Owen
@oburbidge.bsky.social
Retired scientist, now working in medicines manufacturing sector. Interested in renewables, ASHP and EV owner.
Parent to Crumble the Romanian rescue. Views are entirely my own
🔶🏳️🌈 he/him
Parent to Crumble the Romanian rescue. Views are entirely my own
🔶🏳️🌈 he/him
www.bbc.com/news/article...
So this manifesto pledge is ok to be broken.
But Reeves can’t possibly raise tax or scrap the triple-lock pension because she would be breaking manifesto pledges.
Right. Gotcha. When it benefits workers too bad. When it benefits businesses or non-workers, fair game
So this manifesto pledge is ok to be broken.
But Reeves can’t possibly raise tax or scrap the triple-lock pension because she would be breaking manifesto pledges.
Right. Gotcha. When it benefits workers too bad. When it benefits businesses or non-workers, fair game
Labour ditches day-one protection from unfair dismissal in U-turn
The right will now be introduced after six months, in a breach of Labour's election manifesto.
www.bbc.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:01 AM
www.bbc.com/news/article...
So this manifesto pledge is ok to be broken.
But Reeves can’t possibly raise tax or scrap the triple-lock pension because she would be breaking manifesto pledges.
Right. Gotcha. When it benefits workers too bad. When it benefits businesses or non-workers, fair game
So this manifesto pledge is ok to be broken.
But Reeves can’t possibly raise tax or scrap the triple-lock pension because she would be breaking manifesto pledges.
Right. Gotcha. When it benefits workers too bad. When it benefits businesses or non-workers, fair game
Reposted by Owen
Net migration has fallen again to 204,000, the lowest level since 2021 and is forecast to continue falling over the coming years.
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
November 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Net migration has fallen again to 204,000, the lowest level since 2021 and is forecast to continue falling over the coming years.
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
Bluesky I need your help!
I won a drinks cabinet at auction and placing it in the office/library. I would like to wallpaper the back and add some LEDs to light it up.
But what wallpaper to I choose?
I won a drinks cabinet at auction and placing it in the office/library. I would like to wallpaper the back and add some LEDs to light it up.
But what wallpaper to I choose?
November 27, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Bluesky I need your help!
I won a drinks cabinet at auction and placing it in the office/library. I would like to wallpaper the back and add some LEDs to light it up.
But what wallpaper to I choose?
I won a drinks cabinet at auction and placing it in the office/library. I would like to wallpaper the back and add some LEDs to light it up.
But what wallpaper to I choose?
Reposted by Owen
This really needs emphasizing. The entirety of the UK media ecosystem is utterly fixated on a 100% fabricated "crisis".
Net migration has fallen again to 204,000, the lowest level since 2021 and is forecast to continue falling over the coming years.
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
November 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM
This really needs emphasizing. The entirety of the UK media ecosystem is utterly fixated on a 100% fabricated "crisis".
The budget delivered yesterday strikes me as a life support budget.
Rather than use this as an opportunity to fix may of the structural problems the UK economy is afflicted by.
It’s basically being used to try and keep the Labour Party alive.
Labour demonstrate only party before country.
Rather than use this as an opportunity to fix may of the structural problems the UK economy is afflicted by.
It’s basically being used to try and keep the Labour Party alive.
Labour demonstrate only party before country.
November 27, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The budget delivered yesterday strikes me as a life support budget.
Rather than use this as an opportunity to fix may of the structural problems the UK economy is afflicted by.
It’s basically being used to try and keep the Labour Party alive.
Labour demonstrate only party before country.
Rather than use this as an opportunity to fix may of the structural problems the UK economy is afflicted by.
It’s basically being used to try and keep the Labour Party alive.
Labour demonstrate only party before country.
Reeves says petrol is still expensive.
So the 5p cut in fuel duty will be extended until 2026, she says.
Great. So polluters get to continue to poison us. Yet EV drivers get penalised with pay per mile.
🙃
Climate change. What’s that?
So the 5p cut in fuel duty will be extended until 2026, she says.
Great. So polluters get to continue to poison us. Yet EV drivers get penalised with pay per mile.
🙃
Climate change. What’s that?
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Reeves says petrol is still expensive.
So the 5p cut in fuel duty will be extended until 2026, she says.
Great. So polluters get to continue to poison us. Yet EV drivers get penalised with pay per mile.
🙃
Climate change. What’s that?
So the 5p cut in fuel duty will be extended until 2026, she says.
Great. So polluters get to continue to poison us. Yet EV drivers get penalised with pay per mile.
🙃
Climate change. What’s that?
Reposted by Owen
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves will freeze fuel duty to dodge ‘political suicide’
The chancellor will also highlight a rise in the minimum wage and plans to cut energy bills as she tries to win over voters by focusing on cost of living
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
When the answer is staring you right in the face. You have a huge majority. Over 50% of the UK now say Brexit was a mistake….
But you’re scared of what the Daily Mail and RW press may say and scared of Reform.
This is why this country is struggling.
But you’re scared of what the Daily Mail and RW press may say and scared of Reform.
This is why this country is struggling.
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 AM
When the answer is staring you right in the face. You have a huge majority. Over 50% of the UK now say Brexit was a mistake….
But you’re scared of what the Daily Mail and RW press may say and scared of Reform.
This is why this country is struggling.
But you’re scared of what the Daily Mail and RW press may say and scared of Reform.
This is why this country is struggling.
Budget day.
Will Rachel Reeves grasp the nettle & actually commit to raising proper amounts of tax through things like overhauling the council tax system, or taxing millionaires & billionaires?
Or will she bottle it & tinker with little things, raise nothing & waste any political capital she has?
Will Rachel Reeves grasp the nettle & actually commit to raising proper amounts of tax through things like overhauling the council tax system, or taxing millionaires & billionaires?
Or will she bottle it & tinker with little things, raise nothing & waste any political capital she has?
November 26, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Budget day.
Will Rachel Reeves grasp the nettle & actually commit to raising proper amounts of tax through things like overhauling the council tax system, or taxing millionaires & billionaires?
Or will she bottle it & tinker with little things, raise nothing & waste any political capital she has?
Will Rachel Reeves grasp the nettle & actually commit to raising proper amounts of tax through things like overhauling the council tax system, or taxing millionaires & billionaires?
Or will she bottle it & tinker with little things, raise nothing & waste any political capital she has?
I welcome this a lot and hope that @kimmcguinness.bsky.social will do this.
When I recently visited Liverpool there was a nominal amount £2 iirc which was added onto my hotel cost.
If this went to local councils to be used I would hope Newcastle followed suit.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
When I recently visited Liverpool there was a nominal amount £2 iirc which was added onto my hotel cost.
If this went to local councils to be used I would hope Newcastle followed suit.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth
England’s mayors will be able to invest in transport, infrastructure, and the visitor economy through a new levy on overnight stays.
www.gov.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I welcome this a lot and hope that @kimmcguinness.bsky.social will do this.
When I recently visited Liverpool there was a nominal amount £2 iirc which was added onto my hotel cost.
If this went to local councils to be used I would hope Newcastle followed suit.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
When I recently visited Liverpool there was a nominal amount £2 iirc which was added onto my hotel cost.
If this went to local councils to be used I would hope Newcastle followed suit.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Would it be nice if Newcastle CC actually fully embraced active and public transport rather than focussing on cars?
Building out cycling superhighways across the city. Improving bus connections & enabling people to get out of their cars & walk/cycle.
Then use this opportunity to green our streets
Building out cycling superhighways across the city. Improving bus connections & enabling people to get out of their cars & walk/cycle.
Then use this opportunity to green our streets
📣New data shows London cycling is soaring:
📈 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 daily journeys
📈 that's 43% up from 2019
🚲Cycleway Network grows to 431km (up from 90km in 2016)
😎 & 76% of London cyclists feel safe our routes
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
📈 12% up from last year to 1,500,000 daily journeys
📈 that's 43% up from 2019
🚲Cycleway Network grows to 431km (up from 90km in 2016)
😎 & 76% of London cyclists feel safe our routes
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Would it be nice if Newcastle CC actually fully embraced active and public transport rather than focussing on cars?
Building out cycling superhighways across the city. Improving bus connections & enabling people to get out of their cars & walk/cycle.
Then use this opportunity to green our streets
Building out cycling superhighways across the city. Improving bus connections & enabling people to get out of their cars & walk/cycle.
Then use this opportunity to green our streets
Insomnia sucks.
But I did manage to get a panna cotta made for dessert tonight during the cheap @octopus.energy hours.
So I guess got to look on the bright side.
But I did manage to get a panna cotta made for dessert tonight during the cheap @octopus.energy hours.
So I guess got to look on the bright side.
November 24, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Insomnia sucks.
But I did manage to get a panna cotta made for dessert tonight during the cheap @octopus.energy hours.
So I guess got to look on the bright side.
But I did manage to get a panna cotta made for dessert tonight during the cheap @octopus.energy hours.
So I guess got to look on the bright side.
So glad I don’t have Facebook or Instagram.
I reluctantly have WhatsApp, but would get rid of it in a blink if friends and family moved to other platforms
I reluctantly have WhatsApp, but would get rid of it in a blink if friends and family moved to other platforms
November 23, 2025 at 6:33 PM
So glad I don’t have Facebook or Instagram.
I reluctantly have WhatsApp, but would get rid of it in a blink if friends and family moved to other platforms
I reluctantly have WhatsApp, but would get rid of it in a blink if friends and family moved to other platforms
Reposted by Owen
What’s more expensive: investing in renewables, or dealing with the £38 trillion annual cost of unchecked climate damage?
The numbers in this piece are… sobering ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
The numbers in this piece are… sobering ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Climate change: an expensive myth or a question of survival?
Calls to end decarbonisation efforts threaten to undermine a thriving economic sector and our chance of a safer planet
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
What’s more expensive: investing in renewables, or dealing with the £38 trillion annual cost of unchecked climate damage?
The numbers in this piece are… sobering ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
The numbers in this piece are… sobering ⤵️
@eastangliabylines.co.uk
Productive afternoon spent with @mikecookson.bsky.social out and about in Ouseburn delivering the latest @libdems.org.uk focus leaflet.
#LocalDemocracy #Newcastle
#LocalDemocracy #Newcastle
November 23, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Productive afternoon spent with @mikecookson.bsky.social out and about in Ouseburn delivering the latest @libdems.org.uk focus leaflet.
#LocalDemocracy #Newcastle
#LocalDemocracy #Newcastle
Reposted by Owen
Just want to give enormous credit to my colleague Dan Lewis, who not only spotted this problem yesterday but produced a huge amount of analysis.
We very much hope to see action in the Budget to address this.
www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
We very much hope to see action in the Budget to address this.
www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
Price gap between gas and electricity hits highest level since energy crisis of 2022
Sharp increases in electricity costs are set to push the electricity-to-gas price ratio to its highest level since the 2022 energy crisis, according to new analysis from the innovation foundation Nest...
www.nesta.org.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Just want to give enormous credit to my colleague Dan Lewis, who not only spotted this problem yesterday but produced a huge amount of analysis.
We very much hope to see action in the Budget to address this.
www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
We very much hope to see action in the Budget to address this.
www.nesta.org.uk/press-releas...
Reposted by Owen
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
November 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle
Reposted by Owen
This is a REALLY important thread. The Supreme Court was unequivocally and verifiably wrong in its misjudgment.
1/🧵 The good people of the Cabinet Office has found a copy of the Department for Education and Employment’s drafting instructions* for the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999.
* the Parly Counsel does vetting only in this case, so the instructions is to DfEE’s in-house lawyers
* the Parly Counsel does vetting only in this case, so the instructions is to DfEE’s in-house lawyers
Sex Discrimination Gender Reassignment Regulations 1999 Drafting Instructions - a Freedom of Information request to Government Equalities Office
Please send me copies of the Sex Discrimination Gender Reassignment Regulations 1999’s Drafting Instructions given to the Parliamentary Counsel. If you can’t locate all versions, send me any one of th...
www.whatdotheyknow.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This is a REALLY important thread. The Supreme Court was unequivocally and verifiably wrong in its misjudgment.
Reposted by Owen
So much of our infrastructure, planning, environmental, and road safety measures seem to be based around politicians' fear of slightly inconveniencing easily-angered motorists. Pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users are barely considered in their calculations.
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
So much of our infrastructure, planning, environmental, and road safety measures seem to be based around politicians' fear of slightly inconveniencing easily-angered motorists. Pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users are barely considered in their calculations.
Reposted by Owen
I was honoured to unveil a plaque for Sam Green, the first openly gay politician to be elected in the UK.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
A Liberal councillor who made LGBT+ history
Sam Green was the first openly gay politician ever elected in the UK – and possibly the world.
www.libdems.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
I was honoured to unveil a plaque for Sam Green, the first openly gay politician to be elected in the UK.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
Reposted by Owen
One lesson we must take from Covid is that we need serious politicians in Government making serious plans for the biggest threats to society. These include inequality, health, pandemics, food, climate change, building renewables and protecting nature.
November 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
One lesson we must take from Covid is that we need serious politicians in Government making serious plans for the biggest threats to society. These include inequality, health, pandemics, food, climate change, building renewables and protecting nature.
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. A day where we take time to reflect upon those whose lives have tragically been cut short due to anti-trans hatred or prejudice.
We must continue to stand in solidarity& champion the rights of the trans community to live without fear as their true selves.
🏳️⚧️
We must continue to stand in solidarity& champion the rights of the trans community to live without fear as their true selves.
🏳️⚧️
November 20, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. A day where we take time to reflect upon those whose lives have tragically been cut short due to anti-trans hatred or prejudice.
We must continue to stand in solidarity& champion the rights of the trans community to live without fear as their true selves.
🏳️⚧️
We must continue to stand in solidarity& champion the rights of the trans community to live without fear as their true selves.
🏳️⚧️