Bryn Davies
@daviesofbrixton.bsky.social
Trade union actuary; currently a Labour Party member of the House of Lords
Big news. Report stage of Pension Schemes Bill, the Minister announces, in response to the “Byrne amendment” they will introduce legislation on how trustees should allow for structural factors such as climate risk and members’ standards of living when they are making investment decisions.
December 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Big news. Report stage of Pension Schemes Bill, the Minister announces, in response to the “Byrne amendment” they will introduce legislation on how trustees should allow for structural factors such as climate risk and members’ standards of living when they are making investment decisions.
The announcement that the GLA will use the GLC coat of arms is great news, recognising the continuity of London local government and the importance of the GLC and its achievements. See www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
The King grants the Mayor of London permission to use the GLC’s historic coat of arms
The King has commanded that the Greater London Authority (GLA) shall be allowed to use the coat of arms that once belonged to its predecessor, the GLC.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The announcement that the GLA will use the GLC coat of arms is great news, recognising the continuity of London local government and the importance of the GLC and its achievements. See www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
Reposted by Bryn Davies
Resolution Foundation does some great, informative stuff on policy/politics. Really welcome antidote to the breathless obsession of most of Westminster village with who-said-whattery-when and meaningless opinion poll speculation about the next election. @resolutionfoundation.org
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
It's estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP this financial year.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️ buff.ly/s5mz97u
It's estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP this financial year.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️ buff.ly/s5mz97u
November 29, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Resolution Foundation does some great, informative stuff on policy/politics. Really welcome antidote to the breathless obsession of most of Westminster village with who-said-whattery-when and meaningless opinion poll speculation about the next election. @resolutionfoundation.org
The FT reports that the Chancellor said the government would make sure those only receiving the basic or new state pension “do not have to pay small amounts of tax through Simple Assessment from April 2027”. Easily said but harder to deliver. The problem is with the word “only”. 1/3
November 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The FT reports that the Chancellor said the government would make sure those only receiving the basic or new state pension “do not have to pay small amounts of tax through Simple Assessment from April 2027”. Easily said but harder to deliver. The problem is with the word “only”. 1/3
The problem posed by frozen tax thresholds being overtaken by index linked state pensions is to be tackled by the government via “Simple Assessment” from 2027-28 onwards. It will be “exploring the best way to achieve this”.
November 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The problem posed by frozen tax thresholds being overtaken by index linked state pensions is to be tackled by the government via “Simple Assessment” from 2027-28 onwards. It will be “exploring the best way to achieve this”.
Strong welcome for indexation of pre-97 accrued benefits in PPF and FAS. Puts more pressure on other DB schemes to do likewise, with amendments to Pension Schemes Bill.
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Strong welcome for indexation of pre-97 accrued benefits in PPF and FAS. Puts more pressure on other DB schemes to do likewise, with amendments to Pension Schemes Bill.
Reposted by Bryn Davies
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Is welfare spending ''out of control''?
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
Total welfare spending in Britain in 2025-26 is estimated to be 10.8 per cent of GDP.
That's just 0.8 per cent of GDP higher than in 2007-08, and total welfare spending has actually fallen fallen by 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2012-13⤵️
buff.ly/s5mz97u
I broadly support a cut in salary sacrifice for pension contributions. It’s never really made much sense. But it should be recognised that the loss of employers’ NI relief will be another problem for university finances, which are already rumoured to be facing a tough Budget.
November 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I broadly support a cut in salary sacrifice for pension contributions. It’s never really made much sense. But it should be recognised that the loss of employers’ NI relief will be another problem for university finances, which are already rumoured to be facing a tough Budget.
Reposted by Bryn Davies
I am grateful for @adamjkucharski.bsky.social. He takes such care to deconstruct a claim made by the director of National Institutes of Health on excess mortality during the pandemic. We need sober analyses more than ever right now, even amidst the madness.
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
Excess mortality or excessive assumptions?
How to make a popular metric tell any story you like
kucharski.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM
I am grateful for @adamjkucharski.bsky.social. He takes such care to deconstruct a claim made by the director of National Institutes of Health on excess mortality during the pandemic. We need sober analyses more than ever right now, even amidst the madness.
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
kucharski.substack.com/p/excess-mor...
It’s worth remembering that Labour received 560,335 fewer votes in GE 2024 compared to GE 2019. 
November 13, 2025 at 9:13 AM
It’s worth remembering that Labour received 560,335 fewer votes in GE 2024 compared to GE 2019. 
Ministerial statement “Pensions Update” on House of Commons Order Paper today. It’s been suggested that it’s about the PHSO report on 50’s women, but no sign of it yet.
November 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Ministerial statement “Pensions Update” on House of Commons Order Paper today. It’s been suggested that it’s about the PHSO report on 50’s women, but no sign of it yet.
A good example of where we have to find good journalism these days manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
manchestermill.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 11:19 AM
A good example of where we have to find good journalism these days manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
Reposted by Bryn Davies
The New York Times continues the decades-old effort to divert anger against the rich into generational conflict. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/o... Insofar as young people have it hard today, it is because we rigged the economy to give the rich all the money, not because of baby boomers.
Opinion | Thanks a Lot, Boomers
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The New York Times continues the decades-old effort to divert anger against the rich into generational conflict. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/o... Insofar as young people have it hard today, it is because we rigged the economy to give the rich all the money, not because of baby boomers.
Reposted by Bryn Davies
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Bryn Davies
Money and mental health problems can trap people in a vicious cycle.
Financial pressure harms wellbeing, and poor mental health makes earning and managing money harder.
It’s common – but not inevitable. 💜
We’re working for fairer systems and practical support to break this vicious cycle.
Financial pressure harms wellbeing, and poor mental health makes earning and managing money harder.
It’s common – but not inevitable. 💜
We’re working for fairer systems and practical support to break this vicious cycle.
September 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Money and mental health problems can trap people in a vicious cycle.
Financial pressure harms wellbeing, and poor mental health makes earning and managing money harder.
It’s common – but not inevitable. 💜
We’re working for fairer systems and practical support to break this vicious cycle.
Financial pressure harms wellbeing, and poor mental health makes earning and managing money harder.
It’s common – but not inevitable. 💜
We’re working for fairer systems and practical support to break this vicious cycle.
Most welcome news that @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social and Apsana Begum MP have had the Labour whip restored. Let’s hope the olive branch is extended all the others who have had the whip removed for voting with their conscience.
September 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Most welcome news that @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social and Apsana Begum MP have had the Labour whip restored. Let’s hope the olive branch is extended all the others who have had the whip removed for voting with their conscience.
Next year’s increase in the Basic State Pension and the New State Pension increase is nothing to do with the triple-lock. The increase is in line with average earnings, as required by law. It would be the same, with or without the triple-lock.
September 16, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Next year’s increase in the Basic State Pension and the New State Pension increase is nothing to do with the triple-lock. The increase is in line with average earnings, as required by law. It would be the same, with or without the triple-lock.
Reposted by Bryn Davies
Sign our petition calling on government to end the gender pension gap for public sector women ✍️
End the Gender Pension Gap for public sector women
This will make a real difference to millions of women and shows what can be done when pension schemes take this issue seriously.
We are calling on all other public sector pension schemes- coveri...
www.megaphone.org.uk
August 21, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Sign our petition calling on government to end the gender pension gap for public sector women ✍️
Reposted by Bryn Davies
🚨 Prospect research reveals women lose out on £7,600 a year in retirement.
A 36.5% gender pension gap – that's double the gender pay gap.
This inequality is unacceptable. Government must take real action now to close the gap.
A 36.5% gender pension gap – that's double the gender pay gap.
This inequality is unacceptable. Government must take real action now to close the gap.
Gender gap means retired women ‘have four months a year with no pension’
Income inequality means women in effect stop receiving a pension from 21 August, union leaders say
www.theguardian.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:34 AM
🚨 Prospect research reveals women lose out on £7,600 a year in retirement.
A 36.5% gender pension gap – that's double the gender pay gap.
This inequality is unacceptable. Government must take real action now to close the gap.
A 36.5% gender pension gap – that's double the gender pay gap.
This inequality is unacceptable. Government must take real action now to close the gap.
Still looking forward.
Looking forward to the forthcoming DWP research publication “Planning and Preparing for Later Life 2024”. Although it’s rather vaguely expected in “June, July or August 2025”.
July 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Still looking forward.
So what happened to the second stage pensions review on adequacy? Despite clear hints that it was all ready to go and that we would find out on the 15th, nothing. Has someone lost their nerve?
July 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
So what happened to the second stage pensions review on adequacy? Despite clear hints that it was all ready to go and that we would find out on the 15th, nothing. Has someone lost their nerve?
Reposted by Bryn Davies
We have now published in full our response to the government’s ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working’ Green Paper.
You can read it in full here 👇
🔗 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/policybriefi...
You can read it in full here 👇
🔗 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/policybriefi...
June 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
We have now published in full our response to the government’s ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working’ Green Paper.
You can read it in full here 👇
🔗 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/policybriefi...
You can read it in full here 👇
🔗 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/policybriefi...
Read the roadmap but watch out for the potholes!
www.gov.uk/government/p... Workplace pensions: a roadmap - GOV.UK
www.gov.uk/government/p... Workplace pensions: a roadmap - GOV.UK
Workplace pensions: a roadmap
A roadmap setting out the government’s provisional plan to implement reforms across Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit workplace pensions.
www.gov.uk
June 6, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Read the roadmap but watch out for the potholes!
www.gov.uk/government/p... Workplace pensions: a roadmap - GOV.UK
www.gov.uk/government/p... Workplace pensions: a roadmap - GOV.UK