Andrew Harrop
@andrewharrop.bsky.social
Director at Public First. Former Fabian Society General Secretary (2011-2024). Public policy of work, money, health & care.
https://cradle2grave.substack.com
https://cradle2grave.substack.com
Almost all the tax rises in this Budget are years’ away
But the politics has been so mishandled, that voters and businesses will think they’re being hit now (including blaming Labour for Sunak’s threshold freezes)
on.ft.com/48cCRCz
But the politics has been so mishandled, that voters and businesses will think they’re being hit now (including blaming Labour for Sunak’s threshold freezes)
on.ft.com/48cCRCz
Investors warn Rachel Reeves against delaying fiscal pain in UK Budget
Chancellor has abandoned a planned income tax rise that would have kicked in quickly
on.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Almost all the tax rises in this Budget are years’ away
But the politics has been so mishandled, that voters and businesses will think they’re being hit now (including blaming Labour for Sunak’s threshold freezes)
on.ft.com/48cCRCz
But the politics has been so mishandled, that voters and businesses will think they’re being hit now (including blaming Labour for Sunak’s threshold freezes)
on.ft.com/48cCRCz
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
This is obviously not a comprehensive list and no doubt some people here will know many of the answers. But at the moment it feels like we are being fed folk tales in the place of facts.
November 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
This is obviously not a comprehensive list and no doubt some people here will know many of the answers. But at the moment it feels like we are being fed folk tales in the place of facts.
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
Question on Monday
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
November 15, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Question on Monday
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
So very sad to hear. Rachel was one of the sharpest, funniest, most empathetic and eloquent people I’ve ever known
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM
So very sad to hear. Rachel was one of the sharpest, funniest, most empathetic and eloquent people I’ve ever known
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
🔉What dangers does X pose to our democracy? And should the government stop using it?
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:33 AM
🔉What dangers does X pose to our democracy? And should the government stop using it?
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
Good piece by David Aaronovitch on the Prescott dossier: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The Prescott memo flunks the impartiality test | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Good piece by David Aaronovitch on the Prescott dossier: observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
My purist view on pension salary sacrifice is it should either be UNIVERSAL or BANNED.
It is a very generous tax break that mainly benefits above average earners (employers cant use it if it will take pay below the minimum wage, so it’s a faff in low pay sectors).
It is a very generous tax break that mainly benefits above average earners (employers cant use it if it will take pay below the minimum wage, so it’s a faff in low pay sectors).
Reeves’ salary sacrifice tax hit could dent savers’ confidence, experts warn on.ft.com/4oxRKXa
Reeves’ salary sacrifice tax hit could dent savers’ confidence, experts warn
Treasury plan to cap relief on pension contributions is set to raise £2bn a year
on.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:09 AM
My purist view on pension salary sacrifice is it should either be UNIVERSAL or BANNED.
It is a very generous tax break that mainly benefits above average earners (employers cant use it if it will take pay below the minimum wage, so it’s a faff in low pay sectors).
It is a very generous tax break that mainly benefits above average earners (employers cant use it if it will take pay below the minimum wage, so it’s a faff in low pay sectors).
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
NEW: Reported plans to double tax rates on the top two council tax bands would cause huge distortions and unequal treatment between owners of expensive homes across England
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Why Council Tax Reform Is Fraught With Difficulty
New analysis shows why council tax reform is such a hard task for the government as it faces widespread calls for the system to be updated.
www.politicshome.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:35 AM
NEW: Reported plans to double tax rates on the top two council tax bands would cause huge distortions and unequal treatment between owners of expensive homes across England
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
One area where homes cost £500k would barely be touched
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
I missed this last week. The new English index of income deprivation includes UC working households who are on low-incomes AFTER HOUSING COSTS.
This is a big deal technically & means we now have a hyper local measure of LIVING STANDARDS not just incomes.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This is a big deal technically & means we now have a hyper local measure of LIVING STANDARDS not just incomes.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Almost all children in 73 areas of England live in low-income households
New official measures show levelling up attempts have failed to shift high levels of deprivation
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I missed this last week. The new English index of income deprivation includes UC working households who are on low-incomes AFTER HOUSING COSTS.
This is a big deal technically & means we now have a hyper local measure of LIVING STANDARDS not just incomes.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This is a big deal technically & means we now have a hyper local measure of LIVING STANDARDS not just incomes.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
Pretty extraordinary story here
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show - BBC News
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Pretty extraordinary story here
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
The minimum wage is pegged to median earnings. It is only rising to keep up with higher pay and prices across the economy.
It sounds like recruiters need to do that too, rather than blame the wage floor?
on.ft.com/4hBPdIK City bosses warn on pay as minimum wage closes in on graduate salaries
It sounds like recruiters need to do that too, rather than blame the wage floor?
on.ft.com/4hBPdIK City bosses warn on pay as minimum wage closes in on graduate salaries
City bosses warn on pay as minimum wage closes in on graduate salaries
Chief executives voice fears about impact on recruitment ahead of expected rise in Budget
on.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
The minimum wage is pegged to median earnings. It is only rising to keep up with higher pay and prices across the economy.
It sounds like recruiters need to do that too, rather than blame the wage floor?
on.ft.com/4hBPdIK City bosses warn on pay as minimum wage closes in on graduate salaries
It sounds like recruiters need to do that too, rather than blame the wage floor?
on.ft.com/4hBPdIK City bosses warn on pay as minimum wage closes in on graduate salaries
Out today - including my chapter on the case for pension tax reform
How can Labour Raise the revenue we need? 💰
The Chancellor faces some challenging choices at the Autumn Budget.
In our new edited collection – Taxing Questions – we set out how we can raise the revenue we need to invest in public services. 🧵
The Chancellor faces some challenging choices at the Autumn Budget.
In our new edited collection – Taxing Questions – we set out how we can raise the revenue we need to invest in public services. 🧵
October 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Out today - including my chapter on the case for pension tax reform
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
16% is a bit misleading. Probably something roughly like 65% of 200k+ members and 5-9% of 800k affiliated orgs/mainly unions, where people didnt choose to join. They split the turnout by category every other time
October 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
16% is a bit misleading. Probably something roughly like 65% of 200k+ members and 5-9% of 800k affiliated orgs/mainly unions, where people didnt choose to join. They split the turnout by category every other time
Labour should grasp the nettle on pension tax reform
- my chapter in a great new @thefabians.bsky.social report Taxing Questions
fabians.org.uk/publication/...
- my chapter in a great new @thefabians.bsky.social report Taxing Questions
fabians.org.uk/publication/...
October 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Labour should grasp the nettle on pension tax reform
- my chapter in a great new @thefabians.bsky.social report Taxing Questions
fabians.org.uk/publication/...
- my chapter in a great new @thefabians.bsky.social report Taxing Questions
fabians.org.uk/publication/...
Wait, I know this one.
Is must be by cutting a third off National Insurance when there’s a huge deficit…?
Is must be by cutting a third off National Insurance when there’s a huge deficit…?
October 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Wait, I know this one.
Is must be by cutting a third off National Insurance when there’s a huge deficit…?
Is must be by cutting a third off National Insurance when there’s a huge deficit…?
Reading these lame defences makes me wonder why this hasn’t happened years’ ago?
Very rich lawyers and accountants should be taxed as much as very rich bankers!
on.ft.com/3KViuSD Lawyers and accountants warn Reeves against tax raid on partnerships
Very rich lawyers and accountants should be taxed as much as very rich bankers!
on.ft.com/3KViuSD Lawyers and accountants warn Reeves against tax raid on partnerships
Lawyers and accountants warn Reeves against tax raid on partnerships
Chancellor’s move would damage cornerstone of UK economy, partners argue
on.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reading these lame defences makes me wonder why this hasn’t happened years’ ago?
Very rich lawyers and accountants should be taxed as much as very rich bankers!
on.ft.com/3KViuSD Lawyers and accountants warn Reeves against tax raid on partnerships
Very rich lawyers and accountants should be taxed as much as very rich bankers!
on.ft.com/3KViuSD Lawyers and accountants warn Reeves against tax raid on partnerships
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
The dirty dozen
open.substack.com/pub/cradle2g...
by @andrewharrop.bsky.social
Andrew is out of the Fabians and at PF, substacking away, and this is a concise humdinger, if that is a thing
open.substack.com/pub/cradle2g...
by @andrewharrop.bsky.social
Andrew is out of the Fabians and at PF, substacking away, and this is a concise humdinger, if that is a thing
The dirty dozen
Twelve tax reforms that are fair and pro-growth for Rachel Reeves' November Budget
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The dirty dozen
open.substack.com/pub/cradle2g...
by @andrewharrop.bsky.social
Andrew is out of the Fabians and at PF, substacking away, and this is a concise humdinger, if that is a thing
open.substack.com/pub/cradle2g...
by @andrewharrop.bsky.social
Andrew is out of the Fabians and at PF, substacking away, and this is a concise humdinger, if that is a thing
12 fair and pro-growth tax rises that Rachel Reeves should consider
My post for @labourlist.bsky.social
1. Freeze all income tax and national insurance thresholds until the end of the parliament
(though it would be fairer to just raise income tax rates)
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/10/bude...
My post for @labourlist.bsky.social
1. Freeze all income tax and national insurance thresholds until the end of the parliament
(though it would be fairer to just raise income tax rates)
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/10/bude...
Twelve pro-growth, pro-fairness tax proposals to fill the budget black hole - LabourList
Twelve pro-growth, pro-fairness ideas for Rachel Reeves that would bring in tens of billions in much needed revenue.
labourlist.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:14 AM
12 fair and pro-growth tax rises that Rachel Reeves should consider
My post for @labourlist.bsky.social
1. Freeze all income tax and national insurance thresholds until the end of the parliament
(though it would be fairer to just raise income tax rates)
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/10/bude...
My post for @labourlist.bsky.social
1. Freeze all income tax and national insurance thresholds until the end of the parliament
(though it would be fairer to just raise income tax rates)
🧵
labourlist.org/2025/10/bude...
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
October 20, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Excellent article by @chrisgiles.ft.com riffing off recent posts from @benbgeiger.bsky.social
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
on.ft.com/4ooDEqx
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
on.ft.com/4ooDEqx
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
It’s far from perfect, but the UK’s spending is broadly controlled and employment is high
on.ft.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Excellent article by @chrisgiles.ft.com riffing off recent posts from @benbgeiger.bsky.social
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
on.ft.com/4ooDEqx
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
on.ft.com/4ooDEqx
Post on DHSC's plans for the social care Fair Pay Agreement
- The proposals are robust
- April 2028 launch sensible
- The £500m budget for the FPA is enough to start bargaining (esp as it only covers publicly-paid care)
But more will be needed >2029
1/2
cradle2grave.substack.com/p/paying-for...
- The proposals are robust
- April 2028 launch sensible
- The £500m budget for the FPA is enough to start bargaining (esp as it only covers publicly-paid care)
But more will be needed >2029
1/2
cradle2grave.substack.com/p/paying-for...
Paying for fair pay
The social care Fair Pay Agreement will be introduced in 2028. But can it be funded from existing spending plans?
cradle2grave.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Post on DHSC's plans for the social care Fair Pay Agreement
- The proposals are robust
- April 2028 launch sensible
- The £500m budget for the FPA is enough to start bargaining (esp as it only covers publicly-paid care)
But more will be needed >2029
1/2
cradle2grave.substack.com/p/paying-for...
- The proposals are robust
- April 2028 launch sensible
- The £500m budget for the FPA is enough to start bargaining (esp as it only covers publicly-paid care)
But more will be needed >2029
1/2
cradle2grave.substack.com/p/paying-for...
Keir’s goal of an end to child poverty and childhood hunger is HUGE.
It requires a reordering of labour markets, housing markets, public services and social security. Now we need a plan to make it happen.
It requires a reordering of labour markets, housing markets, public services and social security. Now we need a plan to make it happen.
September 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Keir’s goal of an end to child poverty and childhood hunger is HUGE.
It requires a reordering of labour markets, housing markets, public services and social security. Now we need a plan to make it happen.
It requires a reordering of labour markets, housing markets, public services and social security. Now we need a plan to make it happen.
Reposted by Andrew Harrop
Fabian general secretaries, 2003-25 @sundersays.bsky.social 2003-11 with @andrewharrop.bsky.social 2011-24 & @joedromey.bsky.social 2025-onwards
September 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Fabian general secretaries, 2003-25 @sundersays.bsky.social 2003-11 with @andrewharrop.bsky.social 2011-24 & @joedromey.bsky.social 2025-onwards
“Not taking a penny in benefits”
Seriously?
Child benefit
Universal credit while working
State pension based on contribution
PIP with severe disability?
Seriously?
Child benefit
Universal credit while working
State pension based on contribution
PIP with severe disability?
Mahmood says she will introduce new conditions for indefinite leave to remain:
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
September 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
“Not taking a penny in benefits”
Seriously?
Child benefit
Universal credit while working
State pension based on contribution
PIP with severe disability?
Seriously?
Child benefit
Universal credit while working
State pension based on contribution
PIP with severe disability?