Sara Williams

Hat tip to @javierblas.bsky.social who says this is the sound of the global economy slowing down. Hass is one of the world's top-10 machine tools companies, crucial to build new factories.

The devastating reality of disability benefit cuts The government must face the consequences of taking support from the poorest, and try to find a better way

Disability benefits: soothing words, frightening numbers

New column attempting to cut through the spin www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/pol...

This has, understandably, been overshadowed by far bigger developments

But this is interesting because, barring pensions, contributory social insurance has only ever been weakened in my years of watching these things. I’m not sure it’s ever been strengthened since the late 60s

Some disabled people could lose £10k a year in benefits by end of decade Experts say planned cuts will deliver series of ‘painful income shocks’ for many

Tens of thousands of people will be hit by “knock-on impact” of PIP cuts. Unpaid carers face losing carer’s allowance if their family member loses eligibility for disability benefits - a devastating double loss.

Me and @patrickjbutler.bsky.social report. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Without PIP, a further 700,000 more disabled households could be pushed into poverty 📢

We've joined Scope to urge the Chancellor to reconsider potential cuts to disability benefits.

Read our open letter: www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/op....

The latest episode of Debt Reckoning, the IMA podcast, is out now. We’re joined by @debtadviser.bsky.social of Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, to discuss the prospect of writing off up to £1bn worth of energy debt. Listen and subscribe on Spotify: buff.ly/3K52CZQ

A prize worth pursuing: has Elizabeth line shown what rail investment can achieve? Project has smashed forecasts on passengers numbers and created a story of regeneration along its route

“Arup analysing the line’s impact – based on data that was yet to capture the full swell of passengers – more than 90% of customers said it had changed their area for the better. Nearly two-thirds said it had also made it easier to access jobs and employment.”

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Fujitsu told to pay up by Post Office campaigners over ‘ghastly fraud’ The company has already acknowledged it has a ‘moral obligation’ to contribute to compensation.

Fujitsu told to pay up by Post Office campaigners over ‘ghastly fraud’.

Fujitsu supplied flawed IT system, gave false evidence to the courts to convict innocent postmasters, landed public purse with £1.8bn compensation.

It has faced no prosecution/fine. Still gets public contracts.

IMA Money Advice Awards - Institute of Money Advisers IMA Money Advice Awards 2025   The 2025 IMA Money Advice Awards will be presented during IMA Conference 2025, at the Rep Theatre in Birmingham on 12 June. Nominations are now open in the following…

Many thanks to Experian for exhibiting at #IMAConf25 and sponsoring this year's IMA Money Adviser of the Year Award. There's still time to make a nomination before the deadline on 16 March!

Incapacity benefit cuts consultation was ‘misleading’ and unlawful, judge rules Labour’s plan to push through ‘fit for work’ test reforms to save £3bn set back after activist’s high court challenge

Incapacity benefit cuts consultation was ‘misleading’ and unlawful, judge rules.

@patrickjbutler.bsky.social writes up the big disability benefit win here: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Chimney sweep whose death changed child labour laws honoured with blue plaque George Brewster, youngest to get plaque, died aged 11 in 1875 after getting stuck in flue, leading to law banning ‘climbing boys’

11-year-old chimney sweep George Brewster was forced up a flue measuring just 12x7.5 inches.

His death, after becoming jammed inside, finally galavanised parliament to act.

Never forget what cruelties would be inflicted by greed were it not for “red tape”.

www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

Why doesn't she just leave?

Recent research conducted by @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social on behalf of SEA exposes the reality of economic abuse highlighting how perpetrators use it trap victim-survivors and make it difficult for them to leave.

It's good the FCA has listened to respondents to their consultation and has now changed the new complaint extension rules to INCLUDE leasing. www.fca.org.uk/publication/...

More helpful if fraud rates are shown as well - this isn't a less problematic crime to the victims. To most people it feels exactly like non-snatch theft and the total lack of investigation colours people's impression of the police

couples splitting up?

A retrograde step from Starling www.instagram.com/p/DC516e4MEt...

I'm very glad to say that Money Box Live returns next Wednesday - I've missed it while we've been away!
Straight back in with an important topic - economic abuse, financial coercion and control. If you have lived experience & feel able to share please email me felicity.hannah@bbc.co.uk.
Can be anon.

Good to hear this from PM: “end the culture of blaming and shaming people who for too long haven’t been getting the support they need.” We desperately need this change in attitudes as well as policy. For years gov focused on hassling & punishing people. Time to try genuine support & opportunity.

If true, well gosh. An actual, sensible practical policy. The right will hate it, but it will actually enable (or partly enable) dealing with the massive backlog built up under the last government on nonsense 'waiting for Rawanda' grounds - which is costing billions in accommodation costs.

Barclays gives up legal challenge to £40m FCA fine over its emergency fundraising in 2008 www.thetimes.com/article/bfe6...

New report uncovers ‘Volatility Premium’ for millions A new report from Nest Insight examines the premium people face because of irregular incomes.

Check out our write up of the @NESTInsight event from last week on their Fluctuation Nation report, which shows the impact of having a volatile income and what can be done about it.

The obsession of our national debate about the benefits system with how it should respond to people 'refusing to work' has massively hindered progress towards more effective support

It would be like discussing how to be a good employer almost exclusively in terms of managing disciplinary processes

What would you add to this list?

How to stop IHT avoidance but protect farmers New data suggests that one third of the farm estates affected by the Budget changes aren’t owned by farmers – they’re held by investors for tax planning purposes. This suggests the Budget proposal…

taxpolicy.org.uk/2024/11/24/h...

This from @danneidle.bsky.social looks like a rare, genuine must-read.

Pension engagement is ... low. 29% not aware that their DC pension contributions are invested.

Screen clip from BBC documentary of a leaseholder Sue Robertson in a terraced house 1-bed flat.

Good BBC coverage on how dream of homeownership has turned into a leasehold nightmare for some buyers facing exorbitant service charges increases and careless management orgs.

One harrowing example of an owner almost driven to suicide from the stress and financial pressure of huge cost increases ⬇️

HSBC pays compensation for not saying a debt was unenforceable HSBC couldn't produce an old CCA agreement. The Ombudsman has made HSBC pay compensation for not admitting the debt was unenforceable

new post - when HSBC handles a simple request for the CCA agreement extremely badly. debtcamel.co.uk/hsbc-compens...

how well correlated are occupier housing costs with some lagged rolling average of interest rates... pretty high I would guess? So the statistic may indicate the extent of pain being currently born, but shouldn't have much impact on future MPC decisions?