Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
@robertwoolley.bsky.social
Cynical mid-50 something -Gen X'er. British/English/Irish 48er. Personal politics complex. Undiagnosed Aspergers. Transport person who became a software dev in late 40s.
Brent, London/Dublin/Kilkenny/ASEAN. (But mainly Brent).
Blocks arseholes.
Brent, London/Dublin/Kilkenny/ASEAN. (But mainly Brent).
Blocks arseholes.
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
One of my biggest fears is how the toughening up of restrictions directed at the many tens of thousands of people on Health and Care visas (both for extensions and settlement) will see increases in undocumented people. Instead of helping them, they are being demonised.
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:17 AM
One of my biggest fears is how the toughening up of restrictions directed at the many tens of thousands of people on Health and Care visas (both for extensions and settlement) will see increases in undocumented people. Instead of helping them, they are being demonised.
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
- A 100,000 drop in net migration costs us £7bn
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
ICYMI...
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
Thirty years ago, an entire section of the Northern line had to be replaced because it was under attack from acid, and hardly anyone noticed that it was happening.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 11:26 AM
ICYMI...
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
Nus Ghani MP - the Deputy Speaker - moved to the UK as a small child. She has been elected by the voters in Wealden in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2024
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
November 26, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Nus Ghani MP - the Deputy Speaker - moved to the UK as a small child. She has been elected by the voters in Wealden in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2024
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
University fee rates announced for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Note that foundation years have had their fees frozen (to choke them off?)
www.gov.uk/government/p...
@samfr.bsky.social
www.gov.uk/government/p...
@samfr.bsky.social
Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year and 2027 to 2028 academic year
www.gov.uk
November 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
University fee rates announced for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Note that foundation years have had their fees frozen (to choke them off?)
www.gov.uk/government/p...
@samfr.bsky.social
www.gov.uk/government/p...
@samfr.bsky.social
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
I'm continuing my tour of places the DfT, HM Treasury & SoS for Transport decided to leave behind, by cancelling Midland Mainline Electrification. Today I'm in Leicester, home of modern rail leisure travel (Thomas Cook). Leicester Mercury article:
www.pressreader.com/uk/leicester...
www.pressreader.com/uk/leicester...
November 27, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I'm continuing my tour of places the DfT, HM Treasury & SoS for Transport decided to leave behind, by cancelling Midland Mainline Electrification. Today I'm in Leicester, home of modern rail leisure travel (Thomas Cook). Leicester Mercury article:
www.pressreader.com/uk/leicester...
www.pressreader.com/uk/leicester...
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
The predictable crushing uniformity of the coverage of this Budget tells you an awful lot about the priorities of those papers, and also why there's actually quite a lot to praise in it bylinetimes.com/2025/11/26/t...
November 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The predictable crushing uniformity of the coverage of this Budget tells you an awful lot about the priorities of those papers, and also why there's actually quite a lot to praise in it bylinetimes.com/2025/11/26/t...
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
ooh do we have an american-free zone today?
November 27, 2025 at 10:52 AM
ooh do we have an american-free zone today?
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
In 30years I have never been this upset with the continued words coming out of Govt
This includes a plethora of Tory Health Secretaries
I am not part of BMA leadership, just a GP who gives up his time freely to advocate for patients, the NHS & make sure the facts are correct
This includes a plethora of Tory Health Secretaries
I am not part of BMA leadership, just a GP who gives up his time freely to advocate for patients, the NHS & make sure the facts are correct
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
In 30years I have never been this upset with the continued words coming out of Govt
This includes a plethora of Tory Health Secretaries
I am not part of BMA leadership, just a GP who gives up his time freely to advocate for patients, the NHS & make sure the facts are correct
This includes a plethora of Tory Health Secretaries
I am not part of BMA leadership, just a GP who gives up his time freely to advocate for patients, the NHS & make sure the facts are correct
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
A round of applause for the French is in order! 👏👏👏
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
A round of applause for the French is in order! 👏👏👏
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
This ill-conceived sign is one of the worst in the world
Capitals are aggressive, harder to read and just HORRIBLE to look at, a mixture of upper and lower case is also undesirable
Split the legend before ‘THE’ and there would be a massive saving on materials too
Capitals are aggressive, harder to read and just HORRIBLE to look at, a mixture of upper and lower case is also undesirable
Split the legend before ‘THE’ and there would be a massive saving on materials too
November 27, 2025 at 10:41 AM
This ill-conceived sign is one of the worst in the world
Capitals are aggressive, harder to read and just HORRIBLE to look at, a mixture of upper and lower case is also undesirable
Split the legend before ‘THE’ and there would be a massive saving on materials too
Capitals are aggressive, harder to read and just HORRIBLE to look at, a mixture of upper and lower case is also undesirable
Split the legend before ‘THE’ and there would be a massive saving on materials too
Big opportunity for China.
In the long term, aid cuts could shock African policymakers out of complacency. But in the short term there will be pain in the poorest African countries, and for the most vulnerable Africans. Read more in The World Ahead
Aid cuts mean a new era in international development
The impact of Donald Trump’s aid cuts will be felt across Africa in 2026. Rough estimates suggest 1m lives could be at risk globally
econ.st
November 27, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Big opportunity for China.
Labour is more left-wing than you might think.
Resolution Foundation analysis of the Chancellor's Budget:
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
Typical families gain approximately £230 from energy bill support, fuel duty & rail fare measures.
Scrapping two-child benefit limit helps over half a million families by an average of £5,000.
The Budget is progressive overall, RF finds.
November 27, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Labour is more left-wing than you might think.
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
I've said this a thousand times before, but Dutch really is the finest of languages
The Dutch word for a seesaw is "wipwap"
As ever, do with this information what you will
As ever, do with this information what you will
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM
I've said this a thousand times before, but Dutch really is the finest of languages
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
Net migration to the UK dropped sharply to 204,000 in the year to June, new figures show
That's a drop from 649,000 in the year to June 2024, and a drop of nearly 80% from the peak in 2023
(ONS)
That's a drop from 649,000 in the year to June 2024, and a drop of nearly 80% from the peak in 2023
(ONS)
November 27, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Net migration to the UK dropped sharply to 204,000 in the year to June, new figures show
That's a drop from 649,000 in the year to June 2024, and a drop of nearly 80% from the peak in 2023
(ONS)
That's a drop from 649,000 in the year to June 2024, and a drop of nearly 80% from the peak in 2023
(ONS)
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
A solicitor, Andrew Milne has been bullying leaseholders across Sheffield into paying him extraordinary sums, with no legal basis.
Why hasn't the SRA stopped him? Because he's conducted an extraordinary campaign against the SRA. 180 complaints. Two judicial reviews.
More here: buff.ly/LmLVegM
Why hasn't the SRA stopped him? Because he's conducted an extraordinary campaign against the SRA. 180 complaints. Two judicial reviews.
More here: buff.ly/LmLVegM
SRA urged to take action as we reveal solicitor has ‘purposely frustrated’ investigation
Solicitor Andrew Jonathan Milne delayed an official investigation into his alleged professional misconduct by overwhelming the regulator with complaints and threatening them with two injunctions se…
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM
A solicitor, Andrew Milne has been bullying leaseholders across Sheffield into paying him extraordinary sums, with no legal basis.
Why hasn't the SRA stopped him? Because he's conducted an extraordinary campaign against the SRA. 180 complaints. Two judicial reviews.
More here: buff.ly/LmLVegM
Why hasn't the SRA stopped him? Because he's conducted an extraordinary campaign against the SRA. 180 complaints. Two judicial reviews.
More here: buff.ly/LmLVegM
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
I can’t we’re in like day four of the “was a openly racist sixty year old also a racist when he was younger?” discourse
November 27, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I can’t we’re in like day four of the “was a openly racist sixty year old also a racist when he was younger?” discourse
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
Such snowflakes!
‘Is Nigel Farage a Russian asset?’
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
November 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Such snowflakes!
But Doom Loop according to Alex Brunner.
JPMorgan to build huge new tower in London's Canary Wharf reut.rs/4pnBV5X
JPMorgan to build huge new tower in London's Canary Wharf
JPMorgan said on Thursday it would build a huge new tower in the Canary Wharf financial district in East London, committing billions of pounds to Britain on the heels of a closely watched UK budget that has sought to reassure investors of the nation's finances.
reut.rs
November 27, 2025 at 9:50 AM
But Doom Loop according to Alex Brunner.
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
November 27, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
1/5 It was entirely predictable that The Telegraph would jump on @DavidOlusoga’s Empire series to fight its right wing culture war for control of our public history. Let’s see what they’ve done:
November 27, 2025 at 8:28 AM
1/5 It was entirely predictable that The Telegraph would jump on @DavidOlusoga’s Empire series to fight its right wing culture war for control of our public history. Let’s see what they’ve done:
Reposted by Robert Woolley 🇬🇧🇮🇪
Pro-tip: when defending yourself against allegations that you used derogatory language, never, under any circumstances, reach for the b-word. Dismissing anything you might have said as 'banter' really is the ultimate red flag.
Nigel Farage's racism denials are dishonest, says ex-classmate
Peter Ettedgui tells the BBC Nigel Farage targeted antisemitic abuse at him when they were teenagers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Pro-tip: when defending yourself against allegations that you used derogatory language, never, under any circumstances, reach for the b-word. Dismissing anything you might have said as 'banter' really is the ultimate red flag.
Didn't Alex Brunner say Truss' budget was the best thing since sliced bread?
How do trees speed up anything? Does a loop have speed anyway?
November 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Didn't Alex Brunner say Truss' budget was the best thing since sliced bread?
Very popular in the capital of Bahrain.
Today is the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Mahna Mahna on Sesame Street. You’re familiar with it by now, of course, but... well, it never hurts to be reminded, does it?
Sesame Street - Mahna Mahna (1969)
YouTube video by Tiny Dancer
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Very popular in the capital of Bahrain.
Yup. UK Personal Finance YouTube is now full of ragebait videos from people I would otherwise respect.
Labour will get beaten up over everything and anything. Might as well go balls to the wall and rip the plaster off.
Labour will get beaten up over everything and anything. Might as well go balls to the wall and rip the plaster off.
Serious howls of outrage in the media this morning at what is a relatively modest Budget from Labour that does nothing more than fiddle around the margins.
It does highlight the missed opportunity. If you’re going to get this reaction anyway, why not at least get it for attempting a big swing?
It does highlight the missed opportunity. If you’re going to get this reaction anyway, why not at least get it for attempting a big swing?
November 27, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Yup. UK Personal Finance YouTube is now full of ragebait videos from people I would otherwise respect.
Labour will get beaten up over everything and anything. Might as well go balls to the wall and rip the plaster off.
Labour will get beaten up over everything and anything. Might as well go balls to the wall and rip the plaster off.