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Edmund Heery

@edpenarth.bsky.social
838 followers 1.3K following 94 posts

Retired academic - industrial relations. Interested in all things related to work and employment. Researching the Living Wage.

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Reposted by Edmund Heery
LSE Inequalities @lseinequalities.bsky.social · 17h
Join @edpenarth.bsky.social for our next Inequalities Seminar, exploring the story behind the campaign that transformed low pay in the UK and helped establish the Real Living Wage. 🎟️ Register: buff.ly/1mvMbSU
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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Started watching Sky’s War Game last night where Michael Gove is the PM during the Russian attack and I’m afraid it is just very difficult to watch it without thinking of this, one of the great cartoons ever published
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Living Wage Foundation @livingwageuk.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Behind every bus journey you take is a team who deserve secure, predictable work. 🚍 Arriva UK - the biggest travel operator in the UK - is officially Living Hours accredited! Over 85,000 Arriva employees will benefit from the consistency and security that this Living Hours commitment brings. 🌟
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ILR Review @ilrreview.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
How can #TradeUnions shape technological change before it reaches the workplace? Bowkett of the University of Manchester and Christian Lévesque of HEC Montréal examine how unions engage with regional institutions to influence #Digitalization, and worker outcomes. #ILRReview: doi.org/10.1177/0019...
Image by Splash
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James Wright @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Only 2 months until The Buildings Archaeologist is released! It's tricky to get word out online these days so a reshare would be hugely appreciated 🙂 Order details here: thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/... Tickets for the book tour here: triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/the-building...
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Wales become first nation to drop support for Fifa president Gianni Infantino
Wales will not support Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid at Fifa over his bungled effort to sell off stakes in the World Cup
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Great illustration of the sociological imagination and its importance. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The US public is fed up with RFK Jr. To really ‘make America healthy again’, it should look to Europe | Devi Sridhar
Americans are dying younger than Europeans, despite being the wealthiest people on the planet. Wellness fads won’t change that, says public health expert Devi Sridhar
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NationCymru @nation.cymru · 26/07/2026
Opposition to the prospect of badger culling in Wales is continuing to grow after 10,000 people backed a petition calling on the Senedd to reject the policy
wp.me
Badger cull petition meets Senedd debate threshold after overwhelming support
Nation.Cymru Staff Opposition to the prospect of badger culling in Wales is continuing to grow after 10,000 people backed a petition calling on the Senedd to reject the policy. It follows the passing ...
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
How farmers could fix Wales' polluted rivers and save money - correct headline, how Welsh dairy farmers are producing the worst river pollution in the country and how university research funded by the Welsh Labour Government shows how much of the pollution is completely unnecesaary
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Reform calls for badger cull in fight against bovine TB
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Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I've signed and sent a letter - from authors, broadcasters, journalists, artists, scholars and performers - to express our deep concern at @exeter.ac.uk’s troubling plans to make mass redundancies within the Humanities Dept @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social. I would love it if you read and shared widely.
Dear Vice Chancellor, Provost, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Humanities,
Arts and Social Sciences and Chair of Council (cc Director of Human Resources and Chief Financial
Officer)
We write, as authors, broadcasters, journalists, artists, publishers, academics and performers in the public
sphere, to express our deep concern at the University of Exeter’s plans to make redundancies within the
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS). The cuts come at a point when Exeter is not in
deficit, and they are not distributed equally across the university. With 114 of the proposed 153 FTE
academic redundancies falling within HASS, the University is dismantling areas of established excellence
and international renown in a Russell Group University whose reputation is known to be outstanding in the
Humanities. Several of the disciplines subject to the proposed cuts, including Classics and Ancient History,
English and Creative Writing, History, and Theology and Religion are among the UK’s strongest according
to league tables, the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF),
and other recognised indicators, including QS World Rankings.
The extent of the proposed cuts is both shocking and misguided. Exeter is seeking to make up to 20
academics redundant in English and Creative Writing, out of a headcount of 62. In Languages and Visual
Culture upwards of 17 colleagues will be made redundant, decimating subjects including Art History and
Visual Culture, French, German, Italian, Hispanic Studies, Russian and Chinese. 5 posts will go or have
gone in Classics and Ancient History (2 academics have already left), out of a staff body of 20. In Theology
and Religion up to 5 academics will be made redundant out of a group of 13. In History over 17 colleagues
will be made redundant, out of a staff body of 53. In the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies staff are
facing a headcount reduction of almost a third (6FTE out …
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NationCymru @nation.cymru · 06/07/2026
Cardiff University has spent more than £10m on consultants over the last two years, according to figures released in a Freedom of Information Act disclosure ✍️Martin Shipton
wp.me
Cardiff University spends more than £10m on consultants in two years
Martin Shipton Cardiff University has spent more than £10m on consultants over the last two years, according to figures released in a Freedom of Information Act disclosure. A critic of the…
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
c.org/WG8rKmmCNz
c.org
Sign the Petition
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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Reposted by Edmund Heery
Adam Rutherford @adamrutherford.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
This is cultural suicide and intellectual vandalism. In an era where humanities-illiterate tech bros have unearned god-like powers, we need historians, philosophers, ethicists, classicists more than ever.
deplorable.is
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NationCymru @nation.cymru · 22/06/2026
Warnings have emerged that more than £500 million in ‘critical’ funding for children with Additional Learning Needs could be diverted to other priorities, despite pressure on Welsh ministers to protect the investment ✍️Emily Price
wp.me
Welsh Government accused of diverting funding away from ALN children
Emily Price  Warnings have emerged that more than £500 million in “critical” funding for children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) could be diverted to other priorities, despite pressure on Welsh ...
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Plan to expand free childcare in Wales faces serious challenges, figures show
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NationCymru @nation.cymru · 10/06/2026
Wales' First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth came under pressure over badger culling after being asked which method he would favour, including shooting, poisoning, gassing or bludgeoning the animals ✍️ @emilypricejourno.bsky.social
nation.cymru
First Minister confronted on what method of badger culling he prefers
Emily Price  Wales’ First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth came under pressure over badger culling after being asked which method he would favour, including shooting, poisoning, gassing or bludgeoning the a...
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
They’ve nade it to Penarth www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Get set for a painted lady summer: big year for orange butterflies in Britain
Migrant insects have been seen in large numbers along east coast thanks to heatwave and benign southerly winds
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Seen these in iur garden this week earthstar.blog/2026/05/09/a...
earthstar.blog
An influx of Painted ladies
I wasn’t in the UK for the last huge influx of Painted ladies (Vanessa cardui) in the spring of 2009, when an estimated 11 million butterflies arrived here (Life Cycles of British & Irish…
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ILR Review @ilrreview.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
How do global #union officials work? Huw Thomas @ucddublin.bsky.social and Peter Turnbull @bristoluni.bsky.social identify four distinct but interacting roles—#activist, #bureaucrat, #diplomat, and technocrat—that officials exercise with different stakeholders. doi.org/10.1177/0019...
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
River Wye granted rights in UK first that could help in fight against pollution
Charter to be adopted along river’s entire catchment from Cambrian mountains to Chepstow and Bristol Channel
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Muck spreading ban to protect rivers doesn't work, new minister says
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Congratulations to our local bookshop - childrens bookseller of the year www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/2610349...
penarthtimes.co.uk
Penarth bookshop scoops yet another national award
Griffin Books has been crowned Children’s Bookseller of the Year at the British Book Awards 2026.
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
From fringe issue to the heart of politics: the UK Living Wage campaign marks 25 years of success | Heather Stewart
The group’s latest triumph won over the Department for Business and Trade, now it is eyeing private care providers and supermarkets
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Used to tell students this. Still do it myself.
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Agree with Polly. I’m sticking with Biobank www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
UK Biobank has my data, but I’m not worried. I know the benefits are too great to consider pulling out | Polly Toynbee
Longitudinal studies are a research jewel, shedding light on motor neurone disease, cot deaths, Alzheimer’s and more. Don’t let the security breach in China put you off joining one, says Guardian colu...
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Living Wage Foundation @livingwageuk.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Did you know that 1 in 10 workers don't expect they'll ever be able to retire? Those most at risk of pension poverty included women, renters & disabled workers who were also among those least likely to be saving enough for retirement. 🔗Read our research on work pensions ow.ly/qbRt50YR4SS
Graphic showing 1 in 10 workers don't expect to retire, with diverse worker illustrations and Living Wage Foundation and Living Pension logos.
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Listened to this after reading Safi Bugel’s review - it really is good. www.theguardian.com/music/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Reckonwrong: How Long Has It Been? review | Safi Bugel's experimental album of the month
Londoner Alex Peringer breaks from his intriguing and outlandish dance music with this debut album of charming bedroom-pop ballads
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
theguardian.com
V&A faces calls to become living wage employer on eve of Stratford opening
Campaigners organise open letter to director demanding ‘fair day’s wage’ for all workers at V&A museums
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 09/04/2026
Creating the Fair Work Agency is a welcome milestone; but other enforcement challenges remain. There will be no change to the scale of financial penalties, which are currently too low to be an effective deterrent. In fact, almost half of minimum wage cases are self-corrected so incur no penalty.
Figure 4 shows, almost half (47 per cent) of arrears identified in 2024-25 were ‘self-corrected’ and so attracted no financial penalty at all.[8] Labour market enforcement orders and undertakings are also used very rarely: in 2024-25, there were only 25 open LMEUs, and no LMEOs had been used since 2022-23.
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Good to see the Low Pay Commission pushing back - with evidence and data - against lazy narratives around the minimum wage, youth unemployment and the hospitality sector. www.ft.com/content/6fcd...
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Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Have you received unsolicited mail from Reform UK? Send it back to: Freepost Plus RUHS-YGAJ-TKBL Reform UK Millbank Tower 21- 24 Millbank LONDON SW1P 4QP
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Our #livingwage project getting a mention here www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
chroniclelive.co.uk
North East has become 'low pay capital of UK', campaigners say
Analysis by the Living Wage Foundation suggests that almost one in five workers in the North East is paid below the real living wage level
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
The @financialtimes.com feature which reviews different versions of a famous song is good this week. This week it’s the classic ballad, Tam Lin, and the main pick is Fairport’s version. Sandy Denny’s powerful singing still sounds incredible.
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British Journal of Industrial Relations @bjireditor.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Happy #LGBTHistory Month! 🏳️‍🌈 This #BJIR article from 2022 explores the adoption of LGBT-inclusive practices by companies in Italy, and emphasises the role played by a unitary #LGBT movement able to influence company behaviour. Read here 👇 [open access] doi.org/10.1111/bjir...
doi.org
When stakeholders claim differently for diversity management: Adopting lesbian, gay and bisexual‐inclusive practices in Italy
In the United States, the adoption of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB)-inclusive practices by companies is triggered primarily by pressures from activists who base their claims on a business case rati...
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Sad news- briefly my Head of Dept many years ago
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Jonathan Preminger @jonathanpreminger.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Our Handbook on the Sociology of Work is out! With Chris Rees, @odulbozkurt.bsky.social and Stephanie Limoncelli, and many truly wonderful chapter authors: www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/b...
elgaronline.com
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
‘We have a new role’: mayors across the world increasingly taking on society’s biggest challenges
From Budapest to Barcelona, New York to Paris, mayors are increasingly being thrust on to the political frontlines as they face down the rise of the far right
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Trade unions leader calls on Labour to forge closer relationship with Europe
In an exclusive interview, the head of the TUC Paul Nowak says a customs union with the EU could boost the UK’s economy
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
For those who get the FT, there’s a good piece by Simon Kuper today on the spread of Kafala-type two-tier labour market systems to other countries.
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Read this recently - it is really good
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Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Just 13k more signatures and the call for a public inquiry into Russian interference has to be debate in Parliament petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 25/11/2025
"By 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%" Read the Stanford report: siepr.stanford.edu/publications...
siepr.stanford.edu
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
www.barryanddistrictnews.co.uk/news/2561174...
barryanddistrictnews.co.uk
Council raises minimum pay to 'living wage' of £13.45 per hour
Vale of Glamorgan Council raises minimum pay to £13.45 per hour, surpassing the statutory rate, after earning Real Living Wage Employer…
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Like 20 speed limit in urban Wales
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
A reminder of the importance of universities to a local economy. Lancaster's university is fundamental to the area, with the centre already looking rather run down.
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 13/11/2025
Economic growth continued to slow in the third quarter of the year – down from 0.7 per cent in Q1, to 0.3 per cent in Q2 and to just 0.1 per cent in Q3.
James Smith, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation, said:
“The UK is repeating its recent trend of a strong economic start to the year, followed by a slowdown in the second half.
“This latest slowdown shows the scale of the challenge facing the Government as it seeks to kickstart growth. The next challenge will be to ensure that the upcoming Budget supports rather than hinders growth – no mean feat given the scale of fiscal consolidation that is expected.”
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Wagemap is a new organization seeking to establish a global standard for the recording and presentation of living wage data to allow international comparison and support social justice campaigning: wagemap.org
wagemap.org
WageMap - Supporting the achievement of living wages for workers through standardizing living wage data
Website of the WageMap Initiative
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Launch of Living Wage Week this morning at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. David Nash doing the honours
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Edmund Heery @edpenarth.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Taking place in Cardiff this afternoon as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science - Running a Local Campaign on Fair, Local and Good Quality Jobs
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