger picture quite right imho
January 15, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Thought I’d do a mega hread on NPR, partly because I’ve seen some London based commentary that doesn’t really get the bigger picture quite right imho
UK GDP grew more than expected in November, boosted by JLR rebound - www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...
UK GDP grew more than expected in November, boosted by JLR rebound
Britain's economy grew more strongly than expected in November, boosted by the return to normal production at Jaguar Land Rover after a cyberattack which hit the carmaker and its suppliers.
www.reuters.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:32 AM
UK GDP grew more than expected in November, boosted by JLR rebound - www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Burnham says his support for Northern Powerhouse Rail plan dependent on getting more 'fiscal devolution' to help fund it, @joshhalliday.bsky.social reports - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
January 14, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Burnham says his support for Northern Powerhouse Rail plan dependent on getting more 'fiscal devolution' to help fund it, @joshhalliday.bsky.social reports - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it — in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
January 14, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it — in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Trump's FBI is now going after journalists and has searched a Washington Post reporter's home: "It is highly unusual and aggressive for law enforcement to conduct a search on a reporter’s home." Via WashPost
FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home
The reporter, Hannah Natanson, covers the federal workforce and has been part of The Post’s most sensitive coverage of the first year of the second Trump administration.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Trump's FBI is now going after journalists and has searched a Washington Post reporter's home: "It is highly unusual and aggressive for law enforcement to conduct a search on a reporter’s home." Via WashPost
Excellent
"what's possible within the system", versus "the wider environment in which the system is embedded"
backofmind.substack.com/p/was-the-gr...
backofmind.substack.com/p/was-the-gr...
was the green lantern a good chap?
on having one's head in the game
backofmind.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Excellent
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Did you see the claim from the Government in the House of Lords that "10.8 million families use X as their main news source"?
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
More or Less - Have more than 100 private schools been forced to close because of VAT? - BBC Sounds
Tim Harford investigates closing schools, X users, Covid deaths and churchgoers
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Did you see the claim from the Government in the House of Lords that "10.8 million families use X as their main news source"?
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Well, the government has admitted it was wrong.
I investigated for Radio 4's More or Less - you can hear it here, starting at 14:55.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Mid-January motivational mood
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIhh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIhh...
Gordon Strachan Yoghurt Priorities
YouTube video by Tommy2
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Mid-January motivational mood
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIhh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIhh...
Don't believe the marketing - this stuff shouldn't be used to analyse data or documents. Insidious how results can look plausible (but are wrong).
Can be handy IME to create ways of analysing documents - formulas, macros, scripts - but you still gotta be sure it works in the way you mean!
Can be handy IME to create ways of analysing documents - formulas, macros, scripts - but you still gotta be sure it works in the way you mean!
An absolutely key first principle when using AI is that you, the human, are responsible for its outputs, and that you must *check* everything it churns out. Blaming Copilot doesn't wash.
WM Police chief Craig Guildford has apologised for identifying a fictitious West Ham v Maccabi Tel Aviv match in a police report. He’s written to the home affairs committee and blames Microsoft CoPilot for the error
January 14, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Don't believe the marketing - this stuff shouldn't be used to analyse data or documents. Insidious how results can look plausible (but are wrong).
Can be handy IME to create ways of analysing documents - formulas, macros, scripts - but you still gotta be sure it works in the way you mean!
Can be handy IME to create ways of analysing documents - formulas, macros, scripts - but you still gotta be sure it works in the way you mean!
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
An absolutely key first principle when using AI is that you, the human, are responsible for its outputs, and that you must *check* everything it churns out. Blaming Copilot doesn't wash.
WM Police chief Craig Guildford has apologised for identifying a fictitious West Ham v Maccabi Tel Aviv match in a police report. He’s written to the home affairs committee and blames Microsoft CoPilot for the error
January 14, 2026 at 9:53 AM
An absolutely key first principle when using AI is that you, the human, are responsible for its outputs, and that you must *check* everything it churns out. Blaming Copilot doesn't wash.
Language on proposed Manc-Brum railway noticeably softer than for Northern Powerhouse Rail in press release.
"intention"
"further work required"
"delivery would happen"
vs
NPR
"promise"
"will see a major new rail service"
"will reverse years of underinvestment"
www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...
"intention"
"further work required"
"delivery would happen"
vs
NPR
"promise"
"will see a major new rail service"
"will reverse years of underinvestment"
www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...
UK commits to 45 billion-pound rail project for northern England
Britain on Tuesday committed to a new rail infrastructure programme worth up to 45 billion pounds ($60 billion) for the north of England, a region long held back by underinvestment.
www.reuters.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Language on proposed Manc-Brum railway noticeably softer than for Northern Powerhouse Rail in press release.
"intention"
"further work required"
"delivery would happen"
vs
NPR
"promise"
"will see a major new rail service"
"will reverse years of underinvestment"
www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...
"intention"
"further work required"
"delivery would happen"
vs
NPR
"promise"
"will see a major new rail service"
"will reverse years of underinvestment"
www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...
Man, Co Pilot again
The "AI made me do it" defence is becoming depressingly common, but it won't wash for much longer
January 14, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Man, Co Pilot again
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
January 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
What do people in England think about their local area? In this short report I take a look at surveys we conducted with @yougov.co.uk in 2022, 2024 and 2025 to gain some insights...
Some key findings...
Some key findings...
Perspectives on Place: what the English think about their local area
www.southampton.ac.uk
January 13, 2026 at 9:21 AM
What do people in England think about their local area? In this short report I take a look at surveys we conducted with @yougov.co.uk in 2022, 2024 and 2025 to gain some insights...
Some key findings...
Some key findings...
I've just started watching Inspector Morse. I never saw it first time round.
Very enjoyable.
One thing I wonder about: when did people stop offering a glass of sherry or a nip of whisky to visitors in the middle of the day?
Because I would really like people to offer that to me! 🥃
Very enjoyable.
One thing I wonder about: when did people stop offering a glass of sherry or a nip of whisky to visitors in the middle of the day?
Because I would really like people to offer that to me! 🥃
January 13, 2026 at 11:21 PM
I've just started watching Inspector Morse. I never saw it first time round.
Very enjoyable.
One thing I wonder about: when did people stop offering a glass of sherry or a nip of whisky to visitors in the middle of the day?
Because I would really like people to offer that to me! 🥃
Very enjoyable.
One thing I wonder about: when did people stop offering a glass of sherry or a nip of whisky to visitors in the middle of the day?
Because I would really like people to offer that to me! 🥃
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
@stephencollins.bsky.social made the point best
January 13, 2026 at 8:11 AM
@stephencollins.bsky.social made the point best
Ministers to announce new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester
@jenwilliamsft.bsky.social @pickardje.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/a8be...
@jenwilliamsft.bsky.social @pickardje.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/a8be...
Ministers to announce new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester
Government will reveal much-delayed plans for major new and upgraded rail links in north of England
www.ft.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Ministers to announce new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester
@jenwilliamsft.bsky.social @pickardje.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/a8be...
@jenwilliamsft.bsky.social @pickardje.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/a8be...
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
NIESR has just published a piece on how any serious problems in US Treasuries are likely to spill over to gilts (gilt and Treasury yield moves are already pretty closely correlated, and often gilt moves can be even sharper) niesr.ac.uk/blog/could-g...
Could a Gilt Market Shock Derail the Economy in 2026? - NIESR
Explore the risks facing the UK bond market in 2026. This blog explores how a shock in the US Treasury market could trigger a gilt market sell-off.
niesr.ac.uk
January 13, 2026 at 11:43 AM
NIESR has just published a piece on how any serious problems in US Treasuries are likely to spill over to gilts (gilt and Treasury yield moves are already pretty closely correlated, and often gilt moves can be even sharper) niesr.ac.uk/blog/could-g...
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Britain on brink of going to IMF latest.
Sexy gilts news today! 🫦
Strongest demand seen for a gilt auction since DMO records began in 1998.
Britain sold £900 million of an index-linked gilt due in 2035 and received orders worth £4.333 billion - the highest such ratio (4.81) seen in at least 27 years.
Strongest demand seen for a gilt auction since DMO records began in 1998.
Britain sold £900 million of an index-linked gilt due in 2035 and received orders worth £4.333 billion - the highest such ratio (4.81) seen in at least 27 years.
January 13, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Britain on brink of going to IMF latest.
Reposted by Andy Bruce (Reuters)
Wait, this can't be right. Some people on X were saying we were about to have an IMF bailout just a couple months ago...
January 13, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Wait, this can't be right. Some people on X were saying we were about to have an IMF bailout just a couple months ago...