Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Well, 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 11390184
Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Proud to have contributed to this report. Do have a butchers - lots of great ideas for Burnham and team... 176
Reposted by Beth StratfordTom Roberts @tpgroberts.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Look, 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. 3742461099
Reposted by Beth StratfordMusa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 15/08/2026From 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 745203993
Reposted by Beth StratfordPositive 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) 🤑 #TaxTheBankspositivemoney.orgWindfall tax on colossal bank profits could raise £19bn in 2026Burnham urged to resist lobbyists and tax banks to pay for his cost of living measures 2129
Reposted by Beth StratfordLaurie 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 🧵 23834
Reposted by Beth StratfordGeorge Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Just 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. 61075751805
Reposted by Beth Stratfordben smoke @bencsmoke.bsky.social · 26/07/2026following 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) 1106
Reposted by Beth StratfordPositive 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.ukAndy Burnham urged to unleash tax raid on banks amid £55billion profit bonanzaEXCLUSIVE: 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 12316
Reposted by Beth StratfordNew Economy Brief @neweconomybrief.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Also 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 141
Reposted by Beth StratfordThe Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 15/07/2026The 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?... 045
Reposted by Beth StratfordZack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 11/07/2026Nigel 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 491261335
Reposted by Beth StratfordThe Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 10/07/2026Rent 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. 27782301
Reposted by Beth StratfordDanny 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? 2119
Reposted by Beth StratfordThe Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 06/07/2026Right, 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... 032
Reposted by Beth StratfordPeter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 04/06/202661% 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 341122663
Reposted by Beth StratfordCompass @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 🤝 2148
Reposted by Beth StratfordHelen Warrell @helenwarrell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026If 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.comWhat Henry Nowak’s murder does — and does not — tell us about policingKemi Badenoch says his killing needs to be seen as a ‘Stephen Lawrence moment’ but the failures in both cases differ 8211129
Reposted by Beth StratfordJack Bailey @jack-bailey.co.uk · 03/06/2026Last 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... 12521286
Reposted by Beth StratfordNew Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 17/05/2026Everyone 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... 0155
Reposted by Beth StratfordJoseph Elliott @jelliott94.bsky.social · 15/05/2026Around 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. 2119
Reposted by Beth StratfordShare The Wealth @sharethewealthuk.bsky.social · 18/05/2026A 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? 12820
Reposted by Beth StratfordThe Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Our 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.workThe property premium: the nature and trajectory of landlord profits in EnglandNew Autonomy analysis of landlord profits in England over the previous decade. 21014
Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Finally, 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... 33624
Reposted by Beth StratfordPatriotic Millionaires UK @patmillsuk.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Millionaires 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. 513166
Reposted by Beth StratfordThe Onion @theonion.com · 07/03/2026Trump’s War On Iran: Myth Vs. Fact theonion.com/trumps-war-on-iran-myt… 211769266
Reposted by Beth StratfordJosh Ryan-Collins @jryancollins.bsky.social · 08/03/2026The @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.ukLetter to the European Parliament's HOUS CommitteeAuthored by Josh Ryan-Collins and Daniela Gabor 194
Reposted by Beth StratfordUCL 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 061
Reposted by Beth StratfordThe Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 20/11/2025EVENT: '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.lyHousing, Power and PropertyA symposium on the politics of housing, rent, urban space and tenants' organising 032
Reposted by Beth StratfordCompass @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.👇 324
Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 14/11/2025Looking foward to speaking at this symposium! 020
Reposted by Beth StratfordEconomic 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/... 011
Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 03/07/2025Haha, 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... 141
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 89038
Reposted by Beth StratfordJosh Ryan-Collins @jryancollins.bsky.social · 24/04/2025Launching 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... 166
Reposted by Beth StratfordThe Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 28/04/2025Currently 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) 178
Reposted by Beth StratfordJim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 30/04/2025“Labour…pointed out that the Tony Blair Institute works for the government of Saudi Arabia” 13383118
Reposted by Beth StratfordJesse Griffiths @jesselgriffiths.bsky.social · 11/04/2025At 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 11011
Reposted by Beth StratfordCommon 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.orgTake Back Rent Controls | PerspectivesWhy rent controls are the policy Starmer needs. 196
Reposted by Beth StratfordChristine Berry @christinejberry.bsky.social · 21/03/2025I 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.netThe lies we tell ourselves: Starmer and the gaslighting of disabled people – Christine Berry 33325
Reposted by Beth StratfordAndrew Fisher @fisherandrew79.bsky.social · 18/02/2025Wouldn'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.ukGwynedd house prices plunge as council acts on second homesHouse prices in a Welsh county have fallen by more than 12% year-on-year, according to new figures. 69127
Reposted by Beth StratfordRichard Bärnthaler @rbaernthaler.bsky.social · 11/02/2025German 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 515292
Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 07/02/2025Interesting 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) 041
Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 04/02/2025In 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 ! 🙌 1162
Reposted by Beth StratfordMeagan Hatcher-Mays @importantmeagan.bsky.social · 02/02/2025look 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 7573672771
Reposted by Beth StratfordDemocracy 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_… 35873349
Beth Stratford @bethstratford.bsky.social · 04/02/2025Pretty disturbing analysis from @waleedshahid.bsky.social : waleedshahid.substack.com/p/elon-musk-... 116058
Reposted by Beth StratfordEquality Trust @equalitytrust.bsky.social · 04/02/2025Thames 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! 12013
Reposted by Beth StratfordGuy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 31/01/2025Been 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 27410133