Longwordmonthly
@longwordmonthly.bsky.social
Qualitative healthcare researcher.
Evidence led.
Evidence led.
Labour should not be worried that their first two Budgets have delivered little improvement whilst welfare costs and tax increase - that’s normal to focus on better years nearer the next Election.
What they should be worried about is that the biggest tax rises arrive AT Election time. #bbclaurak
What they should be worried about is that the biggest tax rises arrive AT Election time. #bbclaurak
November 30, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Labour should not be worried that their first two Budgets have delivered little improvement whilst welfare costs and tax increase - that’s normal to focus on better years nearer the next Election.
What they should be worried about is that the biggest tax rises arrive AT Election time. #bbclaurak
What they should be worried about is that the biggest tax rises arrive AT Election time. #bbclaurak
Reeves re-jig of business rates will reduce the discounts on small businesses and hospitality from 40 percent to just 11 percent.
Bottom line - more pubs and independent shops are going to collapse.
Cabinet Ministers have so little experience of running a small business. #r4today #SMEs
Bottom line - more pubs and independent shops are going to collapse.
Cabinet Ministers have so little experience of running a small business. #r4today #SMEs
November 29, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Latest UK business investment figures show the first decline since Covid, especially in manufacturing (-15%) and hospitality.
Coupled with the continued rise in public sector spending, it’s hard to see how this week’s Budget has supported future growth. #r4today
Coupled with the continued rise in public sector spending, it’s hard to see how this week’s Budget has supported future growth. #r4today
November 29, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Latest UK business investment figures show the first decline since Covid, especially in manufacturing (-15%) and hospitality.
Coupled with the continued rise in public sector spending, it’s hard to see how this week’s Budget has supported future growth. #r4today
Coupled with the continued rise in public sector spending, it’s hard to see how this week’s Budget has supported future growth. #r4today
Sad to hear cancer still being routinely referred to as a “battle”. This metaphor is something many patients are determined to change, as it can set up mental health problems of self confrontation and disassociation. Lots of peer reviewed data out there on this. #r4today
November 29, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Sad to hear cancer still being routinely referred to as a “battle”. This metaphor is something many patients are determined to change, as it can set up mental health problems of self confrontation and disassociation. Lots of peer reviewed data out there on this. #r4today
This “new” story about queuing as entertainment made me laugh. I remember my Mum recalling how they would queue to get into dance halls back in 1950s, being entertained by street musicians peddling the queue for tips. It’s as old as the hills. #r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Queuing: Is waiting in line for hours the new cool thing to do?
Whether it's waiting in line to try a new bakery, or to grab a bargain at a sample sale, queuing is becoming an activity in itself.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 5:54 AM
This “new” story about queuing as entertainment made me laugh. I remember my Mum recalling how they would queue to get into dance halls back in 1950s, being entertained by street musicians peddling the queue for tips. It’s as old as the hills. #r4today
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Young people want to see the world at a time when they have few responsibilities- why not?
I left for Australia at age 25 at a time when UK economy was in tatters, but that wasn’t the driver.
I wanted life experience and I’m sure that has not changed. #r4today
I left for Australia at age 25 at a time when UK economy was in tatters, but that wasn’t the driver.
I wanted life experience and I’m sure that has not changed. #r4today
November 28, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Young people want to see the world at a time when they have few responsibilities- why not?
I left for Australia at age 25 at a time when UK economy was in tatters, but that wasn’t the driver.
I wanted life experience and I’m sure that has not changed. #r4today
I left for Australia at age 25 at a time when UK economy was in tatters, but that wasn’t the driver.
I wanted life experience and I’m sure that has not changed. #r4today
Reeves graduated to being a proper Chancellor yesterday by giving herself a grownup fiscal buffer (instead of the kindergarten-sized one last year).
But it only works if Government can get its plans through Parliament and we have seen how weak it can be on achieving that. #c4news
But it only works if Government can get its plans through Parliament and we have seen how weak it can be on achieving that. #c4news
November 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reeves graduated to being a proper Chancellor yesterday by giving herself a grownup fiscal buffer (instead of the kindergarten-sized one last year).
But it only works if Government can get its plans through Parliament and we have seen how weak it can be on achieving that. #c4news
But it only works if Government can get its plans through Parliament and we have seen how weak it can be on achieving that. #c4news
Smorgasbords are for people who want to try a little bit of everything.
They are usually fiddly little things too, that don’t satisfy you, or even go together very well. You end up making a mess and want to wash your hands thoroughly of them.
Rarely has a metaphor been so apt. #c4news #TheBudget
They are usually fiddly little things too, that don’t satisfy you, or even go together very well. You end up making a mess and want to wash your hands thoroughly of them.
Rarely has a metaphor been so apt. #c4news #TheBudget
November 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Smorgasbords are for people who want to try a little bit of everything.
They are usually fiddly little things too, that don’t satisfy you, or even go together very well. You end up making a mess and want to wash your hands thoroughly of them.
Rarely has a metaphor been so apt. #c4news #TheBudget
They are usually fiddly little things too, that don’t satisfy you, or even go together very well. You end up making a mess and want to wash your hands thoroughly of them.
Rarely has a metaphor been so apt. #c4news #TheBudget
One cannot argue that the budget was not true to its labour roots. It was redistributive of wealth in favour of the lowest income citizens.
The big difference was that the redistribution is coming from the middle income cohort, not the rich.
That is politically very dangerous for Labour. #bbcpm
The big difference was that the redistribution is coming from the middle income cohort, not the rich.
That is politically very dangerous for Labour. #bbcpm
November 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
One cannot argue that the budget was not true to its labour roots. It was redistributive of wealth in favour of the lowest income citizens.
The big difference was that the redistribution is coming from the middle income cohort, not the rich.
That is politically very dangerous for Labour. #bbcpm
The big difference was that the redistribution is coming from the middle income cohort, not the rich.
That is politically very dangerous for Labour. #bbcpm
The mansion tax may raise a cheer from the backbenches.
But it is all but irrelevant in raising tax from this budget.
At best it will raise £400m, will be costly to implement as well as complicated, incl. requiring exemptions.
I would say it’s 50-50 whether it even happens at all. #bbcpm
But it is all but irrelevant in raising tax from this budget.
At best it will raise £400m, will be costly to implement as well as complicated, incl. requiring exemptions.
I would say it’s 50-50 whether it even happens at all. #bbcpm
backbenches.is
November 27, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The mansion tax may raise a cheer from the backbenches.
But it is all but irrelevant in raising tax from this budget.
At best it will raise £400m, will be costly to implement as well as complicated, incl. requiring exemptions.
I would say it’s 50-50 whether it even happens at all. #bbcpm
But it is all but irrelevant in raising tax from this budget.
At best it will raise £400m, will be costly to implement as well as complicated, incl. requiring exemptions.
I would say it’s 50-50 whether it even happens at all. #bbcpm
In Labour’s manifesto in 2024, it promised £8.5bn of tax rises if in government.
To date, it has levied £66 billion in less than 18 months. #bbcpm
To date, it has levied £66 billion in less than 18 months. #bbcpm
November 27, 2025 at 3:06 PM
In Labour’s manifesto in 2024, it promised £8.5bn of tax rises if in government.
To date, it has levied £66 billion in less than 18 months. #bbcpm
To date, it has levied £66 billion in less than 18 months. #bbcpm
Raising taxes for investment is one thing. Actually investing wisely is quite another.
E.g. those 250 neighbourhood health centres Government promised - will they be PFI built, bringing the crippling debt to NHS budgets that PFI hospitals did (and is still doing)?
Silence from Labour. #wato
E.g. those 250 neighbourhood health centres Government promised - will they be PFI built, bringing the crippling debt to NHS budgets that PFI hospitals did (and is still doing)?
Silence from Labour. #wato
November 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Raising taxes for investment is one thing. Actually investing wisely is quite another.
E.g. those 250 neighbourhood health centres Government promised - will they be PFI built, bringing the crippling debt to NHS budgets that PFI hospitals did (and is still doing)?
Silence from Labour. #wato
E.g. those 250 neighbourhood health centres Government promised - will they be PFI built, bringing the crippling debt to NHS budgets that PFI hospitals did (and is still doing)?
Silence from Labour. #wato
BBC frames the lower immigration figures as “who gets credit for this?”
Actually, we need immigration.
It’s just that political parties are too shallow to admit it. #wato
Actually, we need immigration.
It’s just that political parties are too shallow to admit it. #wato
This weekend’s Labour conference will see Starmer try to neutralise Reform by continuing his “we must listen to the people on immigration” pivot.
In time, UK will realise that we will end up competing to win immigration to our shores - supporting our economy and rebalancing our demography.
#r4today
In time, UK will realise that we will end up competing to win immigration to our shores - supporting our economy and rebalancing our demography.
#r4today
November 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
BBC frames the lower immigration figures as “who gets credit for this?”
Actually, we need immigration.
It’s just that political parties are too shallow to admit it. #wato
Actually, we need immigration.
It’s just that political parties are too shallow to admit it. #wato
This is a long read on the need for pension reform from the IFS.
But it needs reading by Government.
Too much of the current system is unsustainable, and we cannot go on burying our heads in the sand forever.
#wato
ifs.org.uk/publications...
But it needs reading by Government.
Too much of the current system is unsustainable, and we cannot go on burying our heads in the sand forever.
#wato
ifs.org.uk/publications...
November 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM
This is a long read on the need for pension reform from the IFS.
But it needs reading by Government.
Too much of the current system is unsustainable, and we cannot go on burying our heads in the sand forever.
#wato
ifs.org.uk/publications...
But it needs reading by Government.
Too much of the current system is unsustainable, and we cannot go on burying our heads in the sand forever.
#wato
ifs.org.uk/publications...
If you're a small business, you've been hammered by Reeves:
Business reserve savings - 2% tax ⬆️
Dividend payments - 2% tax ⬆️
Staff on minimum wage - wage rise
Income tax thresholds - frozen
Any property rental income - 2% tax ⬆️
Salary sacrifice - capped
www.freeagent.com/blog/autumn-...
#wato
Business reserve savings - 2% tax ⬆️
Dividend payments - 2% tax ⬆️
Staff on minimum wage - wage rise
Income tax thresholds - frozen
Any property rental income - 2% tax ⬆️
Salary sacrifice - capped
www.freeagent.com/blog/autumn-...
#wato
Autumn Budget 2025: key updates for small businesses
Our essential run-down for small businesses - including updates on taxes, pensions and wages.
www.freeagent.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM
If you're a small business, you've been hammered by Reeves:
Business reserve savings - 2% tax ⬆️
Dividend payments - 2% tax ⬆️
Staff on minimum wage - wage rise
Income tax thresholds - frozen
Any property rental income - 2% tax ⬆️
Salary sacrifice - capped
www.freeagent.com/blog/autumn-...
#wato
Business reserve savings - 2% tax ⬆️
Dividend payments - 2% tax ⬆️
Staff on minimum wage - wage rise
Income tax thresholds - frozen
Any property rental income - 2% tax ⬆️
Salary sacrifice - capped
www.freeagent.com/blog/autumn-...
#wato
Some good news for shoppers.
Non food retail sales fell into decline in October, making Black Friday discounts likely to be available longer into December. #wato
www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/brc-ret...
Non food retail sales fell into decline in October, making Black Friday discounts likely to be available longer into December. #wato
www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/brc-ret...
BRC: Retail Sales Were Subdued In October
Insight DIY - DIY latest retail news, trade retailers market data and information for the home improvement and do it yourself sector
www.insightdiy.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Some good news for shoppers.
Non food retail sales fell into decline in October, making Black Friday discounts likely to be available longer into December. #wato
www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/brc-ret...
Non food retail sales fell into decline in October, making Black Friday discounts likely to be available longer into December. #wato
www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/brc-ret...
The Budget increase in business rates for larger units like supermarkets is going to end up being passed on to consumers in higher prices (inflationary of course).
Government looks at headline changes in tax, whereas the real world impacts are what consumers actually pay. #wato
#CostOfLiving
Government looks at headline changes in tax, whereas the real world impacts are what consumers actually pay. #wato
#CostOfLiving
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
The Budget increase in business rates for larger units like supermarkets is going to end up being passed on to consumers in higher prices (inflationary of course).
Government looks at headline changes in tax, whereas the real world impacts are what consumers actually pay. #wato
#CostOfLiving
Government looks at headline changes in tax, whereas the real world impacts are what consumers actually pay. #wato
#CostOfLiving
I’m at a Bloomberg event this morning for a breakdown of the Budget. It’s packed.
Will be interesting to hear the different perspectives. #r4today
Will be interesting to hear the different perspectives. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:16 AM
I’m at a Bloomberg event this morning for a breakdown of the Budget. It’s packed.
Will be interesting to hear the different perspectives. #r4today
Will be interesting to hear the different perspectives. #r4today
This is a fascinating read. It describes in detail how children’s literature is a modern idea, with so many of the fairy story classics we know today originally written for adults, often with macabre deaths and triumphs for baddies (long since sanitised).
Eg Cindrilla - it didn’t end well for her! 😮
Eg Cindrilla - it didn’t end well for her! 😮
November 26, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This is a fascinating read. It describes in detail how children’s literature is a modern idea, with so many of the fairy story classics we know today originally written for adults, often with macabre deaths and triumphs for baddies (long since sanitised).
Eg Cindrilla - it didn’t end well for her! 😮
Eg Cindrilla - it didn’t end well for her! 😮
Stephen Bush in FT makes a fair point - Labour’s fixation with the minimum wage is simplistic.
UK’s is not low - in fact it’s one of the highest statutory wages in the OECD. (Source: FT)
Instead, it’s the housing market and energy prices that are crippling low income earners.
#c4news
UK’s is not low - in fact it’s one of the highest statutory wages in the OECD. (Source: FT)
Instead, it’s the housing market and energy prices that are crippling low income earners.
#c4news
November 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Stephen Bush in FT makes a fair point - Labour’s fixation with the minimum wage is simplistic.
UK’s is not low - in fact it’s one of the highest statutory wages in the OECD. (Source: FT)
Instead, it’s the housing market and energy prices that are crippling low income earners.
#c4news
UK’s is not low - in fact it’s one of the highest statutory wages in the OECD. (Source: FT)
Instead, it’s the housing market and energy prices that are crippling low income earners.
#c4news
Today's fiscal drag stealth tax alone means that a couple each earning the average wage will be £1600+ worse off by the end of this Parliament.
Curious that Reeves didn't spell this out in her speech. 🤥 #bbcpm
Calculate the impact on you via this handy tool from FT.
www.ft.com/content/54cb...
Curious that Reeves didn't spell this out in her speech. 🤥 #bbcpm
Calculate the impact on you via this handy tool from FT.
www.ft.com/content/54cb...
Budget 2025 calculator: how Reeves’ tax changes will affect your money
Use the FT’s interactive tool to understand how a further freeze to personal tax thresholds could affect you
www.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Today's fiscal drag stealth tax alone means that a couple each earning the average wage will be £1600+ worse off by the end of this Parliament.
Curious that Reeves didn't spell this out in her speech. 🤥 #bbcpm
Calculate the impact on you via this handy tool from FT.
www.ft.com/content/54cb...
Curious that Reeves didn't spell this out in her speech. 🤥 #bbcpm
Calculate the impact on you via this handy tool from FT.
www.ft.com/content/54cb...
Other losers today in the Budget will be renters.
The landlords income tax on rent will mean some increase rents to offset the new tax. Others may choose to exit the market entirely, esp. those with just one property - so called 'accidental landlords'.
Higher rents + fewer rental properties. #bbcpm.
The landlords income tax on rent will mean some increase rents to offset the new tax. Others may choose to exit the market entirely, esp. those with just one property - so called 'accidental landlords'.
Higher rents + fewer rental properties. #bbcpm.
November 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Other losers today in the Budget will be renters.
The landlords income tax on rent will mean some increase rents to offset the new tax. Others may choose to exit the market entirely, esp. those with just one property - so called 'accidental landlords'.
Higher rents + fewer rental properties. #bbcpm.
The landlords income tax on rent will mean some increase rents to offset the new tax. Others may choose to exit the market entirely, esp. those with just one property - so called 'accidental landlords'.
Higher rents + fewer rental properties. #bbcpm.
Who else will now pay income tax? Students who use part time work to help fund their education and reduce their debt,
And pensioners whose retirement income was below the threshold. A full state pension is very close to the threshold now, so even small savings income could be taxed too. 😮 #wato
And pensioners whose retirement income was below the threshold. A full state pension is very close to the threshold now, so even small savings income could be taxed too. 😮 #wato
November 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Who else will now pay income tax? Students who use part time work to help fund their education and reduce their debt,
And pensioners whose retirement income was below the threshold. A full state pension is very close to the threshold now, so even small savings income could be taxed too. 😮 #wato
And pensioners whose retirement income was below the threshold. A full state pension is very close to the threshold now, so even small savings income could be taxed too. 😮 #wato
The sort of people who will be dragged into income tax will be part time family carers - who split their time between caring for a loved one and a part time job. #wato
November 26, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The sort of people who will be dragged into income tax will be part time family carers - who split their time between caring for a loved one and a part time job. #wato