Jez Begent
@jezbegent.bsky.social
Freelance IT worker. EVs, active travel, politics, tech, news n stuff.
Reposted by Jez Begent
“Be sure to set me to ‘delicate,’ Alison. It’d be a shame to ruin that sweater, you know, in case it ever comes back in style.”
December 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
“Be sure to set me to ‘delicate,’ Alison. It’d be a shame to ruin that sweater, you know, in case it ever comes back in style.”
Reposted by Jez Begent
See if you can spot the point where Dubya let the semi-automatics ban expire
December 17, 2025 at 8:40 PM
See if you can spot the point where Dubya let the semi-automatics ban expire
Reposted by Jez Begent
🇪🇺 EU: We are watering down the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars
🇨🇳 China: Thanks very much
#electriccars
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
🇨🇳 China: Thanks very much
#electriccars
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
EU plans to water down ban on new petrol and diesel cars
Commission proposes cutting obligation for 100% zero emission vehicles beyond 2035 to 90% after pressure from industry and some EU states
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
🇪🇺 EU: We are watering down the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars
🇨🇳 China: Thanks very much
#electriccars
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
🇨🇳 China: Thanks very much
#electriccars
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Jez Begent
It has become received wisdom in Brussels and Washington that there is a new “euro-sclerosis”: that the EU economy is lagging the US
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
December 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
It has become received wisdom in Brussels and Washington that there is a new “euro-sclerosis”: that the EU economy is lagging the US
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
This view is wrong
A little primer on the measurement of productivity – and why reports of the economic death of Europe are greatly exaggerated🧵
How is this good for the city? It's not, of course, but no surprise to see Notts Live crowing about it
www.nottinghampost.com/news/notting...
www.nottinghampost.com/news/notting...
So why exactly is university selling its new £80m campus? Let us explain
University unions have long criticised the Castle Meadow development, which they labelled a 'vanity project' that significantly exceeded its initial £45m budget
www.nottinghampost.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
How is this good for the city? It's not, of course, but no surprise to see Notts Live crowing about it
www.nottinghampost.com/news/notting...
www.nottinghampost.com/news/notting...
Reposted by Jez Begent
Becoming Tom Stoppard, and becoming English, and the ambiguity of having 'a pass, a press ticket' on belonging
November 30, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Becoming Tom Stoppard, and becoming English, and the ambiguity of having 'a pass, a press ticket' on belonging
Reposted by Jez Begent
Many conclude that #COP30 wasn't a big success, but not a big failure either.
Given the speed with which the climate crisis is developing, any COP that's not a big success is now a big failure, though.
We can't afford losing a year.
Given the speed with which the climate crisis is developing, any COP that's not a big success is now a big failure, though.
We can't afford losing a year.
November 23, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Many conclude that #COP30 wasn't a big success, but not a big failure either.
Given the speed with which the climate crisis is developing, any COP that's not a big success is now a big failure, though.
We can't afford losing a year.
Given the speed with which the climate crisis is developing, any COP that's not a big success is now a big failure, though.
We can't afford losing a year.
Reposted by Jez Begent
This is pretty striking and makes me wonder exactly what Labour have been up to in making policy seemingly in response to / fear of the former rather than the middle group.
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
This is pretty striking and makes me wonder exactly what Labour have been up to in making policy seemingly in response to / fear of the former rather than the middle group.
Reposted by Jez Begent
I really cannot recommend this excellent piece on Hammersmith Bridge highly enough
Hammersmith Bridge
Where did 25,000 vehicles go?
nickmaini.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I really cannot recommend this excellent piece on Hammersmith Bridge highly enough
Reposted by Jez Begent
We will struggle to explain to future generations how something so transparent and stupid was able to take place youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
November 21, 2025 at 12:16 PM
We will struggle to explain to future generations how something so transparent and stupid was able to take place youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
Reposted by Jez Begent
Love to @jayforeman.bsky.social & @markcooperjones.bsky.social for shitting on Kensington & Chelsea cycling infrastructure in the Map Men Map Men Map Map Map Men Men book 👌
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Love to @jayforeman.bsky.social & @markcooperjones.bsky.social for shitting on Kensington & Chelsea cycling infrastructure in the Map Men Map Men Map Map Map Men Men book 👌
Reposted by Jez Begent
Heat pumps news! DESNZ is expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air to air heat pumps and heat batteries.
Both will be eligible for a £2,500 grant if it fully replaces a gas or oil boiler…
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521952...
Both will be eligible for a £2,500 grant if it fully replaces a gas or oil boiler…
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521952...
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Government set to expand scheme to include air conditioning heat pumps
Government expands heat pump scheme to include heat batteries and 'air-to-air devices' that can cool homes in summer, despite speculation over budget cuts
www.businessgreen.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Heat pumps news! DESNZ is expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air to air heat pumps and heat batteries.
Both will be eligible for a £2,500 grant if it fully replaces a gas or oil boiler…
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521952...
Both will be eligible for a £2,500 grant if it fully replaces a gas or oil boiler…
www.businessgreen.com/news/4521952...
Reposted by Jez Begent
Cargo bikes can cost thousands but they'll replace a car, so cost society less in improved health, less damage on roads, less likely to kill someone
November 13, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Cargo bikes can cost thousands but they'll replace a car, so cost society less in improved health, less damage on roads, less likely to kill someone
Reposted by Jez Begent
Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Four of the top ten postcodes for uninsured drivers is in Birmingham. We need to see action on tackling this and the many other dangers on our city's roads.
news.sky.com/story/worst-ar...
news.sky.com/story/worst-ar...
Worst areas for uninsured driving revealed - as hit-and-run victim says he was 'left for dead'
Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, according to data from the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
news.sky.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Four of the top ten postcodes for uninsured drivers is in Birmingham. We need to see action on tackling this and the many other dangers on our city's roads.
news.sky.com/story/worst-ar...
news.sky.com/story/worst-ar...
Reposted by Jez Begent
Life as a food delivery worker: ‘Sometimes men open the door naked’
Life as a food delivery worker: ‘Sometimes men open the door naked’
To earn a living as a delivery rider, some work 10-12 hour days, contending with low pay, exhaustion, accidents, injuries and harassment. Is this a new form of modern slavery?
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Life as a food delivery worker: ‘Sometimes men open the door naked’
Reposted by Jez Begent
Diesel out ⛽️
Batteries in 🔋
It IS really that simple, shows this 🇸🇪 vessel from the 70s
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
Batteries in 🔋
It IS really that simple, shows this 🇸🇪 vessel from the 70s
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
October 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Diesel out ⛽️
Batteries in 🔋
It IS really that simple, shows this 🇸🇪 vessel from the 70s
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
Batteries in 🔋
It IS really that simple, shows this 🇸🇪 vessel from the 70s
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
Reposted by Jez Begent
I FOI'd English councils whether they use legal land purchase powers to create traffic-free paths. Just 1% said they have successfully.
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
November 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I FOI'd English councils whether they use legal land purchase powers to create traffic-free paths. Just 1% said they have successfully.
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
Why is something that's so common for roads almost never done for cycle routes? And what does it mean for cycling?
lauralaker.substack.com/p/cycleways-...
Reposted by Jez Begent
One important thing to understand about these policy support mechanisms (“benefits for middle class voters”) being scrapped or slashed is that they are *expressly designed* to incentivise people with money to spend it on clean technology, on basis that public spending can’t deliver transition on own
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
One important thing to understand about these policy support mechanisms (“benefits for middle class voters”) being scrapped or slashed is that they are *expressly designed* to incentivise people with money to spend it on clean technology, on basis that public spending can’t deliver transition on own
Reposted by Jez Begent
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
Interesting that 'being caught' wasn't an option here which evidence shows is the key deterance factor.
How effective do Britons think capital / corporal punishment would be at reducing crime, and how does this compare to other punishments?
Long prison: 66% say effective
Death penalty: 62%
Flogging: 31%
Community service: 31%
Fines: 31%
Stocks: 29%
Short prison: 18%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Long prison: 66% say effective
Death penalty: 62%
Flogging: 31%
Community service: 31%
Fines: 31%
Stocks: 29%
Short prison: 18%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Interesting that 'being caught' wasn't an option here which evidence shows is the key deterance factor.
Reposted by Jez Begent
This really is poorly thought through.
If you are going to do a per mile charge it should be for all vehicles. Petrol is undercharged in comparison to its negative impacts.
And it's a phenomenally bad idea to create additional psychological barriers to owning EVs.
on.ft.com/4oxpaFs
If you are going to do a per mile charge it should be for all vehicles. Petrol is undercharged in comparison to its negative impacts.
And it's a phenomenally bad idea to create additional psychological barriers to owning EVs.
on.ft.com/4oxpaFs
Reeves poised to unveil Budget plan for EV drivers to pay per mile charges
Chancellor looks to offset a forecast sharp drop in government revenue from fuel duty
on.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM
This really is poorly thought through.
If you are going to do a per mile charge it should be for all vehicles. Petrol is undercharged in comparison to its negative impacts.
And it's a phenomenally bad idea to create additional psychological barriers to owning EVs.
on.ft.com/4oxpaFs
If you are going to do a per mile charge it should be for all vehicles. Petrol is undercharged in comparison to its negative impacts.
And it's a phenomenally bad idea to create additional psychological barriers to owning EVs.
on.ft.com/4oxpaFs
Reposted by Jez Begent
Reposted by Jez Begent
Great charts 🙏
Based on the charts by @electric-nick.bsky.social and @leraffl.bsky.social, I thought it would be fun to create a #map in the nice @landgeist.bsky.social format.
Hope you'll find it interesting 🙏
The market share of new passenger #BEV 🔋🚘 registrations in the #EU, #EFTA and the #UK.
Based on the charts by @electric-nick.bsky.social and @leraffl.bsky.social, I thought it would be fun to create a #map in the nice @landgeist.bsky.social format.
Hope you'll find it interesting 🙏
The market share of new passenger #BEV 🔋🚘 registrations in the #EU, #EFTA and the #UK.
October 30, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Great charts 🙏
Based on the charts by @electric-nick.bsky.social and @leraffl.bsky.social, I thought it would be fun to create a #map in the nice @landgeist.bsky.social format.
Hope you'll find it interesting 🙏
The market share of new passenger #BEV 🔋🚘 registrations in the #EU, #EFTA and the #UK.
Based on the charts by @electric-nick.bsky.social and @leraffl.bsky.social, I thought it would be fun to create a #map in the nice @landgeist.bsky.social format.
Hope you'll find it interesting 🙏
The market share of new passenger #BEV 🔋🚘 registrations in the #EU, #EFTA and the #UK.
Reposted by Jez Begent
October 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by Jez Begent
Given the party's refusal to act on Pochin's brazen racism, it should be as socially unacceptable to vote for Reform as it was in the early 2000s to vote for the BNP.
And we should be prepared to say this to people's faces.
And we should be prepared to say this to people's faces.
October 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Given the party's refusal to act on Pochin's brazen racism, it should be as socially unacceptable to vote for Reform as it was in the early 2000s to vote for the BNP.
And we should be prepared to say this to people's faces.
And we should be prepared to say this to people's faces.