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Mark Heffernan

@markheff.bsky.social
90 followers 201 following 7 posts

Head of Policy & Influencing @impurbanhealth.bsky.social Views, such as they are, my own

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Reposted by Mark Heffernan
Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
How conventient for political journalists, to all be gathered in Downing Street once more, so they can interview each other, to ask "how did this happen?", without ever acknowledging that, at least in part, they themselves are how this happened.
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Mark Heffernan @markheff.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
If the last 10 years has taught us anything, it's that policy by vibes is always bad policy
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 20/01/2026
There is no strategy www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
People with long-term health conditions are often forced into low-paid, precarious work - if they're able to work at all. So how can we best support them with the added harm of debt?
The text reads: How can we best support people with long-term health conditions who are forced into financial difficulties?

There is an image of a person entering a primary care surgery building.
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Duncan Robinson @duncanrobinson.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
Shot, chaser Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
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Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
90% of people in Britain live in areas where the air breaches international air quality guidelines. We need clear, funded plans to achieve WHO’s air quality standards, outlining the role & relevant support for local public health authorities. Find out more about what we say ➡️ bit.ly/3PF0db2
bit.ly
What we say about... Air quality - ADPH
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Tom Freeman @tomfreeman.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
🎶 Three-ee years of hurt / Never stopped me dreaming
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Tyron @tyron.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
motorists will *never* notice cuts to fuel duty (which they permanently be convinced is too high, and in fact actually purposefully being set to victimise them), but the state will bleed itself dry for their discount that doesn't touch the sides, in a way they never would for public transport users
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
🚨Fantastic news! The Govt is expanding free school meals to families on Universal Credit, a vital investment in children's long-term health. But there are more ways the Govt can now build on these foundations for a healthier society 🧵👇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Bus fares to jobs: Seven ways the Spending Review affects you
Spending limits for government departments are being outlined by the chancellor. This is how it affects you.
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Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 04/06/2025
🤝| NEW REPORT: The government has an opportunity to turn the tide on child poverty. Our joint roadmap with @changingrealities.bsky.social‬ & @cpaguk.bsky.social‬ sets out what a serious strategy must include. Shaped by lived experience, grounded in policy evidence. www.ippr.org/articles/get... (1/3)
ippr.org
Getting the child poverty strategy we need: A co-produced agenda for change | IPPR
Any credible child poverty strategy must act directly to put more money into parents’ pockets. This starts with the removal of the two-child limit and bene
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Mark Heffernan @markheff.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Endlessly kicking the can down the road on effective, popular and straightforward regulations does not the healthiest generation of children ever build www.ft.com/content/a4a5...
ft.com
Ministers to delay UK junk food advertising ban until next year
Marketing of unhealthy products to be barred before 9pm on TV but branded advertising using company names will be allowed
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
🆕 @ippr.bsky.social report ‘Fixing the Foundations’ sets out the case for Govt to invest in children’s health – and how this can deliver both short and long-term benefits. ‬‬ 🔎 Head of Policy and Influencing Natasha Feiner unpacks the highlights
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Will Norman @willnorman.co.uk · 21/05/2025
New research provides conclusive proof that 20mph in London is saving lives 🚶🚲🚌🚗 14 yrs of analysis at 150+ sites - reviewed by experts - shows: ❤️40% fewer deaths (vs 7% drop on roads where no changes were made) ❤️75% fewer children killed & 50% fewer kids hurt.
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Carl Gardner @carlgardner.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
This is how "This side says X, but the other side says Y" balance ends up distorting journalism. Instead of being based on the journalist's own independent, impartial analysis this question really just ventriloquises a partisan opposition stance and gives the impression the BBC fully agrees with it.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
We're delighted to see our partners, Agnes Agyepong and the Ella Roberta Foundation, contribute to @runnymedetrust.bsky.social 's ‪new report. Air pollution affects us all, but disproportionately affects racialised communities. www.runnymedetrust.org/publications...
runnymedetrust.org
A vision for climate justice: a report from the APPG on Race and Community
A report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Race and Community, investigating the relationship between the climate emergency and systemic racism
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
🔦 ICYMI - @bmj.com excellent new investigation shines a light on lobbying tactics used by the food and drink industry against council efforts to restrict unhealthy outdoor advertising.
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Robert Shields @rshields37.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
👏Brilliant to see Campaign highlighting @biteback2030.bsky.social's new billboard takeover. Activists are demanding a #CommercialBreak for kids from outdoor junk food advertising 👇 www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/yout...
campaignlive.co.uk
Youth activists launch anti-HFSS outdoor campaign
Campaign calls on government to bring in tighter regulation on OOH ads.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
🤩 Yesterday we gathered for a fantastic event with @biteback2030.bsky.social to celebrate the launch of new research on junk food advertising and a billboard takeover in Lambeth and Southwark demanding a #CommercialBreak for kids.
An audience at the launch event for Bite Back's #CommercialBreak campaign. A screen has text which reads "Let's give kids a #CommercialBreak".
A billboard with the text: "Young activists bought this ad space so the junk food giants couldn't. We're giving kids a #CommercialBreak".
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
With Bite Back, we've bought 365 ad spaces across Lambeth and Southwark so the junk food giants couldn't #CommercialBreak 🚫 📖 Why? Because research by Bite Back & University of Liverpool found children in the most deprived areas are being swamped with fast food ads 6x more often than in other areas
londonnewsonline.co.uk
Billboard campaign bites back against junk food advertising
New research conducted by Bite Back, the University of Liverpool and Impact on Urban Health, has uncovered the widespread presence of junk food advertising in the UK’s most deprived communities. …
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
So best to declare that someone shouldn't serve the appropriate sentence for the criminal offence they've been found by due legal process to have committed, then - just in case they and their supporters kick off. Tommy Robinson will be thrilled. Well done @thetimes.com!
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
A government so preoccupied with why it won that it hasn't thought at all about why Sunak lost:
ft.com
Reeves will not raise taxes in Spring Statement, say officials
Chancellor will rely on a spending squeeze to try to ensure she complies with her fiscal rules
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Nute @nutedawn.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Shot / Chaser
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Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 05/03/2025
oh god <3
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General Boles @generalboles.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Apropos of nobody in particular, I think people who make a living as political commentators should be subjected to a public 5 yearly review of their predictions.
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Zoe Gardner @zoejardiniere.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Good morning to this man, and this man only #bbcqt
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Jonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
It is a real mark of Britain's decline that our Elon Musk is this pillock.
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Great to see our Comms Manager, @patrickjalee.bsky.social, writing for Greenfleet about how Govt can support businesses to shift toward a low carbon, low pollution economy: issuu.com/psi-media/do...
issuu.com
GreenFleet 157
Driving the Switch to Cleaner Fleets
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Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Tackling industry promotion of harmful products is essential to protect public health. In an article today in @bmj.com our Vice President Alice Wiseman considers how we can counter industry tactics to ensure healthier environments and live healthier, happier lives. www.bmj.com/content/388/...
bmj.com
We need to counter industry promotion of harmful products to protect public health
To tackle preventable illness caused by consuming harmful products we need policies that reduce their availability, affordability, and visibility, writes Alice Wiseman Using medical professionals to...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
39% of the UK population either need #debt advice or are at risk of needing it, but the current funding framework for debt advice services is not fit for purpose. We’re calling on UK Gov to introduce legislation to deliver a new funding model. New report 👇 urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
urbanhealth.org.uk
Supporting households in energy debt
We commissioned Clear Consultancy Services to analyse the impact of higher energy debts on individuals, households, and the debt advice sector. The resulting executive summary outlines seven key recom...
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
📢 New report: Supporting Households in #EnergyDebt #Energy is the fastest growing type of debt presenting at #debt advice services in GB, but accessing help from suppliers is difficult. Check out our recommendations for how support can be improved 👇 urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
urbanhealth.org.uk
Supporting households in energy debt
We commissioned Clear Consultancy Services to analyse the impact of higher energy debts on individuals, households, and the debt advice sector. The resulting executive summary outlines seven key recom...
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Robin Wigglesworth @robinwigglesworth.ft.com · 03/02/2025
“I never thought that a self-styled Tariff Man’ would impose tariffs,’ sobs analyst who said that Tariff Man would be good for markets. on.ft.com/4aFOR0l
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Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
"If Gvt is serious about preventing illness & disease, we need to move away from voluntary agreements with industry & introduce mandatory measures that protect us from industry tactics." Alice Wiseman, ADPH Vice President 👀Read our response in full➡️www.adph.org.uk
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Last year, we published research, done in partnership with Opinium and ClearView Research, to better understand how the people in the places where we work feel about their health and the factors that affect it. 🩺🧵
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Trump plans to withdraw US from Paris climate agreement for second time - The fossil fuel industry donated $75m to Trump’s campaign #climatecrisis www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Trump plans to withdraw US from Paris climate agreement for second time
In 2021, Biden had rejoined 2015 treaty that seeks to curb climate crisis effects after Trump first pulled out in 2017
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Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) @adphuk.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
UK Government should provide targeted messaging to reduce solid fuel burning, and fund plans to achieve air quality standards, with support for local public health teams to address air pollution and its associated health inequalities. More information➡️ bit.ly/3RA40rK @globalactionplan.bsky.social
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Mark Heffernan @markheff.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
This is genuinely deranged
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Mark Heffernan @markheff.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Cool cool cool
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
“Healthy eating remains out of reach for many families living on lower incomes.” 📰 Great to see our children’s health and food programme co-head Nikita Sinclair quoted in the @financialtimes.com alongside many of our partners: www.ft.com/content/b503...
ft.com
The junk food crisis harming Britain’s children
[FREE TO READ] As their diets worsen, young people are suffering increasing levels of malnutrition and obesity. Can the UK turn the tide?
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Charlotte Pickles @charliepickles.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
What *exactly* is a social care commission going to tell us that we don't know? What is the magical cross-party solve that *multiple* com'ns & reviews, incl a Royal Com'n, have failed to find? The issue is funding. Its a political choice. MAKE THE CHOICE you're elected to make & get on with it
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Impact on Urban Health @impurbanhealth.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
(1/2) We welcome the new children’s wellbeing & schools bill, particularly its recognition of the importance of early intervention for children and young people.
urbanhealth.org.uk
Calling on government to tackle child poverty, a key driver of poor mental health in children
Ending child poverty is a huge challenge, and we cannot do this on our own. We're working with others to build the foundations for good mental health in children, starting with meeting their needs for...
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Mums for Lungs @mumsforlungs.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
BREAKING: Our latest research is revealed in The Times. Over 5,600 smoke complaints were made between Sept 23 & August 24 in smoke control areas in England, but only four have resulted in a fine. Councils are failing to tackle #AirPollution from solid fuel burning. buff.ly/41EqVrC
Headline from The Times saying "Councils issue only four fines in a year for illegal wood burning". With a picture of a wood fire.
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
This is sort of fascinating because if you were to turn on pretty much any talk radio station or pick up any tabloid, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was the inverse.
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Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 01/12/2024
I would prefer it if right-wing populism could cease being on the rise
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Patrick Lee @patrickjalee.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
As we approach #BlackFriday, check out @impurbanhealth.bsky.social's data visualisation, which shows exactly how much LGVs and HGVs contribute to air pollution across every borough in London: public.tableau.com/shared/8C6R2...
public.tableau.com
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Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 25/11/2024
Great to see our health work cited by @laylamoran.bsky.social, Deirdre Costigan MP and Lord Ara Darzi at last week's Health and Social Care Committee investigation of the NHS in England.
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Zoë Grünewald @zoegrunewald.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
It is no coincidence that a man jailed for repeatedly kicking his girlfriend is now an MP in the House of Commons and the US president elect has been found liable for sexual assault. The normalisation of VAWG comes hand in hand with chauvinistic language on display in the hard right
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 22/11/2024
Look at the farmers’ protest, and then ask yourself: how will we ever make tax fairer amid such grumbling? | Polly Toynbee
dlvr.it
Look at the farmers’ protest, and then ask yourself: how will we ever make tax fairer amid such grumbling? | Polly Toynbee
Labour inherited a dire situation that needed desperate change – but powerful lobbies make any tax reform near-impossible That was a state-of-the-nation image, those thousands of farmers in Whitehall protesting about inheritance tax (IHT). Their little…
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 19/11/2024
Great to be here 👋🏽 Let’s start with some good news. A new report shows free school meals in London's state primaries are having a positive impact: ➡️ Improving children’s health and wellbeing ➡️ Supporting families, esp. those struggling with the cost of living www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Free school meals in all London primary schools 'boosting health of families'
A report finds a massive 84% of parents believe the rollout of free school meals for primary pupils in the London have also helped or significantly improved their household budgets
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