Chris Birks
@chrisbirks.bsky.social
A good news person in a bad news world • trade union comms • F1 & NFL fan 🏁🏈 • James 2:17 ✝️
The two-child benefit cap is morally indefensible and a driving force behind rising child poverty. The fact that we have this policy in one of the richest countries in the world, is scandalous.
Labour's dilemma: The two-child benefit cap
The current two-child benefit cap means that low-income families with children do not receive additional means-tested benefits for any third or subsequent children.
news.sky.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The two-child benefit cap is morally indefensible and a driving force behind rising child poverty. The fact that we have this policy in one of the richest countries in the world, is scandalous.
𝗔𝘆𝘂𝗽, 𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗸! 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 🦆
From the top of Derby Cathedral in 2021. The moment my professional career peaked. Nothing will beat this.
From the top of Derby Cathedral in 2021. The moment my professional career peaked. Nothing will beat this.
September 22, 2025 at 8:21 AM
𝗔𝘆𝘂𝗽, 𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗸! 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 🦆
From the top of Derby Cathedral in 2021. The moment my professional career peaked. Nothing will beat this.
From the top of Derby Cathedral in 2021. The moment my professional career peaked. Nothing will beat this.
Went all the way to Warwick and the only photos I took was of a church, obviously.
August 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Went all the way to Warwick and the only photos I took was of a church, obviously.
Happy #NottinghamshireDay from a sun-drenched Newark 🏰🌳
August 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Happy #NottinghamshireDay from a sun-drenched Newark 🏰🌳
It's just dawned on me that it's 20 years (TWENTY) since I picked up my GCSE results, which is impossible because I'm still only 26 👀
Whatever’s in that envelope doesn’t define your future. The best is yet come.
Whatever’s in that envelope doesn’t define your future. The best is yet come.
August 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
It's just dawned on me that it's 20 years (TWENTY) since I picked up my GCSE results, which is impossible because I'm still only 26 👀
Whatever’s in that envelope doesn’t define your future. The best is yet come.
Whatever’s in that envelope doesn’t define your future. The best is yet come.
A real red-letter day at work, today. Over 900 healthcare workers went on strike for 28 days and won! A pay rise and back pay of up to £2500. Huge congratulations to those workers who braved the picket line and my colleagues who struck the deal 🙌🏻
📺 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛: 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗧𝗩 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀
Following 28 days of strike action by healthcare support workers in Nottingham, they’ve won their fight! Our regional secretary Chris Jenkinson spoke to ITV Central this evening to celebrate the deal.
Following 28 days of strike action by healthcare support workers in Nottingham, they’ve won their fight! Our regional secretary Chris Jenkinson spoke to ITV Central this evening to celebrate the deal.
August 15, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A real red-letter day at work, today. Over 900 healthcare workers went on strike for 28 days and won! A pay rise and back pay of up to £2500. Huge congratulations to those workers who braved the picket line and my colleagues who struck the deal 🙌🏻
☀️ 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵
August 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
☀️ 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵
The ‘annual whistle’ at Cromford Steam Rally. Coming to this every year is a Derbyshire tradition. Like getting your local passport stamped.
August 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The ‘annual whistle’ at Cromford Steam Rally. Coming to this every year is a Derbyshire tradition. Like getting your local passport stamped.
Sunshine, sequins and solidarity @prideinbelper.bsky.social 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✨
August 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Sunshine, sequins and solidarity @prideinbelper.bsky.social 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✨
Next week, I'm leading 52 teenagers at a Christian summer school. More signups than ever before. They're searching for something bigger than themselves, something that can provide stability in an unstable world.
Monique is in her early 20s, reads the bible daily, prays "constantly" and 'spends time' with God every day.
Research suggests more and more of Gen Z are turning to Christianity. Emily Maitlis heads to a religious festival in Sussex to find out why
Research suggests more and more of Gen Z are turning to Christianity. Emily Maitlis heads to a religious festival in Sussex to find out why
Why Christianity is booming for Gen Z in the UK | The News Agents
Recent polling shows an increase in 18-24-year-olds having belief in God and Christianity from 22% to 45% in five years. What’s going on?
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
August 1, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Next week, I'm leading 52 teenagers at a Christian summer school. More signups than ever before. They're searching for something bigger than themselves, something that can provide stability in an unstable world.
SWEEEET CAROLINNNEEE! 🦁⚽️
🏆⚽ Football came home...and so should fair treatment at work! ✊
After the the #Lionesses glorious win in #Euro2025, we’ve drafted the ultimate trade union-approved excuse letter for your boss 🔽 @unison.org.uk
After the the #Lionesses glorious win in #Euro2025, we’ve drafted the ultimate trade union-approved excuse letter for your boss 🔽 @unison.org.uk
July 27, 2025 at 6:58 PM
SWEEEET CAROLINNNEEE! 🦁⚽️
📍Costa del Cleethorpes
July 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
📍Costa del Cleethorpes
The Lost Boys Taskforce is urgently needed. Too many young men feel isolated, angry and unheard.
But tackling this crisis means more than mentors. Let’s reopen youth centres, get more men into primary teaching and recognise the role women can play too.
But tackling this crisis means more than mentors. Let’s reopen youth centres, get more men into primary teaching and recognise the role women can play too.
Boys need better role models says Brighton & Hove Albion CEO
A new taskforce to help young men is led by Brighton & Hove Albion FC chief executive Paul Barber.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 24, 2025 at 7:25 AM
The Lost Boys Taskforce is urgently needed. Too many young men feel isolated, angry and unheard.
But tackling this crisis means more than mentors. Let’s reopen youth centres, get more men into primary teaching and recognise the role women can play too.
But tackling this crisis means more than mentors. Let’s reopen youth centres, get more men into primary teaching and recognise the role women can play too.
The centre where I started my youth work career is now a long-forgotten prefab building covered in graffiti. The young people who valued a safe space to be themselves and ask difficult questions were turfed back onto the streets. Future generations deserve better.
The closing down of youth clubs has only exacerbated the problems young people face, says a reader with experience in youth work.
Letters: We abandoned our kids when we allowed youth clubs to close
www.bigissue.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The centre where I started my youth work career is now a long-forgotten prefab building covered in graffiti. The young people who valued a safe space to be themselves and ask difficult questions were turfed back onto the streets. Future generations deserve better.
That’s #undc2025 wrapped for me. My first @unison.org.uk conference and hopefully not my last. Getting to speak with so many dedicated members and spend time with colleagues who only usually exist on Teams, has been great. Also, Liverpool is still properly ace.
June 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
That’s #undc2025 wrapped for me. My first @unison.org.uk conference and hopefully not my last. Getting to speak with so many dedicated members and spend time with colleagues who only usually exist on Teams, has been great. Also, Liverpool is still properly ace.
Castle’s glowing, boat’s flowing 🛥️
May 11, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Castle’s glowing, boat’s flowing 🛥️
After our Spanish holiday last year, I was determined to make more of an effort for our next visit. So, if you need to buy a jacket or directions to the dentist, soy tu hombre 🇪🇸
May 8, 2025 at 8:31 PM
After our Spanish holiday last year, I was determined to make more of an effort for our next visit. So, if you need to buy a jacket or directions to the dentist, soy tu hombre 🇪🇸
The Australian election coverage is wild
May 3, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The Australian election coverage is wild
May 1, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Chris Birks
I know everyone's going to love this and I don't want to spoil the fun but it's illiberal. I'm sorry. I know. But it is.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lib Dems back ban on playing music and videos on public transport in England
Under the plan, those who flout the prohibition could face a maximum fine of £1,000
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 7:05 AM
I know everyone's going to love this and I don't want to spoil the fun but it's illiberal. I'm sorry. I know. But it is.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
GET IN THERE, OSCAR! 🧡
Which member of the McLaren F1 comms team will be brave enough to suggest getting the World Champion merch on order after four races?
Which member of the McLaren F1 comms team will be brave enough to suggest getting the World Champion merch on order after four races?
April 20, 2025 at 6:33 PM
GET IN THERE, OSCAR! 🧡
Which member of the McLaren F1 comms team will be brave enough to suggest getting the World Champion merch on order after four races?
Which member of the McLaren F1 comms team will be brave enough to suggest getting the World Champion merch on order after four races?
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6) ✝️
Easter is a reminder that love wins, hope lives, and new life is always possible.
Wishing you a joyful, hope-filled Easter!
Easter is a reminder that love wins, hope lives, and new life is always possible.
Wishing you a joyful, hope-filled Easter!
a stained glass window with the words hen 's risen above it
ALT: a stained glass window with the words hen 's risen above it
media.tenor.com
April 20, 2025 at 6:57 AM
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6) ✝️
Easter is a reminder that love wins, hope lives, and new life is always possible.
Wishing you a joyful, hope-filled Easter!
Easter is a reminder that love wins, hope lives, and new life is always possible.
Wishing you a joyful, hope-filled Easter!