I think someone in HMT has just told Healey's people.
September 28, 2026 at 8:17 AM
I think someone in HMT has just told Healey's people.
Incomers to Hookland often struggle with what is known as HMT – Hookland Mythic Time. It's used to cover the vagueness of builders and others for finishing jobs, delivering goods. HMT also encompasses all manner of strange excuses for delays, often involving ghosts or sprites.
August 23, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Incomers to Hookland often struggle with what is known as HMT – Hookland Mythic Time. It's used to cover the vagueness of builders and others for finishing jobs, delivering goods. HMT also encompasses all manner of strange excuses for delays, often involving ghosts or sprites.
Great to get support from rural Labour MPs. Let’s hope HMT is listening.
This is a v good thread.
It sets out how we can hit avoidance of IHT 𝐀𝐍𝐃 protect family farming. Plus the Treasury would benefit from more revenue.
Sounds too good to be true but when you read this thread you see it’s very achievable.
In know in South Norfolk this would be welcomed.
It sets out how we can hit avoidance of IHT 𝐀𝐍𝐃 protect family farming. Plus the Treasury would benefit from more revenue.
Sounds too good to be true but when you read this thread you see it’s very achievable.
In know in South Norfolk this would be welcomed.
The Budget inheritance tax changes raised £500m/year, but hit small/businesses unfairly. And also allowed much IHT avoidance to continue
A new proposal does the impossible: protects small farms/businesses, hits avoidance, AND raises twice as much revenue.
How?
🧵:
A new proposal does the impossible: protects small farms/businesses, hits avoidance, AND raises twice as much revenue.
How?
🧵:
August 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Great to get support from rural Labour MPs. Let’s hope HMT is listening.
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
When HMT write to every department saying "hey why not spend a bit more? Live a little" then that will be news...
January 12, 2025 at 10:01 PM
When HMT write to every department saying "hey why not spend a bit more? Live a little" then that will be news...
I think HMT are trying to get agreement to take over procurement in return for the cash and that's what's causing the delay.
Basic problem for UK defence policy is that:
a) UK armed forces are in a state
b) UK spends more than its peers to get less
c) Treasury (IMV rightly) distrusts the present political leadership of MOD to improve b) and is therefore reluctant to spend more money
d) PM refuses to break deadlock
a) UK armed forces are in a state
b) UK spends more than its peers to get less
c) Treasury (IMV rightly) distrusts the present political leadership of MOD to improve b) and is therefore reluctant to spend more money
d) PM refuses to break deadlock
April 15, 2026 at 11:51 AM
I think HMT are trying to get agreement to take over procurement in return for the cash and that's what's causing the delay.
ECFIN is here!
Where is HMT??
Where is HMT??
We have arrived.👋
The economic departments of the @ec.europa.eu are now on Bluesky to share with you news, analyses, new initiatives, publications on everything related to EU economy, finance, budget, taxations, customs, reforms and investments.
Join us and spread the word.
It'll be fun. 🤘
The economic departments of the @ec.europa.eu are now on Bluesky to share with you news, analyses, new initiatives, publications on everything related to EU economy, finance, budget, taxations, customs, reforms and investments.
Join us and spread the word.
It'll be fun. 🤘
March 5, 2026 at 2:24 PM
ECFIN is here!
Where is HMT??
Where is HMT??
🇬🇧🇺🇦 The UK Ministry of Defence has published photo of the anti-aircraft missile system based on the AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles, installed on the Supacat HMT 6x6 platform and manufactured specifically for the needs of Ukraine.
March 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
🇬🇧🇺🇦 The UK Ministry of Defence has published photo of the anti-aircraft missile system based on the AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles, installed on the Supacat HMT 6x6 platform and manufactured specifically for the needs of Ukraine.
EI-HMT with the Moon as seen from #Epsom on 5th April. @flightradar24.com @ryanairofficial.bsky.social
May 11, 2025 at 9:07 PM
EI-HMT with the Moon as seen from #Epsom on 5th April. @flightradar24.com @ryanairofficial.bsky.social
One of the most shameful incidents of WW2 was when the government and press scapegoated refugees, then decided to pack them off an a cramped ship, The HMT DUNERA and ship them to Australia.
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
One of the most shameful incidents of WW2 was when the government and press scapegoated refugees, then decided to pack them off an a cramped ship, The HMT DUNERA and ship them to Australia.
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
Particularly surreal moment walking back into HMT over 18 years after I started my first (rather different) job there
January 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Particularly surreal moment walking back into HMT over 18 years after I started my first (rather different) job there
purple and a holy kit at hmt omg!!
January 25, 2025 at 2:58 AM
purple and a holy kit at hmt omg!!
on reflection, 90% of the job is second-guessing HMT.
Either:
a) explaining why HMT, despite its immense self-confidence, is wrong/insular/hasn't kept up with the research/has oversimplified
b) explaining why HMT, despite the PM's views/beliefs/instincts, is in fact absolutely correct.
Either:
a) explaining why HMT, despite its immense self-confidence, is wrong/insular/hasn't kept up with the research/has oversimplified
b) explaining why HMT, despite the PM's views/beliefs/instincts, is in fact absolutely correct.
May 6, 2025 at 7:42 AM
on reflection, 90% of the job is second-guessing HMT.
Either:
a) explaining why HMT, despite its immense self-confidence, is wrong/insular/hasn't kept up with the research/has oversimplified
b) explaining why HMT, despite the PM's views/beliefs/instincts, is in fact absolutely correct.
Either:
a) explaining why HMT, despite its immense self-confidence, is wrong/insular/hasn't kept up with the research/has oversimplified
b) explaining why HMT, despite the PM's views/beliefs/instincts, is in fact absolutely correct.
Presume the HMT/OBR communication over the last few weeks has looked a bit like this.
March 26, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Presume the HMT/OBR communication over the last few weeks has looked a bit like this.
The HMT takeover by the Resolution Foundation is notable. Both Torsten Bell, who's leading on the budget, and Dan Tomlinson who'll now be doing tax, were there.
Darren Jones moving to No. 10 to a new role as "Chief Secretary to the PM" - an attempt to bolster No. 10.
James Murray to Chief Secretary of HMT. Dan Tomlinson takes Murray's place.
Tim Allan coming back to run No. 10 Comms.
Delivery and policy units being overhauled.
James Murray to Chief Secretary of HMT. Dan Tomlinson takes Murray's place.
Tim Allan coming back to run No. 10 Comms.
Delivery and policy units being overhauled.
September 1, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The HMT takeover by the Resolution Foundation is notable. Both Torsten Bell, who's leading on the budget, and Dan Tomlinson who'll now be doing tax, were there.
I really wish someone from HMT would explain why they don't want to do this. I can't see any arguments against it - political or policy-wise. It's such an easy win for devolution.
NB all the mayors want a visitor levy, that’s not just a London thing - they collectively issued another letter on this last week, led by Liverpool’s Steve Rotheram
As per Playbook this morn, a row is brewing between HMT and Sadiq Khan over what London is to get - or not - in the SR. The Mayor's office big asks are: DLR & Bakerloo Line extensions, powers to introduce a tourist/visitors levy, and 'adequate' Met Police funding. Currently, they expect to get none.
June 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I really wish someone from HMT would explain why they don't want to do this. I can't see any arguments against it - political or policy-wise. It's such an easy win for devolution.
Exactly!
As @gilesyb.bsky.social says HMT is *very* responsive to political direction.
What's needed is for PM to have
a) clear agenda
b) good relationship with CX *but*
c) willingness to override when it conflicts with a).
If you have that HMT will drive the government's agenda. If not, not
As @gilesyb.bsky.social says HMT is *very* responsive to political direction.
What's needed is for PM to have
a) clear agenda
b) good relationship with CX *but*
c) willingness to override when it conflicts with a).
If you have that HMT will drive the government's agenda. If not, not
Whenever I see people complaining that "the Treasury is too dominant" I can't help but wonder if the issue isn't that other parts of the system - e.g. PM's office - aren't too weak.
June 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Exactly!
As @gilesyb.bsky.social says HMT is *very* responsive to political direction.
What's needed is for PM to have
a) clear agenda
b) good relationship with CX *but*
c) willingness to override when it conflicts with a).
If you have that HMT will drive the government's agenda. If not, not
As @gilesyb.bsky.social says HMT is *very* responsive to political direction.
What's needed is for PM to have
a) clear agenda
b) good relationship with CX *but*
c) willingness to override when it conflicts with a).
If you have that HMT will drive the government's agenda. If not, not
One common feature of Starmer's mistakes as leader is that he doesn't seem to realise a keypart of the job is knowing when to overrule HMT.
(This, winter fuel allowance, employers' NI etc...)
(This, winter fuel allowance, employers' NI etc...)
June 11, 2026 at 11:36 AM
One common feature of Starmer's mistakes as leader is that he doesn't seem to realise a keypart of the job is knowing when to overrule HMT.
(This, winter fuel allowance, employers' NI etc...)
(This, winter fuel allowance, employers' NI etc...)
Though you might argue HMT/No10 has dragged its feet and isn’t willing to spend enough it’s also worth remembering that deficiencies in Britain’s defence spending/capabilities did not start with this Labour govt- not that you’d know it listening to a lot of the commentary today.
June 11, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Though you might argue HMT/No10 has dragged its feet and isn’t willing to spend enough it’s also worth remembering that deficiencies in Britain’s defence spending/capabilities did not start with this Labour govt- not that you’d know it listening to a lot of the commentary today.
Deleting later? WIP of a more casual outfit for HMT
May 15, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Deleting later? WIP of a more casual outfit for HMT
