Kirsti M
@heritage-meisie.bsky.social
Scatterling of Africa. Conservation, architecture, feminist and bibliophile. Usually found either in an archive, on a scaffold, in a ballet class, on a bike or up a hill. 🇿🇦in 🏴
Absolutely love this. A modern interpretation of an old device (recessing downpipes into string courses).
When you design the brickwork to celebrate the downpipe!
Livornostraat 12 1, Amsterdam (photo by John Lee)
Livornostraat 12 1, Amsterdam (photo by John Lee)
January 10, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Absolutely love this. A modern interpretation of an old device (recessing downpipes into string courses).
Blue Labour yet again proving it can’t do basic maths.
'A progressive coalition simply doesn't have the vote share'.
Election 2024 would like a word.
Election 2024 would like a word.
Only Reform voters can save Labour
By Luke Akehurst
By Luke Akehurst
January 9, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Blue Labour yet again proving it can’t do basic maths.
The irony.
Laughing uncontrollably "I was adept at covert policing". #TheTraitors
January 8, 2026 at 10:53 PM
The irony.
I realise this is peak 1st world problem but when you search ‘traitors’ you now have to sift through whatever atrocities MAGA has done today…when all I want is to see whether we all agree that Reece is a wee soul (as they say in Glasgow). I just want my escapism dammit!
January 8, 2026 at 10:38 PM
I realise this is peak 1st world problem but when you search ‘traitors’ you now have to sift through whatever atrocities MAGA has done today…when all I want is to see whether we all agree that Reece is a wee soul (as they say in Glasgow). I just want my escapism dammit!
This year, I’m going to attempt to read more books (instead of spending my evenings looking for Home Office updates). First one finished of the year is this: Against the Loveless World. Started it on hols in SA, left it with my Dad to read. It is gloriously, achingly written. I recommend!
January 6, 2026 at 7:10 PM
This year, I’m going to attempt to read more books (instead of spending my evenings looking for Home Office updates). First one finished of the year is this: Against the Loveless World. Started it on hols in SA, left it with my Dad to read. It is gloriously, achingly written. I recommend!
Reposted by Kirsti M
I'm afraid there *is* an obvious answer: it can't.
January 6, 2026 at 7:10 AM
I'm afraid there *is* an obvious answer: it can't.
Reposted by Kirsti M
Another example of the fact that there are very few technically difficult questions of economics; "difficult questions" are just difficult because you don't like the obvious answer
January 6, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Another example of the fact that there are very few technically difficult questions of economics; "difficult questions" are just difficult because you don't like the obvious answer
If you’re in the Central Belt of Scotland & remotely interested in how we save our heritage buildings & make them warmer, my Director is speaking at this on the 14 Jan at the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust events.humanitix.com/heritage-ret...
January 6, 2026 at 7:42 AM
If you’re in the Central Belt of Scotland & remotely interested in how we save our heritage buildings & make them warmer, my Director is speaking at this on the 14 Jan at the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust events.humanitix.com/heritage-ret...
Anyone know what to do when the eVisa website goes down and you can’t get on your flight??? Help!
January 1, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Anyone know what to do when the eVisa website goes down and you can’t get on your flight??? Help!
South African airport lounges are so much better than European ones. Better quality food & drink. I will die on this hill. #proudlysouthafrican
December 12, 2025 at 10:04 AM
South African airport lounges are so much better than European ones. Better quality food & drink. I will die on this hill. #proudlysouthafrican
This is very interesting…tome for the UK to do what my home country South Africa does in terms of professional regulation of architects and technologists. www.riba.org/news/riba-pr...
RIBA President will not renew ARB registration
President Chris Williamson has written to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to confirm that he will not be renewing his registration. Meaning from 2026, they will not be included on the UK’s reg...
www.riba.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This is very interesting…tome for the UK to do what my home country South Africa does in terms of professional regulation of architects and technologists. www.riba.org/news/riba-pr...
Love an airport where there are free newspapers to tide over the long connection waits…happily surprised to get an English one in Frankfurt!
December 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Love an airport where there are free newspapers to tide over the long connection waits…happily surprised to get an English one in Frankfurt!
We’ve already earned our settlement, it’s so unfair to move the goal posts now.
In the short term, all categories of work migrants (including dependants) are fiscally positive.
December 11, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We’ve already earned our settlement, it’s so unfair to move the goal posts now.
Reposted by Kirsti M
The restrictions on work visa rules brought in in July are cutting immigration much more than predicted. Dependant numbers remain higher, but will fall over time as most will be dependants of immigrants already here.
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The restrictions on work visa rules brought in in July are cutting immigration much more than predicted. Dependant numbers remain higher, but will fall over time as most will be dependants of immigrants already here.
Reposted by Kirsti M
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
December 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
Reposted by Kirsti M
"If governments want to boost growth, making visas for skilled workers simpler and cheaper is an obvious place to start."
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
UK and US growth hindered by visa policies
A study has revealed that growth is being hindered by a dearth of local talent coupled with expensive visa processes, prohibiting the hiring of overseas skills.
www.personneltoday.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"If governments want to boost growth, making visas for skilled workers simpler and cheaper is an obvious place to start."
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
www.personneltoday.com/hr/uk-and-us...
Reposted by Kirsti M
The government's proposals to calculate settlement qualifying periods on a case-by-case basis will penalise migrants who get sick, are exploited or become destitute.
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
Earned settlement proposals: An extraordinary betrayal of migrant communities | Work Rights Centre
www.workrightscentre.org
December 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The government's proposals to calculate settlement qualifying periods on a case-by-case basis will penalise migrants who get sick, are exploited or become destitute.
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
Read our analysis and understand the proposed contributing factors ⬇️
www.workrightscentre.org/publications...
This is going to be interesting.
Revised net migration projection based on yesterday’s data, the new ILR policy and an expected gradual decline in dependant numbers (Currently dependant applications are double main applicant applications for work visas but this won’t last).
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
November 28, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This is going to be interesting.
Reposted by Kirsti M
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Today we’ll get latest net immigration figures - They’ll show immigration for work is plummeting.
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Why is this not part of the discussion on Rachel Reeves balancing her books & stalled growth?
For every 100,000 drop in net immigration, the OBR adds £7bn to the deficit. #r4today
Reposted by Kirsti M
Great to hear Rachel Reeves acknowledge that "there are many reasons why people choose to have children then find themselves in difficult times. The death of a partner. Separation. Ill health. A lost job. I don’t believe that children should bear the brunt of that."
So why should migrant children?
So why should migrant children?
November 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Great to hear Rachel Reeves acknowledge that "there are many reasons why people choose to have children then find themselves in difficult times. The death of a partner. Separation. Ill health. A lost job. I don’t believe that children should bear the brunt of that."
So why should migrant children?
So why should migrant children?
Anyone know where the OBR got its migration figures from? Cos they say migration won’t change in direct contrast to @jamesbowes01.bsky.social, @sundersays.bsky.social & @jdportes.bsky.social ’s research. Seems the OBR hasn’t done its homework?
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Anyone know where the OBR got its migration figures from? Cos they say migration won’t change in direct contrast to @jamesbowes01.bsky.social, @sundersays.bsky.social & @jdportes.bsky.social ’s research. Seems the OBR hasn’t done its homework?
Reposted by Kirsti M
"We grant people different rights based on their genetic heritage and on which scrap of land they happened to be born on. That’s mad, isn’t it?"
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
Why does nationality matter, anyway?
Deciding someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is a bit weird
www.newstatesman.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
"We grant people different rights based on their genetic heritage and on which scrap of land they happened to be born on. That’s mad, isn’t it?"
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
Reposted by Kirsti M
This government will pursue a policy that is economically, morally and socially bad. Forcing people to only be eligible to settle after 10/15/20/30 years depending on how poor and marginalised you are. It will not address division. It will manifest a different, more harmful one.
November 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This government will pursue a policy that is economically, morally and socially bad. Forcing people to only be eligible to settle after 10/15/20/30 years depending on how poor and marginalised you are. It will not address division. It will manifest a different, more harmful one.