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Tim Leunig

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Timothy Charles Leunig is an economist at the London School of Economics's Department of Economic History. After a long… more

H-index: 8
Economics 62%
Political science 13%
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Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell , and 3 more

sathnam.bsky.social
I've responded to Robert Jenrick's vile comments in @thetimes.com

www.thetimes.com/life-style/c...
I sang Jerusalem with Robert Jenrick at school — he’s wrong about race
The Conservative MP has complained that, visiting Handsworth in Birmingham, he didn’t see ‘another white face’. You can’t judge whether someone is integrated by skin colour, argues fellow Wulfrunian S...
www.thetimes.com
47 190 670

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Jonathan Portes, Will Jennings

steverose7.bsky.social
I spoke to British Future's Sunder Katwala, who was a refreshing antidote to all the far right rhetoric on immigration, flags, etc. Britain is not nearly as divided as extremists suggest, he says, and we're "a generation ahead" when it comes to multiculturalism.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Sunder Katwala on race, patriotism and flag-waving: ‘The far right is vocal and angry because it is shrinking’
The director of British Future has spent his career trying to find common ground when it comes to race and immigration. He describes his own experience of racism – and why he’s still hopeful for the U...
www.theguardian.com
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Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Scott A. Imberman

nathanlane.bsky.social
We’re hiring @ LSE

We have *multiple* economist positions—assistant and associate professor—here at LSE International Development.

Our economics group is expanding and we have exciting stuff planned.

We’re keen on big picture economists.

Feel free to DM me questions.
American Economic Association: JOE Listings - August 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
www.aeaweb.org
13 20

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Nicolai von Ondarza

naomialderman.bsky.social
I didn't know until we buried my mother, so probably most people here don't know: Jewish cemeteries strongly recommend that you get insurance for the headstone.

Because the cemeteries are so often desecrated, the gravestones smashed.
100 340 1.2K

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Gráinne McKeever

alexclegg.bsky.social
Very encouraging to read that the Government is preparing to lift the two-child limit as part of its child poverty strategy, but it is disheartening that options short of scrapping it entirely are still being considered. Thread on why this would be the wrong choice for an ambitious strategy:
Rachel Reeves to lift two-child benefit cap in November budget
Exclusive: Officials exploring options to change rule that affected 1.7 million children in Great Britain last year
www.theguardian.com
2 22 59

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
Three idea that schools should have to find every kid a destination at 16 is bizarre. It is not in their gift to persuade an employer to hire someone.
schoolsweek.bsky.social
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 7d
Downing Street has said schools will be 'tasked with ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination', after Sir Keir Starmer announced a new target for further and higher education participation

schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-b...
Schools to 'ensure pupils have a post-16 destination'
But details scarce on policy after Sir Keir Starmer announces new higher-level learning target
schoolsweek.co.uk
4 1 8

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

ruthcurtice.bsky.social
PM says on radio that there are 1m young people on benefits. Presume he meant 1m young people not in education employment or training. Only about half of them claim benefits.
4 11 41

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

schoolsweek.bsky.social
Downing Street has said schools will be 'tasked with ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination', after Sir Keir Starmer announced a new target for further and higher education participation

schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-to-b...
Schools to 'ensure pupils have a post-16 destination'
But details scarce on policy after Sir Keir Starmer announces new higher-level learning target
schoolsweek.co.uk

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

fdaunion.bsky.social
The current balance of pay and pensions is economically inefficient, says @timleunig.bsky.social, as it incentivises people to retire earlier. He continues that civil service pensions “are not generous”. You have to think of the package as a whole - you cannot look at pensions in isolation. #Lab25
1 1

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

gilesyb.bsky.social
I'm not in the hall listening. But reading this on the train heading back, this from Starmer calling out racism is ****ING excellent

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
8 31 140

by Ben H. Ansell — Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Jonathan Portes, Will Jennings , and 16 more

benansell.bsky.social
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
British Politics' Midlife Crisis
Why British Parties Can't Make Peace with Their Actual Voters
benansell.substack.com
21 460 1.2K

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Christian Odendahl

acjsissons.bsky.social
A quick update on work we're doing with Plymouth, testing what a local clean heat plan could look like in practice.

Key learnings so far:
- Finding the "right" heating tech for homes is hard; you need both data and human input
- We were surprised how interested the supply chain was in heat planning
Early learnings through testing a clean heat plan in Plymouth
Planning should identify suitable technology while also engaging the wider supply chain, local skills, and the economy to prepare for delivery
www.nesta.org.uk
2 12 31

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
ourworldindata.org/wolbachia-ne... Big news from @hannahritchie.bsky.social @ourworldindata.org
How Wolbachia bacteria could help us tackle some of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases
A common bacterium can dramatically reduce the spread of dengue fever and other tropical diseases.
ourworldindata.org
1 2

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Mike Brewer, Anand Menon

resfoundation.bsky.social
Amid reports that MPs and an advisory taskforce will recommend scrapping the two-child limit on benefits, it's worth noting that this step would be the most targeted and cost-effective way for the Government to meet its aim of reducing child poverty ⤵️
3 48 120

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Steve Peers, Fiona Moore

alexparsons.bsky.social
Cannot stress enough how it is already possible to report potholes www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Public backs ‘super ID card’ which could be used to report potholes
Ministers have recently said they are considering introducing a form of digital ID for adults in Britain
www.independent.co.uk
48 180 750

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

gavinfreeguard.bsky.social
Great (if not surprising!) to see such a strong emphasis on openness, collaboration and community from @janethughes.bsky.social in the latest @civilserviceworld.bsky.social

www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/art...
Read the autumn 2025 issue of Civil Service World
Can government break the link between background and opportunity? Plus: exclusive interviews with civil service reform DG Janet Hughes, MoJ digital...
www.civilserviceworld.com
3 6

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
My £1bn idea on Premium Bonds. Free to read, timleunig.substack.com/p/how-to-sav...
1 1 4

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Jonathan Portes, Ben H. Ansell , and 7 more

duncanweldon.bsky.social
Retrospectively removing indefinite leave to remain would be immoral and economically damaging. It would tear families apart.
Attacking it as ‘potentially illegal’ is completely beside the point.
Argue with the (awful) idea. Don’t try ’well, actually you can’t do that’.
59 480 1.6K

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

theobserveruk.bsky.social
If sustained growth is the aim, the UK has to lift more children out of poverty

Better grades in school will lead to higher wages, more tax revenue and less welfare spending for the next generation.

@timleunig.bsky.social

https://bit.ly/3KySGew
If sustained growth is the aim, the UK has to lift more c...
Better grades in school will lead to higher wages, more tax revenue and less welfare spending for the next generation
bit.ly
6 12

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
Isn't this a function of housing costs? Private renters in work on quite high incomes get universal credit in London
resfoundation.bsky.social
Resolution Foundation @resfoundation.bsky.social · 21d
Health-related benefit claims are spread unevenly across Britain

Only three-in-ten of UC claimants in London are in the health group, while more than two-fifths of those in the North East, Wales and Scotland are in the health group.

Read more ➡️ buff.ly/zkNqn6n
Chart showing proportion of UC claimants who are on UC Health, by region/nation: Great Britain, June 2025. Across Britain as a whole, 37 per cent of UC claimants are in the health group. But the picture is uneven across the country: only three-in-ten (29 per cent) of claimants in London are in the health group, while more than two-fifths of those in the North East, Wales and Scotland are in the health group.
1 1 2

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

resfoundation.bsky.social
Health-related benefit claims are spread unevenly across Britain

Only three-in-ten of UC claimants in London are in the health group, while more than two-fifths of those in the North East, Wales and Scotland are in the health group.

Read more ➡️ buff.ly/zkNqn6n
Chart showing proportion of UC claimants who are on UC Health, by region/nation: Great Britain, June 2025. Across Britain as a whole, 37 per cent of UC claimants are in the health group. But the picture is uneven across the country: only three-in-ten (29 per cent) of claimants in London are in the health group, while more than two-fifths of those in the North East, Wales and Scotland are in the health group.
1 2 2

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Steve Peers, Jill Rutter , and 1 more

gilesyb.bsky.social
My most centrist dad take is that most governing politicians deserve sympathy because almost every policy that's actually any good for the country is unpopular, and almost every popular policy is probably bad.

Johnson's Brexit approach was far worse than Chequers IMHO but 20ppts more popular 1/
32 110 490

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
If you want (another) idea from me on how to sort out our planning system I have one on today's substack - timleunig.substack.com/p/planning-m... (£/free trial)
Planning - more ideas
(I promise to write about completely different next week!)
timleunig.substack.com

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
My letter in today's FT - on housing supply
2 1 5

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

anthonypainter.bsky.social
Sensible ideas to speed up planning from @timleunig.bsky.social.

I would go further. Councils/Gov should compulsorily buy up strategic land - a public land bank - at market price plus premium. Then auction off chunks to be built to an agreed timescale and design.

open.substack.com/pub/timleuni...
Planning - more ideas
(I promise to write about completely different next week!)
open.substack.com
2 2 3

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
This post was requested by the photographer, and as my friends know, I always do what I am told...
vnbateman.bsky.social
Dr Victoria Bateman @vnbateman.bsky.social · 26d
The brilliant @timleunig.bsky.social at the launch of my new book #Economica: A Global History of Women, Wealth & Power, showing - as always - that there is never a dull moment in economic history. Thank you Tim! #womenwealthpower
1 7

Reposted by: Tim Leunig

vnbateman.bsky.social
The brilliant @timleunig.bsky.social at the launch of my new book #Economica: A Global History of Women, Wealth & Power, showing - as always - that there is never a dull moment in economic history. Thank you Tim! #womenwealthpower
1 3

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
A delight to attend Victoria Bateman's latest book launch yesterday, in the rather grand surroundings of the National Portrait Gallery.

by Tim Leunig

timleunig.bsky.social
I met Bob Worcester as a student. But only was he a legend even then, but he was also a lovely man, generous with his time.
benpageresearch.bsky.social
Ben @benpageresearch.bsky.social · 28d
Sir Robert Worcester, legendary pollster and founder of MORI (now Ipsos UK) has died at 91. He taught so many people so much about the value and importance of opinion polls in modern democracies - everyone in our industry and politics owes him a debt of gratitude.
1 5

Reposted by: Tim Leunig, Richard S.J. Tol, Steve Peers , and 2 more

pickardje.bsky.social
we revealed in FT two years ago that Mandelson stayed at Epstein's luxury house in Manhattan while the financier was in jail for soliciting a minor

he was deputy prime minister at the time

always seemed weird that broadcasters didn't really pick this up at the time

www.ft.com/content/0723...
Links between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein detailed in JPMorgan report
Emails indicate then UK business secretary stayed at New York house while disgraced financier was in prison
www.ft.com
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