Everybody loves brownfield-first. But where exactly should we densify our cities? And how?
Our new report shows Britain's density gap is wider in the biggest cities outside London than in the capital - and the inner city 'urban cores' up to 5km out from the centre are to blame.
Ouse Valley Viaduct near Balcombe
The author resting face down on a viaduct arch
The author sitting in a viaduct arch
@ Ouse Valley Viaduct
gotta love a good viaduct
PIP claimants reveal that Rachel Reeves's welfare cuts would push them out of work – not back into it. Nearly two-thirds of working people receiving PIP would have to reduce or give up work if they lose it.
This chart is from @britishelectionstudy.com @jamesdgriffiths.bsky.social, me and Ed Fieldhouse. You can see that 2024 Reform voters mainly came from the Conservatives or UKIP in 2015.
This has been a story on the right for *ten years* now, unless something very different happened last week.
Cars ruin cities in more ways than just running people over.
Paris has reduced air pollution by 50-55% over the past 20 years through policies limiting traffic and banning polluting vehicles.
We have some VERY exciting news to share! 🎉
Today the government has recommended we should be given ‘super-complainant’ status, giving us special powers to call on regulators to tackle specific consumer harms.
@helenundy.bsky.social explains why we’re thrilled with this change 🎬
Please join me in welcoming @moneyandmentalhealth.org to Bluesky! Help us get started by giving us a follow and a share! 💪🏼
Thank you 🙏🏼
The key point is that Britain is not normal. Most developed countries have zoning systems, where if you follow the rules you can build. Our system is discretionary, where even following the rules doesn't guarantee permission. Not a coincidence we also have an awful housing crisis
Out of curiosity, am reading a bit about the market for farmland. This briefing is from January.
"Meanwhile, non-farmer buyers – who are a mix of private and institutional investors and lifestyle buyers – accounted for 56% of sales"
rural.struttandparker.com/article/engl...
At @moneyandmentalhealth.org we're hiring an External Affairs Intern to support our comms, campaigns & events!
🔜 But applications close at 9am on Monday.
It's a six-month role with a strong focus on professional development, paid at London Living Wage.
🔗 www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/join-the-team
Horrible story but as @tbymrry.bsky.social there’s a more insidious one is going under the radar here.
Thousands more people are getting these warnings, all-at-once annual bills, extra charges on top and bailiffs at their door even though they just can’t afford to pay.
📌
really interesting - thank you!
EVERYTHING IS ABOUT HOUSING
Yo! I've been working away on this for 9 months. It's been shocking uncovering the harm done across the public sector by debt collection.
TL;DR: Council Tax collection in particular needs urgent attention, sign our petition: change.org/p/it-s-time-...
Nonetheless - the Somerset Quadrilateral containing Langford Budville, Hatch Beauchamp, Bishops Lydeard and Westonzoyland remains absolutely undefeated.
On a train so naturally checking the map for some sensational “Are you a place in rural England or a character in a Regency novel?” places:
Sheepy Magna
Fenny Drayton
Chilvers Coton
Bunton Naze
Thorpe Constantine
Photoshopping myself into this - arms flailing, eyes to the sky, Jeb! style - over a totally Purple Nation
Country’s absolutely gone
What even is “X”?
I’ve literally never heard of it. It doesn’t exist
