Columnist for The Times
London, via Nairn
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Healey has made the right calls on energy, tax cuts etc - but their effect will be easily erased by inflation, stealth taxes and energy costs.
Disposable income now is expected to be in 2030 where it was at lockdown. A second lost decade.
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Fraser Nelson retweeted
Nigel Farage is failing to call out blatant racism within Reform thetimes.com/comment/the-tim…
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The Connect to Work scheme was designed to give 12 months of tailored support to find & keep jobs
In Y1, just 13,900 joined the scheme: less then half target
Repairing the work incentive should be a main HMG focus. No one should keep <50% of what they earn
thetimes.com/uk/politics/art…
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Delighted to be in the company of my colleagues on The Times and Sunday Times - Matthew Syed, Hadley Freeman, Alice Thompson and the late (and peerless) Rod Liddle - for comment journalism category of the British Journalism Awards.
The shortlist for the British Journalism Awards is finally here! With hundreds of outstanding entries, making the shortlist is a true mark of excellence. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted, and thank you to all who entered.
pressgazette.co.uk/press-gaz… #BJA2026 #PressGazette
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Fraser Nelson retweeted
A new 100pc effective tax rate is being proposed for those on Carers Allowance who want to move into work.
It's a major improvement. Here's why:-
comment.press/100
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Such a good point. Cliff edges grow like weeds, unintentionally trapping millions.
Sweden now scours for welfare traps using a modelling system called FASIT: huge success (welfare at 20-year low). A UK that spends £120bn on sickness benefit can afford to do the same.
I am sure public policy used to be more careful about avoiding these. I remember being shocked the first time I saw the cliff edges that Scotland had introduced in student funding (not knowing that 10 years later we would fall off one). It’s as if the civil service just forgot.
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Fraser Nelson retweeted
Brexit saga in Whitehall. This was the line at 6pm last night
A government spokesperson said: "We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy and create more opportunities for young people and communities across the country."
The government’s line on free movement with the EU:
“There are and have been no discussions with the EU on this. Our negotiations are focused solely on the next UK-EU summit.”
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Carers' Allowance is just the start of the cliff-edges and snares in the welfare system deterring people from work.
Today's reform is welcome, but is just the start.
The Times Welfare Inquiry interviewed other people caught in traps: all need addressed.
thetimes.com/uk/welfare-inqu…
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The Carers' Cliff-Edge being addressed today was highlighted by The Times Welfare Inquiry:-
And there are many more...
thetimes.com/uk/welfare-inqu…
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The problem with racial politics is that deniability is not always plausible.
Raheem Kassam's "Nigeria" strategy is already rebounding; Farage is struggling to distance himself from him...
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Jenrick calls Kassam 'a journalist'. Danny Kruger accepts Kassam is 'Reform family' (ergo the Nigeria strategy can't be criticised)
Farage was pointing to the loyalty from (and to) Kassam in an interview with the Sunday Times earlier this month... thetimes.com/uk/politics/art…
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