Claire Kumar
@clairekumar.bsky.social
Working with ODI Europe and ODI Global on migration policies
Reposted by Claire Kumar
Their demands are reasonable, their treatment is disgraceful. The government's intransigence is killing the #PalestineAction hunger strikers. Just as its complicity has assisted the genocide in Gaza. It needs to wake up right now to the moral consequences.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Two Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers taken to hospital
MPs and next of kin of prisoners Amu Gib, 30, and Kamran Ahmed, 28, call for immediate government intervention
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Their demands are reasonable, their treatment is disgraceful. The government's intransigence is killing the #PalestineAction hunger strikers. Just as its complicity has assisted the genocide in Gaza. It needs to wake up right now to the moral consequences.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Claire Kumar
The people on hunger strike in England in protest at the British state's complicity in apartheid Israel's genocide of Palestinians and at their own grossly unfair treatment in prison are in danger. None of them has been convicted of a crime, they should be released. #FreeThemAll
December 21, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The people on hunger strike in England in protest at the British state's complicity in apartheid Israel's genocide of Palestinians and at their own grossly unfair treatment in prison are in danger. None of them has been convicted of a crime, they should be released. #FreeThemAll
Reposted by Claire Kumar
Suspect some female Tory MPs are quietly dying inside at this. When you’re so desperate to get in a bit of gratuitous foreigner-bashing that you find yourself arguing *against* preventative strategies that try to prevent sexual violence, ffs, what have you become?
Dog-whistle and factually incorrect. Ladies, raise your hand if you were sexually assaulted by a boy at school? I’d wager this or a family member is most women’s first experience of sexual violence
December 18, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Suspect some female Tory MPs are quietly dying inside at this. When you’re so desperate to get in a bit of gratuitous foreigner-bashing that you find yourself arguing *against* preventative strategies that try to prevent sexual violence, ffs, what have you become?
Reposted by Claire Kumar
"Look for me in the trees.
I will be there in the trees."
A letter worth reading? ✅️🤍
(Sent into The Irish Times)
I will be there in the trees."
A letter worth reading? ✅️🤍
(Sent into The Irish Times)
December 16, 2025 at 7:36 AM
"Look for me in the trees.
I will be there in the trees."
A letter worth reading? ✅️🤍
(Sent into The Irish Times)
I will be there in the trees."
A letter worth reading? ✅️🤍
(Sent into The Irish Times)
Reposted by Claire Kumar
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
December 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"Migrants who came to the UK on skilled work visas in 2022-23 will make a net contribution of £47bn to the public finances over their lifetime, according to new estimates from the government’s Migration Advisory Committee."
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Not surprising, but some observations (1/n)
www.ft.com/content/10da...
Reposted by Claire Kumar
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
December 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
It’s the fact we’re using energy resources for this and causing carbon emissions that make me weep and weep over again
googled something and clicked a link to a website I'd never heard of that looked like a forum, read the discussion and realized the person asking a question and all of the answers were all LLM generated, the entire website was a fake forum pretending to be people asking/answering questions
December 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
It’s the fact we’re using energy resources for this and causing carbon emissions that make me weep and weep over again
Reposted by Claire Kumar
📽️Donald Trump wants you to know he's targeting Venezuela because of illegal drugs.
But what if this were really about something else altogether...?
Dig into the murky world of crude oil refining and you find another, even more intriguing explanation...
Full primer 👇 youtu.be/Pgwny1BiCYk?...
But what if this were really about something else altogether...?
Dig into the murky world of crude oil refining and you find another, even more intriguing explanation...
Full primer 👇 youtu.be/Pgwny1BiCYk?...
The real reason Venezuela matters
YouTube video by Sky News
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM
📽️Donald Trump wants you to know he's targeting Venezuela because of illegal drugs.
But what if this were really about something else altogether...?
Dig into the murky world of crude oil refining and you find another, even more intriguing explanation...
Full primer 👇 youtu.be/Pgwny1BiCYk?...
But what if this were really about something else altogether...?
Dig into the murky world of crude oil refining and you find another, even more intriguing explanation...
Full primer 👇 youtu.be/Pgwny1BiCYk?...
Love a great explanation like this (with pictures). Worth watching in full
📽️Donald Trump wants you to know he's targeting Venezuela because of illegal drugs.
But what if this were really about something else altogether...?
Dig into the murky world of crude oil refining and you find another, even more intriguing explanation...
Full primer 👇 youtu.be/Pgwny1BiCYk?...
But what if this were really about something else altogether...?
Dig into the murky world of crude oil refining and you find another, even more intriguing explanation...
Full primer 👇 youtu.be/Pgwny1BiCYk?...
The real reason Venezuela matters
YouTube video by Sky News
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Love a great explanation like this (with pictures). Worth watching in full
Reposted by Claire Kumar
But we see these sorts of headlines every year - it’s the sheer predictability of these headlines and the lack of any real plan to stabilise the NHS over winter that should be the front page story!
Not some - in my opinion - highly misleading use of statistics!
END OF RANT 10/10
Not some - in my opinion - highly misleading use of statistics!
END OF RANT 10/10
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
But we see these sorts of headlines every year - it’s the sheer predictability of these headlines and the lack of any real plan to stabilise the NHS over winter that should be the front page story!
Not some - in my opinion - highly misleading use of statistics!
END OF RANT 10/10
Not some - in my opinion - highly misleading use of statistics!
END OF RANT 10/10
Reposted by Claire Kumar
This is a year-by-year comparison of hospital admissions with flu using the latest data up to 30 Nov.
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This is a year-by-year comparison of hospital admissions with flu using the latest data up to 30 Nov.
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Reposted by Claire Kumar
It's the little titbit at the end, that the impact assessment found reducing migration would have a negligible impact on community cohesion, that I especially like. That seems to be the government's current sole justification for their policies:
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
Tighter visa rules will cost UK up to £10.8bn
Home Office assessment shows impact of latest changes to immigration regime over next five years
www.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:13 AM
It's the little titbit at the end, that the impact assessment found reducing migration would have a negligible impact on community cohesion, that I especially like. That seems to be the government's current sole justification for their policies:
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
www.ft.com/content/2b60...
Reposted by Claire Kumar
It is hard to overstate how objectively wrong this approach is. It is increasingly harder to explain why 'centre' politicians do the polar opposite of what evidence tells us. You don't fight the far right by adopting their policies. This paves the way for authoritarian takeover.
We must protect our borders to defend our democracies. Here's how
We must protect our borders to defend our democracies. Here's how
This is our strong message to our friends in Europe. Unless responsible governments reflect their citizens’ concerns, populists will win, say British PM Keir Starmer and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:51 AM
It is hard to overstate how objectively wrong this approach is. It is increasingly harder to explain why 'centre' politicians do the polar opposite of what evidence tells us. You don't fight the far right by adopting their policies. This paves the way for authoritarian takeover.
Reposted by Claire Kumar
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
December 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
Reposted by Claire Kumar
The affordability crisis is an inequality crisis. When prices spike in key sectors, it's not just inflation—it's a massive redistribution shock that hits poor households hardest.
In our **new working paper**, we identify the sectors that matter most. A thread 🧵
scholarworks.umass.edu/entities/pub...
In our **new working paper**, we identify the sectors that matter most. A thread 🧵
scholarworks.umass.edu/entities/pub...
December 8, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The affordability crisis is an inequality crisis. When prices spike in key sectors, it's not just inflation—it's a massive redistribution shock that hits poor households hardest.
In our **new working paper**, we identify the sectors that matter most. A thread 🧵
scholarworks.umass.edu/entities/pub...
In our **new working paper**, we identify the sectors that matter most. A thread 🧵
scholarworks.umass.edu/entities/pub...
Reposted by Claire Kumar
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
Reposted by Claire Kumar
The Trump National Security Strategy is bonkers in many ways but this objective stood out:
"Cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations"
Making their strategy of supporting radical right and extremist parties explicit.
"Cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations"
Making their strategy of supporting radical right and extremist parties explicit.
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The Trump National Security Strategy is bonkers in many ways but this objective stood out:
"Cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations"
Making their strategy of supporting radical right and extremist parties explicit.
"Cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations"
Making their strategy of supporting radical right and extremist parties explicit.
Reposted by Claire Kumar
Just imagining how much better it would be if ALL news stories about vaccine-preventable illnesses were illustrated with pictures of people with the disease, not pictures of needle injections. If you must show something that people will find scary & unpleasant, make it the disease, not the cure.
I'm so tired of measles.
I'm also tired of people using needle shots on stories like this.
Show what measles looks like.
I'm also tired of people using needle shots on stories like this.
Show what measles looks like.
Gallatin Co. reports 2nd measles case, warns of exposure sites nbcmontana.com/news/local/g...
December 2, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Just imagining how much better it would be if ALL news stories about vaccine-preventable illnesses were illustrated with pictures of people with the disease, not pictures of needle injections. If you must show something that people will find scary & unpleasant, make it the disease, not the cure.
Reposted by Claire Kumar
🟢 The @europeangreens.eu in 2025: 🌻🗳️ Record wins in Norway & Portugal, booming memberships in Germany & the UK, and first Green mayors in Copenhagen & Riga. Tobias Gerhard Schminke from @europeelects.bsky.social has the data and details! 👀👇
#EGPCongress #EGPCongress2025
#EGPCongress #EGPCongress2025
Historic highs, local lows: the European Green Party in 2025 | Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Brussels office - European Union
2025 brought mixed fortunes for the European Green Party: record election results in Norway and Portugal, historic membership surges in Germany and the UK, and the election of the first Green mayor in...
eu.boell.org
December 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
🟢 The @europeangreens.eu in 2025: 🌻🗳️ Record wins in Norway & Portugal, booming memberships in Germany & the UK, and first Green mayors in Copenhagen & Riga. Tobias Gerhard Schminke from @europeelects.bsky.social has the data and details! 👀👇
#EGPCongress #EGPCongress2025
#EGPCongress #EGPCongress2025
Reposted by Claire Kumar
So the Home Office, which is responsible for the welfare of asylum seekers & for determining their claims, has decided to call them “illegal migrants” & tell everyone it’s “furious” about them being here, but I’m sure this is fine and not a symptom of a culture of disbelief & gratuitous cruelty
November 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
So the Home Office, which is responsible for the welfare of asylum seekers & for determining their claims, has decided to call them “illegal migrants” & tell everyone it’s “furious” about them being here, but I’m sure this is fine and not a symptom of a culture of disbelief & gratuitous cruelty
Reposted by Claire Kumar
This started pretty much immediately, I have already heard several examples, as well as people looking to withdraw change of conditions applications and decideling not to apply. Families will be left destitute
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
Woman cancels all benefits including disability living allowance for daughter after policy change announcement
A low-paid carer from Ghana has cancelled all the benefits she is legally entitled to, including the disability allowance one of her children receives, owing to fears about her immigration status after the policy changes announced by the home secretary.
The radical changes to legal migration announced by Shabana Mahmood on 20 November will penalise those who are living and working legally in the UK, but who claim benefits. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
This started pretty much immediately, I have already heard several examples, as well as people looking to withdraw change of conditions applications and decideling not to apply. Families will be left destitute
Reposted by Claire Kumar
Australia just recorded zero cervical cancer cases in women under 25 for the first time since records began in 1982. The amazing result of HPV vaccination.
November 28, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Australia just recorded zero cervical cancer cases in women under 25 for the first time since records began in 1982. The amazing result of HPV vaccination.
Reposted by Claire Kumar
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
November 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
Reposted by Claire Kumar
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Reposted by Claire Kumar
Just the good, friendly, morale-boosting kind of racism.
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Just the good, friendly, morale-boosting kind of racism.