Visiting Prof. Birmingham City Uni Business Sch; former Leader, Birmingham City Council; former solicitor; 25 yrs a comprehensive school teacher; genealogist.
North Wales, UK
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How Birmingham City Council went ‘bankrupt’ being unnecessarily forced to pay hundreds of £millions into its pension fund to pay off a deficit which never existed. It was always in surplus. Labour didn’t listen. They’re not listening now.
thisismoney.co.uk/money/mark…
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Britain’s automotive supply chain doesn’t need to die. It needs a new mission.
@dgbailey's new blog: blogsfromtheblackstuff.com/b…
"Capabilities embedded in the automotive supply chain have not suddenly become worthless. They are capabilities in advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, electronics, software, materials, batteries, autonomous systems and complex supply-chain management"
"This is what we mean by reverse conversion: the deliberate mobilisation and reorientation of established civilian industrial capabilities towards defence and dual-use production."
"Defence itself is changing. Modern military capability increasingly depends upon technologies and production systems that have strong civilian applications: electronics, communications, autonomous systems, drones, advanced materials, batteries, power electronics, software and sophisticated manufacturing."
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Prof. John Clancy retweeted
Britain’s automotive supply chain doesn’t need to die. It needs a new mission. @dgbailey's new blog today: blogsfromtheblackstuff.com/b…
"Capabilities embedded in the automotive supply chain have not suddenly become worthless. They are capabilities in advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, electronics, software, materials, batteries, autonomous systems and complex supply-chain management"
"This is what we mean by reverse conversion: the deliberate mobilisation and reorientation of established civilian industrial capabilities towards defence and dual-use production."
"Defence itself is changing. Modern military capability increasingly depends upon technologies and production systems that have strong civilian applications: electronics, communications, autonomous systems, drones, advanced materials, batteries, power electronics, software and sophisticated manufacturing."
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Prof. John Clancy retweeted
Great read. I can see the appeal of Help to Buy, but boosting demand without increasing supply risks pushing up prices. We need more homes to be built, particularly affordable & social housing, which would increase supply & help moderate prices and rents.
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National coverage of LGPS surplus this morning, including my comments on how £10B a year can be found by government - by use of this taxpayer-owned surplus - for huge fiscal headroom, as @dgbailey &I pointed out as far back as Nov 2025.
thisismoney.co.uk/money/mark…
Standardising the national scheme’s assumptions &calculations at UK level will show 100s of £billions are deliberately hidden in plain sight, mainly for the hidden benefit of investment bankers.
OBR, NAO and HMT need to ensure this is on the books, for budgetary purposes. It rests unnecessary limbo.
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@dgbailey and my blog last November alerting then UK govt to the fiscal opportunity
blogsfromtheblackstuff.com/b…
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The Death of British Manufacturing?
HOW LONG BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF FACTORIES?
midlandsgrit.co.uk/p/the-dea…
@dgbailey’s prognosis on ‘re-industrialisation’ and UK Car manufacturing. As ever, Olley distills it with aplomb.
Burnham needs Bailey.
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Prof. John Clancy retweeted
JLR job cuts are a symptom of British car industry storm - University of Birmingham birmingham.ac.uk/news/2026/j…
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JLR Job Cuts: Britain’s Car Industry Is Running on Empty
@dgbailey’s blog today
blogsfromtheblackstuff.com/b…
‘The govt. should treat the current situation as a strategic industrial emergency. Get industrial energy costs down.
‘Give manufacturers a more realistic and flexible route through the EV transition. Provide long-term certainty for investment. And substantially increase the incentives for companies to invest in UK production, batteries and supply chains.’
‘…a warning that Britain’s automotive industry is being hit by a near perfect storm. The consequences could extend far beyond JLR.’
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So sorry to hear that former West Brom East MP, Peter Snape, Baron Snape has passed away.
Peter and Lynda Waltho were always so patient and supportive and wise throughout the time I did politics. And often thoroughly spoiled those they knew, like me. I recall being treated to a memorable evening dinner with them at The House of Lords.
And a great Stopfordian too! We both haled from the same place. And Stockport County ran in his blood too.
Deepest condolences and thoughts to Lynda and the family. Will light a candle for you all.
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Prof. John Clancy retweeted
Time to end the EV charging divide - cut VAT on public charging too. New blog blogsfromtheblackstuff.com/b… @uob_business @ukandeu @smmt
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Prof. John Clancy retweeted
Indeed. Denis, on his way to US to plead for extra help, was diverted to Blackpool to address Lab conference where he had to speak from the floor as he wasn’t a member of the NEC and couldn’t speak on the podium. No wonder Labour lost the 1979 election.
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The Americans and Trump will be delighted to welcome Ray Barone/Romano as the UK’s new Foreign Secretary. Everybody Loves Ed.
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Prof. John Clancy retweeted
Goodbye Rachel Reeves as Chancellor. Here’s my recent blog assessing her tenure: blogsfromtheblackstuff.com/b… @UoB_Business @UKandEU
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