Anne Newton
@grannanne07.bsky.social
Mancunian - retired education admin. Interests include arts, politics, gardening. #FBPE
Reposted by Anne Newton
More here: taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/10/08/c...
Tory IHT cut could cost £11bn - almost twice the advertised price
Our modelling suggests Badenoch’s inheritance tax cut could cost £7.7bn-£10.9bn a year and shift £60bn-£110bn from savings and investments into housing.
taxpolicy.org.uk
October 8, 2026 at 1:25 PM
More here: taxpolicy.org.uk/2026/10/08/c...
Reposted by Anne Newton
Column on Greens, anti-Zionism and why the people who pathologically hate something are not the most reliable people to define it accurately www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Zack Polanski had the chance to show real leadership. He blew it | Rafael Behr
A toxic debate over anti-Zionism leaves the Green leader looking like a passenger in the movement that carried him to the top, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2026 at 6:21 AM
Column on Greens, anti-Zionism and why the people who pathologically hate something are not the most reliable people to define it accurately www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Anne Newton
To state school alumni starting university, I say this: be proud of your background | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
To state school alumni starting university, I say this: be proud of your background | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Accusations of classism chime with my experience 20 years ago. So all hail the Bristol graduate awarding state schools red plaques, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2026 at 1:44 AM
To state school alumni starting university, I say this: be proud of your background | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Reposted by Anne Newton
Our full report is here, complete with a recreation of Cebr's model that lets you see precisely how they came up with their too-good-to-be-true numbers.
buff.ly/5DDA6rg
Summary below, but *way* more detail in the report.
buff.ly/5DDA6rg
Summary below, but *way* more detail in the report.
September 28, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Our full report is here, complete with a recreation of Cebr's model that lets you see precisely how they came up with their too-good-to-be-true numbers.
buff.ly/5DDA6rg
Summary below, but *way* more detail in the report.
buff.ly/5DDA6rg
Summary below, but *way* more detail in the report.
Reposted by Anne Newton
“Labour will create a National Care Service” -
It’s right there in the 2024 manifesto.
Labour subsequently won in a landslide.
Next steps? Let’s stick it in the next manifesto.
It’s right there in the 2024 manifesto.
Labour subsequently won in a landslide.
Next steps? Let’s stick it in the next manifesto.
September 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM
“Labour will create a National Care Service” -
It’s right there in the 2024 manifesto.
Labour subsequently won in a landslide.
Next steps? Let’s stick it in the next manifesto.
It’s right there in the 2024 manifesto.
Labour subsequently won in a landslide.
Next steps? Let’s stick it in the next manifesto.
Reposted by Anne Newton
Do you know what would help address this? A National Care Service 👍. If only someone had that in their manifesto and won an election 🤔
September 27, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Do you know what would help address this? A National Care Service 👍. If only someone had that in their manifesto and won an election 🤔
Reposted by Anne Newton
Your regular reminder that UK taxes are average by western standards and low on middle-earners.
Labour figures, especially, should not fall into the trap of pretending that we have a “high” tax burden and that taxes are to blame for the living standards crisis. www.arguably.uk/p/the-tax-tr...
Labour figures, especially, should not fall into the trap of pretending that we have a “high” tax burden and that taxes are to blame for the living standards crisis. www.arguably.uk/p/the-tax-tr...
September 26, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Your regular reminder that UK taxes are average by western standards and low on middle-earners.
Labour figures, especially, should not fall into the trap of pretending that we have a “high” tax burden and that taxes are to blame for the living standards crisis. www.arguably.uk/p/the-tax-tr...
Labour figures, especially, should not fall into the trap of pretending that we have a “high” tax burden and that taxes are to blame for the living standards crisis. www.arguably.uk/p/the-tax-tr...
Reposted by Anne Newton
🚨🚨 "there seems to be no sense of urgency about anything: about tackling the far right, about protecting liberal norms of governance, about challenging the immigration panic, about improving relations with the EU, or about recalibrating geo-political strategy." @chrisgrey.bsky.social
September 25, 2026 at 12:51 PM
🚨🚨 "there seems to be no sense of urgency about anything: about tackling the far right, about protecting liberal norms of governance, about challenging the immigration panic, about improving relations with the EU, or about recalibrating geo-political strategy." @chrisgrey.bsky.social
Reposted by Anne Newton
Lethargy in place of strategy. New post on my fortnightly Brexit & Brexitism Blog looking at the urgent lessons from the Reform mega-donations, Piddington, and the growth of the far right; reset inertia; and the real lessons from Canada & Carney: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/leth...
September 25, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Lethargy in place of strategy. New post on my fortnightly Brexit & Brexitism Blog looking at the urgent lessons from the Reform mega-donations, Piddington, and the growth of the far right; reset inertia; and the real lessons from Canada & Carney: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/leth...
Reposted by Anne Newton
So many problems would go away if instead of asking "what can we do about X?" we instead ask "is X a problem?". Cutting welfare further will create misery & invite another recession -- the least well off spend most of their money locally. We might consider doing something about corporate welfare.
September 24, 2026 at 10:07 AM
So many problems would go away if instead of asking "what can we do about X?" we instead ask "is X a problem?". Cutting welfare further will create misery & invite another recession -- the least well off spend most of their money locally. We might consider doing something about corporate welfare.
Reposted by Anne Newton
This chart published by the Economics Laboratory, shows that the UK social spending is 23% of GDP, covers NHS, social security and support services.
It is a useful rebutal to neoliberals calling for cuts to the NHS, state pension and other benefits.
www.linkedin.com/posts/charto...
It is a useful rebutal to neoliberals calling for cuts to the NHS, state pension and other benefits.
www.linkedin.com/posts/charto...
September 24, 2026 at 9:25 AM
This chart published by the Economics Laboratory, shows that the UK social spending is 23% of GDP, covers NHS, social security and support services.
It is a useful rebutal to neoliberals calling for cuts to the NHS, state pension and other benefits.
www.linkedin.com/posts/charto...
It is a useful rebutal to neoliberals calling for cuts to the NHS, state pension and other benefits.
www.linkedin.com/posts/charto...
Reposted by Anne Newton
Did you know? Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, fled Zanzibar for England in 1964 as a refugee. Source: Refugee Week 🧵
September 24, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Did you know? Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, fled Zanzibar for England in 1964 as a refugee. Source: Refugee Week 🧵
Reposted by Anne Newton
Could you please possibly sign and repost as widely as possible this gov.uk petition, critical for UK politics:
Petition: Make lying or spreading disinformation in public office a criminal offence.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77...
Petition: Make lying or spreading disinformation in public office a criminal offence.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77...
gov.uk
September 22, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Could you please possibly sign and repost as widely as possible this gov.uk petition, critical for UK politics:
Petition: Make lying or spreading disinformation in public office a criminal offence.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77...
Petition: Make lying or spreading disinformation in public office a criminal offence.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77...
Reposted by Anne Newton
On the one hand, AI is going to end humanity. On the other, it's all just marketing hype before an IPO.
I spoke with Times Radio to discuss why governments can't afford to wait and see, when AI agents are already making decisions without us knowing.
I spoke with Times Radio to discuss why governments can't afford to wait and see, when AI agents are already making decisions without us knowing.
September 21, 2026 at 1:31 PM
On the one hand, AI is going to end humanity. On the other, it's all just marketing hype before an IPO.
I spoke with Times Radio to discuss why governments can't afford to wait and see, when AI agents are already making decisions without us knowing.
I spoke with Times Radio to discuss why governments can't afford to wait and see, when AI agents are already making decisions without us knowing.
Reposted by Anne Newton
It’s time to stop adhering to a decade-old referendum that caused us nothing but problems.
An increasingly volatile world now changes faster, year on year. The days of Empire are long gone. We cannot survive alone. We need the power/safety of our neighbours. Unity not isolation.
An increasingly volatile world now changes faster, year on year. The days of Empire are long gone. We cannot survive alone. We need the power/safety of our neighbours. Unity not isolation.
Membership leads in 628 seats. In the other four, “don’t know” comes first.
Rejoining EU is top choice in 628 British constituencies, YouGov poll finds
A YouGov poll finds EU membership is the top UK–EU policy choice in 628 of 632 British constituencies, putting pressure on Labour’s red lines.
thedailybritain.co.uk
September 20, 2026 at 3:54 PM
It’s time to stop adhering to a decade-old referendum that caused us nothing but problems.
An increasingly volatile world now changes faster, year on year. The days of Empire are long gone. We cannot survive alone. We need the power/safety of our neighbours. Unity not isolation.
An increasingly volatile world now changes faster, year on year. The days of Empire are long gone. We cannot survive alone. We need the power/safety of our neighbours. Unity not isolation.
Reposted by Anne Newton
I wonder which level of idiocy needs to be achieved before a politician will say "No, this is silly, not going to listen to you. Come back to me when your are sober again"
September 16, 2026 at 7:52 AM
I wonder which level of idiocy needs to be achieved before a politician will say "No, this is silly, not going to listen to you. Come back to me when your are sober again"
Reposted by Anne Newton
You can read my latest piece in @theguardian.com here
2027 is going to be grim
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
2027 is going to be grim
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The incoming ‘super’ El Niño will create chaos around the world. And we are far from ready for it | Bill McGuire
One of the biggest upheavals in a millennium is on its way, strengthened by the climate crisis. We need leaders who make things better not worse, says climate professor Bill McGuire
www.theguardian.com
September 15, 2026 at 10:33 AM
You can read my latest piece in @theguardian.com here
2027 is going to be grim
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
2027 is going to be grim
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Anne Newton
Union funding pools contributions from working people. It is governed collectively and every member can opt out. A £36m gift from one billionaire turns private wealth into a political voice louder than millions of voters. One is democratic representation the other is plutocracy x.com/implausibleb...
September 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Union funding pools contributions from working people. It is governed collectively and every member can opt out. A £36m gift from one billionaire turns private wealth into a political voice louder than millions of voters. One is democratic representation the other is plutocracy x.com/implausibleb...
Reposted by Anne Newton
Former Tory Chancellor George Osborne calls for UK to rejoin EU customs union and boost trade.
Brexit has brought no economic gains to the UK.
Brexiteers want to cosy up to the US but being the 51st state is no future.
Brexit has brought no economic gains to the UK.
Brexiteers want to cosy up to the US but being the 51st state is no future.
George Osborne calls for UK to rejoin EU customs union and boost trade
Ex-Tory chancellor says economy has ‘fallen off a cliff’ since Brexit but rejoining union could be ‘quite simple’
www.theguardian.com
September 14, 2026 at 6:25 AM
Former Tory Chancellor George Osborne calls for UK to rejoin EU customs union and boost trade.
Brexit has brought no economic gains to the UK.
Brexiteers want to cosy up to the US but being the 51st state is no future.
Brexit has brought no economic gains to the UK.
Brexiteers want to cosy up to the US but being the 51st state is no future.
Reposted by Anne Newton
"It also confirmed that 100% of the recycling and component retention took place within the UK, supporting domestic green jobs and at least 10 supply chain companies."
Now THIS is incredible. 26 decommissioned wind turbines from Scotland's first commercial wind farm were - wait for it - 99.9% recycled? Less than 0.1% of their materials into landfill:
www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/uk-fi...
Blimey.
www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/uk-fi...
Blimey.
‘UK first’ sees decommissioning of ScottishPower wind farm demonstrate turbine circularity | New Civil Engineer
Hagshaw Hill Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire opened in the mid-‘90s and was decommissioned in 2023 before being repowered and brought back onstream in late
www.newcivilengineer.com
September 14, 2026 at 7:35 AM
"It also confirmed that 100% of the recycling and component retention took place within the UK, supporting domestic green jobs and at least 10 supply chain companies."
Reposted by Anne Newton
Do not believe this graphic, fact checked: since 2021 Reform has taken £110m, not £74m — a second £36m crypto gift landed Saturday. Since 2024: Reform ~£113m, Labour ~£57m, Tories ~£54m. Reform has out-raised both combined, and the bars aren't drawn to scale. Two men account for most of it.
September 14, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Do not believe this graphic, fact checked: since 2021 Reform has taken £110m, not £74m — a second £36m crypto gift landed Saturday. Since 2024: Reform ~£113m, Labour ~£57m, Tories ~£54m. Reform has out-raised both combined, and the bars aren't drawn to scale. Two men account for most of it.
Reposted by Anne Newton
I wouldn’t say lawmakers are “freaking out” but it’s right we respond to calls from AI labs to help pace the frontier.
That mustn’t mean banning innovation or science, or over regulating and killing off safe AI start ups in the UK (the main driver of economic growth in the UK in the last quarter).
That mustn’t mean banning innovation or science, or over regulating and killing off safe AI start ups in the UK (the main driver of economic growth in the UK in the last quarter).
UK Lawmakers Are Freaking Out Over AI’s Summer of Chaos
As AI agents go rogue and fears of superintelligence grow, politicians are raising the alarm over its potential harm to human existence.
www.wired.com
September 14, 2026 at 8:35 AM
I wouldn’t say lawmakers are “freaking out” but it’s right we respond to calls from AI labs to help pace the frontier.
That mustn’t mean banning innovation or science, or over regulating and killing off safe AI start ups in the UK (the main driver of economic growth in the UK in the last quarter).
That mustn’t mean banning innovation or science, or over regulating and killing off safe AI start ups in the UK (the main driver of economic growth in the UK in the last quarter).
Reposted by Anne Newton
Across Europe, far right political parties are getting money and help from:
- crypto and tech billionaires
- MAGA
- the US ultra Christian right
- Putin’s Russia
We need to defend democracy with robust funding rules and digital safeguards
- crypto and tech billionaires
- MAGA
- the US ultra Christian right
- Putin’s Russia
We need to defend democracy with robust funding rules and digital safeguards
£72 million is more than every UK political party combined accepted in donations and public funds throughout the whole of 2025.
It’s more than twice what a party contesting every seat may spend nationally in the year before a general election.
This is NOT normal!
www.uglypolitix.com/p/two-men-48...
It’s more than twice what a party contesting every seat may spend nationally in the year before a general election.
This is NOT normal!
www.uglypolitix.com/p/two-men-48...
Two men, 48 hours, £72m - What’s the Problem?
Two men gave Reform more in 48 hours than every British party raised in 2025. The Government's answer is a working group with no members, no remit and no timetable.
www.uglypolitix.com
September 13, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Across Europe, far right political parties are getting money and help from:
- crypto and tech billionaires
- MAGA
- the US ultra Christian right
- Putin’s Russia
We need to defend democracy with robust funding rules and digital safeguards
- crypto and tech billionaires
- MAGA
- the US ultra Christian right
- Putin’s Russia
We need to defend democracy with robust funding rules and digital safeguards
Reposted by Anne Newton
The hard-right crypto billionaires Delo and Harborne cannot be allowed to buy our elections by buying our democracy. Burnham *must* make the £100k donation limit retroactive and extend the limit to include UK residents too. There is no choice about this - Burnham has to act and act now.
September 13, 2026 at 7:04 AM
The hard-right crypto billionaires Delo and Harborne cannot be allowed to buy our elections by buying our democracy. Burnham *must* make the £100k donation limit retroactive and extend the limit to include UK residents too. There is no choice about this - Burnham has to act and act now.
Reposted by Anne Newton
🌹"Its those people who are losing faith with politics who feel disenfranchised the most.
We owe it to them to have a national conversation about how we can reform our voting system"
@joemorrismp.bsky.social
We owe it to them to have a national conversation about how we can reform our voting system"
@joemorrismp.bsky.social
September 12, 2026 at 7:52 PM
🌹"Its those people who are losing faith with politics who feel disenfranchised the most.
We owe it to them to have a national conversation about how we can reform our voting system"
@joemorrismp.bsky.social
We owe it to them to have a national conversation about how we can reform our voting system"
@joemorrismp.bsky.social