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Beth Stratford

@bethstratford.bsky.social
2.8K followers 201 following 54 posts

Economist (mainly ecological macro, housing, rent theory). Senior Research Associate at Oxford's ECI. Honorary Fellow at UCL's IIPP. Proud to have helped set up the London Renters Union✊. Co-author #LandForTheMany.

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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Well, I for one am an economist who supports rent controls! Here’s why 🧵: Markets only work well if: -buyers & sellers have roughly equal power -producers respond to price signals & expand supply in response to scarcity -buyers can walk away if prices get too high
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Proud to have contributed to this report. Do have a butchers - lots of great ideas for Burnham and team...
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Tom Roberts @tpgroberts.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Look, put simply, people should not be comfortable saying that in public and the way to fix society runs directly through making them afraid to say it again.
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Musa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
From this review- “Think of all the diligent, decent black academics who have been lumbered with the embarrassment of having Arday as a figurehead” - no, think of *why* black academics are held collectively responsible in ways that white academics are not
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Positive Money UK @positivemoneyuk.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
⚡ Our new analysis finds that a windfall tax on bank profits could bring in *£19 billion* from just the UK's biggest four banks if announced in the Autumn Budget. Their profits for the first half of 2026 were £29.2bn (up 21% on the same period last year) 🤑 #TaxTheBanks
positivemoney.org
Windfall tax on colossal bank profits could raise £19bn in 2026
Burnham urged to resist lobbyists and tax banks to pay for his cost of living measures
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Laurie Macfarlane @lmacfarlane.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
🚨 NEW: @danneidle.bsky.social claims Scotland’s 48% tax rate has lost public revenue. But is this actually true? My new deep-dive says no – Dan’s analysis doesn’t prove anything. It’s a long read, so buckle up 🧵
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Just loving how John Cleese, now reduced to one of his own caricatures, rages about immigrants coming to the UK and failing to accept "our" culture, from his home in ... (checks notes) ... Nevis in the Caribbean.
Telegraph article: John Cleese: I trust Rupert Lowe more than any other leader
Monty Python star backs the Restore Britain founder in a series of social media posts
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ben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
following friday announcement that the govt will not be bringing in rent controls, i looked at the growing case for them (ft. london renters union @acornunion.bsky.social , @bethstratford.bsky.social, @zackpolanski.bsky.social + more) + what burnham's inaction means about his govt (link below)
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Positive Money UK @positivemoneyuk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
“The new Prime Minister has a clear chance to break away from the unpopularity of his predecessors by standing up to City lobbyists & taxing banks’ unearned windfalls.” This policy isn't just about raising billions, it's about showing the public whose side the Govt is on.
mirror.co.uk
Andy Burnham urged to unleash tax raid on banks amid £55billion profit bonanza
EXCLUSIVE: As Britain's big bank prepare to announce a round of bumper half year profits, critics argue a windfall could pay for the government's cost of living crusade
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New Economy Brief @neweconomybrief.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Also including: - @autonomy-institute.bsky.social on caps on political donations - @clesthinkdo.bsky.social on ending trickle down economics with community wealth building - @bethstratford.bsky.social on rent controls - @pollytoynbee.bsky.social on the @highpaycentre.bsky.social
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The Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The only historic sustained improvement in housing affordability came at the start of the C20th with rent controls – @bethstratford.bsky.social Catch up with the full Forum 2029 event: youtu.be/Uh1_AUP_dx0?...
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Nigel Farage is correct about one thing. It’s the people vs the establishment. Reform are literally the establishment. And it’s the Green Party on the side of the people. Wealth tax. Rent controls. Now. Join.greenparty.org.uk
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The Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 10/07/2026
Rent controls would save households up to £2,400 a year and the Government £2 billion a year. It's a no-brainer. But only the Green Party has a policy to introduce them.
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Danny Sriskandarajah @dhnnjyn.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
"Rent controls, an idea whose time has come" @zackpolanski.bsky.social at launch of joint NEF / @iipp-ucl.bsky.social report by @bethstratford.bsky.social Huge benefits for renters & gov. Negative impacts on landlords are marginal. Other countries have them, UK has had them before, so why not now?
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The Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Right, only two days until we're back with our final Forum 2029 of this series! Don't miss out Weds 8th July, 18:30 'Tackling the private rental sector' w/ @bethstratford.bsky.social | Rosie Worsdale (@jrf-uk.bsky.social) | Beka Hesse (LRU) Sign-up: actionnetwork.org/events/forum...
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
61% of all political donations in the last quarter came from just 14 people Reform took in £9.3m from a handful of super rich donors British democracy is being bought. We urgently need action to take the money out of our politics
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Compass @compassoffice.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
"Landlord profit margins are on average around 42% and ordinary business owner's margins are on average 8%. [...] Vast majority of landlords are making supernormal returns" Economist @bethstratford.bsky.social #ChangeNOW 🤝
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Helen Warrell @helenwarrell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
If you read one thing today, make it @stephenkb.bsky.social's admirably clear and rational analysis of the police's actions following Henry Nowak's murder, from the @financialtimes.com Inside Politics newsletter www.ft.com/content/aa94...
ft.com
What Henry Nowak’s murder does — and does not — tell us about policing
Kemi Badenoch says his killing needs to be seen as a ‘Stephen Lawrence moment’ but the failures in both cases differ
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Jack Bailey @jack-bailey.co.uk · 03/06/2026
Last year, we shared a paper showing that Labour's accommodation of the radical right did not work. We now have a new version of the paper online: osf.io/preprints/so...
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New Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Everyone should be able to access a safe, secure, affordable home. But unaffordable rents make it impossible for people to live good lives. That's why we're calling for an "emergency brake" which would cap rent increases at the lower of inflation or 2%. Read more: neweconomics.org/2026/05/a-mo...
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Joseph Elliott @jelliott94.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Around a quarter of private renters in the UK spend over 40% of disposable income on rents. This is among the highest rates across the world. Meanwhile new analysis for JRF finds being a private landlord has been one of the best investment options available to individuals.
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Share The Wealth @sharethewealthuk.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
A tiny 2% annual wealth tax could raise over £5bn a year from the top 15 billionaires on the Sunday Times Rich List alone. That could cut household energy bills by an average of £150 a year using @jrf-uk.bsky.social's Rising Block Tariff proposal. So why isn't the government doing it now?
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The Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Our new report – The Property Premium – is out today, with @jrf-uk.bsky.social 🎙️ Key finding: being a private landlord has been the best investment option available to individuals in England over the past decade. Read the full report here: autonomy.work/portfolio/th...
autonomy.work
The property premium: the nature and trajectory of landlord profits in England
New Autonomy analysis of landlord profits in England over the previous decade.
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Finally, we have data to show vast majority of landlords earn supernormal returns: even with high interest rates, 63% outperform a 60:40 equity-gilt portfolio & 71% beat the broader real estate sector. Proud to have co-authored this with @autonomy-institute.bsky.social autonomy.work/portfolio/th...
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Patriotic Millionaires UK @patmillsuk.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Millionaires are five times more concerned about doctors leaving the UK than they are about other millionaires emigrating 💸 Our poll also found millionaires are proud to live in the UK, and they're willing to pay more tax to invest in our country and its young people.
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The Onion @theonion.com · 07/03/2026
Trump’s War On Iran: Myth Vs. Fact theonion.com/trumps-war-on-iran-myt…
MYTH: As commander-in-chief, Trump has the authority to take military action.

FACT: It is unconstitutional for a U.S. president to declare war without the approval of the Knesset.
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Josh Ryan-Collins @jryancollins.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
The @europarl.europa.eu looks set on tuesday to vote through a report on the EU housing crisis that rejects the idea that financialisation has been a key driver. Read my co-authored letter with @danielagabor.bsky.social arguing aginst the report's findings www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/pub...
ucl.ac.uk
Letter to the European Parliament's HOUS Committee
Authored by Josh Ryan-Collins and Daniela Gabor
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UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose @iipp-ucl.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
🏠 A foundation for future housing strategy 'Taking Stock', a paper led by IIPP's @stefanhorn.bsky.social & @bethstratford.bsky.social, outlines the foundational analysis and key frameworks of the Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth (#HDCE) project. ✍️ Read the paper here: buff.ly/TWVFHMn
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The Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
EVENT: 'Housing, Power and Property' 🏠 Join @jemgilbert.bsky.social, @bethstratford.bsky.social, Nick Bano & more for an afternoon symposium on the politics of housing, rent, urban space and tenants' organising Fri 12th Dec | 1pm | UEL, London (FREE) 👇
buff.ly
Housing, Power and Property
A symposium on the politics of housing, rent, urban space and tenants' organising
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Compass @compassoffice.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
🏘️There's huge focus around Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes, and whether they can « build, baby, build ». But the sheer numbers obscure a more important question: can they do it right? @bethstratford.bsky.social and @aydindikerdem.bsky.social give their analysis on our latest episode.👇
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Looking foward to speaking at this symposium!
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Love these guys
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Economic Change Unit @econchange.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
🚨 One week left to apply! We're recruiting an interim Executive Director to lead ECU while our ED is on sabbatical. If you're an experienced leader with expertise in fundraising, programme management and governance this could be the role for you. 👇 econchange.org/recruitment/...
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Haha, published a report last week – Taking Stock: a foundation for future housing strategy – and my friend asked ChatGPT to rewrite it in style of an 18th Century broadside. Gotta admit it's quite lolz👇. Anyway, ICYMI, exec summary is a 10min read here: darkmatterlabs.notion.site/hdce-takings...
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
📣Hot off the press! Taking Stock: A foundation for future housing strategy. We challenge persistent myths about the housing crisis and highlight ways to meet housing need within environmental limits. First output for 🏠Homes that Don’t Cost the Earth🌍. Read a 10 min summary: tinyurl.com/mu59kb29
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Josh Ryan-Collins @jryancollins.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Launching our Homes that don't cost the Earth project online today with Rosie Cade and @bethstratford.bsky.social presenting - get involved here: www.notion.so/darkmatterla...
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The Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Currently confirmed speakers: - Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis.bsky.social) - Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen.bsky.social) - James Meadway (@meadwaj.bsky.social) - Asad Rehman (@chilledasad.bsky.social) - Beth Stratford (@bethstratford.bsky.social) - Zack Polanski MLA (@zackpolanski.bsky.social)
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
“Labour…pointed out that the Tony Blair Institute works for the government of Saudi Arabia”
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Jesse Griffiths @jesselgriffiths.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
At the end of a slightly terrifying week, where a major financial crisis was averted – for now – I thought I’d reflect on whether such a crisis might happen anyway, and what this means for UK financial sector policy. A thread. /1
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Common Wealth @cmmonwealth.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
🚨 The Government urgently needs policies which: — 📈 Improve the cost of living — 💰 Do not cost public money — 👨‍🏭 Place them on the side of working people 🧵 The answer? Rent controls. Our latest Perspectives piece by @sachahilhorst.bsky.social 👇 www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
common-wealth.org
Take Back Rent Controls | Perspectives
Why rent controls are the policy Starmer needs.
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Christine Berry @christinejberry.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
I wrote a thing about the unreality of the debate on disability benefits, where it comes from and how it affects us. It cost a few spoons to do it, but I think it would have cost more not to. Have a read if you're interested: www.christineberry.net/2025/03/the-...
christineberry.net
The lies we tell ourselves: Starmer and the gaslighting of disabled people – Christine Berry
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Andrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Wouldn't necessarily be a game-changer everywhere, but these policies could make a real difference in many parts of the country: * 150% council tax premium on second homes * Planning permission to turn residential homes into 2nd/holiday homes * House prices fall by 12% www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Gwynedd house prices plunge as council acts on second homes
House prices in a Welsh county have fallen by more than 12% year-on-year, according to new figures.
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Richard Bärnthaler @rbaernthaler.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
German state repression is spiralling out of control. A German climate activist has been banned from becoming a teacher. Here are some justifications from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts—they are completely nuts: 1/7
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Interesting research from Xavier Jaravel reveals "a clear and systematic gap in inflation rates across income percentiles, reflecting the varying consumption patterns of households at different income levels". He's made the data publicly available - link from article. (h/t @chrismwhayes.bsky.social)
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
In Dec '23 I conducted a message-testing study in which 66% of the 264 landlords in my sample were persuaded to back rent controls. 🤯 Now @cmmonwealth.bsky.social have done a straight poll and found 44% of landlords back rent controls *without any persuasion*! Nice job @sachahilhorst.bsky.social ! 🙌
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Meagan Hatcher-Mays @importantmeagan.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
look I’m no messaging expert but it seems like the American people might be interested to know that Donald Trump just gave our social security numbers to a teen called BigBalls
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Democracy Now! @democracynow.org · 03/02/2025
"Elon Musk is going to pay for his tax cut with your Social Security." @lindsayowens.bsky.social breaks down the billionaire's unprecedented takeover of key government functions, including trillions in Treasury Department payments. www.democracynow.org/2025/2/3/elon_…
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Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Pretty disturbing analysis from @waleedshahid.bsky.social : waleedshahid.substack.com/p/elon-musk-...
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Equality Trust @equalitytrust.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Thames Water is in court demanding a £3bn bailout loan, paid for by customers. It's the latest rip-off in decades of hiking bills, extracting profits, and dumping sewage. What's the point of a water system – to provide water or to make money for the richest? Nationalise it now!
A graphic labelled "the Thames Water cycle" which has a four-part cycle of increase profits, pay dividends and CEO, take on new debt, and demand bill hikes.
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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Been reading through the Government's new Land Use Consultation. Here's the juiciest bits I've seen so far! An excellent, bold proposal to spare 9% of England's least-productive land for nature & carbon - restoring peat bogs & regenerating woods - & changes to ag land use over a further 10% /1
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