Antony Seely
@taxbts.bsky.social
House of Commons Library taxation policy specialist
Reposted by Antony Seely
Just to follow up on this for those looking for recommendations of data people in the UK: the starter pack Data and AI Civil Society Network is a really good one to mass follow bsky.app/starter-pack...
Is there a starter pack for data/ public policy with a UK focus?
Wondering if I should start one.
Wondering if I should start one.
January 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Just to follow up on this for those looking for recommendations of data people in the UK: the starter pack Data and AI Civil Society Network is a really good one to mass follow bsky.app/starter-pack...
Reposted by Antony Seely
People often assume there's a right and wrong way to present data in a chart or graphic. But there are many legitimate choices that can mean a telling different stories with the same data.
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
January 13, 2026 at 8:57 AM
People often assume there's a right and wrong way to present data in a chart or graphic. But there are many legitimate choices that can mean a telling different stories with the same data.
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
Reposted by Antony Seely
I’ve published a short briefing on the US’s capture of Nicolás Maduro
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The US capture of Nicolás Maduro
This briefing looks at the January 2026 US military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, statements by President Trump and US officials, the UK and international response, and questi...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
January 6, 2026 at 9:29 PM
I’ve published a short briefing on the US’s capture of Nicolás Maduro
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
A longer post from me to start the year: the Dutch are panicking. Their digital ID system will soon fall under the control of an American company and far-reaching US government powers.
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Digital ID, big tech and the Dutch dilemma
A planned US takeover of critical infrastructure raises troubling questions
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:04 AM
A longer post from me to start the year: the Dutch are panicking. Their digital ID system will soon fall under the control of an American company and far-reaching US government powers.
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Why is that such a problem? And what does it mean for the UK?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Antony Seely
We updated our briefing on this suddenly topical subject just before Christmas
Deprivation of British citizenship and withdrawal of passports https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06820/
December 29, 2025 at 8:19 PM
We updated our briefing on this suddenly topical subject just before Christmas
Reposted by Antony Seely
Published yesterday, our Commons Library Briefing on the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ programme commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
UK-EU reset: Agreement on UK participation in the EU Erasmus+ programme
The UK and EU have agreed that the UK will participate in the EU Erasmus+ programme from 2027
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
December 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Published yesterday, our Commons Library Briefing on the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ programme commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Reposted by Antony Seely
There has been a sustained focus on state threats & foreign interference activities in the UK over the last few weeks, including a debate on the impact of foreign interference on security, trade & democracy in the Commons yesterday.
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
There has been a sustained focus on state threats & foreign interference activities in the UK over the last few weeks, including a debate on the impact of foreign interference on security, trade & democracy in the Commons yesterday.
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
Reposted by Antony Seely
The Commons Library is recruiting a housing policy researcher!
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
Housing Researcher - Houses of Parliament
Title: Housing Researcher. Employer: House of Commons. Salary: £43,614 - £50,374 per annum. Closes: 11/01/2026, 23:55
housesofparliament.tal.net
December 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Commons Library is recruiting a housing policy researcher!
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
Reposted by Antony Seely
New episode of the TDTM podcast just dropped, featuring migration statistics oracle and all-round inspiration Madeleine Sumption from Oxford's @migobs.bsky.social 🔊
Listen to the full episode now on Spotify ⬇️ or Apple Podcasts
open.spotify.com/episode/2Buv...
Listen to the full episode now on Spotify ⬇️ or Apple Podcasts
open.spotify.com/episode/2Buv...
December 9, 2025 at 10:28 AM
New episode of the TDTM podcast just dropped, featuring migration statistics oracle and all-round inspiration Madeleine Sumption from Oxford's @migobs.bsky.social 🔊
Listen to the full episode now on Spotify ⬇️ or Apple Podcasts
open.spotify.com/episode/2Buv...
Listen to the full episode now on Spotify ⬇️ or Apple Podcasts
open.spotify.com/episode/2Buv...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Get ready for the Autumn Budget with the Commons Library 🧰
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Get ready for the Autumn Budget with the Commons Library 🧰
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Their background briefing covers the UK economy, fiscal rules, public spending and more, helping you get the facts ahead of tomorrow's announcements.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
I'm thrilled to announce that Talk Data to Me now has a podcast.
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
Are we flying blind on the economy? with Jonathan Portes
open.spotify.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I'm thrilled to announce that Talk Data to Me now has a podcast.
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
My first guest is Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics at Kings, who talked to me about recent problems with UK economic data & budget challenges for the Chancellor.
Available to listen now 🔊
open.spotify.com/episode/6Txz...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Parliamentary sovereignty is one of the most deceptively difficult things to write about accurately, concisely and accessibly.
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Parliamentary sovereignty
A short research briefing on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, its origins and contemporary application.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Parliamentary sovereignty is one of the most deceptively difficult things to write about accurately, concisely and accessibly.
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Credit to David Torrance & @paolosandro.bsky.social for showing the deceptively difficult is not the infuriatingly impossible.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
The House of Commons Library Open Day returns in 2026!
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
House of Commons Library Open Day
We are pleased to invite librarians, library staff and information officers to the House of Commons Library Open Day 2026.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
October 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The House of Commons Library Open Day returns in 2026!
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
Come and learn about what we do to inform democracy and take advantage of a rare chance to tour the Commons Library space.
Full details are on our website and applications close 24th November commonslibrary.parliament.uk/training-and...
Reposted by Antony Seely
There's a persistent impression about the migration debate in the UK that one side - that of migration sceptics - cares a lot more.
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
September 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
There's a persistent impression about the migration debate in the UK that one side - that of migration sceptics - cares a lot more.
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post on Substack ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Good BBC report on life in asylum hotels www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Behind the doors of asylum hotels - what I found when I went inside
A BBC reporter goes into four hotels and speaks to asylum seekers and staff about what daily life is like.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Good BBC report on life in asylum hotels www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Antony Seely
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
State visits to the UK
What are state visits? Who decides who is invited? Who pays the costs? What is the format of a state visit? Do they always include addresses to Parliament?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
September 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Most of us are in a wobbly position when it comes to our understanding of immigration numbers.
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How to make conversations about immigration less painful
Let's get one thing straight at the very least
georginasturge.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Most of us are in a wobbly position when it comes to our understanding of immigration numbers.
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How would things go if we didn’t make these half-remembered statistics so central to how we form and articulate opinions?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Recent revisions to US employment stats were less an act of inside sabotage and more about businesses behaving unexpectedly due to Trump's chaotic tariff regime.
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Revising statistics? The real crime is not to do it
Trump's campaign against 'phony' numbers won't lead anywhere good
georginasturge.substack.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Recent revisions to US employment stats were less an act of inside sabotage and more about businesses behaving unexpectedly due to Trump's chaotic tariff regime.
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Attacks on 'phony' statisticians take us to a very dark place. My latest post for Substack:
georginasturge.substack.com/p/revising-s...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Have published an update for the Commons Library on the EU's entry exit system, now scheduled for launch on 12 October 2025 and being phased in over six months. Will also operate at Port of Dover, and Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals in the UK 1/2
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
The EU Entry/Exit system and EU travel authorisation system
The EU is introducing new border systems, requiring non-EU nationals to obtain an authorisation before they travel to the EU and go through new automated biometric checks at the border.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
August 8, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Have published an update for the Commons Library on the EU's entry exit system, now scheduled for launch on 12 October 2025 and being phased in over six months. Will also operate at Port of Dover, and Eurostar and Eurotunnel terminals in the UK 1/2
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-eu-entry...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Is now the time? ⌛
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
Electoral reform in the UK feels inevitable
For the first time, a majority of voters across all parties back electoral reform and would prefer to have a coalition government.
georginasturge.substack.com
August 7, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Is now the time? ⌛
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
The data on electoral reform shows that the stars are well and truly aligned in terms of public support. A majority of voters from all the biggest parties - even Labour and Conservatives - are in favour. Do politicians feel the same?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/electoral-...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Why are we hooked on bad vibes when they don't reflect reality?
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
In search of bad vibes
A mood of boiling discontentment in Britain is the subject of daily news - but where is the evidence that it even exists?
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Why are we hooked on bad vibes when they don't reflect reality?
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
I took a deep-dive into the data, in search of what is really going on.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Why do we rely on economic forecasts which are always wrong?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
July 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Why do we rely on economic forecasts which are always wrong?
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
georginasturge.substack.com/p/why-do-we-...
Reposted by Antony Seely
An intervention for UK statistics - but will it be enough?
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
An intervention for UK statistics - but will it be enough?
The ONS must change to provide the good data that government and the public need
open.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 9:54 AM
An intervention for UK statistics - but will it be enough?
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
In my latest Substack post I ask 'what now?' for the beleaguered Office for National Statistics, following last week's honest but critical Devereux Review.
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Antony Seely
Well, this is exciting - I've been grumbling for *years* about how figures at Budgets and Spending Reviews are only given to the nearest £100 million, which makes data analysis needlessly difficult. And the Treasury have just gone ahead and published the unrounded data! www.gov.uk/government/p...
Supporting documents for Spending Review 2025
Supporting documents alongside the main Spending Review 2025 document: distributional analysis, policy costings and data sources.
www.gov.uk
June 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Well, this is exciting - I've been grumbling for *years* about how figures at Budgets and Spending Reviews are only given to the nearest £100 million, which makes data analysis needlessly difficult. And the Treasury have just gone ahead and published the unrounded data! www.gov.uk/government/p...