Reposted by The ShieldsRon Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 15/10/2025If you can’t sell your soybeans because of Trump’s tariffs after Argentina stepped in and took your customers, you can take solace that the guy you voted for also just gave $20 billion of your tax dollars to the country that is bankrupting you. 15551181659
Reposted by The ShieldsAndrew Weinstein @andrewjweinstein.com · 10/10/2025Just felt like sharing this today. No reason. 18361751840
Reposted by The ShieldsJoe Scaramangaaaarrrggghhh!!! @joescaramanga.co.uk · 15/10/2025I have awoken to an utter bastard of a headache. 3172
Reposted by The ShieldsFun @funkelly.bsky.social · 14/10/2025how happy we’d all be if this was all the internet was for 381278299
Reposted by The ShieldsI Am Incorrigible @imincorrigible.bsky.social · 15/10/2025Polanski appears to be doing an incredible and impressive job, but it is madness that this Labour govt has not only been unable to articulate "a different view" to the far right (call a spade a spade @newsagents.bsky.social), they've spent much of their time agreeing with them. #r4today 1206
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 14/10/2025Temu’s EU operations doubled pre-tax profits to $120m (£90m), employed just 8 people, $18m corporation tax, It is smoke and mirrors of profit shifting, offshore tax havens. UK High street can't compete. Govt must review customs duty exemptions, require multinationals to show where they pay taxes.theguardian.comChina’s Temu more than doubles EU profits to nearly $120m despite having only eight staffOnline marketplace paid just $18m in corporation tax, leading campaigners to call for government action 619385
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 14/10/2025New industrial robots added in China last yr, 295,000; UK 2,500. China has 567 robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers; UK 104 . China investing 40.4% of GDP in productive assets; UK 18.2%. UK won't win the economic race with neoliberalism or without state intervention. archive.ph/DuZGearchive.ph 510636
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 15/10/2025UK faces highest inflation in G7 this year and next, IMF warns. Biggest cause is profiteering led by energy, water and food businesses. No govt checks it. Real average wage stuck at 2008 level. 1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts needs to remove cash from the rich.theguardian.comUK faces highest inflation in G7 this year and next, IMF warnsAccording to fund’s World Economic Outlook, Britain is on course to average 3.4% this year and 2.5% in 2026 13368196
Reposted by The ShieldsRichard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 15/10/2025Crypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first? youtu.be/9oP9HPhB-VI?... AI doesn’t think. Crypto isn’t money. Both claim to be revolutionary, but both are built on fantasy. From the greed driving crypto to the fear driving AI, I argue that both reflect a deeper crisis in capitalism itself.youtu.beCrypto vs AI — which bubble bursts first?YouTube video by Richard J Murphy 1212858
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 15/10/2025Banks make $26bn in a decade of financing deforesting companies. Destruction of the world’s forests reached the highest level - agricultural expansion, mining, infrastructure, logging. Profits before climate change, human lives and the planet. The cult of deregulation will make matters worse.globalwitness.orgBanks make $26bn in decade of financing deforesting companiesUS, EU and UK banks have made over $10 billion in income since Paris Agreement by financing companies involved in deforestation, new analysis ahead of COP30 reveals 3230119
Reposted by The ShieldsThe News Agents @thenewsagents.co.uk · 15/10/2025"He told me that he was too honourable to break off a friendship in a text or a letter, and then that email says we'll 'play some more soon'," Emily Maitlis says. "What does that even mean? It sends shivers down my spine" www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/prin...thenewsagents.co.uk‘Prince Andrew’s Epstein email sent a shiver down my spine’, says Emily Maitlis | The News AgentsPrince Andrew is accused of maintaining a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein for at least a year later than he previously claimed to have cut all communications, suggesting he lied to Emily Maitlis… 1215742
Reposted by The ShieldsaidThompsin (live, fridays @ 19:30) @aidthompsin.bsky.social · 15/10/2025Rogan, Theo Von, Tim Dillon - all of them dismissively smirked/scoffed at the idea Kamala Harris was a more suitable candidate than Trump. None of them listened when they were warned about Project 2025, camps, mass deportations etc Now they all pretend this is unexpected & too far for them.media.tenor.coma bald man is talking on a walkie talkie while another man watches .ALT: a bald man is talking on a walkie talkie while another man watches . 3296
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 15/10/2025UK banks oppose tax rise. Falsely claim to be paying 46.4% tax rate. The PwC generated number includes PAYE, employee national insurance which is paid by workers. VAT which is borne by customers. it is extrapolated from a sample, can't be verified Why do media reports not expose this sham claim?news.sky.comBanks step up lobbying over threat of Reeves tax hikesThe gap between the tax burden on British banks and their international rivals is widening, even before the imposition of any further levies in next month's budget, according to a report seen by Sky N... 11317146
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 15/10/2025Private equity takeover of US hospitals led to rise in patient deaths. Cuts to staffing/investment; high debt, profiteering; worse patient outcomes. More deaths in nursing homes, increased post-operative complications Why is UK Govt handing the NHS to PE? Why no investigation of the impact of PE?theguardian.comPrivate equity takeover of hospitals led to rise in Medicare emergency patient deaths, says studyStudy found seven more deaths per 10,000 patients in private equity hospitals’ versus non-private equity hospitals 15361219
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 03/10/2025Green party leader urges the Bank of England to stop paying interest on commercial banks' reserves. ECB stopped paying interest on a portion of banks reserves. The left has long urged Govt to stop this £20bn subsidy to banks, a consequence of QE. What could govt do with £20bn? archive.ph/LyP2eft.comGreen leader calls for BoE to end interest payments to commercial banksZack Polanski echoes Reform UK’s push for central bank policy change 9317134
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 03/10/2025‘Motherhood penalty’ costs women an average £65,618 in pay by time first child turns five. This is followed by gender pay gap, pension gap, health gap; slow career progression, harassment and violence, unpaid carer work, retirement insecurity. All women deserve justice.theguardian.com‘Motherhood penalty’ costs women an average £65,618 in pay by time first child turns fiveWomen’s average monthly earnings fall by 42% compared with one year before birth, ONS study finds 719198
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 03/10/2025England nationalized rail passenger services lease carriages from rolling stock companies (ROSCOs). 87% of rolling stock controlled by 3 Luxembourg companies. Paid £1.282bn dividends in last 3 yrs. Not taxed in UK. Privatization has hollowed out the UK - Taxes lost, it is all about exploitation.leftfootforward.orgIf the government wants economic growth it must bring essential industries into public ownershipSuccessive governments clobber households and small businesses by hiking interest rates to manage inflation, but don’t inconvenience corporations. 6374198
Reposted by The ShieldsRichard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 04/10/2025Fascism is an ideology that divides humanity into “superior” and “inferior” groups — with catastrophic consequences. In this video, I explain what fascism really means, why its essence is exclusion, and why true democracy depends on equality and respect for all. youtu.be/H7pjd_G3088?...youtu.beWhat is fascism really about?YouTube video by Richard J Murphy 317280
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 04/10/2025Average real wage of UK workers is stuck the 2008 level. Some bosses are collecting 1,112 times more than the average employee wage. Millions forced to rely on food banks and charity. Workers have no say in income distribution. Govts do nothing. Can't build economy/society on huge inequalities.leftfootforward.orgThe government must ensure fair distribution of income'The average real wage of workers has hardly moved from the 2008 level whilst bosses never had it so good.' 11405179
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 02/10/2025Thames Water lenders submit rescue plan to stave off collapse- may write off a third of the £20bn debt. It can't solve the crisis: It is a monopoly No competition No substitute service Owners want profit Customers will be fleeced Public ownership is the only viable option.bbc.co.ukThames Water lenders submit rescue plan to stave off collapseLondon & Valley Water, a consortium of investors, plans to write off some of the company's huge debts. 17366150
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 02/10/2025Elon Musk Just Became The First Person Ever Worth $500bn. He has used his wealth to buy govts/legislators, unleash Trumpism, promising to hand $100m to Farage, create social strife and divisions. Like the rest of us, he will leave the world empty-handed.forbes.comElon Musk Just Became The First Person Ever Worth $500 BillionMusk is now half-way to becoming the first ever trillionaire. 39334115
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 02/10/2025UK workers take bad bosses to employment tribunals for unfair treatment and dismissal, and win cases. But bosses don't pay. Some liquidate companies and start another one to dodge payments. Workers can't afford legal action. Successive govts have done nothing, embolden abusive practices.bbc.co.uk'I won £65,000 at an employment tribunal – but I haven't seen a penny'A BBC investigation reveals thousands of workers are still missing out on tribunal payouts. 521081
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 02/10/2025Thames Water's bidders ask to be excused from fully complying with rules on pollution until 2035-40. Rule of law? Anything given to TW can't be denied to others. Sewage will be dumped. Customers will be fleeced. Returns will be extracted. One law for corporations, another for lesser mortals.theguardian.comThames Water creditors ask for up to 15 years’ leniency from river pollution rulesLenders say a ‘full return to legal, regulatory and environmental compliance’ under new rescue plan would not be completed until at least 2035-2040 18221121
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 21/09/202516% of Britons have no savings. 39% have less than £1,000; struggle to survive without income. Profiteering, low wages, high living costs condemn millions to insecurity. 1% have more wealth than 70% of population. Can't rebuild without redistribution.blog.moneyfarm.comAverage Savings by Age in the UK 2025: by Age, Income & RegionIt is important to have some savings aside, but are you putting away enough? Check the 2025 average savings by age and income in the UK here. 8331155
Reposted by The ShieldsJana Bacevic 🌲🌳✊🏴 @unsocialtheory.bsky.social · 21/09/2025What's effectively happening here (in the British media at large, too) is the construction of "anti-racism" as somehow a "political alternative" to racism, rather than as a minimal civilisational standard, which in turn (further) vindicates racism as *also* an acceptable political position. 5512213
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 21/09/2025Reform UK receives £100,000 donation from firm that faced winding-up petition; cost borne by workers/creditors. Party funded by the super rich, tax exiles, offshore entities, hedge funds, foxhunting enthusiasts. Reward: policies that will enrich a fewtheguardian.comReform UK receives £100,000 donation from design firm that faced winding-up petitionExclusive: Interior Architecture Landscape, which faced closure by HMRC early this year, made donation in June 15325162
Reposted by The ShieldsRichard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 15/09/2025Is a maximum pay cap the answer to inequality in the UK? youtu.be/GKevsgaMxAQ?... CEO pay in the UK is out of control. The median FTSE 100 boss now takes home £4.5 million a year – while millions struggle to live on the minimum wage. If we can set a minimum wage, why not a maximum pay cap?youtu.beIs a maximum pay cap the answer to inequality in the UK?YouTube video by Richard J Murphy 1318067
The Shields @shieldscreate.bsky.social · 14/09/2025One has to ask, only 25 people arrested at yesterday's far right rally in London? Just watching a brief video I saw quite a bit of violence. This is in stark contrast to the HUNDREDS arrested for peacefully holding placards protesting the IDF in Gaza. 100
The Shields @shieldscreate.bsky.social · 13/09/2025This is where the US is right now. I abhor violence, and Charlie Kirk's death is terrible, whether I like his views or not (I don't). But punishing anyone expressing "dissident views"? How did the USA become the modern USSR? 100
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 10/09/2025Dependence on food banks is the new norm in the UK. In a rich country 14m people, including 3.8m children, food insecure. One in six households went hungry last year. Result of low wages/benefits, unchecked profiteering, govt indifference. 1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.theguardian.comFailure to tackle dependence on food banks in UK driving public discontentOne in six households went hungry last year, says Trussell, with Britain facing ‘new normal’ of severe hardship 16255138
Reposted by The Shieldsit's Candy Love @candylovely.bsky.social · 09/09/202561% of Latino proudly voted for Trump 👇 84923
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Reform UK think-tank plans Trump-style constitutional changes. DICTATORSHIP. Weaken the authority of judiciary, civil service. Farage to issue Trump-like orders. Emasculated parliament, obedient judiciary, goodbye democracy, farewell the NHS , hello fascism. Legacy for future? archive.ph/49xWEft.comReform UK think-tank plans Trump-style constitutional changesCountry in danger of becoming a democracy ‘run by judiciary and bureaucrats’, says head of Centre for a Better Britain 16179110
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 09/09/2025UK banks sued over shared appreciation mortgages that left people with huge debts. Borrowed £33,000, repayment £660,000+. No attempt by regulator to bring a test case. Products not tested for potential harms before sale. No end to bank scandals. Govt deregulating, diluting customer protection.theguardian.comUK banks face lawsuits over mortgages that left people with huge debtsGroup actions against Barclays and Bank of Scotland over products that left some people owing up to 20 times the sum they borrowed 3224116
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Corruption Inc Boris Johnson traded PM contacts for global business deals. Used publicly funded office to manage commercial deals. Secret meetings with Palantir, handed NHS data. Secret Dinners during COVID lockdown to secure refurbishment of his flat. £200,000 from a hedge fund.theguardian.comRevealed: how Boris Johnson traded PM contacts for global business dealsExclusive: Leak exposes how former leader has used publicly subsidised office to manage commercial interests 40433246
Reposted by The ShieldsAlex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · 07/09/2025I know that any debate around trans rights and free speech excites big passion, but please try to be civil both to us and, even more importantly, to each other. Remember that it's just a conversation - not meant to be a complete treatise on every facet of the debate - and that it's okay to disagree. 9825
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 06/09/2025Shein UK accused of moving ‘vast bulk of income’ to Singapore to cut UK tax. £9.6m corporation tax on £2bn sales. Profit hard to know, 84% or the sales transferred to a Singapore company as a “purchasing” cost. UK loses billions due to profit shifting. HMRC poorly equipped to challenge it.theguardian.comShein UK accused of moving ‘vast bulk of income’ to Singapore to cut British taxFast-fashion retailer rejects accusations as Fair Tax Foundation questions its tax arrangements 19224106
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 06/09/2025Privatizations have created a rentier economy. England's water companies privatized in 1989 for £6.1bn. Little shareholder investment since. No new reservoirs, sewage dumped in rivers, poor infrastructure, customers ripped-off, £85.2bn extracted in dividends. Why do govts cling to privatization.leftfootforward.orgHow successive government have created a new rentier economyGovernments appease corporations and the super-rich by following the old policies which benefit a few. 15314131
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 07/09/2025Holding govts to ransom. Head of UK's banking lobby warns chancellor about additional tax on banks. Banks happy to be bailed out, take £895bn QE, £10bn+ interest a year on central reserves. Banks make excessive profits, must face windfall tax.news.sky.comBank lobby chief warns Reeves over budget tax raidIn a letter to the chancellor obtained by Sky News, the UK Finance boss David Postings said she risked undermining economic growth if she increased the tax burden on UK lenders. 14384159
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 06/09/2025Tesla boss Elon Musk will receive $1tn (£740bn) pay package if he hits targets. Already the richest man in the world. Used his wealth to support Trump. Wants to fund Farage and create the same mess in the UK. Classic example of how the rich buy power.bbc.co.ukTesla proposes $1tn award for Elon Musk if he hits ambitious targetsThe car firm boss's enormous pay package depends on him hitting sky-high targets. 42367166
Reposted by The Shields~Kitty👻Kat~On the turning away~Pink Floyd~📚🌸🪴🌸📚 We, The People… @katarinakriz.bsky.social · 05/09/2025 1318
Reposted by The ShieldsDr. Jack Brown @drjackbrown.bsky.social · 05/09/2025"I believe in being truthful, not neutral. We must stop banalizing the truth." Christiane Amanpour 12662200
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 04/09/2025Graph provides glimpse of England's housing problems. Social housing vanished. 2m council homes sold. 40% ended-up with private landlords, increasingly corporations. Housing seen as investment, high private rents, more poverty & need for benefits. www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications... 515183
Reposted by The ShieldsIan Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 29/08/2025Labour's cowardice in the face of extremism iandunt.substack.com/p/labours-co... 621096453
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Energy bills to rise by more than expected ahead of winter. UK's 20 largest companies made £514bn operating profit since 2020, causing inflation, poverty, business failures, enriching shareholders. No party tackling corporate power, profiteering, rentier economy.bbc.co.ukEnergy price cap: Gas and electricity prices to rise by 2% in OctoberThe £35 a year increase for a typical household is twice what analysts had predicted. 27300154
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 24/08/2025Hong Kong billionaire, owner of Northumbrian Water, touted as Thames Water bidder. He won't provide necessary infrastructure investment. Any private owner would want profit, main cause of the crisis. Profits go abroad, misery stays home. Public ownership is the only way ahead. archive.ph/NCYXftelegraph.co.ukChinese suitor ‘would cut billions from Thames Water investment’CK Infrastructure touted as likely buyer if debt-laden water company is nationalised 24565238
Reposted by The ShieldsMatthew Mullins @mmullins.coginiti.co · 14/08/2025Adding "Epistemicide" to my vocabulary! We're in the midsts of the largest organized destruction of knowledge imaginable. 417865
Reposted by The Shieldschristhebarker @christhebarker.bsky.social · 14/08/2025Neigh-naw neigh-naw! 49614
Reposted by The ShieldsPrem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 13/08/2025Chinese firm a leading contender to buy Thames Water. 90% of water already owned from abroad. Shareholders out of touch with realities. Tax on dividends dodged. Any private ownership will mean continuation of profits, dividends, neglect, fleecing. Public ownership is the only way forward.theguardian.comChinese firm a leading contender to buy Thames Water, reports sayHong Kong’s CKI among those lining up to acquire struggling company if it collapses 21380196