iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

UK Chancellor rejects calls to equalise capital gains and income tax rates. Could have generated £14bn a year. This perk benefits less than 1% of the people, mostly in London and South East England. Workers taxed at higher rates than the wealthy. archive.ph/cGk2B

ft.com

Healey rejects calls to equalise capital gains and income tax rates

UK proposal had been backed by senior Labour figures, triggering nervousness among entrepreneurs and investors

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 2h

What would an MMT government do? This is one of the questions I am most often asked, and the answer is that MMT changes everything, because MMT governments would realise what they could do and that power rests with them. The change is to politics youtu.be/mJOMUhdMnMs?...

youtu.be

The coming financial crisis: What would an MMT government do?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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BladeoftheSun @bladeofthes.bsky.social · 8h

Jewish MP Gerald Kaufmann in Parliament in 2009. "My Grandmother was ill in bed when the Nazis came to her town, a German soldier shot her dead." "My Grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israel to murder Palestinian Grandmothers in Gaza."

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Private equity puts PizzaExpress, Morrisons and Itsu up for sale. All devoured and declining brands, asset-stripped. PE has no long-term commitment to any product, people or place. Chances are another PE group will see opportunity for scavenging. archive.ph/DFYPq

ft.com

Private equity puts string of UK high street names up for sale

Owners of PizzaExpress, Morrisons and Itsu seeking exits as buyout groups cool on sector

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

What happens if the Budget is based on false assumptions? The IFS Green Budget assumes everything will go back to normal in 2027. What if the government builds its plan on the same base? We won't be prepared for the shocks to come, and that's dangerous. youtu.be/lCcaI_6pRvo?...

youtu.be

What happens if the Budget is based on false assumptions?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Palantir didn't have to evade the UK's controls on lobbyists to get astonishing, unminuted access to government ministers and officials, or even to hire them to lobby their colleagues. Why not? Because there aren't any. My column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Palantir is worming its way into the British state – it’s time to curb this controversial US company’s influence | George Monbiot

Tom Watson has said ‘mob rule’ must not decide public contracts. Perhaps he should take a look at his new employer, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Towns in England at risk of running out of water until 2027. Over one trillion litres of water a year lost to leaks. No new reservoirs since privatisation. Record customer bills. Polluted rivers. No national planning. No national grid. Crisis deepened by privatisation. archive.ph/0XI5H

inews.co.uk

The UK towns at risk of running out of water until 2027

Extreme dry conditions are set to stay through the winter, experts warn

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Is Andy Burnham preparing a general election in December? It's possible, and it could make sense for him to do so - even if he loses well over 100 seats. youtu.be/WqnowVlyNb8?...

youtu.be

Is Andy Burnham preparing a general election in December?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

This summer: Thousands of deaths from extreme weather. This weekend in the media: What's the point of the Green Party? This morning from the Labour party 👇

Ministers preparing to slash heat pump subsidies to fund defence spending

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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist @bankwell.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, urged the chancellor, John Healey, to agree a budget that reassures financial markets This is simply code for extending the decade+ of austerity to allow the speculators, spivs and big business to luxuriate in their cocoon of neoliberalism Time for a change

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Is economic insecurity destroying our democracy? Could it be that economic insecurity is the weapon needed to undermine it, and it's working? youtu.be/hcrxNI3kdUA?...

youtu.be

Is economic insecurity destroying our democracy?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Deloitte in Cyprus helped in falsifying documents to hide Roman Abramovich's wealth and evade tax, Leaked documents show transactions backdated and tailored. Assets spirited away to BVI. Big four accounting firms advise UK govts, get public contracts, routinely implicated in scandals.

bbc.co.uk

Deloitte helped in falsifying documents to evade tax on Abramovich’s wealth

Backdated paperwork also made the Russian oligarch’s yachts and mansions disappear from accounts, BBC finds.

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Trump announces deal to import Russian diesel. Yet he imposed tariffs on China and India for importing fuel from Russia. 3 weeks ago signed law threatening 500% tariffs on India and China. Now facing midterm election defeat ... and Utter bankruptcy of Trump foreign, economic and other policies.

bbc.co.uk

Trump announces deal for Russian diesel as Zelensky calls it a 'gift to Putin'

Ukraine's president sharply criticised the move, calling it an "investment in war that must be ended, not prolonged".

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Guy Standing: Why we all deserve a social dividend. In my latest podcast, I talk to Guy about the precariat, universal basic income, the rentier economy and the need to reclaim the commons. This is a very different view of the world. youtu.be/2CX2wlTWFDk?...

youtu.be

Guy Standing: Why we all deserve a social dividend

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Donald Trump's deal with Russia to secure diesel shows that the moment of desperation in the international economy is approaching very fast. We're edging toward meltdown, and our politicians are still ignoring that fact. www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/10...

taxresearch.org.uk

The moment of desperation is approaching very fast

Trump did a deal yesterday with Russia to supposedly release 3 million tonnes of diesel from Russia’s reserves over the next few months. I do not know the price, but the sum is significant because thi...

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Corporate Welfare Tory tax break for banks cost UK public purse £6bn In 2023 Tory govt cut the bank surcharge from 8% to 3%. Current govt hasn't reversed it. Record profits, exec pay, dividends at banks Reversing the surcharge would raise billions.

theguardian.com

Tory tax break for banks has cost UK public purse £6bn, says TUC

Exclusive: Chancellor urged to reverse Jeremy Hunt’s tax surcharge cuts to claw back billions in lost revenue

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Shell’s refineries expected to make record profits. Profit margins of $42 a barrel, up from $24 a barrel. Cashing in on global conflicts. Bumper payouts for execs and shareholders. Misery for households and businesses. Millions plunged into poverty. Must levy 100% windfall tax.

theguardian.com

Shell expects refineries to almost double the profit from every barrel of fuel made

Record prices caused by global shortages amid shutdown of war-damaged refineries in Middle East and Russia

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Understanding Economics: What is inflation? You would think we'd know by now, and that the Bank of England would know how to manage it. Unfortunately, they don't, and we pay an enormous price for that. youtu.be/dHeC4HsD3rA?...

youtu.be

Understanding Economics: What is inflation?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Mike Bailey @linusd.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Keep on keeping on Zack Polanski. You did nothing wrong but everyone wants to take turns being the eagle that tears out your liver. Prometheus stole fire from the gods, you just told the truth.

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

The great challenge this country will face soon is deciding who runs it and for whom. Is it run by central banks for financial markets, or by elected governments for people? That is the question. Resolving it may be ugly, but it will have to happen. www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/10...

taxresearch.org.uk

Andrew Bailey thinks financial markets rule. They don’t, but he did define the conflict to come.

Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, gave a speech yesterday about the state of the world’s financial markets and the threats that they now face. Much of what he said was entirely ortho...

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

UK water companies made £340m by pouring billions of litres of industrial/commercial wastewater into sewage treatment works. Treatment works are not designed to remove most chemicals, leaving pollutants to pass into rivers, seas and farmland. Investment neglected. Practices are mostly unregulated.

theguardian.com

Revealed: the ‘black box’ wastewater trade that rakes in millions for UK utility companies

Exclusive: Firms made more than £340m last year from processing industrial and commercial wastewater at sewage works that are unable to remove many chemical pollutants

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

When will politicians turn to MMT? The answer is: in a time of crisis when it is apparent that neoliberalism has failed. And when will that be? Quite soon, on the basis of current progress. youtu.be/0S5Ad4WpCCE?...

youtu.be

When will politicians turn to MMT?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Neoliberalism is failing, but what is it? This is a new version of our infographic on neoliberalism. AI drew the image. I wrote the text.

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Why are the Tories talking about inheritance tax? The economy is riddled with real problems that need attention, but the Tories are talking about their goal of widening the wealth divide. Why? youtu.be/R27sj9UZj3w?...

youtu.be

Why are the Tories talking about inheritance tax?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

There was a time when the Tories, however hypocritically, claimed to want to protect our natural heritage. Now they're just a party of vandals, ripping down the few protections the living world has for the sake of their rich chums. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Tories to pledge to scrap Environment Agency and Natural England

Shadow chancellor will also promise to scrap affordable homes regulations as part of strategy to refocus on growth

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C Hanna @chcowgirl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

BINGO!💥

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Kemi Badenoch’s 'The Right Way' is the wrong way. By looking at what Badenoch does not say in her new description of what it is to be a Conservative, I show that this is a charter for abuse that is riddled with arrogant inconsistencies. youtu.be/AB7Nid-tTFA?...

youtu.be

Kemi Badenoch’s 'The Right Way' is the wrong way

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

There aren't many days when you can kayak off Start Point, renowned for one of Britain's most dangerous tidal races. But yesterday the stars aligned, so I bunked off work. Delighted to see Rupert Kirkwood (the Lone Kayaker) out there. He took this picture of me +1. Before you ask: yes, it's real. 🧵

In my kayak, watching a bluefin tuna leaping beside me.

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Tax does not pay for government spending. So what is it for? Instead, it controls inflation and shapes our society, and understanding that could transform how we manage our economy. youtu.be/BTqN9V58ugw?...

youtu.be

Tax does not pay for government spending. So what is it for?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Energy suppliers urge UK govt to help households struggling with energy bills. Silence on cutting profit margins, windfall taxes on excessive profits. Household energy debt heading to £7bn. 120,000 a year die in fuel poverty. We can't afford privatisation and resulting profiteering.

bbc.co.uk

Suppliers pile pressure on government over energy bills

Immediate action is needed to help households struggling with bills this winter, says trade body Energy UK.

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

How to change the world: what 24 years of campaigning taught us youtu.be/_z_szI9vEsk?...

youtu.be

How to change the world: what 24 years of campaigning taught us

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Burnham scraps Starmer-era plans to curb jury trials. A victory for common sense. The Bill would have been defeated in the Lords. Due to Tory cuts, there is a backlog of over 81,000 Crown Court cases in England & Wales. Govt must invest in public services.

bbc.co.uk

Burnham scraps controversial plans to curb jury trials

The key policy idea announced by David Lammy when he was justice secretary will no longer go ahead.

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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

As climate scientists, it sucks to be defunded. But it adds insult to injury to be defunded by this moron who has access to the best climate science and data in the world and still says asinine things like this.

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

What is money, really? The hardest question in economics needs an answer. That's what this morning's video is all about. youtu.be/Rs5fIopDHI8?...

youtu.be

What is money, really?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Millions of UK workers withdrawing from pension schemes to make ends meet Consequence of low wages and high cost of living forcing people into hardship choices - living now v income in retirement. They will have lower private pension in later life and state pension isn't enough even now.

bbc.co.uk

Why Gen Z are opting out of workplace pensions

A growing number of people are opting out of these schemes due to cost-of-living pressures.

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

What if fiscal headroom doesn't exist? youtu.be/Xp-pnyJU_n4?... In the run-up to the Budget, there is going to be a lot of talk about fiscal headroom, but the reality is that this is just a figment of a Chancellor's imagination, just as fiscal rules are.

youtu.be

What if fiscal headroom doesn't exist?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

How the AI boom could make you poorer youtu.be/7nDJ23DK_Eo?... You may not use AI, but it's going to cost you dearly, from increasing the price of your mortgage or rent to hiking the price of electricity. AI will not be coming cheap.

youtu.be

How the AI boom could make you poorer

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Does Andy Burnham have no idea what to do? www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/09... Why is Andy Burnham only offering action after the next election, which he knows he will lose? Is it because he does not actually know what to do?

taxresearch.org.uk

Has Andy Burnham no idea what to do?

Andy Burnham indisputably proved that he has mastered the art of making a party conference speech yesterday. It has taken him a very long time to do so, but he’s got there. That was the good news of t...

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The UK doesn't need an IMF bailout youtu.be/ZDbZgBiMp_8?... The Financial Times and others are asking if the UK might need to turn to the IMF for a loan - which is absurd, because nothing could be further from the truth.

youtu.be

The UK doesn't need an IMF bailout

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It is time for people of courage to walk away from Labour www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/09... They have had their chance. They have blown it. We need a real alternative in this country now. They will never be it again.

taxresearch.org.uk

It is time for people of courage to walk away from Labour

As I say on fiscal rules in the glossary to this blog: Fiscal rules are targets set by governments to limit borrowing, debt, or deficits over time. They are presented as if they are neutral, technical...

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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Schools forced to shut amid burst Thames Water pipe ‘leaking 750 litres a second. TW infrastructure has average age of 79 years. Industry average is 56 years. 40% of TW assets are over 100 years old. Profits siphoned-off, investment neglected, execs rewarded, customers fleeced

theguardian.com

Schools forced to shut amid burst Thames Water pipe ‘leaking 750 litres a second’

Leak causes outages and low pressure in parts of London and Surrey, affecting 6,000 properties and leaving some without water

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

What happens when neoliberalism's only got fear left to sell? I think that point might have arrived. And what we need instead is a different politics. One based on freedom from fear. Shouldn't that be our goal? Life would be very different if it were. youtu.be/C7gCT8rO7OA?...

youtu.be

What happens when neoliberalism's only got fear left to sell?

YouTube video by Richard J Murphy

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