James Davies

How to raise £60 billion for public services: our ten tax reforms The UK’s super-rich have accumulated record levels of wealth in recent years, while our public services have been decimated and inequality has soared.

From taxing private jets to closing offshore loopholes, and more.

Here's how we could make our economy fairer and raise £60 billion to revitalise key services to deliver first class healthcare, education and more.
taxjustice.uk/blog/how-to-...

Only safe routes will tackle people smuggling PCS says only safe routes will tackle people smuggling and humanitarian disasters in response to plans between the UK government and France to reduce dangerous channel crossings by disabling criminal ...

As another doomed attempt to deter desperate people from risking their lives crossing the channel is announced, the union representing border force staff calls for safe and secure routes. @pcsunion.bsky.social

www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...

Conservative Bernard Jenkins humiliated on PoliticsLive

First he claims the ECHR stopped the Rwanda scheme when it was the UK Supreme Court that stopped it

Then he claims there are safe and legal routes, there are not

Dishonesty from politicians is a stain on our democracy

Watch their set mysteriously disappear from iplayer

Cheddar reservoir

Loved my run around Cheddar Reservoir this morning

Is this the most scenic run I've ever done? I'm not usually one for taking photos during a run, but on Saturday I had to make an exception.

I wrote about a run on Substack
open.substack.com/pub/jamesdav...

£460 million a week could be raised from a wealth tax.

We're in Westminster with @patmillsuk.bsky.social today calling for extreme wealth (£10m+) to be taxed more.

The text reads: "Targeting the most vulnerable with benefit cuts to meet arbitrary fiscal rules is an immoral choice at any time, but at a time of rising poverty, long NHS waiting lists and when the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite is abhorrent. PCS will be campaigning with allies to oppose these cruel cuts" Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary

PCS has vowed to campaign with allies to oppose the cruel welfare cuts announced by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall today, a blatant attack on the most vulnerable in our society.
www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...

What Rachel Reeves should do instead of cutting benefits Labour was founded as the party of the working class

'Targeting “cost savings” on disability benefits is not only immoral, it is the opposite of everything a Labour government is supposed to be.'

My column for the @theipaper.com ...
inews.co.uk/opinion/what...

Yes, she was excited by Patch's reappearance and thrilled to read your message. She can't wait for your next book!

My daughter and I absolutely loved The Great Theatre Rescue, the new book by
@juditheagle.bsky.social We've been fans ever since reading The Accidental Stowaway. My daughter even dressed as Patch for World Book Day.

My daughter was just asked who was famous for saying "let them eat cake," and she answered, Mary Anne Hobbs.

I may have been over exposing her to 6 Music.

This matters. Not because I think Trump is capable of mercy or empathy towards these vulnerable groups. But because it is a public act of defiance.

Contrast that with all these other powerful people in this country signaling nothing but appeasement and obedience.

PCS responds to Lord Rose's "outdated" WFH comments on Panorama Union says there is plenty of proof to show productivity increases when you employ a flexible workforce

PCS responds to Lord Rose's "outdated" views on working from home, aired tonight on BBC's Panorama www.pcs.org.uk/contact-us/p...

Labour hasn’t delivered growth or happiness. It needs an economic reset. Successive governments have tailored economic and tax policies to impoverish the masses

UK govt must improve the economic condition of the bottom 50%, necessary for building economy and a just society.

1% has more than 70% of the population combined.

The bottom 50% has 5% of wealth, bottom 20% has only 0.5%.

No austerity. Must redistribute.
leftfootforward.org/2025/01/labo...

A legend and one of the game's great characters.
RIP Denis Law

Gutted to hear that David Lynch has died. A true auteur. RIP

DWP's consultation on disability benefit reforms unlawful, High Court rules The DWP's consultation into plans to slash billions from disability benefits has been ruled unlawful in a damning High Court judgement.

DWP's 'misleading and unfair' consultation on disability benefit reforms unlawful, High Court rules

www.bigissue.com/news/social-...

What's the secret to Denmark's happy work-life balance? The Nordic nation doesn't require staff to work long hours and has a generous welfare system.

The UK should follow Denmark's example of prioritising collective wellbeing to improve work-life balance.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Countries can raise $2 trillion by copying Spain’s wealth tax, study finds | Tax Justice Network Ending special tax treatment afforded to superrich can cover estimated climate finance needs Following the example of Spain’s “featherlight” wealth tax on the 0.5% richest households would see countri...

As @taxjusticenet.bsky.social shows here, we need wealth taxes.

taxjustice.net/press/countr...

Biden warns 'dangerous' oligarchy taking shape in final address The outgoing president used his final televised speech from the Oval Office to issue a series of warnings.

Biden is right. Extreme wealth is a threat to our democracy.

But what did his administration do to tackle this?

www.bbc.com/news/article...

At last, something sensible has been written about working from home.

"Surely the government doesn’t want to escalate strife over something of minimal importance to employers, but critical to many of their staff’s lives?"

Saturday morning vibes

PCS responds to Reeves' public service cut threats Fran Heathcote says the union will fight every step of the way if the Chancellor comes for members' jobs

PCS responds to Reeves' public service cut threats, saying the union will fight every step of the way if the Chancellor comes for members' jobs and the services they provide www.pcs.org.uk/contact-us/p...

This is why I love this sport

TUC chief Paul Nowak tells ministers to get serious on pay in 2025 TUC general secretary Paul Nowak tells the BBC proposed 2.8% public sector pay rise is not credible.

Spot on @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social 🎯

"If you are serious about repairing and renewing our public services, you have to be serious about public service pay.

"It's hard to see how a 2.8% rise addresses the recruitment and retention crisis across the public sector"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Yuletide Bangerz, by Jonwayne 17 track album

I've been enjoying Yuletide Bangerz by @jonwayne.bsky.social
Perfect for anyone looking for an alternative Christmas mix.
authorsrecording.bandcamp.com/album/yuleti...

Text from the novel, Dune

On reflection, Dune wasn't an ideal choice for Christmas reading.

Mixed reaction as Waspi women flock to Reform UK Reform UK have also said they wouldn't pay any compensation to Waspi women, which makes the situation all the more perplexing.

It might not make sense that Waspi women would choose Reform, a party that doesn't back their campaign, but this is a signal of what's to come if more groups of people become disillusioned with Starmer's Labour government

www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/mixed-r...

I think the song, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, would be improved if there was another version called It's Beginning to Look a Bit Like Christmas.
You'd get away with playing it in November, then.