Rhys Thomas
@iamrhysthomas.bsky.social
Associate Director at BLUE. Shipping nerd and Labour Party campaigner. All opinions my own 🌹
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Credit to @adamhug.bsky.social @carasanquest.bsky.social and Westminster colleagues for reinvesting in Children’s Centres locally after a decade of cuts and closures. This is how to make a difference
NEW: Sure Start generated widespread, long-lasting benefits for children in education, health, absences, and SEND.
Every £1 of up-front spending on Sure Start could generate around £2 in total benefits over the long run.
THREAD on our new @nuffieldfoundation.org-funded report:
[1/11]
Every £1 of up-front spending on Sure Start could generate around £2 in total benefits over the long run.
THREAD on our new @nuffieldfoundation.org-funded report:
[1/11]
May 22, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Credit to @adamhug.bsky.social @carasanquest.bsky.social and Westminster colleagues for reinvesting in Children’s Centres locally after a decade of cuts and closures. This is how to make a difference
The EU's latest shipping rules show pragmatism but lack punch. Flexible compliance? Yes. Paris-aligned? No. With 1% future fuel targets, we're running the wrong way. Over to you, @IMOHQ. ⏰
www.blue-comms.com/news/fueleu-...
www.blue-comms.com/news/fueleu-...
FuelEU Maritime: an imperfect storm? | News | BLUE Comms
FuelEU Maritime enforces strict GHG rules for ships in EU waters, driving decarbonisation. Discover its impact on the marine industry in our blog.
www.blue-comms.com
February 10, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The EU's latest shipping rules show pragmatism but lack punch. Flexible compliance? Yes. Paris-aligned? No. With 1% future fuel targets, we're running the wrong way. Over to you, @IMOHQ. ⏰
www.blue-comms.com/news/fueleu-...
www.blue-comms.com/news/fueleu-...
Wonderful news
Delighted that the Government has given the funding needed to enable the vital planning and business development work on the new St Mary’s Hospital to ensure we are moving forward to deliver the new major trauma centre & life sciences hub Westminster needs. www.westminster.gov.uk/news/stateme...
www.westminster.gov.uk
February 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Wonderful news
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Excellent thread explaining trends in ‘in-work’ poverty over recent years. Secure, affordable housing not the only factor but still key..
Why are more workers in poverty?
Partly it’s about changing composition of who is in work; more parents, including single parents and those with larger families - groups more exposed to poverty - are now in work. They’re more likely to rent privately, paying high housing costs.
Partly it’s about changing composition of who is in work; more parents, including single parents and those with larger families - groups more exposed to poverty - are now in work. They’re more likely to rent privately, paying high housing costs.
February 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Excellent thread explaining trends in ‘in-work’ poverty over recent years. Secure, affordable housing not the only factor but still key..
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Look at the positive framing of each one! No downsides to, say, tariffs are offered. Junk polling. (Luke is kinder but has similar reservations)
Interesting @opiniumresearch.bsky.social polling on Trump’s executive orders if they applied to the UK. Not surprised they get strong approval as to many they will be common sense and there is clearly an appetite for more action on channel crossings, energy bills etc. But…
January 27, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Look at the positive framing of each one! No downsides to, say, tariffs are offered. Junk polling. (Luke is kinder but has similar reservations)
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Delighted to announce @citywestminster.bsky.social is doubling the size of its short-let enforcement team to chase down rogue landlords letting out party flats across and are further expanding the noise team to investigate and tackle noise issues.
January 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Delighted to announce @citywestminster.bsky.social is doubling the size of its short-let enforcement team to chase down rogue landlords letting out party flats across and are further expanding the noise team to investigate and tackle noise issues.
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Just what is needed. Illegal short-lets reduce the number of homes for people to live in, and turn residential neighbourhoods into unmanaged corners of the hospitality industry. @citywestminster.bsky.social is right to get a grip.
Delighted to announce @citywestminster.bsky.social is doubling the size of its short-let enforcement team to chase down rogue landlords letting out party flats across and are further expanding the noise team to investigate and tackle noise issues.
January 22, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Just what is needed. Illegal short-lets reduce the number of homes for people to live in, and turn residential neighbourhoods into unmanaged corners of the hospitality industry. @citywestminster.bsky.social is right to get a grip.
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Excited to be canvassing for our fantastic candidate, Joanna in #VincentSquare ! 🌹
@jcr4vsward.bsky.social
www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/commu...
@jcr4vsward.bsky.social
www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/commu...
Introducing Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell - Westminster Labour Councillors
Your Local Labour Candidate for the Vincent Square By-election on Thursday 27 February Following the sad passing of Labour Councillor Gillian Arrindell, who worked tirelessly for Vincent Square reside...
www.westminsterlabour.org.uk
January 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Excited to be canvassing for our fantastic candidate, Joanna in #VincentSquare ! 🌹
@jcr4vsward.bsky.social
www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/commu...
@jcr4vsward.bsky.social
www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/commu...
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
From yesterday: Home Office minister makes statement on eVisas | Sonia Lenegan
Home Office minister makes statement on eVisas - Free Movement
Following reports of planned concessions around the 31 December 2024 deadline for people to get their eVisas, today Seema Malhotra MP the Minister for
buff.ly
December 5, 2024 at 5:25 PM
From yesterday: Home Office minister makes statement on eVisas | Sonia Lenegan
This frustrates me greatly. Too many people struggle to break free from our quasi-feudal rental sector. I feel greatly for renters whose homes - their essential security - are just part of somebody else's portfolio
There's a wealth of data in the English Private Landlord's survey - very clear that the PRS is still largely an amateur industry
- average age of landlords is 59, and nearly half own just one property
- Only 20% see their role as a residential landlord (most see themselves as investors)
- average age of landlords is 59, and nearly half own just one property
- Only 20% see their role as a residential landlord (most see themselves as investors)
December 5, 2024 at 11:43 AM
This frustrates me greatly. Too many people struggle to break free from our quasi-feudal rental sector. I feel greatly for renters whose homes - their essential security - are just part of somebody else's portfolio
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
🚨NEW: Keir Starmer states that the planning system is a ‘blockage in our economy that is so big that it obscures an entire future’
“It’s a chokehold on the growth our country needs, suffocating the aspirations of working families”
“It’s a chokehold on the growth our country needs, suffocating the aspirations of working families”
December 5, 2024 at 11:39 AM
🚨NEW: Keir Starmer states that the planning system is a ‘blockage in our economy that is so big that it obscures an entire future’
“It’s a chokehold on the growth our country needs, suffocating the aspirations of working families”
“It’s a chokehold on the growth our country needs, suffocating the aspirations of working families”
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
The two most important, for me: planning reform, because the system is strangling progress, and decarbonising the grid by 2030.
Cutting waiting lists is needed, of course.
Cutting waiting lists is needed, of course.
December 5, 2024 at 11:40 AM
The two most important, for me: planning reform, because the system is strangling progress, and decarbonising the grid by 2030.
Cutting waiting lists is needed, of course.
Cutting waiting lists is needed, of course.
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
not seen it mentioned elsewhere so: my theory is that Elon has become obsessed with Britain because he's essentially stopped sleeping due to drugs and/or madness but for like six hours of his nights Americans are sleeping so Brits are the one English-speaking timezone awake and posting
November 29, 2024 at 9:27 AM
not seen it mentioned elsewhere so: my theory is that Elon has become obsessed with Britain because he's essentially stopped sleeping due to drugs and/or madness but for like six hours of his nights Americans are sleeping so Brits are the one English-speaking timezone awake and posting
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Transport for London have announced a tougher new regime for share e-bikes like Lime etc. From now on, they should usually be left in designated parking bays, with the possibility of fines or even an injunction against operators if this doesn't happen.
November 26, 2024 at 10:53 AM
Transport for London have announced a tougher new regime for share e-bikes like Lime etc. From now on, they should usually be left in designated parking bays, with the possibility of fines or even an injunction against operators if this doesn't happen.
New report shows London's universal free school meals program is a huge success. 270k more kids getting meals, 89% take-up rate, parents report less stress + better concentration from kids. Families on Universal Credit say it's significantly helping finances.
www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khans-...
www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khans-...
Sadiq Khan's free school meals policy having positive effects, says report - OnLondon
The provision of free meals for all of London’s primary school children has alleviated food poverty, benefited school communities and been good for their family lives, according to a report by an inde...
www.onlondon.co.uk
November 20, 2024 at 9:36 AM
New report shows London's universal free school meals program is a huge success. 270k more kids getting meals, 89% take-up rate, parents report less stress + better concentration from kids. Families on Universal Credit say it's significantly helping finances.
www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khans-...
www.onlondon.co.uk/sadiq-khans-...
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Now this place is cooking, maybe worth doing a big old energy thread.
Let’s talk about how electricity prices are set, why they’re so high in Britain, and how we could reduce them…
🧵
Let’s talk about how electricity prices are set, why they’re so high in Britain, and how we could reduce them…
🧵
November 18, 2024 at 8:07 PM
Now this place is cooking, maybe worth doing a big old energy thread.
Let’s talk about how electricity prices are set, why they’re so high in Britain, and how we could reduce them…
🧵
Let’s talk about how electricity prices are set, why they’re so high in Britain, and how we could reduce them…
🧵
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
I was an economist at the BoE at the same time as she worked there. She was an economist. I walked past her desk a few times a day. I read notes she wrote. Attended the same meetings. The last time I wrote this on Twitter someone replied 'you supported masks and lockdown'.
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
I was an economist at the BoE at the same time as she worked there. She was an economist. I walked past her desk a few times a day. I read notes she wrote. Attended the same meetings. The last time I wrote this on Twitter someone replied 'you supported masks and lockdown'.
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
A prominent contributor to fuelling escalating online rumours about the sub judice Southport case was former No 10 advisor Dominic Cummings.
He got 845k views for a "nothing would surprise me" tweet sharing the rumour (235pm, Nov 17th) before tweeting that this "does NOT stack up" an hour later
He got 845k views for a "nothing would surprise me" tweet sharing the rumour (235pm, Nov 17th) before tweeting that this "does NOT stack up" an hour later
November 18, 2024 at 11:19 AM
A prominent contributor to fuelling escalating online rumours about the sub judice Southport case was former No 10 advisor Dominic Cummings.
He got 845k views for a "nothing would surprise me" tweet sharing the rumour (235pm, Nov 17th) before tweeting that this "does NOT stack up" an hour later
He got 845k views for a "nothing would surprise me" tweet sharing the rumour (235pm, Nov 17th) before tweeting that this "does NOT stack up" an hour later
Sad, staggering research from the IFS: when 30% of London's youth clubs closed due to austerity, affected areas saw youth crime rise by 14%. Every £1 'saved' by closures cost society £3. These clubs are lifelines, not luxuries. Research shows they change lives.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
ifs.org.uk/publications...
The effects of youth clubs on education and crime | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Using quasi-experimental variation from austerity-related cuts, I provide the first causal estimates of youth clubs' effects on education and crime.
ifs.org.uk
November 15, 2024 at 12:49 PM
Sad, staggering research from the IFS: when 30% of London's youth clubs closed due to austerity, affected areas saw youth crime rise by 14%. Every £1 'saved' by closures cost society £3. These clubs are lifelines, not luxuries. Research shows they change lives.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
ifs.org.uk/publications...
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
That was a poor #PMQs for Badenoch. She seemed weirdly more nervous than she was last week, during her first one. The theme emerging is that Starmer is not in charge of his brief and can’t think on his feet. It would help not to be garbling your words while reading from a script when claiming that.
November 13, 2024 at 12:25 PM
That was a poor #PMQs for Badenoch. She seemed weirdly more nervous than she was last week, during her first one. The theme emerging is that Starmer is not in charge of his brief and can’t think on his feet. It would help not to be garbling your words while reading from a script when claiming that.
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
The Musk led “efficiency department” seems like the model Trump announcement - delights fans, dismays enemies, rewards celebrity supporters and, when you look at the fine print, doesn’t actually do anything.
November 13, 2024 at 12:16 PM
The Musk led “efficiency department” seems like the model Trump announcement - delights fans, dismays enemies, rewards celebrity supporters and, when you look at the fine print, doesn’t actually do anything.
Extremely late on the uptake here, but I highly recommend the Bluesky Directory (blueskydirectory.com). Brilliant tools to help migrate away from X, including a searchable starter pack database which has added rocket fuel to finding interesting people on here.
The Ultimate Directory of tools and applications for Bluesky
A curated collection of all things relating to the Blue Sky social media platform.
blueskydirectory.com
November 13, 2024 at 12:09 PM
Extremely late on the uptake here, but I highly recommend the Bluesky Directory (blueskydirectory.com). Brilliant tools to help migrate away from X, including a searchable starter pack database which has added rocket fuel to finding interesting people on here.
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
We need more music where the singer says "take 'em for a walk, Artie" and then a guy with a clarinet just goes nuts for like 8 minutes
November 12, 2024 at 2:31 AM
We need more music where the singer says "take 'em for a walk, Artie" and then a guy with a clarinet just goes nuts for like 8 minutes
Reposted by Rhys Thomas
Ok we need to get breaking political news onto BlueSky so here goes: the brilliant Jonathan Powell announced as UK National Security Adviser
www.miragenews.com/jonathan-pow...
www.miragenews.com/jonathan-pow...
Jonathan Powell Named National Security Adviser
The Prime Minister has today announced the appointment of Jonathan Powell as the Prime Minister's National Security Adviser based in No10 Downing
www.miragenews.com
November 8, 2024 at 11:27 AM
Ok we need to get breaking political news onto BlueSky so here goes: the brilliant Jonathan Powell announced as UK National Security Adviser
www.miragenews.com/jonathan-pow...
www.miragenews.com/jonathan-pow...