Laura
@laurajerramp.bsky.social
Equality, Disability Rights, Early Years Education, Long Covid, Social Care, Art and Humour. Views my own.
Pinned
New campaign urges Starmer not to diminish legal rights of Send children
Backed by actor Sally Phillips and MPs across parties, group raises concerns about overhaul of provision in England
www.theguardian.com
The UK Governments ill conceived plans to reduce or remove the legal rights of children with special educational needs is shameful, illogical & cruel.
💪 Please join the campaign:
www.saveourchildrensrights.org.uk
#SEND #Disability #stopfascism #equality
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
💪 Please join the campaign:
www.saveourchildrensrights.org.uk
#SEND #Disability #stopfascism #equality
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
‘improving living standards is not dependent on growth; it is a condition for it.’
Yes!!
Yes!!
We need a politics of care. Right now, we have a poverty of care.
www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/01...
www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/01...
The poverty of care
The latest poverty data from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is already being met with a familiar shrug. The BBC appears not to have noticed the report. Politicians are not debating it. And the headlin...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
February 8, 2026 at 1:40 AM
‘improving living standards is not dependent on growth; it is a condition for it.’
Yes!!
Yes!!
Reposted by Laura
Tony Blair and the 'separate' Tony Blair Institute are dodgy af - they need investigating as well as Mandelson.
Hey, @politico.eu, shouldn't you include Tony Blair Institute's well-known links to petrostates & oil & gas companies in this report?
And shouldn't you call him "oil & IT lobbyist" first, since he's been that twice as long as he was PM?
www.politico.eu/article/tony...
And shouldn't you call him "oil & IT lobbyist" first, since he's been that twice as long as he was PM?
www.politico.eu/article/tony...
Tony Blair’s think tank: Labour should revise Windfall Tax
The tax on oil and gas profits has been in place since 2022.
www.politico.eu
February 7, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Tony Blair and the 'separate' Tony Blair Institute are dodgy af - they need investigating as well as Mandelson.
If this Labour Government really cared about getting disabled people into work they would be investing in this previously successful scheme and not ruining it!
'With growing numbers of disabled people having their employment put at risk by delays and cuts to Access to Work...
the National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report that finds that delays and backlogs have dramatically increased.'
the National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report that finds that delays and backlogs have dramatically increased.'
Report highlights flaws In the Access to Work scheme
www.disabilityrightsuk.org
February 8, 2026 at 1:14 AM
If this Labour Government really cared about getting disabled people into work they would be investing in this previously successful scheme and not ruining it!
Reposted by Laura
Politicians tell us they can fix poverty with economic growth, or labour market reforms, or easy money.
But all of these fixes just obscure the fact that the poverty of those at the bottom is a direct consequence of the wealth of those at the top. graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-uk-is-...
But all of these fixes just obscure the fact that the poverty of those at the bottom is a direct consequence of the wealth of those at the top. graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-uk-is-...
The UK is a rich country built on mass poverty
Record levels of very deep poverty expose the true cost of austerity, inflation and the concentration of power at the top.
graceblakeley.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Politicians tell us they can fix poverty with economic growth, or labour market reforms, or easy money.
But all of these fixes just obscure the fact that the poverty of those at the bottom is a direct consequence of the wealth of those at the top. graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-uk-is-...
But all of these fixes just obscure the fact that the poverty of those at the bottom is a direct consequence of the wealth of those at the top. graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-uk-is-...
Reposted by Laura
the new statesman has finally decided to inform us that Mandelson has been charge all along. Wonder what we'll learn in 5 years?
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
February 4, 2026 at 9:22 AM
the new statesman has finally decided to inform us that Mandelson has been charge all along. Wonder what we'll learn in 5 years?
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/lab...
Reposted by Laura
Ofc if you *did* have a strategy of getting people off NHS waiting lists in part by exploiting folks’:
📱 fears of answering calls from unknown numbers
👩💻 lack of good tech
😖 lack of headspace to be perfectly organised
…then deprived areas wd absolutely be the easiest place to do that
Too cynical?🧵
📱 fears of answering calls from unknown numbers
👩💻 lack of good tech
😖 lack of headspace to be perfectly organised
…then deprived areas wd absolutely be the easiest place to do that
Too cynical?🧵
January 15, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Ofc if you *did* have a strategy of getting people off NHS waiting lists in part by exploiting folks’:
📱 fears of answering calls from unknown numbers
👩💻 lack of good tech
😖 lack of headspace to be perfectly organised
…then deprived areas wd absolutely be the easiest place to do that
Too cynical?🧵
📱 fears of answering calls from unknown numbers
👩💻 lack of good tech
😖 lack of headspace to be perfectly organised
…then deprived areas wd absolutely be the easiest place to do that
Too cynical?🧵
Reposted by Laura
Who (what demographic) do you think is most likely to lose out from tricks like this? bsky.app/profile/nath...
Was sent a text message asking if I wanted to stay on a waiting list for a consultation that had been cancelled. Had a link to a non-mobile friendly, unusable web form. This happened three times. You just know that thousands have been shed from waiting lists all for not making it past this.
Wes claims his turbo teams have cut NHs waiting lists & it’s “not only a technocratic back office exercise” - 🤔 I suspect that’s exactly what it is, my own experiences of being on list was sneaky tricks to bump me off it, including letters sent over Xmas demanding instant response to stay on list.
January 15, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Who (what demographic) do you think is most likely to lose out from tricks like this? bsky.app/profile/nath...
Reposted by Laura
Just a month ago the UK agreed to a deal in which the NHS has to pay £3bn a year more for US drugs.
The only thing we got was an agreement the UK would face no tariffs.
Today that deal has been broken by the USA.
The deal must be torn up and no money stolen from the NHS.
The only thing we got was an agreement the UK would face no tariffs.
Today that deal has been broken by the USA.
The deal must be torn up and no money stolen from the NHS.
January 17, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Just a month ago the UK agreed to a deal in which the NHS has to pay £3bn a year more for US drugs.
The only thing we got was an agreement the UK would face no tariffs.
Today that deal has been broken by the USA.
The deal must be torn up and no money stolen from the NHS.
The only thing we got was an agreement the UK would face no tariffs.
Today that deal has been broken by the USA.
The deal must be torn up and no money stolen from the NHS.
Reposted by Laura
The BDA and RNID have told Liam O'Dell they are "disappointed" that BSL interpretation is not being provided consistently or in-person by Downing Street, as the UK Government goes four months without making Sir Keir Starmer's remarks accessible to deaf signers.
Deaf charities ‘disappointed’ as Downing Street goes months without BSL-interpreted press conference
The British Deaf Association (BDA) and Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) have told Liam O'Dell they are "disappointed" that British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation is not being provided consistently or in-person by Downing Street, as the UK Government goes four months without making Sir Keir Starmer's remarks accessible to deaf signers.
liamodell.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:28 PM
The BDA and RNID have told Liam O'Dell they are "disappointed" that BSL interpretation is not being provided consistently or in-person by Downing Street, as the UK Government goes four months without making Sir Keir Starmer's remarks accessible to deaf signers.
Reposted by Laura
🚨 The government has agreed an #NHS drug price hike with Trump’s administration - and neither the public nor MPs have had a say in it.
This deal could force the NHS to pay BILLIONS more for medicines, pushing other services to breaking point.
Watch, share, and tag your MP. ⬇️
#PatientsBeforeProfits
This deal could force the NHS to pay BILLIONS more for medicines, pushing other services to breaking point.
Watch, share, and tag your MP. ⬇️
#PatientsBeforeProfits
February 2, 2026 at 3:41 PM
🚨 The government has agreed an #NHS drug price hike with Trump’s administration - and neither the public nor MPs have had a say in it.
This deal could force the NHS to pay BILLIONS more for medicines, pushing other services to breaking point.
Watch, share, and tag your MP. ⬇️
#PatientsBeforeProfits
This deal could force the NHS to pay BILLIONS more for medicines, pushing other services to breaking point.
Watch, share, and tag your MP. ⬇️
#PatientsBeforeProfits
Reposted by Laura
As with so many of Labour's inhumane anti-asylum policies, the one in one out policy has, from the start, undermined protections for trafficking and modern slavery victims, breached human rights, and put lives at risk. It has no merit, and should be scrapped.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK and France asylum deal could violate human rights laws, warns UN
Experts identify potentially serious breaches over treatment of people and call for ‘one in, one out’ scheme to end
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:53 PM
As with so many of Labour's inhumane anti-asylum policies, the one in one out policy has, from the start, undermined protections for trafficking and modern slavery victims, breached human rights, and put lives at risk. It has no merit, and should be scrapped.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Interesting to see how our UK Mandelson saga is perceived from the other side of the pond.
I analyze the close relationship between Jeffrey Epstein & disgraced former Amb. to the US, Peter Mandelson, who was fired & forced to resign from the Labour Party, & how the UK seeks transparency through criminal investigations…all things the Trump Regime refuses to do.
youtu.be/XgBwTy0nUBw?...
youtu.be/XgBwTy0nUBw?...
UK Parliament REELS as Epstein Files REVEAL SHADY Connections
YouTube video by Katie Phang
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Interesting to see how our UK Mandelson saga is perceived from the other side of the pond.
Reposted by Laura
Yeah, that'll make all the difference. You'd be forgiven for thinking this was a way to put Streeting in a tough spot and firewall Starmer. Phillipson must be pissed off. End of days, end of days
February 6, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Yeah, that'll make all the difference. You'd be forgiven for thinking this was a way to put Streeting in a tough spot and firewall Starmer. Phillipson must be pissed off. End of days, end of days
Reposted by Laura
It’s this easy on iOS.
February 6, 2026 at 3:39 PM
It’s this easy on iOS.
Reposted by Laura
Reform UK treasurer named in Epstein files
www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/20...
www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/20...
Reform UK treasurer named in Epstein files
The latest name to surface is billionaire Reform treasurer, Nick Candy, who appears to have been known to individuals within Epstein’s circles
www.thecanary.co
February 4, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Reform UK treasurer named in Epstein files
www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/20...
www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/20...
Reposted by Laura
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This utterly disgraceful from our so called Labour Government:
Key to this is the 28 day "move on" period for people leaving Home Office accommodation when granted refugee status. Previous government increased the period, but Labour in its desire to demonstrate its cruelty reduced it again, despite knowing the outcome. #r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Number of homeless refugees in England soars, BBC has found
Analysis of government data shows numbers increased from 3,560 in 2021/22 to 19,310 in 2024/25.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:09 AM
This utterly disgraceful from our so called Labour Government:
Reposted by Laura
”The current budget for the authority's long-running project is £27 million, more than ten times the £2.6 million originally budgeted when it started nearly seven years ago.”
(Blair‘s tech buddies are still raking it in whilst our public assets are sold off to pay for it)
(Blair‘s tech buddies are still raking it in whilst our public assets are sold off to pay for it)
February 6, 2026 at 10:31 AM
”The current budget for the authority's long-running project is £27 million, more than ten times the £2.6 million originally budgeted when it started nearly seven years ago.”
(Blair‘s tech buddies are still raking it in whilst our public assets are sold off to pay for it)
(Blair‘s tech buddies are still raking it in whilst our public assets are sold off to pay for it)
Reposted by Laura
What happens when a company whose tools track and deport migrants abroad is entrusted with our most sensitive public health data at home?
✊ Sign our petition calling for a full Parliament debate on Palantir’s use in UK services: www.change.org/p/hold-a-par...
✊ Sign our petition calling for a full Parliament debate on Palantir’s use in UK services: www.change.org/p/hold-a-par...
Sign the Petition
Hold a Parliamentary Debate on Palantir’s Role in UK Defence, Security & Public Services
www.change.org
January 27, 2026 at 2:58 PM
What happens when a company whose tools track and deport migrants abroad is entrusted with our most sensitive public health data at home?
✊ Sign our petition calling for a full Parliament debate on Palantir’s use in UK services: www.change.org/p/hold-a-par...
✊ Sign our petition calling for a full Parliament debate on Palantir’s use in UK services: www.change.org/p/hold-a-par...
Reposted by Laura
it’s exciting for people who care about Westminster chess, that they’ll publish the documents about how Mandelson got appointed, but for people who care about the UK, id like them to publish the full details of the deals he negotiated with the US tech & pharma interests on (supposedly) our behalf
February 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM
it’s exciting for people who care about Westminster chess, that they’ll publish the documents about how Mandelson got appointed, but for people who care about the UK, id like them to publish the full details of the deals he negotiated with the US tech & pharma interests on (supposedly) our behalf
Reposted by Laura
The Home Secretary's view is that if a care worker & spouse come to the UK in 2022 and have a kid in 2024, then it's fine for that (British-born) child to stay in poverty until 2037 *even if their father/mother stays in work throughout*.
"Are you worried that there will be an impact on child poverty?"
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
Home Secretary "This is a system of economic migration ... they chose to bring their families with them" is the underlying principle.
February 5, 2026 at 9:53 AM
The Home Secretary's view is that if a care worker & spouse come to the UK in 2022 and have a kid in 2024, then it's fine for that (British-born) child to stay in poverty until 2037 *even if their father/mother stays in work throughout*.
Reposted by Laura
And more detail on our latest estimate of what’s needed to afford essentials is here: 4/4
www.jrf.org.uk/social-secur...
www.jrf.org.uk/social-secur...
Guarantee our Essentials: reforming Universal Credit to ensure we can all afford the essentials in hard times
Losing your job, needing to care for a sick family member, breaking up with your partner – everyone’s circumstances can change. When they do, the social security system should ensure no one goes witho...
www.jrf.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 8:38 AM
And more detail on our latest estimate of what’s needed to afford essentials is here: 4/4
www.jrf.org.uk/social-secur...
www.jrf.org.uk/social-secur...
Reposted by Laura
In April, Universal Credit's basic rate rises to £98 a week for a single adult, far short of what’s needed to afford essentials like food and bills.
This forces people to skip meals & turn off heating to get by, with 5 in 6 low-income families on UC going without essentials. 2/4
This forces people to skip meals & turn off heating to get by, with 5 in 6 low-income families on UC going without essentials. 2/4
February 2, 2026 at 8:38 AM
In April, Universal Credit's basic rate rises to £98 a week for a single adult, far short of what’s needed to afford essentials like food and bills.
This forces people to skip meals & turn off heating to get by, with 5 in 6 low-income families on UC going without essentials. 2/4
This forces people to skip meals & turn off heating to get by, with 5 in 6 low-income families on UC going without essentials. 2/4
Reposted by Laura
"If Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein disqualifies him from holding power, why does the company controlled by Epstein's business partner and co-owner retain access to the UK's most sensitive national security infrastructure?"
Peter Thiel. Jeffrey Epstein. Palantir. The UK Government.
Peter Thiel. Jeffrey Epstein. Palantir. The UK Government.
Jeffrey Epstein Co-Owned Venture Fund with Palantir Founder as it Entered UK Government
The Russian connected convicted sex trafficker co-owned a fund with Peter Thiel, now embedded in Britain’s most critical infrastructure with the help of Peter Mandelson
bylinetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:47 PM
"If Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein disqualifies him from holding power, why does the company controlled by Epstein's business partner and co-owner retain access to the UK's most sensitive national security infrastructure?"
Peter Thiel. Jeffrey Epstein. Palantir. The UK Government.
Peter Thiel. Jeffrey Epstein. Palantir. The UK Government.
Reposted by Laura
Zack Polanski's ( @zackpolanski.bsky.social ) strongly worded open letter to Wes Streeting, rightly urging him to rip up the Palantir contract in light of the Mandelson Epstein revelations
February 4, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Zack Polanski's ( @zackpolanski.bsky.social ) strongly worded open letter to Wes Streeting, rightly urging him to rip up the Palantir contract in light of the Mandelson Epstein revelations