Sam Alvis
@samalvis.bsky.social
South West native, currently AD of Climate, Energy @IPPR - Climate/Econ policy (views mine)
Green industrial strategy | Bazball | @BristolBears
Green industrial strategy | Bazball | @BristolBears
Such nostalgia for the days of opposition policy development when time for a rethink is a sufficient position
When we said NATO wasn't working we were derided.
When we said a nuclear weapons system relying on the US is dangerous we were called stupid.
The truth is the establishment are more interested in kissing US feet than keeping the UK safe.
It's time for a rethink.
When we said a nuclear weapons system relying on the US is dangerous we were called stupid.
The truth is the establishment are more interested in kissing US feet than keeping the UK safe.
It's time for a rethink.
January 18, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Such nostalgia for the days of opposition policy development when time for a rethink is a sufficient position
Definitely worth a subscribe to Electrify Britain's new substack
"Ignore the noise. Electrification is the only thing that matters." open.substack.com/pub/electric...
"Ignore the noise. Electrification is the only thing that matters." open.substack.com/pub/electric...
Ignore the noise. Electrification is the only thing that matters.
Why the politics of energy keeps missing what actually matters.
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Definitely worth a subscribe to Electrify Britain's new substack
"Ignore the noise. Electrification is the only thing that matters." open.substack.com/pub/electric...
"Ignore the noise. Electrification is the only thing that matters." open.substack.com/pub/electric...
Reposted by Sam Alvis
🚨 | NEW REPORT: Global shocks are exposing how fragile UK supply chains really are - driving up costs across the economy. Our latest analysis shows why resilient clean energy supply chains must be a priority, and what government should do next 👇 www.ippr.org/articles/res...
January 16, 2026 at 8:02 AM
🚨 | NEW REPORT: Global shocks are exposing how fragile UK supply chains really are - driving up costs across the economy. Our latest analysis shows why resilient clean energy supply chains must be a priority, and what government should do next 👇 www.ippr.org/articles/res...
I think it’s less their views or that they’re ex tories more that they look and sound like politicians even if you’ve never heard of them. That is bad for Farage’s brand and argument
Jenrick, Zahawi defecting surely now makes certain that Reform will be running as a small-state, economically right wing party at the next election.
Quite a big shift from the positioning they were flirting with just 12 months ago, and a new potential vulnerability for them.
Quite a big shift from the positioning they were flirting with just 12 months ago, and a new potential vulnerability for them.
Key line in Will Lloyd's piece on Robert Jenrick's sacking: "Jenrick had told friends in recent weeks that he thought Reform lacked a viable economic spokesperson or an eventual shadow chancellor."
Is that the job Jenrick has his eye on?
@willoyd.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/con...
Is that the job Jenrick has his eye on?
@willoyd.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/con...
January 15, 2026 at 7:33 PM
I think it’s less their views or that they’re ex tories more that they look and sound like politicians even if you’ve never heard of them. That is bad for Farage’s brand and argument
Reposted by Sam Alvis
Decarb Donald continues to make fossil fuels uninvestable. First at home and now abroad.
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
Oil prices tumble as fears of US action in Iran ease
Brent crude falls more than 4% as oversupply fears return
www.ft.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Decarb Donald continues to make fossil fuels uninvestable. First at home and now abroad.
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
Decarb Donald continues to make fossil fuels uninvestable. First at home and now abroad.
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
Oil prices tumble as fears of US action in Iran ease
Brent crude falls more than 4% as oversupply fears return
www.ft.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Decarb Donald continues to make fossil fuels uninvestable. First at home and now abroad.
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
www.ft.com/content/9cbf...
Reposted by Sam Alvis
AR7 offshore wind results out. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 14, 2026 at 7:49 AM
AR7 offshore wind results out. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
AR7 offshore wind results out. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 14, 2026 at 7:49 AM
AR7 offshore wind results out. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696686...
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
8.5GW is top of end of what I was expecting and probably right on the line between waiting for costs to (maybe) fall and the supply chain needing certainty. Price of £91mwh is besides what critics will say - good value
For all the new arrivals
If you haven’t yet, use our IPPR starter pack to follow our people.
Catch their latest #HotTakes on the issues that matter most.
go.bsky.app/G58AktH
Catch their latest #HotTakes on the issues that matter most.
go.bsky.app/G58AktH
January 12, 2026 at 9:34 AM
For all the new arrivals
Reposted by Sam Alvis
Finished teaching a new course on energy markets and the clean energy transition last month. Was a blast and have lots of thoughts for next year.
One takeaway is the value of going beyond academic journals/textbooks and incorporating media articles, podcasts, and video. Here's a few we covered... 🧵
One takeaway is the value of going beyond academic journals/textbooks and incorporating media articles, podcasts, and video. Here's a few we covered... 🧵
January 11, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Finished teaching a new course on energy markets and the clean energy transition last month. Was a blast and have lots of thoughts for next year.
One takeaway is the value of going beyond academic journals/textbooks and incorporating media articles, podcasts, and video. Here's a few we covered... 🧵
One takeaway is the value of going beyond academic journals/textbooks and incorporating media articles, podcasts, and video. Here's a few we covered... 🧵
Reposted by Sam Alvis
Yet more evidence of the mismatch between the research system and societal needs....
Industry-funded PhDs decline by 20 per cent in 10 years.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
Industry-funded PhDs decline by 20 per cent in 10 years - Research Professional News
Rise in cost of PhDs for companies shows “complexities of research funding”, NCUB warns
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Yet more evidence of the mismatch between the research system and societal needs....
Boiler broken and three cancelled trains for the 5 week old’s first train home home. But England didn’t lose 10+ wickets in a day. Is that a trade I’m happy with? No comment.
January 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Boiler broken and three cancelled trains for the 5 week old’s first train home home. But England didn’t lose 10+ wickets in a day. Is that a trade I’m happy with? No comment.
Reposted by Sam Alvis
2025
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
December 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
2025
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
2025
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
December 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
2025
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
1) On a Sunbeam 2) Orbital is as good as people say, felt new 3) prophet song awful like truly terrifyingly bleak but incredible. The Need similarly. Wouldn’t advise both close together.
Janesville 2nd best non fiction over ever read
DNF - didn’t finish
NF - non fiction
GN - graphic novel
Who amongst wouldn’t want the chance to write unchallenged hatchet jobs about our opponents / predecessors
I hate how funny I find this
Per @garretthaake.bsky.social, the extremely tacky "presidential wall of fame" that lines the colonnade to the West Wing now has obviously-Trump-penned plaques insulting or praising the presidents.
December 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Who amongst wouldn’t want the chance to write unchallenged hatchet jobs about our opponents / predecessors
Reposted by Sam Alvis
Join our team as:
* Researcher - who will conduct research & analysis in support of projects & workstreams at FGF
* Communications Coordinator - who will devise & deliver communication campaigns to raise the profile, reputation and reach of FGF
More 🔽🔽🔽
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/vacancies/
* Researcher - who will conduct research & analysis in support of projects & workstreams at FGF
* Communications Coordinator - who will devise & deliver communication campaigns to raise the profile, reputation and reach of FGF
More 🔽🔽🔽
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/vacancies/
December 15, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Join our team as:
* Researcher - who will conduct research & analysis in support of projects & workstreams at FGF
* Communications Coordinator - who will devise & deliver communication campaigns to raise the profile, reputation and reach of FGF
More 🔽🔽🔽
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/vacancies/
* Researcher - who will conduct research & analysis in support of projects & workstreams at FGF
* Communications Coordinator - who will devise & deliver communication campaigns to raise the profile, reputation and reach of FGF
More 🔽🔽🔽
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/vacancies/
Reposted by Sam Alvis
It has become received wisdom in Brussels and Washington that there is a new “euro-sclerosis”: that the EU economy is lagging the US
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
December 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
It has become received wisdom in Brussels and Washington that there is a new “euro-sclerosis”: that the EU economy is lagging the US
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
Reposted by Sam Alvis
"there's a new serif in town"
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
"there's a new serif in town"
Reposted by Sam Alvis
Same product. Same store. Same time. But on Instacart, different customers may see different prices.
My story on a fascinating new experiment from @groundwork.bsky.social & @consumerreports.org and how the idea of a single price is breaking down in the digital age:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
My story on a fascinating new experiment from @groundwork.bsky.social & @consumerreports.org and how the idea of a single price is breaking down in the digital age:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Same Product, Same Store, but on Instacart, Prices Might Differ
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Same product. Same store. Same time. But on Instacart, different customers may see different prices.
My story on a fascinating new experiment from @groundwork.bsky.social & @consumerreports.org and how the idea of a single price is breaking down in the digital age:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
My story on a fascinating new experiment from @groundwork.bsky.social & @consumerreports.org and how the idea of a single price is breaking down in the digital age:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Totally agree. The these things go through too many layers of comments and sign off to ever sound natural. And despite the great intent people shut off because you can’t engage with the substance.
This is a great thing for the PM to do.
It reads a bit too much like internal Labour party literature at times- no need for the dividing lines stuff/sloganistic headlines etc in this medium.
But overall it's very positive and look forward to reading more.
open.substack.com/pub/keirstar...
It reads a bit too much like internal Labour party literature at times- no need for the dividing lines stuff/sloganistic headlines etc in this medium.
But overall it's very positive and look forward to reading more.
open.substack.com/pub/keirstar...
Politics that makes a difference
Over half a million children, lifted out of poverty
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Totally agree. The these things go through too many layers of comments and sign off to ever sound natural. And despite the great intent people shut off because you can’t engage with the substance.
Reposted by Sam Alvis
Reposted by Sam Alvis
ENERGY BILLS! Paying for the renewables obligation brings the UK in line with other countries. Early investments in renewables were innovation spending, strange and unfair to get consumers to pay for that.
November 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
ENERGY BILLS! Paying for the renewables obligation brings the UK in line with other countries. Early investments in renewables were innovation spending, strange and unfair to get consumers to pay for that.
OR NOT. Good day for the OBR
November 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM
OR NOT. Good day for the OBR