Helen Elizabeth
@helenmcentee.bsky.social
Professional: Translator | Tutor | Dialect coach
Amateur: Gardener | Designer
Aspiring: Artist
Amateur: Gardener | Designer
Aspiring: Artist
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Thames Water gave finance boss £1m signing-on fee, 15 months after he joined.
TW circumventing rules about exec pay and bonuses. Leaks, sewage dumping, rip-off bills continue.
Golden hellos and goodbyes are mostly banned in Switzerland.
Anything goes in the UK, laws/rules not enforced.
TW circumventing rules about exec pay and bonuses. Leaks, sewage dumping, rip-off bills continue.
Golden hellos and goodbyes are mostly banned in Switzerland.
Anything goes in the UK, laws/rules not enforced.
Thames Water risks fresh storm over £1m payment to finance chief
Britain's biggest water utility has handed the seven-figure sum to Steve Buck even as it battles to avert the prospect of nationalisation by Andy Burnham's government, Sky News learns.
news.sky.com
August 10, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Thames Water gave finance boss £1m signing-on fee, 15 months after he joined.
TW circumventing rules about exec pay and bonuses. Leaks, sewage dumping, rip-off bills continue.
Golden hellos and goodbyes are mostly banned in Switzerland.
Anything goes in the UK, laws/rules not enforced.
TW circumventing rules about exec pay and bonuses. Leaks, sewage dumping, rip-off bills continue.
Golden hellos and goodbyes are mostly banned in Switzerland.
Anything goes in the UK, laws/rules not enforced.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
In bookstores across the US on August 25.
If ever there was a time to act,
it is now.
If ever there was a time to act,
it is now.
June 13, 2026 at 3:47 PM
In bookstores across the US on August 25.
If ever there was a time to act,
it is now.
If ever there was a time to act,
it is now.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
The Odyssey cost $250 million to make.
Guess who got a tax break worth more than 30x that last year?
Amazon—after firing 30,000 workers.
Guess who got a tax break worth more than 30x that last year?
Amazon—after firing 30,000 workers.
July 25, 2026 at 7:48 PM
The Odyssey cost $250 million to make.
Guess who got a tax break worth more than 30x that last year?
Amazon—after firing 30,000 workers.
Guess who got a tax break worth more than 30x that last year?
Amazon—after firing 30,000 workers.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Gary Lineker among millionaires asking Andy Burnham to tax them more.
Support for a 2% tax on wealth over £10m.
Refreshing antidote to the right-wing claim of 'they will leave'.
The poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in direct and indirect taxes than the richest 20%.
Support for a 2% tax on wealth over £10m.
Refreshing antidote to the right-wing claim of 'they will leave'.
The poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in direct and indirect taxes than the richest 20%.
Gary Lineker among millionaires asking Andy Burnham to tax them more
A group including the former England footballer write to the new PM telling him "we can afford it".
www.bbc.co.uk
July 23, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Gary Lineker among millionaires asking Andy Burnham to tax them more.
Support for a 2% tax on wealth over £10m.
Refreshing antidote to the right-wing claim of 'they will leave'.
The poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in direct and indirect taxes than the richest 20%.
Support for a 2% tax on wealth over £10m.
Refreshing antidote to the right-wing claim of 'they will leave'.
The poorest 20% pay a higher proportion of income in direct and indirect taxes than the richest 20%.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
The UK will not have enough water for future datacentres.
England faces 5bn litre a day shortfall for public water supplies.
A trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Widespread hosepipe bans. No national grid for water. Poor infrastructure. No national plan.
England faces 5bn litre a day shortfall for public water supplies.
A trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Widespread hosepipe bans. No national grid for water. Poor infrastructure. No national plan.
Not enough water for UK’s datacentre plans, trade body says
Industry says government’s failure to address cooling demands means AI growth plans are ‘fatally flawed’
www.theguardian.com
July 21, 2026 at 7:21 AM
The UK will not have enough water for future datacentres.
England faces 5bn litre a day shortfall for public water supplies.
A trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Widespread hosepipe bans. No national grid for water. Poor infrastructure. No national plan.
England faces 5bn litre a day shortfall for public water supplies.
A trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks.
Widespread hosepipe bans. No national grid for water. Poor infrastructure. No national plan.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
England is the home of 85% of the world's chalk streams, a crucial part of the UK ecological system.
Despite criminal convictions, water companies continue to destroy it by dumping raw sewage.
I asked the Minister to revoke their licence to operate.
Watch the Minister's reply.
Despite criminal convictions, water companies continue to destroy it by dumping raw sewage.
I asked the Minister to revoke their licence to operate.
Watch the Minister's reply.
July 15, 2026 at 1:53 PM
England is the home of 85% of the world's chalk streams, a crucial part of the UK ecological system.
Despite criminal convictions, water companies continue to destroy it by dumping raw sewage.
I asked the Minister to revoke their licence to operate.
Watch the Minister's reply.
Despite criminal convictions, water companies continue to destroy it by dumping raw sewage.
I asked the Minister to revoke their licence to operate.
Watch the Minister's reply.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
From ‘Outstanding’ and a good reminder that investing in the arts is a win-win, not a lose-lose, proposition.
April 25, 2026 at 12:41 AM
From ‘Outstanding’ and a good reminder that investing in the arts is a win-win, not a lose-lose, proposition.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Oh my heart. We've lost Sam Neill. :(
July 13, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Oh my heart. We've lost Sam Neill. :(
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
The multimillionaire Nigel Farage rails against climate action, while gliding from one air-conditioned building to another. He knows that he and his ilk will suffer least. But he is prepared to sacrifice everyone else to the demands of his fossil-fuelled funders. So much for "the man of the people".
June 26, 2026 at 6:06 AM
The multimillionaire Nigel Farage rails against climate action, while gliding from one air-conditioned building to another. He knows that he and his ilk will suffer least. But he is prepared to sacrifice everyone else to the demands of his fossil-fuelled funders. So much for "the man of the people".
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Dear Labour MP's posting tributed to Keir Starmer, where were you when he took all the flak and lies from our 2nd rate hostile media, why didn't you stand shoulder to shoulder with him when Streeting and Burnham stabbed him in the back. Sorry to be rude but please just stfu.
June 22, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Dear Labour MP's posting tributed to Keir Starmer, where were you when he took all the flak and lies from our 2nd rate hostile media, why didn't you stand shoulder to shoulder with him when Streeting and Burnham stabbed him in the back. Sorry to be rude but please just stfu.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years.
European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you.
Thank you, dear Keir.
European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you.
Thank you, dear Keir.
June 22, 2026 at 8:52 AM
It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years.
European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you.
Thank you, dear Keir.
European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you.
Thank you, dear Keir.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
My issue is it's not even been 2 years, nobody could have fixed 14 years of Tory underfunding, mismanagement and cronyism in under 2 years. He deserved a full term, the behaviour of Burnham and his supporters is shabby and I want no part of a party which behaves like the Tories.
June 22, 2026 at 7:36 PM
My issue is it's not even been 2 years, nobody could have fixed 14 years of Tory underfunding, mismanagement and cronyism in under 2 years. He deserved a full term, the behaviour of Burnham and his supporters is shabby and I want no part of a party which behaves like the Tories.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Unless Burnham will be a huge improvement over Starmer (spoiler, he probably won’t be), this whole thing is a massive waste of time and exactly what the right-wing loons want 😐
June 21, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Unless Burnham will be a huge improvement over Starmer (spoiler, he probably won’t be), this whole thing is a massive waste of time and exactly what the right-wing loons want 😐
Am I the only person who rather likes Keir Starmer. I don’t agree on everything he has done but I really like his calm.
After years of Tory nitwits he was like a steady, forward-facing, plod-on, diplomatic beacon.
It seems steady is not what the UK wants.
After years of Tory nitwits he was like a steady, forward-facing, plod-on, diplomatic beacon.
It seems steady is not what the UK wants.
June 22, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Am I the only person who rather likes Keir Starmer. I don’t agree on everything he has done but I really like his calm.
After years of Tory nitwits he was like a steady, forward-facing, plod-on, diplomatic beacon.
It seems steady is not what the UK wants.
After years of Tory nitwits he was like a steady, forward-facing, plod-on, diplomatic beacon.
It seems steady is not what the UK wants.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Brexit:
"the economy is significantly smaller than it would otherwise have been, trade has suffered, business investment and productivity growth have stalled, and families are on average thousands of pounds a year worse"
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
"the economy is significantly smaller than it would otherwise have been, trade has suffered, business investment and productivity growth have stalled, and families are on average thousands of pounds a year worse"
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
How Brexit has made Britain poorer – in charts
Forecasters were wrong about an immediate recession but right that we would be worse off outside the EU
www.theguardian.com
June 14, 2026 at 6:27 AM
Brexit:
"the economy is significantly smaller than it would otherwise have been, trade has suffered, business investment and productivity growth have stalled, and families are on average thousands of pounds a year worse"
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
"the economy is significantly smaller than it would otherwise have been, trade has suffered, business investment and productivity growth have stalled, and families are on average thousands of pounds a year worse"
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Tomorrow’s Independent front page:
June 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Tomorrow’s Independent front page:
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Being called a thug and the worst person ever to run for office by Donald Trump might be the highest compliment I have ever received.
June 12, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Being called a thug and the worst person ever to run for office by Donald Trump might be the highest compliment I have ever received.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
You first nige!
June 7, 2026 at 6:20 PM
You first nige!
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
The state we're in.
Clean drinking water, rivers under threat.
Unchecked profiteering by energy companies, vets, dentists, banks.
Roads full of potholes.
Rocketing rents, millions can't afford to buy home.
Wages taxed at higher rates than dividends, capital gains.
Govts besotted with neoliberalism
Clean drinking water, rivers under threat.
Unchecked profiteering by energy companies, vets, dentists, banks.
Roads full of potholes.
Rocketing rents, millions can't afford to buy home.
Wages taxed at higher rates than dividends, capital gains.
Govts besotted with neoliberalism
June 4, 2026 at 6:50 AM
The state we're in.
Clean drinking water, rivers under threat.
Unchecked profiteering by energy companies, vets, dentists, banks.
Roads full of potholes.
Rocketing rents, millions can't afford to buy home.
Wages taxed at higher rates than dividends, capital gains.
Govts besotted with neoliberalism
Clean drinking water, rivers under threat.
Unchecked profiteering by energy companies, vets, dentists, banks.
Roads full of potholes.
Rocketing rents, millions can't afford to buy home.
Wages taxed at higher rates than dividends, capital gains.
Govts besotted with neoliberalism
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Another investigation into Royal Mail failure to deliver post.
Previous ones achieved higher prices, lower post delivery targets.
RM hasn't hit delivery target for 1st-class post since 2017, or for 2nd-class mail since 2020. Prices still go up.
Another failed privatisation.
Nationalise.
Previous ones achieved higher prices, lower post delivery targets.
RM hasn't hit delivery target for 1st-class post since 2017, or for 2nd-class mail since 2020. Prices still go up.
Another failed privatisation.
Nationalise.
Royal Mail under investigation after first-class post delays
Royal Mail announced last week that it had missed targets for another year running
www.independent.co.uk
June 2, 2026 at 6:27 AM
Another investigation into Royal Mail failure to deliver post.
Previous ones achieved higher prices, lower post delivery targets.
RM hasn't hit delivery target for 1st-class post since 2017, or for 2nd-class mail since 2020. Prices still go up.
Another failed privatisation.
Nationalise.
Previous ones achieved higher prices, lower post delivery targets.
RM hasn't hit delivery target for 1st-class post since 2017, or for 2nd-class mail since 2020. Prices still go up.
Another failed privatisation.
Nationalise.
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
Arm boss in line for billion-dollar payday if UK headquartered chipmaker hits targets.
Fat-cattery fuelled by higher prices. Inequalities deepen. Rich buy power, political parties.
Govt must limit deductibility of exec pay in corporation tax calculation.
Fat-cattery fuelled by higher prices. Inequalities deepen. Rich buy power, political parties.
Govt must limit deductibility of exec pay in corporation tax calculation.
Arm boss in line for billion-dollar payday if chipmaker hits targets
Proposal requires Rene Haas to steer US-listed British company to ‘exceptional growth metrics’
www.theguardian.com
June 1, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Arm boss in line for billion-dollar payday if UK headquartered chipmaker hits targets.
Fat-cattery fuelled by higher prices. Inequalities deepen. Rich buy power, political parties.
Govt must limit deductibility of exec pay in corporation tax calculation.
Fat-cattery fuelled by higher prices. Inequalities deepen. Rich buy power, political parties.
Govt must limit deductibility of exec pay in corporation tax calculation.
Britain’s voting system is broken. 70 MPs are backing an amendment to finally review it.
But to make an impact, we need many more. I’ve urged my MP to support it with this tool. Can you contact yours too? actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-...
But to make an impact, we need many more. I’ve urged my MP to support it with this tool. Can you contact yours too? actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-...
Ask your MP to back the amendment to fix our broken voting system.
Last month’s elections have shown just how broken our voting system is. 70 MPs have just supported an amendment demanding a total review of this system, and a change to proportional representation.
B...
actionnetwork.org
May 28, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Britain’s voting system is broken. 70 MPs are backing an amendment to finally review it.
But to make an impact, we need many more. I’ve urged my MP to support it with this tool. Can you contact yours too? actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-...
But to make an impact, we need many more. I’ve urged my MP to support it with this tool. Can you contact yours too? actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-...
Reposted by Helen Elizabeth
UK sleepwalking into food crisis caused by extreme weather, inflation, impacts of the Iran war.
UK imports food, fertilizer.
Poor water/energy infrastructure.
Crisis will push more into poverty, risk of unrest.
Abandon neoliberalism, build self-reliance.
UK imports food, fertilizer.
Poor water/energy infrastructure.
Crisis will push more into poverty, risk of unrest.
Abandon neoliberalism, build self-reliance.
Britain ‘sleepwalking into a food crisis’ without urgent action, experts say
Industry figures warn of national security risk and call for ministers to address impact of extreme weather, inflation and Iran war
www.theguardian.com
May 28, 2026 at 7:09 AM
UK sleepwalking into food crisis caused by extreme weather, inflation, impacts of the Iran war.
UK imports food, fertilizer.
Poor water/energy infrastructure.
Crisis will push more into poverty, risk of unrest.
Abandon neoliberalism, build self-reliance.
UK imports food, fertilizer.
Poor water/energy infrastructure.
Crisis will push more into poverty, risk of unrest.
Abandon neoliberalism, build self-reliance.
In English local elections, the voting system means councils often don’t reflect the way people actually voted. Right now, millions of local votes don’t help shape the final result. You deserve a voting system where all of your neighbours help shape what happens next.
ADD YOUR NAME: Every vote should help shape the final result
In English local elections, the voting system means councils often don’t reflect the way people actually voted. That leaves many voters feeling powerless, because even when lots of people vote for cha...
action.electoral-reform.org.uk
May 16, 2026 at 6:56 AM
In English local elections, the voting system means councils often don’t reflect the way people actually voted. Right now, millions of local votes don’t help shape the final result. You deserve a voting system where all of your neighbours help shape what happens next.