Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Thomas Wilson

@thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social

110 followers 140 following 26 posts

Senior Policy Officer (Financial Hardship) at the Greater London Authority - currently re-deployed to work on Devolution, Funding, and Reform | #Acton born and bred | #Arsenal | personal account, all views my own

Videos

Thomas Wilson was a 20th-century British economist, who spoke out strongly against the introduction of the poll tax in Britain.

Source: Wikipedia

Engineering 31%

Environmental science 18%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · 9d

You may be thinking of Child Benefit (which does have a high income threshold incidentally). The Two Child Limit restricts support for children through Universal Credit, which is income based.

Reposted by Thomas Wilson, Alison Phipps

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 22d

What’s happening in Gaza is a genocide.

2 310 970

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · 23d

Love the suggestion that this guy will never work in politics again and his career is effectively over. Let's see how that prediction works out eh.

1 16

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · 23d

This is like saying 'I miss Bill Hicks. There are those on the left who think American imperialism is ultimately to blame for conflicts in the Middle East'. Has he ever watched Norm Macdonald?

Reposted by Thomas Wilson, Lesley A. Hall, Tim Hitchcock

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 24d

We must unite against those who seek to divide us.

I know many people, particularly from London's diverse communities, are feeling extremely worried following the events this weekend.

It takes me back to how I felt growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, when
far-right political parties marched on our streets.

The leaders of the far-right are once again attempting to hijack our flag, with minorities being intimidated and fear, hatred and division being sown.

As Londoners, and as proud Brits, we must unite to reject the far-right
– just as we have many times before.

But it’s going to take a huge effort from us all – from people of all races and backgrounds, who are willing to stand up for our British values of equality, inclusion and mutual respect.

As Mayor, I'll continue to do everything I can to challenge the far-right and all those who peddle the politics of fear and division.

I urge other politicians and Londoners to do the same.

MAYOR OF LONDON, SADIQ KHAN

630 2.6K

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Aug 24

I'm always really happy to see you're on, it's always a great ep

Reposted by Thomas Wilson, Tom Shakespeare

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · Aug 13

Some politicians and political commentators try to talk down and denigrate our capital. I wrote for @bylinetimes.bsky.social on why the false image they peddle is not the London I know and millions love:

‘These People Can’t Stand What London Represents… It Makes a Mockery of their Entire Worldview’

Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, addresses the increasing number of claims by those in the media and politics of the capital city’s apparent decline

bylinetimes.com

14 73 330

Reposted by Thomas Wilson

Mark McGeoghegan @markmcgeoghegan.bsky.social · Aug 12

Who could possibly have seen this coming?

It's akin to the M&S 'trans' employee complaint, entirely predicated on the complainant's belief that because the employee was tall they must be trans.

‘I’ve been spat on’: gender non-conforming women tell of toilet abuse in aftermath of supreme court ruling

Support groups report that women and non-binary people are increasingly being challenged in toilets and changing facilities – but others call it scaremongering

www.theguardian.com

2 33 80

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Jul 23

Feels like with the UK's response to the genocide in Gaza we are moving into stage 3 of the 4 stage strategy.

Yes, Prime Minister - Foreign Office Crisis Management - the four stages

YouTube video by John Doe

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Thomas Wilson

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · Jul 10

I welcome the Deputy Prime Minister ushering in a new era of devolution ⬇️

Landmark Devolution Bill brings new dawn of regional power

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill delivers on manifesto commitment to de-centralise power and ignite regional growth with powers for mayors.

www.gov.uk

1 5 49

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Jul 7

I think any evaluation of them as a programme would be tricky as boroughs all use them in very different ways, even within London there's a lot of variation. Would probably have to be borough by borough, or looking at different 'models' of how to use them.

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Jun 5

Always nice to see an article which has started with the Principal Skinner 'am I out of touch?' meme as a first draft and just gone from there.

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Jun 2

These things do annoy me because just putting responses next to each other like this tells you exactly nothing. The key question is 'how many people said they wanted defence spending to go up, but didn't want taxes or cuts to pay for it'. Suspect it's quite a bit lower than this implies.

Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley.bsky.social · Jun 2

Everything you need to know about the British voting public

Reposted by Thomas Wilson

Robert Shrimsley @robertshrimsley.bsky.social · Jun 2

Everything you need to know about the British voting public

97 200 850

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Apr 25

The screenshot in the post you are replying to...

An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment | EHRC

www.equalityhumanrights.com

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Apr 25

This guidance literally tells them who can and cannot be in their groups, that's the problem.

1 3

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Apr 22

I can't say I've had a lot of time for Starmer but good lord, even I expected better than this. A real nadir, retreating on his previously stated views the moment it became even the slightest bit contentious to hold them. Spineless, pointless, heartless cruelty.

Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · Apr 22

Asked if Keir Starmer still believes that a trans woman is a woman, his spokesman replies "no".

Says that trans women must now use men's bathrooms

1 11

Reposted by Thomas Wilson

Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · Apr 22

Asked if Keir Starmer still believes that a trans woman is a woman, his spokesman replies "no".

Says that trans women must now use men's bathrooms

220 93 380

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Apr 17

It's also a symptom of the last 5 years and the decline of political journalism/commentary. Why are they talking about the hypothetical result of an election that will take place in 4 YEARS time as if it's happening next month? They're just not equipped to talk about politics anymore.

2 2

Reposted by Thomas Wilson, Katy Jones

Craig Berry @craigpberry.bsky.social · Mar 11

Looking ahead to the disability benefits green paper, this essay for @citizensadvice.bsky.social makes the case for a system focused on improving health outcomes.

Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton

We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵

9 140 330

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Mar 7

Certainly paints his sudden run of interviews critical of Farage in a different light if all this stuff was rumbling on in the background and he knew it was coming out soon.

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Feb 27

Also seems bizarre how much quibbling is going on over variations on the policy which are barely cheaper than just getting rid of it. Even a three child limit, a joke policy you would make up to satire centrist approaches to policymaking, still costs 2/3rds of just scrapping it entirely.

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Feb 11

I agree, it's a positive sign. It would be great to see this long term, with employment support services embedded in community settings. 'Bringing support to people where they are' is an approach that LAs are increasingly taking, hopefully this is a sign Govt. is following suit!

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Feb 9

I'd be interested in the extent that Cummings actually 'masterminded' it (doubtful imo), or whether it was a more a case of a right place right time situation where a whole host of people's interests aligned. A really mad period, so much really dodgy stuff memory holed.

1 1

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Jan 31

Really interesting and comprehensive as always. I would also throw No Recourse to Public Funds conditions into the mix, this is a major driver of families needing to be housed in temporary accomodation in London.

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Dec 15

No you don't understand, THIS airstrike would have been the one that changed everything!

1 2

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Dec 12

I think that criticism is very fair, I guess the concern is 'are they actually going to build that social housing'.

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Dec 4

There's also the fact that most of the people decrying 'bad comms' and mystified at why the Government is 'allowing' things to 'become the story' would be the first to tell you that no one tells our brave independent press what they can write about.

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Nov 27

I use it a tonne and I've only had a problem a couple of times over the last few years. The problems tend to happen on the western side of the line since TfL doesn't own the track and overhead lines there. There was this deal earlier in the year, maybe it'll bear fruit!

£140m rail plan to tackle Elizabeth line and Great Western problems

Network Rail vows to restore order in 18 months with action including devices to identify faults and new overhead wires

www.theguardian.com

Thomas Wilson @thomaswilsonuk.bsky.social · Nov 25

Maybe I'm missing something obvious in the assisted dying debate, but I'm surprised so much of the discussion is focusing on hospice/pallative care. Surely the dire state of social care is the much greater concern? Many more cases of MCA not being followed or coercion happening surely?