Jim Gleeson
@geographyjim.bsky.social
Currently on leave from my job as housing numbers person at the Greater London Authority. Opinions here only my own, if that. data.london.gov.uk/housing/
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
New homelessness figures today show a continued upwards trajectory in the numbers of children and households living in temporary accommodation, reaching new record highs.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
November 27, 2025 at 10:47 AM
New homelessness figures today show a continued upwards trajectory in the numbers of children and households living in temporary accommodation, reaching new record highs.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
Yesterday the OBR reported cost of TA to local authorities increased 20% *a year* between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
From the OBR, who don't seem to buy the theory that squeezing landlords has no impact on rents obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
November 26, 2025 at 9:04 PM
From the OBR, who don't seem to buy the theory that squeezing landlords has no impact on rents obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Lol congratulations to whoever briefed that the chancellor was going to axe Cycle to Work, then didn't. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, you've just done wonders for London's bike shops pre-Christmas.
If my group chats are anything to go by, Treasury briefing "we're going to end the cycle to work tax break that enables people to buy a large family-sized e-bike" has done more than any other advertising campaign to boost the uptake of family-sized e-bikes. Sales must be through the roof this week.
November 26, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Lol congratulations to whoever briefed that the chancellor was going to axe Cycle to Work, then didn't. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, you've just done wonders for London's bike shops pre-Christmas.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
💥 Govt says fuel duty to *go up* from next September.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
💥 Govt says fuel duty to *go up* from next September.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
In the past the OBR has assumed that fuel duty would start to rise after a one-year freeze.
This time, the govt has said explicitly that it will only be frozen for five months, and will start increasing it after that.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Britain's absolutely-impossible-extremely-difficult-no-good-options fiscal bind: latest
When can you declare an emergency over?
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
The 5p “emergency” petrol tax cut was introduced in March 2022, to offset a spike in prices
They are now about 30p down on that month, & about 50p down on the absolute peak
November 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Britain's absolutely-impossible-extremely-difficult-no-good-options fiscal bind: latest
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
The subject was revisited by Norman Rockwell in 1954, with a starker contrast between the generations, fewer heartstrings, and much more optimism.
Rockwell's painting was also hugely popular. Like Hovenden's take, it was widely reproduced, and got the movie treatment too.
Rockwell's painting was also hugely popular. Like Hovenden's take, it was widely reproduced, and got the movie treatment too.
November 24, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The subject was revisited by Norman Rockwell in 1954, with a starker contrast between the generations, fewer heartstrings, and much more optimism.
Rockwell's painting was also hugely popular. Like Hovenden's take, it was widely reproduced, and got the movie treatment too.
Rockwell's painting was also hugely popular. Like Hovenden's take, it was widely reproduced, and got the movie treatment too.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Zohran flip your hair again we need healthcare get him to give us healthcare.
November 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Zohran flip your hair again we need healthcare get him to give us healthcare.
England has 25.8 million homes and 4,632 were demolished in the last year, at which rate the average existing home will need to last for around five and a half thousand years.
November 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
England has 25.8 million homes and 4,632 were demolished in the last year, at which rate the average existing home will need to last for around five and a half thousand years.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
A million low-income households have lost an average of £1,500 each because of Local Housing Allowance Freeze, says new analysis by @theifs.bsky.social
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
Freezes in housing support once again widen geographic disparities for low-income renters | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Freezes to local housing allowances reduce the disposable incomes of low-income private renters. LHA rates should be regularly and locally uprated.
ifs.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
A million low-income households have lost an average of £1,500 each because of Local Housing Allowance Freeze, says new analysis by @theifs.bsky.social
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
ifs.org.uk/articles/fre...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield has died at 63. Photographer Mitch Ikeda posted a photo he took of Mani during Primal Scream's 2004 Japan tour.
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield has died at 63. Photographer Mitch Ikeda posted a photo he took of Mani during Primal Scream's 2004 Japan tour.
Some very impressive data + policy analysis here
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Some very impressive data + policy analysis here
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
New report: What should we do about mayoral scrutiny? www.mysociety.org/2025/11/18/m...
Mayoral scrutiny: building an ecosystem of accountability
New report: Building and supporting civic scrutiny of devolution
www.mysociety.org
November 18, 2025 at 10:39 AM
New report: What should we do about mayoral scrutiny? www.mysociety.org/2025/11/18/m...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
@alextoal.bsky.social raises some good issues as to
why it is politically easier to spend £39 billion on building social homes than £2.5 billion on preventing homelessness
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
#housingUK
why it is politically easier to spend £39 billion on building social homes than £2.5 billion on preventing homelessness
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
#housingUK
On LHA, gender, and how we prioritise spending on housing
Do we need to question why it is politically easier to spend £39 billion on building social homes than £2.5 billion on preventing homelessness?
housingalex.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:40 AM
@alextoal.bsky.social raises some good issues as to
why it is politically easier to spend £39 billion on building social homes than £2.5 billion on preventing homelessness
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
#housingUK
why it is politically easier to spend £39 billion on building social homes than £2.5 billion on preventing homelessness
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
#housingUK
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
More on the new housing strategy in Ireland - asks some interesting questions about what a strategy should be and what outcomes you want from it
(Highly relevant to the strategy that's coming soon (ish) in England)
(Highly relevant to the strategy that's coming soon (ish) in England)
Some reflections in the wake of yesterday's new housing strategy. You can't fix a system that isn't broken @kevinhargaden.bsky.social @maoiliosarey.bsky.social @hlinehan.bsky.social @orla-hegarty.bsky.social
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/the-housin...
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/the-housin...
The housing system is not broken
The Week in Housing 14/11/2025
theweekinhousing.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM
More on the new housing strategy in Ireland - asks some interesting questions about what a strategy should be and what outcomes you want from it
(Highly relevant to the strategy that's coming soon (ish) in England)
(Highly relevant to the strategy that's coming soon (ish) in England)
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
A crude comparison: adjusting for population, the Irish government's plan for 300,000 new homes in five years is more than double the UK government's target of 1.5m for England.
72,000 social homes in five years is the equivalent of almost 800,000 in England
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
72,000 social homes in five years is the equivalent of almost 800,000 in England
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Irish government announces plan to build 300,000 homes within five years
Proposal includes 72,000 social homes to tackle housing crisis, but critics call it ‘old wine in a new bottle’
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A crude comparison: adjusting for population, the Irish government's plan for 300,000 new homes in five years is more than double the UK government's target of 1.5m for England.
72,000 social homes in five years is the equivalent of almost 800,000 in England
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
72,000 social homes in five years is the equivalent of almost 800,000 in England
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Safe travels to Nakadai Tatsuya (1932-2025), the great, great Japanese actor of both film and stage, who disappeared into every role he played. It's hard to imagine any story of Japanese cinema without him.
November 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Safe travels to Nakadai Tatsuya (1932-2025), the great, great Japanese actor of both film and stage, who disappeared into every role he played. It's hard to imagine any story of Japanese cinema without him.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Japanese twitter taking the Suica penguin news very normally
November 11, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Japanese twitter taking the Suica penguin news very normally
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
📢Where and How to Build 1.5 million homes in Britain?
New research report + micro-neighbourhood level mapping tool with @nikdatta.bsky.social uses 20 billion housing searches to map demand
Map wheretobuild.warwick.ac.uk
Research report + 350 customised LA reports: warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/econ...
New research report + micro-neighbourhood level mapping tool with @nikdatta.bsky.social uses 20 billion housing searches to map demand
Map wheretobuild.warwick.ac.uk
Research report + 350 customised LA reports: warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/econ...
November 11, 2025 at 5:09 PM
📢Where and How to Build 1.5 million homes in Britain?
New research report + micro-neighbourhood level mapping tool with @nikdatta.bsky.social uses 20 billion housing searches to map demand
Map wheretobuild.warwick.ac.uk
Research report + 350 customised LA reports: warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/econ...
New research report + micro-neighbourhood level mapping tool with @nikdatta.bsky.social uses 20 billion housing searches to map demand
Map wheretobuild.warwick.ac.uk
Research report + 350 customised LA reports: warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/econ...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
'The idea that X (Twitter) is some kind of counterpoint to consensus or a place for any kind of useful discourse or a spot to hang out in which is to be challenged healthily, is a complete nonsense' via @unamullally.bsky.social
That's why we are leavin X en masse
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
That's why we are leavin X en masse
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Una Mullally: Media outlets need to break ties with X
The presence of media outlets on X does not have a diluting effect on the concentration of misinformation on the platform. If it did, then we wouldn’t be where we are
www.irishtimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:29 AM
'The idea that X (Twitter) is some kind of counterpoint to consensus or a place for any kind of useful discourse or a spot to hang out in which is to be challenged healthily, is a complete nonsense' via @unamullally.bsky.social
That's why we are leavin X en masse
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
That's why we are leavin X en masse
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Roll up! Excited to be hosting a new kleptoscope at London's Frontline Club, with Sue Hawley, of @spotlightcorruption.org, Jess Garland of @electoralreform.bsky.social and @liambyrnemp.bsky.social. We'll be talking about how to save democracy from big money.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kleptoscop...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kleptoscop...
Kleptoscope: Big Money in Little Britain
How to protect our democracy?
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Roll up! Excited to be hosting a new kleptoscope at London's Frontline Club, with Sue Hawley, of @spotlightcorruption.org, Jess Garland of @electoralreform.bsky.social and @liambyrnemp.bsky.social. We'll be talking about how to save democracy from big money.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kleptoscop...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kleptoscop...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Nothing like a nice long flight for catching up on #30DayMapChallenge 🤪.
Here's Day 8 — urban — right on time. A map of Paris buildings by age of construction. A real beauty if I do say so myself. 😍
Here's Day 8 — urban — right on time. A map of Paris buildings by age of construction. A real beauty if I do say so myself. 😍
November 9, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Nothing like a nice long flight for catching up on #30DayMapChallenge 🤪.
Here's Day 8 — urban — right on time. A map of Paris buildings by age of construction. A real beauty if I do say so myself. 😍
Here's Day 8 — urban — right on time. A map of Paris buildings by age of construction. A real beauty if I do say so myself. 😍
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Which London boroughs are the best for cycling? We’ve been working on developing new open data indicators of cycle network quality-
citygeographics.org/2025/11/07/d...
citygeographics.org/2025/11/07/d...
Improving Indicators of Urban Cycle Network Quality: a Case Study of London Boroughs
Increasing levels of cycling is a key part of the transport strategies of many global cities with the potential for significant health and sustainability benefits. Many urban cycle networks are how…
citygeographics.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Which London boroughs are the best for cycling? We’ve been working on developing new open data indicators of cycle network quality-
citygeographics.org/2025/11/07/d...
citygeographics.org/2025/11/07/d...
There wouldn't be much demand for this if the planning system worked as intended, with plans setting out clear criteria and applications being objectively assessed against them. But in reality some plan policies are vague/subjective and some decision makers take the number of objections into account
‘A new service called Objector is offering “policy-backed objections in minutes” to people who are upset about planning applications near their homes.’
Another reminder that AI can be used for things you don’t like as well as things you like…
Another reminder that AI can be used for things you don’t like as well as things you like…
Bloody hell www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
November 9, 2025 at 2:17 PM
There wouldn't be much demand for this if the planning system worked as intended, with plans setting out clear criteria and applications being objectively assessed against them. But in reality some plan policies are vague/subjective and some decision makers take the number of objections into account
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫