John Paddington
@padders123.bsky.social
Transport technology, Birmingham and some other stuff.
Occasional photos of Travel Basil to promote St Basils homeless charity that works with young people in Birmingham.
Occasional photos of Travel Basil to promote St Basils homeless charity that works with young people in Birmingham.
Pinned
John Paddington
@padders123.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Also: if you're wondering about my banner photo, it was taken in Kharkiv, Ukraine about ten years ago. It's a reminder of happier times and also the sadness that there is war there.
Reposted by John Paddington
The scheme is so complex there won’t be any uplift in sales over such a short period. It takes weeks to sort a certificate and buy a bike through it.
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 27, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The scheme is so complex there won’t be any uplift in sales over such a short period. It takes weeks to sort a certificate and buy a bike through it.
Go Wales. Let's get this in England next
Holy moly - Welsh Government have approved side-road zebras! www.gov.wales/written-stat...
Written Statement: Side Road Zebra Crossings in Wales | GOV.WALES
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
www.gov.wales
November 26, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Go Wales. Let's get this in England next
Reposted by John Paddington
We found that if every car had these driver assist features, the U.S. could prevent 1.6 million total car crashes (including about 7,200 fatal crashes), and save more than $260 billion annually in costs to society www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
We found that if every car had these driver assist features, the U.S. could prevent 1.6 million total car crashes (including about 7,200 fatal crashes), and save more than $260 billion annually in costs to society www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
What should happen is that: we publish multiple OBR forecasts in advance around different tax / spend scenarios and we can then have a proper debate about the state of the nations finances.
The OBR publishing early is bad news for a) the person who carries the can b) the political debate around the OBR but maybe good for those of us who think Budget documents should be published before, not after, the Chancellor speaks as a matter of course when the world doesn't end at 13:30 today?
November 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
What should happen is that: we publish multiple OBR forecasts in advance around different tax / spend scenarios and we can then have a proper debate about the state of the nations finances.
Reposted by John Paddington
"a new mileage-based charge on battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars from April 2028, raising £1.4 billion"
OBR Economic and fiscal outlook, November 2025
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
(I changed the link address from March to November)
obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
(I changed the link address from March to November)
November 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
"a new mileage-based charge on battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars from April 2028, raising £1.4 billion"
This is a fundamental change to the UK constitution yet seems very low key media coverage?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This is a fundamental change to the UK constitution yet seems very low key media coverage?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We've got quite a lot of flats in our block in Birmingham which our Bands F and G based on 2002 valuations. They wouldn't be that now...
Mine is Band E, should be Band B on current valuations.
Mine is Band E, should be Band B on current valuations.
These reports the Government could revalue council tax bands F, G and H don't make sense to me. Here's what could actually be going on:
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
We've got quite a lot of flats in our block in Birmingham which our Bands F and G based on 2002 valuations. They wouldn't be that now...
Mine is Band E, should be Band B on current valuations.
Mine is Band E, should be Band B on current valuations.
Reposted by John Paddington
This is good news but the big reason women are more likely to die in car crashes than men, even tho they are safer drivers, is because so many men drive these big oversized pickups that crush smaller sedans women are more likely to drive in crashes.
www.today.com/video/transp...
www.today.com/video/transp...
DOT Unveils First-Ever Female Crash Test Dummy
Crash test dummies revolutionized car safety but never with a female body specifically in mind — until now. The Department of Transportation is unveiling an advanced female crash test dummy that could...
www.today.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is good news but the big reason women are more likely to die in car crashes than men, even tho they are safer drivers, is because so many men drive these big oversized pickups that crush smaller sedans women are more likely to drive in crashes.
www.today.com/video/transp...
www.today.com/video/transp...
What isn't discussed enough is how we're creating an economy where you can get good deals but only if you have the time / money to pursue offers. This really hinders the time and money poor...
I say this as I just got a black Friday offer of 20% off for travel insurance...
I say this as I just got a black Friday offer of 20% off for travel insurance...
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
What isn't discussed enough is how we're creating an economy where you can get good deals but only if you have the time / money to pursue offers. This really hinders the time and money poor...
I say this as I just got a black Friday offer of 20% off for travel insurance...
I say this as I just got a black Friday offer of 20% off for travel insurance...
Reposted by John Paddington
What's happened to council tax over the last 30 years? Has it really doubled?
Yes. Here's how, and here's why: buff.ly/7HSGJij
Yes. Here's how, and here's why: buff.ly/7HSGJij
Has council tax really gone up? The evidence.
We strip out inflation to show how UK council tax has changed in real terms, and explain how funding cuts and social care drove the rise.
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
What's happened to council tax over the last 30 years? Has it really doubled?
Yes. Here's how, and here's why: buff.ly/7HSGJij
Yes. Here's how, and here's why: buff.ly/7HSGJij
Fully agree with Thomas that universal free public transport is something that only matters to people that use PT already.
When to make it free / discounts is for life events, get people to change their habits when they move house, change jobs, start a family etc.
When to make it free / discounts is for life events, get people to change their habits when they move house, change jobs, start a family etc.
The Government has announced rail fares will be frozen. Good!
But that doesn't mean free public transport would be a good idea.
Here's why.
www.freewheeling.info/blog/why-fre...
But that doesn't mean free public transport would be a good idea.
Here's why.
www.freewheeling.info/blog/why-fre...
Why Free Public Transport is a Bad Idea — Freewheeling
Free public transport must be a great idea, right? It’ll get people out of their cars and helps low income families with the cost of living. I hate to be a party pooper, but it’s a thoroughly bad id...
www.freewheeling.info
November 24, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Fully agree with Thomas that universal free public transport is something that only matters to people that use PT already.
When to make it free / discounts is for life events, get people to change their habits when they move house, change jobs, start a family etc.
When to make it free / discounts is for life events, get people to change their habits when they move house, change jobs, start a family etc.
I gave up drinking over ten years ago. This resonates. I don't mind talking about it but it's a bit much when it's people I've just met.
Business events: have a good non alcohol option. Don't make me have to go and find it. Then find it's a cheap soft drink when you're doing alcoholic cocktails.
Business events: have a good non alcohol option. Don't make me have to go and find it. Then find it's a cheap soft drink when you're doing alcoholic cocktails.
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 24, 2025 at 6:22 AM
I gave up drinking over ten years ago. This resonates. I don't mind talking about it but it's a bit much when it's people I've just met.
Business events: have a good non alcohol option. Don't make me have to go and find it. Then find it's a cheap soft drink when you're doing alcoholic cocktails.
Business events: have a good non alcohol option. Don't make me have to go and find it. Then find it's a cheap soft drink when you're doing alcoholic cocktails.
So prescriptions are like fuel duty, it's described as saving money if a planned increase isn't happening.
Also: shouldn't we look at reforming who gets free prescriptions? (I get free prescription for everything because I have an under active thyroid but could easily pay for it)
Also: shouldn't we look at reforming who gets free prescriptions? (I get free prescription for everything because I have an under active thyroid but could easily pay for it)
Uk government freezes prescription charges for another year
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Chancellor freezes charges to keep prescriptions under a tenner
The Chancellor is extending the freeze on NHS prescription charges next year to keep prescriptions under a tenner, saving patients around £12 million next year.
www.gov.uk
November 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
So prescriptions are like fuel duty, it's described as saving money if a planned increase isn't happening.
Also: shouldn't we look at reforming who gets free prescriptions? (I get free prescription for everything because I have an under active thyroid but could easily pay for it)
Also: shouldn't we look at reforming who gets free prescriptions? (I get free prescription for everything because I have an under active thyroid but could easily pay for it)
Really unsure of this - it feels like a lot of British / Birmingham culture - feels like a fake reference the past without thinking about what makes us good now.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
‘A modern-day Colosseum’: Birmingham City unveil 62,000-capacity stadium plans
Birmingham City’s stadium is planned to feature 12 chimney-like towers and club chair Tom Wagner sees it as ‘a beacon for excellence’
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Really unsure of this - it feels like a lot of British / Birmingham culture - feels like a fake reference the past without thinking about what makes us good now.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by John Paddington
So I realize this is a set up to a pun but also I can never resist an opportunity to talk about sheep. Yes, about 10% of rams are gay. They will not breed ewes, they prefer the company of other rams. There are not, AFAIK, equally well-studied lesbian ewes.
There SO MUCH going on in this lovely story. But the stickler in me wants to know if these sheep are truly, exclusively gay. After all, they might be baaa-sexual.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/fashio...
www.washingtonpost.com/style/fashio...
I love your sweater. Is it made from gay sheep wool?
Grindr partnered with Rainbow Wool and designer Michael Schmidt to create a fashion show featuring clothing made entirely from the wool of gay sheep. Wait, what?
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
So I realize this is a set up to a pun but also I can never resist an opportunity to talk about sheep. Yes, about 10% of rams are gay. They will not breed ewes, they prefer the company of other rams. There are not, AFAIK, equally well-studied lesbian ewes.
As always breaking the law as a car driver gets treated with minimal seriousness.
I don't think a sticker from the police saying it's 'not allowed' highlights the dangers of pavement parking to drivers.
I think it highlights to drivers that they can do something that's not allowed, with full knowledge of the police, and face zero consequences.
I think it highlights to drivers that they can do something that's not allowed, with full knowledge of the police, and face zero consequences.
November 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
As always breaking the law as a car driver gets treated with minimal seriousness.
This is very good. There's a lot to think about here.
I particularly like the bit about internet based service contracts. Renewals should give the best price possible up-front, no threatening to cancel.
(I say that as Adobe just gave me 3 months free as I went in to cancel...)
I particularly like the bit about internet based service contracts. Renewals should give the best price possible up-front, no threatening to cancel.
(I say that as Adobe just gave me 3 months free as I went in to cancel...)
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:23 AM
This is very good. There's a lot to think about here.
I particularly like the bit about internet based service contracts. Renewals should give the best price possible up-front, no threatening to cancel.
(I say that as Adobe just gave me 3 months free as I went in to cancel...)
I particularly like the bit about internet based service contracts. Renewals should give the best price possible up-front, no threatening to cancel.
(I say that as Adobe just gave me 3 months free as I went in to cancel...)
Reposted by John Paddington
Not only are people not reading newspapers, they are not reading full stop. You need someone who gets that space.
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/playing-po...
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/playing-po...
November 17, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Not only are people not reading newspapers, they are not reading full stop. You need someone who gets that space.
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/playing-po...
www.joxleywrites.jmoxley.co.uk/p/playing-po...
Reposted by John Paddington
Pope Leo absolutely cooking
November 16, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Pope Leo absolutely cooking
Classic train announcement: shutters broken at Olton station, so you can get off there but you can't leave the station (Hotel California style??)
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
November 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Classic train announcement: shutters broken at Olton station, so you can get off there but you can't leave the station (Hotel California style??)
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
Reposted by John Paddington
Said this a lot before, but there is no politician conveying any sense of what they think the country should look in 2040 or 2050, so no sense they are taking steps to get there.
Good test of how UK politics at least is failing, there isn't a single frontline politician with a convincing big picture view of the country. Nostalgia, simplism, and warm words will have to do instead.
November 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Said this a lot before, but there is no politician conveying any sense of what they think the country should look in 2040 or 2050, so no sense they are taking steps to get there.
I do like this idea for non critical applications but the big question is how physical and cyber secure is the data centre?
Incredible story!
And before anyone comments... N.b. the mini data centre in question is *not* running AI.
"they swapped their gas boiler for a HeatHub – a small data centre containing more than 500 computers."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
And before anyone comments... N.b. the mini data centre in question is *not* running AI.
"they swapped their gas boiler for a HeatHub – a small data centre containing more than 500 computers."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'I heat my Essex home with a data centre in the shed'
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I do like this idea for non critical applications but the big question is how physical and cyber secure is the data centre?
Forget immigration, this is one of the things that will decide the next election (as it's a symbol of national decline). Yet does it get any serious attention in the media or by politicians?
There really should not be "more stories like this".
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Forget immigration, this is one of the things that will decide the next election (as it's a symbol of national decline). Yet does it get any serious attention in the media or by politicians?
Remember LLMs only predict what to do based on what data they've been fed. The fact that it is will do this is symptomatic of our wider attitudes to ethics.
An Amazon-backed AI model tried to blackmail engineers who threatened to shut it down, a safety report revealed
In tests, Anthropic's Claude Opus 4 would resort to "extremely harmful actions" to preserve its own existence
In tests, Anthropic's Claude Opus 4 would resort to "extremely harmful actions" to preserve its own existence
Amazon-Backed AI Model Would Try To Blackmail Engineers Who Threatened To Take It Offline
In tests, Anthropic's Claude Opus 4 would resort to "extremely harmful actions" to preserve its own existence, a safety report revealed.
www.huffpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Remember LLMs only predict what to do based on what data they've been fed. The fact that it is will do this is symptomatic of our wider attitudes to ethics.
This poses a big question in the world of climate change resilience: how can we ensure bus services are accessible if the bus stop is flooded.
Bus travel to/from scenic Bournville Lane will involve additional complications this morning.
Bring wellies.
Bring wellies.
November 15, 2025 at 8:49 AM
This poses a big question in the world of climate change resilience: how can we ensure bus services are accessible if the bus stop is flooded.