Jennifer Churchill
@redjen.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Economics UWE Bristol; macro, finance (especially pensions) and also philosophy. Previously dabbled in politics, policy, public affairs
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Minor point. But this is the OBR saying that the briefing about income tax being dropped because of improved forecasts is bollocks.
November 26, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Minor point. But this is the OBR saying that the briefing about income tax being dropped because of improved forecasts is bollocks.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
As expected, and as the IMF recommended, Reeves says the OBR will now only assess the public finances against the fiscal rules once a year, at the Budget - to avoid the kind of mad scramble ahead of the Spring statement that led to the botched welfare reforms.
November 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
As expected, and as the IMF recommended, Reeves says the OBR will now only assess the public finances against the fiscal rules once a year, at the Budget - to avoid the kind of mad scramble ahead of the Spring statement that led to the botched welfare reforms.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
'Science minister Patrick Vallance has rejected concerns that focusing on “doing fewer things better” in research will lead to funding being concentrated in larger research-intensive universities from the Russell Group.' 1/3
Post-16 plan ‘not recipe for Russell Group domination’ – Vallance
Science minister dismisses as ‘bizarre’ fears that government push for ‘teaching-only’ specialists will further concentrate research activity in small number of institutions
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
'Science minister Patrick Vallance has rejected concerns that focusing on “doing fewer things better” in research will lead to funding being concentrated in larger research-intensive universities from the Russell Group.' 1/3
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
"Unlike continental nonsense, analytic philosophy is clear and intelligible"
November 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
"Unlike continental nonsense, analytic philosophy is clear and intelligible"
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
My pre-budget take for the LSE Politics blog is up:
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Wealth tax and looser fiscal rules won’t save the Budget | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The narrative on the left that a wealth tax and looser fiscal rules would solve the Chancellor's 2025 Budget headaches has got out of hand.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
My pre-budget take for the LSE Politics blog is up:
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose.
Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases.
Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
This stuff really boils my piss.
It's a long time since I had my kids but the range of things that can go wrong in childbirth is very very large. Why you'd go down this route is a total mystery to me
It's a long time since I had my kids but the range of things that can go wrong in childbirth is very very large. Why you'd go down this route is a total mystery to me
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
As Esau Lopez was asphyxiated for the first 17 minutes of his life on Earth, the atmosphere in the room remained serene, even ecstatic. Acoustic music crooned from a speaker in a modest two-bedroom apartment in a suburb of Pennsylvania. “You are a queen,” murmured one of three friends in the room.
Only Esau’s mother, Gabrielle Lopez, felt something was wrong. She was pushing hard, but her son would not be born. “Can you help [him] out?” she asked, as Esau crowned. “Baby is coming,” the friend replied. Four minutes later, Lopez asked again, “Can you grab [him]?” Another friend murmured, “Baby is safe.” Six minutes passed. Again, Lopez asked, “Can you grab [him]?” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:13 AM
This stuff really boils my piss.
It's a long time since I had my kids but the range of things that can go wrong in childbirth is very very large. Why you'd go down this route is a total mystery to me
It's a long time since I had my kids but the range of things that can go wrong in childbirth is very very large. Why you'd go down this route is a total mystery to me
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
November 21, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
This is just insane for a number of reasons. Why is it the responsibility of ethnic minorities to ask “what is the cause of our division”? Who the hell thinks this is a good stance to hold?
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood made more explicit her argument that when ethnic minorities face racism, "we have no choice but to ask: what is the cause of our division"
Her answer is the level of net migration, 2019-23 causes racism. (She on Monday said it was caused by the scale of asylum)
Her answer is the level of net migration, 2019-23 causes racism. (She on Monday said it was caused by the scale of asylum)
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This is just insane for a number of reasons. Why is it the responsibility of ethnic minorities to ask “what is the cause of our division”? Who the hell thinks this is a good stance to hold?
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
True. One reason for this is that the issue is wrongly framed as one of needing to raise money, when in fact the issue is how to cut consumer spending so as to release real resources for public spending & investment.
November 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
True. One reason for this is that the issue is wrongly framed as one of needing to raise money, when in fact the issue is how to cut consumer spending so as to release real resources for public spending & investment.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
🚨 BREAKING: Kent County Council is hurtling towards financial oblivion under Reform.
A shocking new council report reveals a projected budget black hole of £46.5 million for this year. The Reform Administration has completely lost control of our finances. 🔶
A shocking new council report reveals a projected budget black hole of £46.5 million for this year. The Reform Administration has completely lost control of our finances. 🔶
November 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM
🚨 BREAKING: Kent County Council is hurtling towards financial oblivion under Reform.
A shocking new council report reveals a projected budget black hole of £46.5 million for this year. The Reform Administration has completely lost control of our finances. 🔶
A shocking new council report reveals a projected budget black hole of £46.5 million for this year. The Reform Administration has completely lost control of our finances. 🔶
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Did the bombshell BBC memo misquote the misquote? on.ft.com/4oZZJfN
Did the bombshell BBC memo misquote the misquote?
Wording used by Michael Prescott was itself an edit of Trump’s actual words
on.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Did the bombshell BBC memo misquote the misquote? on.ft.com/4oZZJfN
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Burnham says UK would benefit from new approach to growth and politics he's promoting in Manchester - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Burnham says UK would benefit from new approach to growth and politics he's promoting in Manchester - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Good letter from @youellog.bsky.social responding to this. www.ft.com/content/244c...
Letter: Banks waste far too much on payouts to shareholders
From Simon Youel, Head of Policy & Advocacy, Positive Money; Visiting Research Fellow, University of Manchester, UK
www.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Good letter from @youellog.bsky.social responding to this. www.ft.com/content/244c...
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
Not great news for decarbonising freight…. on.ft.com/4opqI3v Channel Tunnel owner cancels UK rail projects over rise in business rates
Channel Tunnel owner cancels UK rail projects over rise in business rates
Eurotunnel said expected tripling of levy makes planned freight investments untenable
on.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Not great news for decarbonising freight…. on.ft.com/4opqI3v Channel Tunnel owner cancels UK rail projects over rise in business rates
Interesting move, with support from
Greater Manchester Pension Fund on.ft.com/480BHtL Greater Manchester to launch £1bn public investment fund
Greater Manchester Pension Fund on.ft.com/480BHtL Greater Manchester to launch £1bn public investment fund
Greater Manchester to launch £1bn public investment fund
City region aims to capitalise on sustained economic growth with first fund of its kind
on.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Interesting move, with support from
Greater Manchester Pension Fund on.ft.com/480BHtL Greater Manchester to launch £1bn public investment fund
Greater Manchester Pension Fund on.ft.com/480BHtL Greater Manchester to launch £1bn public investment fund
Fantastic news!
We’re delighted to appoint Dr Daniella Jenkins as our new Executive Director. She joins us from the University of Bristol and brings experience in feminism, economic policy and design.
Dr Daniella Jenkins will start in Spring 2026, and Dr Sara Reis will act as Director until then.
Dr Daniella Jenkins will start in Spring 2026, and Dr Sara Reis will act as Director until then.
November 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Fantastic news!
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Danish Social democrats suffered a massive defeat in Copenhagen last night. They incurred similar defeats across the country and there will be a general election in the next year. In Copenhagen the far-left Enhedslisten (the unity list) won the most mandates followed by the socialist people's party.
November 19, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Danish Social democrats suffered a massive defeat in Copenhagen last night. They incurred similar defeats across the country and there will be a general election in the next year. In Copenhagen the far-left Enhedslisten (the unity list) won the most mandates followed by the socialist people's party.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
I’ll just leave this here.
November 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I’ll just leave this here.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Very senior economist speaks out against Summers and against the discipline continuing to bestow privileges and honors on him; calls out sexism in economics.
You'd think this site should be flooded with similar threads...
You'd think this site should be flooded with similar threads...
1/ Egalitarianism should begin at home. I link to this article by @bencasselman.bsky.social in light of the communications between Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein that have just been released. The released emails and the fact of friendship are vile.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
For Women in Economics, the Hostility Is Out in the Open (Published 2021)
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Very senior economist speaks out against Summers and against the discipline continuing to bestow privileges and honors on him; calls out sexism in economics.
You'd think this site should be flooded with similar threads...
You'd think this site should be flooded with similar threads...
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
1/ Egalitarianism should begin at home. I link to this article by @bencasselman.bsky.social in light of the communications between Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein that have just been released. The released emails and the fact of friendship are vile.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
For Women in Economics, the Hostility Is Out in the Open (Published 2021)
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
1/ Egalitarianism should begin at home. I link to this article by @bencasselman.bsky.social in light of the communications between Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein that have just been released. The released emails and the fact of friendship are vile.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/b...
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Interviewer: Can you explain this gap in your resume?
Bertrand Russell: I spent months staring at a blank piece of paper.
Bertrand Russell: I spent months staring at a blank piece of paper.
Interviewer: Can you explain this gap in your resume?
Historian: That page was burned in the Library of Alexandria, and no modern copies survive.
Historian: That page was burned in the Library of Alexandria, and no modern copies survive.
November 15, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Interviewer: Can you explain this gap in your resume?
Bertrand Russell: I spent months staring at a blank piece of paper.
Bertrand Russell: I spent months staring at a blank piece of paper.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Very bad day for gilts. There's been a few this year.
Nowhere near as bad as Truss era ofc, but I think that insane time has skewed our perception.
For instance, a rise in 30yr yields such as happened today only happened once in 10 years pre-COVID.
And not once during the 10 years to late 2008.
Nowhere near as bad as Truss era ofc, but I think that insane time has skewed our perception.
For instance, a rise in 30yr yields such as happened today only happened once in 10 years pre-COVID.
And not once during the 10 years to late 2008.
November 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Very bad day for gilts. There's been a few this year.
Nowhere near as bad as Truss era ofc, but I think that insane time has skewed our perception.
For instance, a rise in 30yr yields such as happened today only happened once in 10 years pre-COVID.
And not once during the 10 years to late 2008.
Nowhere near as bad as Truss era ofc, but I think that insane time has skewed our perception.
For instance, a rise in 30yr yields such as happened today only happened once in 10 years pre-COVID.
And not once during the 10 years to late 2008.
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
Reposted by Jennifer Churchill
7,261 elderly/vulnerable people in care homes given ‘notice to quit’.
Major reason: "revenge evictions’. people “threatened with eviction as a result of raising a complaint"
Care homes are mostly in the private sector, owned by corporations and private equity, profit margins of up to 40%.
Major reason: "revenge evictions’. people “threatened with eviction as a result of raising a complaint"
Care homes are mostly in the private sector, owned by corporations and private equity, profit margins of up to 40%.
Revealed: Thousands of elderly people evicted from care homes every year
Thousands of elderly and vulnerable people have received eviction notices from their care homes in the last year, the Big Issue has found.
www.bigissue.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:43 AM
7,261 elderly/vulnerable people in care homes given ‘notice to quit’.
Major reason: "revenge evictions’. people “threatened with eviction as a result of raising a complaint"
Care homes are mostly in the private sector, owned by corporations and private equity, profit margins of up to 40%.
Major reason: "revenge evictions’. people “threatened with eviction as a result of raising a complaint"
Care homes are mostly in the private sector, owned by corporations and private equity, profit margins of up to 40%.