Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · 1d

My MP hasn't signed up yet so I have sent him an email urging him to prioritise it and also encourage colleagues to attend in light of the UEA survey of MPs

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · 2d

This is not surprising and shows how much still needs to be done to keep up the pressure on politicians to shift their perspective and policies into making climate action an absolute priority.

theconversation.com/we-surveyed-...

We surveyed British MPs – most don’t know how urgent climate action is

New study finds both MPs and the public underestimate how quickly global emissions must be cut.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 5d

England nationalized rail passenger services lease carriages from rolling stock companies (ROSCOs).

87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies.

Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK.

Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.

If the government wants economic growth it must bring essential industries into public ownership

Successive governments clobber households and small businesses by hiking interest rates to manage inflation, but don’t inconvenience corporations.

leftfootforward.org

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Resolution Foundation @resfoundation.bsky.social · 7d

None of the proposed two-child limit options are as efficient in lifting children out of poverty as fully scrapping the policy.

Fully abolishing the two-child limit should be the starting point of any successful Child Poverty Strategy.

Read more➡️ buff.ly/DyvTYGN

Table 1 shows the cost per child lifted out of poverty for fully scrapping the two-child limit
and each of the floated options. The only option that has a similar cost-effectiveness to full
abolition is exempting families who are in work, at £7,540 per child lifted out of poverty,
(compared to £7,480 for full abolition). The lower cost-effectiveness of the other options
should be considered alongside the issues outlined above that each option would introduce.

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · 7d

I've just used Good Law Project's tool to tell Keir Starmer that his ID scheme is a recipe for repression. Will you do the same? goodlaw.social/364f2b

Tell Keir Starmer to scrap his ID card scheme

With his government in turmoil and Nigel Farage breathing down his neck, Keir Starmer has reached for the panic button, announcing a scheme for ID cards that would be compulsory to prove your right to...

goodlaw.social

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · 21d

The disruption of the global water cycle is a major threat which is not getting the attention it needs from governments #WaterMatters
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Only a third of world’s river basins experienced normal conditions in 2024

Increasingly erratic water cycle is creating food scarcity, rising prices, conflict and migration, says UN agency

www.theguardian.com

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · 24d

www.crowdjustice.com/case/datacen...

Stop the Government forcing through Destructive Data Centres

Foxglove is a non-profit which exists to make technology fair for everyone. They are co-claimant in the case. Global Action Plan is an environmental charity which works to improve the health of peopl

www.crowdjustice.com

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Stop Trump Coalition @ukstoptrump.bsky.social · 25d

Yesterday, the largest far-right protest in UK history marched through London, led by racist Tommy Robinson.

Today, we say: They don’t speak for us — and they won’t have the last word.

This Wednesday we come together against Trump and for a better future. Do everything to be there.

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 28d

Privatisation of the NHS.

Govt asks private finance investors about backing 200 neighbourhood health centres.

PFI is a disaster. Guarantees corporate profits. £1 investment, £6 repayment. Higher taxes, bigger govt debt, poor value for money.

Cheaper for govt to build. Nothing learnt from the past

Health department sounds out private investors to fund NHS centres in England

Move could transform how care is delivered but threatens to reignite fierce debate over contentious PFI model

www.ft.com

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 28d

Wes Streeting’s PFI plan is a disaster for the NHS youtu.be/xgDFaQ8nEEw?... Wes Streeting wants to fund 200 new NHS health centres through PFI. But the Public Finance Initiative was a disaster. This video explains why PFI 2.0 is a betrayal of the NHS.

Wes Streeting’s PFI plan is a disaster for the NHS

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

youtu.be

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · 28d

UK energy prices are too high. It can be sorted out by Government if they have the will and determination to do it. Sign the petition here demanding action act.gp/3JHKh8p

Lower our energy bills!

Gas companies are raking in high profits while our household bills go up. I've had enough, haven't you? Let's make the UK Government reign in greedy gas for good.

act.gp

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Stop Trump Coalition @ukstoptrump.bsky.social · Sep 8

🎺🎺We are proud to announce that the new @greenparty.org.uk leader, @zackpolanski.bsky.social will be joining our protest against Donald Trump on September 17😎😎

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · Sep 9

Louise Haigh's reasoning for not running for Deputy Leader of the UK Labour Party is an appalling indictment of the state government in UK now in when serious alternative policies cannot be voiced and heard by Cabinet members. #DemocracyNow

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I’m not running for Labour deputy leader. I want the freedom to fight for an economic reset | Louise Haigh

The failed status quo and the OBR are holding us back from investing in ways that will transform the UK for the better, says Labour MP Louise Haigh

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by David Hodgson

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · Sep 2

Since returning to office, Trump has:

-Stripped 1 million federal workers of collective bargaining rights
-Reversed Biden's minimum wage hike for federal contractors
-Gutted OSHA and frozen enforcement of a regulation protecting miners from lung disease

"Pro-worker" president.

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Josh Self @josh.politics.co.uk · Sep 1

🚨 NEW: Cross-party MPs publish ‘ready to go’ blueprint for electoral reform commission

— FPTP “threatens to undermine the resilience and stability of our democratic system”, @appgfairelections.bsky.social MPs say
— The group is calling on ministers to greenlight its plan

Exclusive story 👇

Cross-party MPs publish ‘ready to go’ blueprint for electoral reform commission - Politics.co.uk

A group of cross-party MPs have set out a “ready to go” blueprint for an independent review of the UK’s first past the post (FPTP) electoral system. The all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for fair e...

www.politics.co.uk

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · Sep 3

stoptrump.org.uk/petition-sta...

Petition: Stand up to Trump – cancel the state visit

Stop Trump Coalition

stoptrump.org.uk

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Reposted by David Hodgson

GylesNaMopaleen @gylesnamopaleen.bsky.social · Aug 23

Norways wealth fund announced it is divesting in Israeli companies too. Some EU leaders need to stop sitting on their hands.

And Dear UK,
Please stop helping Israel with military, arms and training IDF troops.
Is mise, MnaG.

The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · Aug 23

More than 50 consultants urge State to stop using Israeli medicines where ‘viable alternatives’ exist

Teva Pharmaceuticals, which makes Sudocrem, is one of the largest suppliers of generic medicines to HSE

www.irishtimes.com

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · Aug 23

Some Reform UK councillors have threatened to remove the rainbow crossing where I live in #LeamingtonSpa Let's hope local residents step up here if it ever happens. #thepeopleunitedwillneverbedefeated

Adam Cohen (My Personal Views Only) @axidentaliberal.bsky.social · Aug 23

There are still good, kind, decent people in the world

You just need to know where to look

www.newsweek.com/florida-loca...

Florida locals defy Ron DeSantis by restoring Pulse rainbow crosswalk

People took matters into their own hands after the commemorative crosswalk was removed, and drew it back onto the ground.

www.newsweek.com

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · Aug 6

Pie theory www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/08...

Pie theory

Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, is on the morning media round. She is treating the world to a dose of pie theory. She has actually referred to the need

www.taxresearch.org.uk

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · Aug 6

I enjoy the clarity and directness of these blog posts from Richard Murphy.

What kind of politics do we really want? www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/08...

What kind of politics do we really want?

We face crises on every front—climate, inequality, insecurity. The economic models we’ve been told are “normal” have failed. So what kind of politics could work for people and planet? In this video, I...

www.taxresearch.org.uk

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · Jul 22

The FTSE’s record high reflects universally bad news for humanity www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/07...

The FTSE’s record high reflects universally bad news for humanity

I was intrigued to read an analysis of why the stock market closed at a record high of 9,012 points last night, as reported by various media sources. The record high is the result of three sectors doi...

www.taxresearch.org.uk

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · Jul 22

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David Hodgson @dphodgson.bsky.social · Jul 20

The hypocrisy is shocking. Cooper and other Labour leaders celebrate the suffragettes who used violence and arson to promote their just cause.

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · Jul 20

It's utterly mad.
These people are the opposite of terrorists.
THEY WANT PEACE.
The police know they're not terrorists.
The government knows they're not terrorists.
Yet, on the Home Secretary's orders, they're being arrested under the Terrorism Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

More than 100 arrested across UK at protests related to Palestine Action

Police in London detain scores of people and confiscate placards under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by David Hodgson

Patriotic Millionaires UK @patmillsuk.bsky.social · Jul 1

Historian and author @rutgerbregman.com joins the global call to #TaxTheSuperRich.
He insists we can't accept a status quo where the richest keep getting richer while people and planet suffer. Fair taxation of the super rich is essential for a just and inclusive society.
#FFD4 #FfD4People

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Reposted by David Hodgson

We Own It @weownit.org.uk · Jun 4

🚨URGENT: Sign and share our petition.

❗KKR, the predatory US private equity firm lined up to rescue Thames Water, has pulled out. Thames Water is back in crisis.

It's time for Steve Reed to cut the 💩and bring it into public hands.
vist.ly/3n529qc

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