pickers.bsky.social
@pickers.bsky.social
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
There is a lot of misinformation about the UK social security spending.
The chart below shows Total UK social security spending as a percentage of GDP, 2013/14 to 2030/31 (spending & forecast)
55% goes to pensioners, the remainder covers everything else.
lordslibrary.parliament.uk/welfare-refo...
The chart below shows Total UK social security spending as a percentage of GDP, 2013/14 to 2030/31 (spending & forecast)
55% goes to pensioners, the remainder covers everything else.
lordslibrary.parliament.uk/welfare-refo...
September 23, 2026 at 9:34 AM
There is a lot of misinformation about the UK social security spending.
The chart below shows Total UK social security spending as a percentage of GDP, 2013/14 to 2030/31 (spending & forecast)
55% goes to pensioners, the remainder covers everything else.
lordslibrary.parliament.uk/welfare-refo...
The chart below shows Total UK social security spending as a percentage of GDP, 2013/14 to 2030/31 (spending & forecast)
55% goes to pensioners, the remainder covers everything else.
lordslibrary.parliament.uk/welfare-refo...
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
The only 4 constituencies where rejoining the EU wasn’t the preferred option were those of Lee Anderson, Farage, Tice and Lowe. In those 4, the top answer was ‘don’t know’.
Confirming that Brexit has no real support at all. Not surprising for a total shitshow. And makes red lines seem very silly.
Confirming that Brexit has no real support at all. Not surprising for a total shitshow. And makes red lines seem very silly.
September 20, 2026 at 8:21 AM
The only 4 constituencies where rejoining the EU wasn’t the preferred option were those of Lee Anderson, Farage, Tice and Lowe. In those 4, the top answer was ‘don’t know’.
Confirming that Brexit has no real support at all. Not surprising for a total shitshow. And makes red lines seem very silly.
Confirming that Brexit has no real support at all. Not surprising for a total shitshow. And makes red lines seem very silly.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
I truly, deeply, sincerely do think the guy flipping burgers at McDonalds should be able to afford rent, bills, and groceries with his paycheck alone. That's kind of the whole point of having a job and I can't believe this is considered a radical position.🤷🏽♀️
September 19, 2026 at 1:38 AM
I truly, deeply, sincerely do think the guy flipping burgers at McDonalds should be able to afford rent, bills, and groceries with his paycheck alone. That's kind of the whole point of having a job and I can't believe this is considered a radical position.🤷🏽♀️
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Jim Ratcliffe, tax-dodging Brexiter billionaire living in Monaco, says the poorest and most vulnerable should have their rights & benefits removed to bolster our economy.
Don’t bother telling us this rancid man’s opinions unless you say how much he’s avoided in tax and what Brexit is costing us all.
Don’t bother telling us this rancid man’s opinions unless you say how much he’s avoided in tax and what Brexit is costing us all.
September 20, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Jim Ratcliffe, tax-dodging Brexiter billionaire living in Monaco, says the poorest and most vulnerable should have their rights & benefits removed to bolster our economy.
Don’t bother telling us this rancid man’s opinions unless you say how much he’s avoided in tax and what Brexit is costing us all.
Don’t bother telling us this rancid man’s opinions unless you say how much he’s avoided in tax and what Brexit is costing us all.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Tesco could pay every worker an extra £10,000 and still make a profit.
British Gas could pay every worker an extra £35,000 and still make a profit.
Shell could pay every worker an extra £300,000 and still make a profit.
It is the billionaires who are ripping you off.
British Gas could pay every worker an extra £35,000 and still make a profit.
Shell could pay every worker an extra £300,000 and still make a profit.
It is the billionaires who are ripping you off.
September 18, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Tesco could pay every worker an extra £10,000 and still make a profit.
British Gas could pay every worker an extra £35,000 and still make a profit.
Shell could pay every worker an extra £300,000 and still make a profit.
It is the billionaires who are ripping you off.
British Gas could pay every worker an extra £35,000 and still make a profit.
Shell could pay every worker an extra £300,000 and still make a profit.
It is the billionaires who are ripping you off.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
The French got rid of this in 1793, the Russians in 1917.
Why have we still got it in 2026?
Why have we still got it in 2026?
September 18, 2026 at 7:26 PM
The French got rid of this in 1793, the Russians in 1917.
Why have we still got it in 2026?
Why have we still got it in 2026?
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
I watch Canada ( and now potentially Australia ) getting closer to the EU, and I weep.
We’ve cut ourselves off, we’re billions £ poorer as a result, we’re struggling and our government seems impotent or ignorant of fixing it.
Start with rejoining trading agreements we lost. At least that please.
We’ve cut ourselves off, we’re billions £ poorer as a result, we’re struggling and our government seems impotent or ignorant of fixing it.
Start with rejoining trading agreements we lost. At least that please.
🔴 NEW
Why Canada Could End Up With a Better Deal With the EU Than the UK
By Alexandra Hall Hall
Read below. ↓
Why Canada Could End Up With a Better Deal With the EU Than the UK
By Alexandra Hall Hall
Read below. ↓
Why Canada Could End Up With a Better Deal With the EU Than the UK
As the UK continues to hesitate over drawing back towards the EU, Canada has spotted an opportunity, argues former diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall
bylinetimes.com
September 17, 2026 at 12:04 PM
I watch Canada ( and now potentially Australia ) getting closer to the EU, and I weep.
We’ve cut ourselves off, we’re billions £ poorer as a result, we’re struggling and our government seems impotent or ignorant of fixing it.
Start with rejoining trading agreements we lost. At least that please.
We’ve cut ourselves off, we’re billions £ poorer as a result, we’re struggling and our government seems impotent or ignorant of fixing it.
Start with rejoining trading agreements we lost. At least that please.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Scotland: We want to leave the UK
BBC: Huh?
Wales: We want to leave the UK
BBC: What?
Northern Ireland: We want to leave the UK
BBC: Lolz
Some shithole in Oxfordshire: We want to leave the UK because racism
BBC: REPORT THE HELL OUT OF THIS
#Piddington
BBC: Huh?
Wales: We want to leave the UK
BBC: What?
Northern Ireland: We want to leave the UK
BBC: Lolz
Some shithole in Oxfordshire: We want to leave the UK because racism
BBC: REPORT THE HELL OUT OF THIS
#Piddington
September 16, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Scotland: We want to leave the UK
BBC: Huh?
Wales: We want to leave the UK
BBC: What?
Northern Ireland: We want to leave the UK
BBC: Lolz
Some shithole in Oxfordshire: We want to leave the UK because racism
BBC: REPORT THE HELL OUT OF THIS
#Piddington
BBC: Huh?
Wales: We want to leave the UK
BBC: What?
Northern Ireland: We want to leave the UK
BBC: Lolz
Some shithole in Oxfordshire: We want to leave the UK because racism
BBC: REPORT THE HELL OUT OF THIS
#Piddington
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Billionaire Brexiteeer and Man United owner says he has lost confidence in the UK.
Lives in Monaco to avoid UK taxes, owns several luxury properties. Demands state subsidies, including for building a Man U stadium.
Why do billionaires resent people getting decent NHS, social care, public services?
Lives in Monaco to avoid UK taxes, owns several luxury properties. Demands state subsidies, including for building a Man U stadium.
Why do billionaires resent people getting decent NHS, social care, public services?
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 19, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Billionaire Brexiteeer and Man United owner says he has lost confidence in the UK.
Lives in Monaco to avoid UK taxes, owns several luxury properties. Demands state subsidies, including for building a Man U stadium.
Why do billionaires resent people getting decent NHS, social care, public services?
Lives in Monaco to avoid UK taxes, owns several luxury properties. Demands state subsidies, including for building a Man U stadium.
Why do billionaires resent people getting decent NHS, social care, public services?
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Given he moved to Monaco to dodge his taxes in 2020 (after supporting Brexit) he seemingly lost faith in the UK some time ago ...
Jim Ratcliffe, bigoted billionaire, gets another platform to waffle on about a country he doesn't live in
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jim Ratcliffe, bigoted billionaire, gets another platform to waffle on about a country he doesn't live in
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 19, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Given he moved to Monaco to dodge his taxes in 2020 (after supporting Brexit) he seemingly lost faith in the UK some time ago ...
Jim Ratcliffe, bigoted billionaire, gets another platform to waffle on about a country he doesn't live in
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jim Ratcliffe, bigoted billionaire, gets another platform to waffle on about a country he doesn't live in
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
"Above-average rainfall is needed for the next seven months if England is to recover from drought by next spring"
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
UK weather: At least seven months of relentless rain needed to end drought in England
Almost 75% of England remains in drought following an exceptionally dry spring and summer.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 17, 2026 at 10:27 AM
"Above-average rainfall is needed for the next seven months if England is to recover from drought by next spring"
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Good plan, Australia and Canada.
Huge sigh, UK.
How long do we wait, how much do we lose, how stupid do we have to be?
Huge sigh, UK.
How long do we wait, how much do we lose, how stupid do we have to be?
Australia and Canada are leading the way - they are choosing closer ties with the EU.
The EU is our closest partner.
The UK government should put EU membership on the table. It's really a no-brainer.
The EU is our closest partner.
The UK government should put EU membership on the table. It's really a no-brainer.
September 16, 2026 at 6:41 AM
Good plan, Australia and Canada.
Huge sigh, UK.
How long do we wait, how much do we lose, how stupid do we have to be?
Huge sigh, UK.
How long do we wait, how much do we lose, how stupid do we have to be?
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Govt set to nationalise Speciality Steel UK, the third-largest steelworks.
SSUK has been in administration. Govt paying £3.5m a month to keep it going.
Public purse cleaning up the mess left by private enterprise.
Story of capitalism: Profits privatised, cost socialised.
SSUK has been in administration. Govt paying £3.5m a month to keep it going.
Public purse cleaning up the mess left by private enterprise.
Story of capitalism: Profits privatised, cost socialised.
Government set to nationalise troubled steel firm, minister says
Production at SSUK sites in South Yorkshire and the West Midlands was paused earlier this year.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 15, 2026 at 6:21 AM
Govt set to nationalise Speciality Steel UK, the third-largest steelworks.
SSUK has been in administration. Govt paying £3.5m a month to keep it going.
Public purse cleaning up the mess left by private enterprise.
Story of capitalism: Profits privatised, cost socialised.
SSUK has been in administration. Govt paying £3.5m a month to keep it going.
Public purse cleaning up the mess left by private enterprise.
Story of capitalism: Profits privatised, cost socialised.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Student loan terms to be made clearer in England.
But there has been decades of mis-selling. Why no compensation?
£325bn UK student loan debt, £295bn in England.
Most European countries don't charge Uni tuition fees. England does.
What chance of buying a home, starting a family?
But there has been decades of mis-selling. Why no compensation?
£325bn UK student loan debt, £295bn in England.
Most European countries don't charge Uni tuition fees. England does.
What chance of buying a home, starting a family?
Student loan terms to be made clearer in England
Changes will spell out that governments can change rules and that career choices affect repayments.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 13, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Student loan terms to be made clearer in England.
But there has been decades of mis-selling. Why no compensation?
£325bn UK student loan debt, £295bn in England.
Most European countries don't charge Uni tuition fees. England does.
What chance of buying a home, starting a family?
But there has been decades of mis-selling. Why no compensation?
£325bn UK student loan debt, £295bn in England.
Most European countries don't charge Uni tuition fees. England does.
What chance of buying a home, starting a family?
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Ofwat has provisionally agreed £3.39bn more spending for water companies. Five of them can add up to £43 a year to bills from 2027.
Much of it is to fix assets the last round of bill rises was meant to cover.
We're paying twice for the same work.
www.ofwat.gov.uk/funding-set-...
Much of it is to fix assets the last round of bill rises was meant to cover.
We're paying twice for the same work.
www.ofwat.gov.uk/funding-set-...
£3.4bn of funding set to unlock further improvements for water company customers, communities and the environment - Ofwat
£3.4bn of projects provisionally approved for 13 water companies to improve infrastructure, support growth and improve the environment. Of this, £1.2bn will safeguard services and assets for future g...
www.ofwat.gov.uk
September 12, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Ofwat has provisionally agreed £3.39bn more spending for water companies. Five of them can add up to £43 a year to bills from 2027.
Much of it is to fix assets the last round of bill rises was meant to cover.
We're paying twice for the same work.
www.ofwat.gov.uk/funding-set-...
Much of it is to fix assets the last round of bill rises was meant to cover.
We're paying twice for the same work.
www.ofwat.gov.uk/funding-set-...
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
What I love about Western democracy is you can bung a political party £ 36 million earned from criminal activity & most media will continue to point at asylum seekers & migrant care workers with families as the barbarians at the gate we need to defend ourselves from 🙄.
September 12, 2026 at 11:26 AM
What I love about Western democracy is you can bung a political party £ 36 million earned from criminal activity & most media will continue to point at asylum seekers & migrant care workers with families as the barbarians at the gate we need to defend ourselves from 🙄.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Nigel Farage update.
Was.
"Let's take back control from unelected bureaucrats in Brussels."
Now.
"And give it to unelected crypto billionaires in Hong Kong and Thailand."
Was.
"Let's take back control from unelected bureaucrats in Brussels."
Now.
"And give it to unelected crypto billionaires in Hong Kong and Thailand."
Christopher Harborne matches £36m Reform donation of Ben Delo
Party leader, Nigel Farage, says he is humbled by the contributions from cryptocurrency billionaires
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Nigel Farage update.
Was.
"Let's take back control from unelected bureaucrats in Brussels."
Now.
"And give it to unelected crypto billionaires in Hong Kong and Thailand."
Was.
"Let's take back control from unelected bureaucrats in Brussels."
Now.
"And give it to unelected crypto billionaires in Hong Kong and Thailand."
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Crypto billionaire. Convicted in the US. Pardoned by Trump. Trashing our democracy by buying Reform. Does anyone think this is to improve our NHS, our schools, our public services…?
Of course it fucking isn’t.
It’s to make Ben Delo and Farage richer. That’s it. That’s all they care about.
Of course it fucking isn’t.
It’s to make Ben Delo and Farage richer. That’s it. That’s all they care about.
🚨 BREAKING: Crypto billionaire Ben Delo has donated £36m to Reform UK - the biggest ever donation to a UK political party
September 11, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Crypto billionaire. Convicted in the US. Pardoned by Trump. Trashing our democracy by buying Reform. Does anyone think this is to improve our NHS, our schools, our public services…?
Of course it fucking isn’t.
It’s to make Ben Delo and Farage richer. That’s it. That’s all they care about.
Of course it fucking isn’t.
It’s to make Ben Delo and Farage richer. That’s it. That’s all they care about.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
JP Morgan billionaire CEO with $43m pay meets Burnham and Healey to oppose UK bank tax rise.
Banks making record profits from high charges, measly payment to savers, speculation, wars.
What chance of the poor meeting PM/Chancellor to make their case?
Banks making record profits from high charges, measly payment to savers, speculation, wars.
What chance of the poor meeting PM/Chancellor to make their case?
JP Morgan boss meets Burnham and Healey to warn against bank tax rise
Jamie Dimon tells UK politicians before October budget that investment could be at risk, it is understood
www.theguardian.com
September 11, 2026 at 6:34 AM
JP Morgan billionaire CEO with $43m pay meets Burnham and Healey to oppose UK bank tax rise.
Banks making record profits from high charges, measly payment to savers, speculation, wars.
What chance of the poor meeting PM/Chancellor to make their case?
Banks making record profits from high charges, measly payment to savers, speculation, wars.
What chance of the poor meeting PM/Chancellor to make their case?
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
UK datacentres likely to directly employ 10,400 workers, compared with the 40,000 cited.
8.6 jobs per megawatt of power, compared to 400 in a car plant, 3,600 in a hospital or health facility.
Huge consumption of electricity/water, emission of pollution.
Need moratorium on expansion.
8.6 jobs per megawatt of power, compared to 400 in a car plant, 3,600 in a hospital or health facility.
Huge consumption of electricity/water, emission of pollution.
Need moratorium on expansion.
UK datacentres will create just 25% of jobs predicted by tech sector, analysis finds
Facilities likely to employ 10,400 workers, compared with 40,000 in industry estimates, thinktank says
www.theguardian.com
September 9, 2026 at 6:35 AM
UK datacentres likely to directly employ 10,400 workers, compared with the 40,000 cited.
8.6 jobs per megawatt of power, compared to 400 in a car plant, 3,600 in a hospital or health facility.
Huge consumption of electricity/water, emission of pollution.
Need moratorium on expansion.
8.6 jobs per megawatt of power, compared to 400 in a car plant, 3,600 in a hospital or health facility.
Huge consumption of electricity/water, emission of pollution.
Need moratorium on expansion.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Wealthy want UK govt to ditch pensions triple lock, cut welfare spending.
Silence on corporate welfare
Oil/gas, water, energy profiteering
HMRC not collecting £59bn last yr
Poorest 20% paying higher proportion in income in taxes than the richest 20%.
It is always about hitting the poor, old, sick.
Silence on corporate welfare
Oil/gas, water, energy profiteering
HMRC not collecting £59bn last yr
Poorest 20% paying higher proportion in income in taxes than the richest 20%.
It is always about hitting the poor, old, sick.
Ditch pensions triple lock and cut welfare spending to calm markets, Burnham told
Bond market shock has ramifications for new prime minister’s first Budget, his former adviser warns
www.independent.co.uk
September 7, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Wealthy want UK govt to ditch pensions triple lock, cut welfare spending.
Silence on corporate welfare
Oil/gas, water, energy profiteering
HMRC not collecting £59bn last yr
Poorest 20% paying higher proportion in income in taxes than the richest 20%.
It is always about hitting the poor, old, sick.
Silence on corporate welfare
Oil/gas, water, energy profiteering
HMRC not collecting £59bn last yr
Poorest 20% paying higher proportion in income in taxes than the richest 20%.
It is always about hitting the poor, old, sick.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Both UK & Denmark believe in universal healthcare, but principles are not outcomes.
Denmark treats health as whole-society issue: housing, education, inequality, prevention.
UK tries to treat its way out with NHS alone. Results speak.
Denmark treats health as whole-society issue: housing, education, inequality, prevention.
UK tries to treat its way out with NHS alone. Results speak.
Denmark versus UK: which country gets more health for their money?
Britain and Denmark both have health services free at the point of use, but Denmark is healthier. Why? Its not just about money
eastangliabylines.co.uk
September 8, 2026 at 6:15 AM
Both UK & Denmark believe in universal healthcare, but principles are not outcomes.
Denmark treats health as whole-society issue: housing, education, inequality, prevention.
UK tries to treat its way out with NHS alone. Results speak.
Denmark treats health as whole-society issue: housing, education, inequality, prevention.
UK tries to treat its way out with NHS alone. Results speak.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
Once again, the biggest problem with violent far right thugs making our streets dangerous is not that they might not vote Labour.
September 6, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Once again, the biggest problem with violent far right thugs making our streets dangerous is not that they might not vote Labour.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
80 year-olds with pro-Palestine signs: arrested as terrorists.
Greens planning to block a road, to highlight an existential crisis: sent down for years.
Masked far-right thugs blocking roads and ports, using intimidation, obstruction & threatening behaviour: no arrests.
The real two-tier policing.
Greens planning to block a road, to highlight an existential crisis: sent down for years.
Masked far-right thugs blocking roads and ports, using intimidation, obstruction & threatening behaviour: no arrests.
The real two-tier policing.
September 7, 2026 at 5:59 AM
80 year-olds with pro-Palestine signs: arrested as terrorists.
Greens planning to block a road, to highlight an existential crisis: sent down for years.
Masked far-right thugs blocking roads and ports, using intimidation, obstruction & threatening behaviour: no arrests.
The real two-tier policing.
Greens planning to block a road, to highlight an existential crisis: sent down for years.
Masked far-right thugs blocking roads and ports, using intimidation, obstruction & threatening behaviour: no arrests.
The real two-tier policing.
Reposted by pickers.bsky.social
