Caroline Slocock
@carolineslocock.bsky.social
Director of think tank Civil Exchange, expert on government and civil society, political commentator, former senior civil servant and Private Secretary to two PMs, first feminist book on Thatcher, People Like Us. Also on X.
Reposted by Caroline Slocock
Income tax threshold freeze will hit poorer households harder, experts say
Income tax threshold freeze will hit poorer households harder, experts say
Move will have greater impact on living standards of taxpayers in bottom half of income scale, thinktanks say
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Income tax threshold freeze will hit poorer households harder, experts say
Reposted by Caroline Slocock
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 AM
New net migration figures at 930am.
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023
56% of people think it went up last year
17% think stayed the same
14% think it went down
2025 figure to be lower again
16% expect that
38% think it will be up
31% about the same
Pleased Reeves has ended the benefit cap and adjusted the fiscal rules to stop random cuts to due to error prone forecasting every 6 months, and increased headroom. But freezing thresholds may end up undermining trust more than a rise, because it's less fair and done by stealth.
November 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Pleased Reeves has ended the benefit cap and adjusted the fiscal rules to stop random cuts to due to error prone forecasting every 6 months, and increased headroom. But freezing thresholds may end up undermining trust more than a rise, because it's less fair and done by stealth.
I find this censorship deeply troubling, and sinister that they sought to hide it, and it shows that Trump’s bullying works. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reith lecturer accuses BBC of cowardice for censoring his remarks on Trump
Dutch writer Rutger Bregman says claim that Trump was ‘most openly corrupt president in US history’ was removed
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I find this censorship deeply troubling, and sinister that they sought to hide it, and it shows that Trump’s bullying works. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Teenage Farage emerges not just as racist but as bullying and sadistic. No wonder he admires Putin and Trump and people fall out with him. Some say he’s no longer racist but nobody denies the rest. Maybe supporters think these are winning qualities. www.bbc.com/news/article...
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.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Teenage Farage emerges not just as racist but as bullying and sadistic. No wonder he admires Putin and Trump and people fall out with him. Some say he’s no longer racist but nobody denies the rest. Maybe supporters think these are winning qualities. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Juries protect innocent people against unfair laws eg the jury in Clive Ponting's jury accepted his public interest defence for his Belgrano leaks and a jury cleared the Colston 4 of criminal damage for toppling the statue of a slave trader. Checks on state power, removed.
November 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Juries protect innocent people against unfair laws eg the jury in Clive Ponting's jury accepted his public interest defence for his Belgrano leaks and a jury cleared the Colston 4 of criminal damage for toppling the statue of a slave trader. Checks on state power, removed.
It was extraordinary when Johnson took government control over the strategy of the Electoral Commission, and now Labour are resisting an opportunity to restore its independence. Election policy should not be influenced by the party that is in government. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Politicians urge Labour to restore Electoral Commission independence
All-party group say move is needed to stop UK lagging behind global standards on election integrity
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
It was extraordinary when Johnson took government control over the strategy of the Electoral Commission, and now Labour are resisting an opportunity to restore its independence. Election policy should not be influenced by the party that is in government. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The bad government highlighted here is not unique to Covid, though Johnson is the nadir. Lack of planning and delay is endemic eg successive failures to adapt for global warming or adopt social care recommendations. And ask Streeting about a 'toxic' No.10 and sidelined Ministers.
Just because we all expected ‘too little, too late’, the lack of a plan and the damage caused by ‘a toxic, sexist culture’ in No 10, it doesn’t mean these points from the Covid report should wash over us. Lessons for government more generally, not just in a pandemic.
November 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
The bad government highlighted here is not unique to Covid, though Johnson is the nadir. Lack of planning and delay is endemic eg successive failures to adapt for global warming or adopt social care recommendations. And ask Streeting about a 'toxic' No.10 and sidelined Ministers.
Just because we all expected ‘too little, too late’, the lack of a plan and the damage caused by ‘a toxic, sexist culture’ in No 10, it doesn’t mean these points from the Covid report should wash over us. Lessons for government more generally, not just in a pandemic.
November 21, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Just because we all expected ‘too little, too late’, the lack of a plan and the damage caused by ‘a toxic, sexist culture’ in No 10, it doesn’t mean these points from the Covid report should wash over us. Lessons for government more generally, not just in a pandemic.
PAC says abolition of NHS England not “prudent”, was decided with no money set aside for it and no impact assessment, and repeated the “poor practice” already seen with HS2 and the new hospitals programme. Massive distraction and disruption too. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan, report warns
Public accounts committee finds Labour’s progress ‘appears to have stalled’ despite billions of pounds in investment
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 AM
PAC says abolition of NHS England not “prudent”, was decided with no money set aside for it and no impact assessment, and repeated the “poor practice” already seen with HS2 and the new hospitals programme. Massive distraction and disruption too. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Caroline Slocock
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
‘Illegal migration is tearing this country apart’ says Mahmood. Her intention may be the opposite but this rhetoric and the tough action that goes with it is potentially throwing petrol on the fire, giving permission to racism and hate. And if her measures don’t work, what then?
November 17, 2025 at 9:06 AM
‘Illegal migration is tearing this country apart’ says Mahmood. Her intention may be the opposite but this rhetoric and the tough action that goes with it is potentially throwing petrol on the fire, giving permission to racism and hate. And if her measures don’t work, what then?
Let's not forget that extending the freeze on tax thresholds for a further 2 years to 2030 is an increase in income tax, it's just one done by stealth.
November 16, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Let's not forget that extending the freeze on tax thresholds for a further 2 years to 2030 is an increase in income tax, it's just one done by stealth.
Looking forward to reviewing tomorrow's newspapers tonight with Henry Bonsu on Times Radio at 10.30pm
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Looking forward to reviewing tomorrow's newspapers tonight with Henry Bonsu on Times Radio at 10.30pm
What is going on? Treasury says it cannot comment on speculation caused by govt briefing last night that tax rises they briefed about over weeks are abandoned, a story possibly released to suppress further coverage of No 10’s denial that it had briefed about the Starmer coup…
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
What is going on? Treasury says it cannot comment on speculation caused by govt briefing last night that tax rises they briefed about over weeks are abandoned, a story possibly released to suppress further coverage of No 10’s denial that it had briefed about the Starmer coup…
It pains me to say it but I think there is a trust issue here, which the Prime Minister promised to restore. Who is telling us the truth? No.10 or the journalists? Because they depend on those 'sources' for their stories, will these journalists now protect them? www.bbc.com/news/article...
PM 'assured' anonymous briefings did not come from No 10
Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting are urging the PM to take action over briefings to media about a challenge to his leadership.
www.bbc.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
It pains me to say it but I think there is a trust issue here, which the Prime Minister promised to restore. Who is telling us the truth? No.10 or the journalists? Because they depend on those 'sources' for their stories, will these journalists now protect them? www.bbc.com/news/article...
Every journalist briefed by No 10 re Streeting knows who did it but now maintains the fiction it’s not clear who did. Treating government as a political campaign feeds journalists but it is bad government eg the huge number of leaks re Budget options has chilled the economy.
November 13, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Every journalist briefed by No 10 re Streeting knows who did it but now maintains the fiction it’s not clear who did. Treating government as a political campaign feeds journalists but it is bad government eg the huge number of leaks re Budget options has chilled the economy.
As someone who has studied the toppling of recent PMs and experienced Thatcher’s, I would say the next step is likely to be a sacking of a Chief of Staff (cf Cummings, Timothy and Hill) or a Chancellor (Truss) but based on those experiences this is unlikely to save a weak/bad PM.
November 12, 2025 at 9:01 AM
As someone who has studied the toppling of recent PMs and experienced Thatcher’s, I would say the next step is likely to be a sacking of a Chief of Staff (cf Cummings, Timothy and Hill) or a Chancellor (Truss) but based on those experiences this is unlikely to save a weak/bad PM.
An inside story on what happened at the BBC, essentially a coup, it seems, years in the making. www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
‘Make no mistake – this was a coup’: the extraordinary downfall of the BBC’s top bosses
The whirlwind that started when Deborah Turness came under attack at a board meeting is part of a wider political story, some say
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:59 AM
An inside story on what happened at the BBC, essentially a coup, it seems, years in the making. www.theguardian.com/media/ng-int...
How did Robbie Gibb, who took over the Jewish Chronicle on behalf of an undisclosed owner, after which it lurched to the right and even printed fabricated stories about Gaza, get to be an arbiter on the BBC’s impartiality? The BBC is central to our democracy and deserves better.
November 11, 2025 at 8:38 AM
How did Robbie Gibb, who took over the Jewish Chronicle on behalf of an undisclosed owner, after which it lurched to the right and even printed fabricated stories about Gaza, get to be an arbiter on the BBC’s impartiality? The BBC is central to our democracy and deserves better.
Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice report says official definition of terrorism is too broad and creates ‘uncertainty and overreach in its application’. Comes after 2000 people arrested after banning of Palestine Action www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Terror law used to ban Palestine Action being used too widely, report warns
A three-year review also found that anti-radicalisation scheme Prevent is ‘not fit for purpose’
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice report says official definition of terrorism is too broad and creates ‘uncertainty and overreach in its application’. Comes after 2000 people arrested after banning of Palestine Action www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Let’s not get into a situation where Trump - who has a vicious agenda against respected media outlets - and his acolytes here are allowed to destroy the BBC because of one highly regrettable mistake. And let’s stop political appointments to the BBC Board. Independence matters.
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Let’s not get into a situation where Trump - who has a vicious agenda against respected media outlets - and his acolytes here are allowed to destroy the BBC because of one highly regrettable mistake. And let’s stop political appointments to the BBC Board. Independence matters.
A genuinely visionary policy announced today -new towns to be built beside newly planted forests so everyone there will be10 minutes walk away from wild spaces. Let’s hope they also build the quality social infrastructure communities need. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
New set of forest towns to be built between Oxford and Cambridge
Communities in the middle of new national forest to show how housebuilding can be delivered alongside nature
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
A genuinely visionary policy announced today -new towns to be built beside newly planted forests so everyone there will be10 minutes walk away from wild spaces. Let’s hope they also build the quality social infrastructure communities need. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reeves may be trying to soften the political blow of raising taxes by managing expectations but I fear it will negatively impact the economy, as people and companies anticipate the worst on all fronts before the Budget. So many leaks have already started this process, worse now.
November 4, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Reeves may be trying to soften the political blow of raising taxes by managing expectations but I fear it will negatively impact the economy, as people and companies anticipate the worst on all fronts before the Budget. So many leaks have already started this process, worse now.
According to the FT, Ant Middleton, a former soldier and television personality now rightwing activist, told followers to leave the country for their own safety after reports of the train stabbing, which the FT picked as just one example of overreaction. Are we being wound up?
November 3, 2025 at 9:05 AM
According to the FT, Ant Middleton, a former soldier and television personality now rightwing activist, told followers to leave the country for their own safety after reports of the train stabbing, which the FT picked as just one example of overreaction. Are we being wound up?