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James Somerville

@jamessomervlle.bsky.social
919 followers 2.4K following 122 posts

Head of Policy at NPC. Interested in evidence-based policy, climate, local growth, and green jobs. Views are my own. He/Him. @jamessomervlle on X, www.linkedin.com/in/james--somervil…

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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
We're delighted these 4 partners: Caudwell youth, Holding Space, Investing in Children and Chilypep - helping us to hear directly from children, young people & carers in understanding how we can rebuild the #mentalhealthsystem so it truly works for those who need it: www.thinknpc.org/blog/barrier...
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
I’m very excited to share that I’ve been awarded a Churchill Fellowship for 2025! I'll be travelling to Germany, France, and the USA to learn about how best to work with communities to generate buy-in for community energy projects. If you know someone I should speak to, please do let me know!
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
🆕 NEW BLOG: Following the launch of the Governments Industrial Strategy, aiming to drive growth nationally by focusing on eight industries over 10 years. Our Head of Policy, James Somerville looks at where there is huge potential for green jobs. Read full blog: www.thinknpc.org/blog/industr...
thinknpc.org
What does the Industrial Strategy mean for green jobs? - NPC
Across the eight industries in the Industrial Strategy, there’s huge potential for green jobs.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Positive to see the Spending Review reference the impact economy - the impact sector should be a key partner in mission delivery. Housing is a great example, impact investors already put c.£5bn into social & affordable housing. Good to see govt thinking seriously about the role of the impact sector.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Great to be at the launch of this last night. Community involvement is at the heart of #EveryonesEnvironment, so it's positive to see govt talking seriously about different models of community ownership. As always, communities will need clear, accessible info about what these projects mean for them
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Pleased to have fed into this APPG on Race & Community report alongside our #EveryonesEnvironment partners. It highlights how climate change is making existing inequalities worse, here and abroad, and sets out some really sensible recommendations - great work from @runnymedetrust.bsky.social!
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
📩 Lunch time read! NEW blog: What does the rise of Reform UK mean for the impact sector? 6 things you need to know. Read our latest blog by NPC's Head of Policy, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social: www.thinknpc.org/blog/rise-re... #ReformUK #ImpactSector #UKGovernment
thinknpc.org
What does the rise of Reform UK mean for the impact sector? 6 things you need to know. - NPC
Reform-led councils might be more challenging to engage with on certain issues, but the constraints and challenges facing local councils might mitigate this.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
It's been great working with Scottish charities on this paper. Like our #EveryonesEnvironment work in England, involving diverse voices in policymaking and accessible information are key priorities. Environmental policy needs to reflect people's needs, and people need to know what they should do
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Reposted by James Somerville
Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland @ercscot.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
📢 Scottish charities call on Holyrood to make environmental policies more inclusive With #EveryonesEnvironment, we wrote to Scottish Parties with recommendations to improve how environmental policies affect marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Scotland. www.ercs.scot/news/scottis...
Charities that endorsed the Everyone's Environment recommendations for making environmental policy inclusive in Scotland are: the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, Greenspace Scotland, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Human Rights Consortium Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, NPC, The Poverty Alliance, SCVO, Verture, Woodcraft Folk, YMCA Scotland, Young Sea Changers Scotland, and Youth Link Scotland.
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Reposted by James Somerville
Alex Hayes @alexhayes1.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Do have a look at these two great roles available with us @thinknpc.bsky.social
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Reposted by James Somerville
Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 14/04/2025
The crisis for UK steel is exposing another – perhaps even bigger – crisis for the UK Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly NO it's not due to net-zero YES it is due to GAS Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Great report from @green-alliance.org.uk and @cast-centre.bsky.social, and this table is interesting. Shows that there is political space for targeted tax rises - interesting to see if this + the "the world has changed" narrative paves the way for some kind of wealth/windfall tax in the SR
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
"Half of people would likely switch to heat pumps if it meant savings on bills" - couldn't be clearer that climate politics needs to focus on lower bills, cleaner air, warmer homes etc rather than net zero. With cost as a key barrier, targeted support is key. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
independent.co.uk
Many unaware of negative heat pump ‘myths’ but cost is big issue, polling finds
A survey showed half of people would likely switch to heat pumps if it meant savings on bills.
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
📖 Lunch time read! Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth. With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
thinknpc.org
Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth
Match-funding should be used to tackle barriers to employment
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
💥 NEW! Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth. With the #Government looking to make their #budgets go further, and charities struggling to access funding, #match-funding could be the answer. Latest blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social
thinknpc.org
Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth
Match-funding should be used to tackle barriers to employment
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Reposted by James Somerville
Thomas Penny @thomaswpenny.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
But did they ask how much people think is spent on overseas aid? Jennifer van Heerde-Hudson writes in Sex, Lies and Politics (2019) that the average voter in her research thought 18% of UK government spending went on aid, and wanted it cut to 9%. The actual spend was 1.7%.
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
💥New! Understanding the role of community-led early years support Read our new report published today in partnership with @localtrust.org.uk exploring the types of locally-led early years support on offer, and the difference it can make. Read the report: www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
thinknpc.org
Understanding the role of community-led early years support - NPC
In this report we explore the types and distribution of community-led early years provision in England.
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Government cannot expect charities to fill the gap in cuts to international development funding. In this blog, @jamessomervlle.bsky.social writes that Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’ buff.ly/41pNrEh #aidcuts #government
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Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Great to be at the launch of this yesterday. Communities are central to tackling many of the challenges facing the country, and it's positive to see @coopparty.party.coop setting out a clear vision for the role of communities in politics.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
This week, we've seen the @thecccuk.bsky.social's 7th Carbon Budget highlight that the green transition would save households around £1,400, and news that the green sector is growing 3x faster than the rest of the economy. 1/
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Andrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
I’ll come back with some screenshots of charts, details on changes in pathways and so on in a bit… … but I think the big change in the 7th carbon budget is that the technology choices for net zero are now pretty clear. We need to stop arguing as much about technologies and electrify things quickly
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Morning read! ☕ We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges. Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’. 💥 New blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social:
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Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Great new report from @ukerc.bsky.social, bringing together 5 years' work on decarbonising heat. Particularly interesting to see the evidence on public engagement! ukerc.ac.uk/publications... 1/
ukerc.ac.uk
Decarbonising Heat: Synthesis Report
This synthesis report brings together the findings of the last five years, in which UKERC’s independent analysis has...
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges. Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’. 💥 New blog by @jamessomervlle.bsky.social: buff.ly/41pNrEh
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
To steal @leahdavis.bsky.social's quote, "Empowering diverse voices in policy and the media can transform the conversation. And working directly with local charities means communities get the support they need to respond to the consequences of environmental change."
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Great to see the Clean Industry Bonus providing targeted support for the communities that need it most to create green jobs. Schemes like this can counter anti-net zero narratives. If the transition creates good jobs and cuts bills, it will be much easier politically. www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
New industry bonus opens to support good jobs and low carbon manufacturing factories
Industrial heartlands and coastal areas will receive a major economic boost as the government backs renewable energy firms investing in industrial communities.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Yesterday, the Energy Security & Net Zero Committee has published our written evidence for their inquiry into community energy, which includes our analysis of Community Energy England's National community energy map. 1/
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Good news for amplifying the voice of underrepresented groups in the environmental policy debate. The government have expanded their Net Zero Council, including appointing Jabeer Butt. Jabeer is CEO of the Race Equality Foundation, a lead partner in NPC's #EveryonesEnvironment coalition.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
"1.8% of staff in organisations with 500 to 1,000 employees identified as POC and other ethnically minoritised groups" This is shocking. Minoritised groups are among the most affected by climate change, so need to have a bigger say in how we tackle it. www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/environ...
civilsociety.co.uk
Environmental charity sector still lacks racial diversity, study shows
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Leah Davis @leahdavis.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
The #BBC #Panorama last night on #pylons is a perfect example of why we need to listen to more people when environmental decisions are made (but not for the reason you probably think)… www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC One - Panorama, Rewiring Britain: The Race to Go Green
Justin Rowlatt meets the people taking sides in the battle over rewiring Britain.
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
How can civil society play a part in ‘mission-driven government’? Our new report with @futuregovforum.bsky.social, supported by @lbfew.bsky.social explores this question. Includes recommendations for government on making sure the Civil Society Covenant succeeds. www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
thinknpc.org
Mission-driven partnerships with civil society organisations - NPC
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Reposted by James Somerville
The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Written by @hamidaali.bsky.social, Shadi Brazell, @gracewyld.bsky.social and @jamessomervlle.bsky.social, Mission Critical 03 puts forward 6️⃣ crucial steps Government can take to embed civil society organisations’ insights and expertise in every stage of policy design and delivery…
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The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Govt's new Civil Society Covenant signals a real intent to restore trust. But as our upcoming Mission Critical 03 report makes clear, good intentions must now be backed by action. Read our joint blog with NPC for our full response ⬇️ ✍️ @jamessomervlle.bsky.social www.thinknpc.org/resource-hub...
thinknpc.org
Civil Society Covenant Framework Consultation: joint response from NPC and The Future Governance Forum - NPC
We welcome the consultation’s focus on barriers and enablers to meaningful collaboration, and the role of civil society in finding innovative solutions to social challenges.
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Great to be at No10 this morning to discuss the role that purpose-driven funding can play in the 5 missions. Across the sector there's a massive amount of funding directed towards the missions/related issues, and a clear overlap between sector and government priorities. As a bonus, we met Larry!
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Reposted by James Somerville
NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
💥 Are you looking for an exciting new role? We are seeking a commercial thinker to become our Head of Income Generation and manage NPC's strategy, development and delivery of new income. Deadline 7 February 2025. Come join the team! buff.ly/2Wu7pz5
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
The skills passport is sensible - making it easy for oil & gas workers to transition to greener sectors is key. Interesting to see funding to identify skills gaps. Some should be used to create clear pathways for young people and underrepresented groups into these jobs renews.biz/98285/uk-to-...
renews.biz
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Green Alliance @green-alliance.org.uk · 20/01/2025
The #WarmHomesPlan is a unique opportunity to tackle both the cost of living and climate crises, delivering tangible benefits for UK households. So, how can Labour turn this vision into reality? Annabel Rice, senior political adviser, sets out five principles for success:
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Five principles to make the Warm Homes Plan work
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NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
For our #EveryonesEnvironment programme we worked w/ @ercscot.bsky.social on Scotland's policies on housing, green jobs, transport, renewables & access to green/blue spaces. Today we meet with social/environmental charities & funders to co-create a joint position statement for the #Scottishelections
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
This is great to see - targeting grants to those that need them most should be the default, and this can be how Labour meet their commitment to cut bills. If we want to increase use of renewables tech, grants need to be simple to access to avoid low uptake. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
dailymail.co.uk
Homeowners to be offered loans and grants to install solar panels
It will be paid through the government's £6.6billion warm homes plan and is set to be allocated in next year's spending review.
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Jess Ralston @jessralston.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
1) Quite a misleading @telegraphnews.bsky.social piece here: the 'average' heat pump cost is not £12,800 as cited in the article A £7,500 Govt grant goes to every homeowner who installs a heat pump, meaning the 'average' cost is closer to £5,000.
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Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 19/12/2024
France famously used to have a very electorally successful mainstream right-wing party and I would say that things have been going swimmingly for them, since one party captured the centre right and another captured the far right (yes, that's their candidate at the bottom with 5%, back in 2022)
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NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
🌟 2024 was another busy year here at NPC - we are proud to have published so many insightful blogs, guides and reports, all free to access on our website. Here is a roundup of our top ten (not in order) 🧵⬇️:
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Putting solar on all new homes makes sense. Labour talk about cutting bills through the green transition, and this is how you do it. We need solar on social housing and rented housing too, otherwise people who most need support to pay their bills will miss out www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12...
telegraph.co.uk
Miliband opens door to all new homes being built with solar panels
Energy secretary tells Commons he is ‘very sympathetic’ to idea as part of pledge to unleash ‘solar rooftop revolution’
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James Somerville @jamessomervlle.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
This is key - charities deliver essential services on behalf of govt, but aren't being paid what it costs them to do it. This is an unsustainable way to commission services, and needs an urgent rethink. If not, services will fold. Uprating contracts to cover the NICs rise would be a sensible start.
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NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
People want affordable, accessible public transport. Bus reform is a good place to start. Read our latest blog by NPC's Policy Manager, James Somerville:
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People want affordable, accessible public transport. Bus reform is a good place to start.
Environmental progress needs to be based on people’s lives.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Yes, all good stuff in the white paper but mayors need tax raising powers to really make it stick. And to avoid become supplicants which is also bad for central government.
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NPC @thinknpc.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Join us in February for an inspiring event where we will help you plan a response to the environmental crises, whatever your mission. Whether you’re just getting started, or have begun work in this area. Learn more about the content: buff.ly/41pjkNB #EveryonesEnvironment
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Embedding an environmental response into your work - NPC Events
Join NPC and explore how to embed an environmental response into your work.
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Luke Tryl @luketryl.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
🧵As the Government unveils plans to boost clean power, worth noting how much public sentiment has shifted to seeing clean energy not just as good, but as a no-brainer. All voter groups (inc Reform) are more likely to think renewables will cut cost of living than raise it
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