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Simon Jeffrey

@simonjeffrey.bsky.social
515 followers 701 following 2.6K posts

Personal opinions about transport and devolution policy.

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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 1h
So much overlapping of competitions is unnecessary. League Cup would be so much sharper and distinct finishing by Christmas and holding ‘Winter Cup’ final at Old Trafford, then letting FA Cup rip and be the summer Wembley showpiece.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 2h
Should just make this international break 6 games. Get Nations League or 4-team WC/Euros qualifying groups done in one. Would be great to be building straight up to an England-Spain decider next week. Sport so much better with discrete periods with a goal at the end of it, not chopping and changing
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 3h
Why are we so good now?! Toon bias but not taking Lewis Hall to the World Criminal. Chalobah instead of Trent when Livramento got injured not as bad but close.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 11h
Yep. Universal benefits are good. Progressive taxation is good. Or means tests and flatter taxes. Piecemeal changes left us with both cliff-edge means-testing or vertiginous tapering plus very progressive taxation. Awful incentives and unfair outcomes at across income and life stages.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
‘Britannia Shield’ evokes many images, none of them inspire any faith in its ability to track and target a hostile ballistic missile at the boundary of space. Extremely 1970s coded. ‘In 1981 Britannia was outbid by the Milk Marketing Board to sponsor the League Cup’
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A real pickle. And investing more with the hotel. Only wrinkle (but very large imo) would be if/when Hundred expands to 10 franchises. It’s meant to be a major city-based franchise league. But one look at the map and average 3-5k Blast attendances would spook any investor.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Chinese EVs being dumped in UK was partly to provide quota space to sell more of the higher margin PHEVs/ICEVs iirc. Result of our own policy. Wonder if UK’s tariff response wouldn’t be better just raising it on those rather than just all Chinese vehicles.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
While we don’t have additional tariffs on Chinese EVs, we exclude them from the Electric Car Grant (ECG) subsidy - a £3,750 or £1,500 discount for European made EVs. If tariffs come in that probably goes, and so… how different is it at that point?
find-government-grants.service.gov.uk
Electric Car Grant<!-- --> - GOV-UK Find a grant
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Suppose one central question is are Chinese EVs cheaper in UK that the EU? Sticker prices look similar, but guess it’s all in the dealer discounts, interest free finance etc that make your monthly payment lower. Would be good to see granular comparisons beyond just sales figures/market share.
reuters.com
Britain set to levy tariffs on Chinese electric cars, The Times reports
Britain is considering imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports amid concerns that ​Beijing is flooding the market with state-subsidised cars, the Times ‌newspaper reported on Sunday.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I was thinking exactly the same. Touch of luck of the flyover croaked when it did. Curious to see if, having gone for an MDZ rather than MDC, NECA/GMBC takes up the new MDO/LDO powers just consulted on for these site. Dangerously close to a ‘shovel ready’ proposition.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Chester-le-Street lacking. Where in Sunderland - city centre-ish? Really hope the cricket dome project can be made to work. If so, stick one there or Gateshead. ECB part-fund by getting extra tests in at start and end of extended summer window+ new Hundred franchise owner + naming rights + concerts
en.wikipedia.org
Macquarie Point Stadium - Wikipedia
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Imagine being Matt Ellis. Sell DIY Kitchens to Howdens for £360m in June, Wakefield Trinity win their first Super League Grand Final in October. Spooky that NRL will have similar Grand Final with two teams who haven’t won in decades tomorrow morning. All in for the Novocastrians down under!
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Penny for the thoughts of any 1970s Minister who struggled with incomes policy in an energy crisis. ‘So no trade union issues, you’ve got price controls in many areas, you can set wages and pensioner poverty now lower than working age population? What’s wrong?’ ‘We’re juicing wages and pensions’
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Not sure Gilts can get to safe haven status soon but this Budget should be looking to at least ease the moron premium. Commit to reduce income tax and NI threshold by £250/yr for 6-7 years until it hits £10k when it’s £25bn/yr. Some impact on inflation too, maybe giving BoE room to hold.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
*Big old £150k allowance owner occupiers apparently, so mainly inheritors and investors pay. Not realise this before but CGT on housing (with owner-occupiers allowances) would neutralise a lot of the IHT issues in UK - not the dead paying taxes, just the asset.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
And obviously in some countries, homes are treated as wasting asset on top of the land they’re built on, the real permanent asset. Ironically, in Japan that’s just a fact rather than tax treatment, and the depreciation is calculated when you sell so CGT payable* even if you sell at price you paid!
theguardian.com
Raze, rebuild, repeat: why Japan knocks down its houses after 30 years
Unlike in other countries, Japanese homes become valueless over time – but as the population shrinks, can its cities finally learn to slow down and refurb?
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Remarkable that HMRC treats cars as a wasting asset (so never CGT) when that’s only down to constant adequate supply of newer, better homes. COVID (and Cuba) showed it’s not inherent at all. Imagine a market where second hand goods get more expensive as they get older!
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Govt provides huge EV BiK tax discount (pay 4% vs 37% for ICEV) so fleets buy and generate the demand for newer better vehicles. After 3-4 years, get sold on cheaper into a bigger second hand market, helping more people switch to an EV.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The NI increase led them to raise threshold from £10k to £12.5k to mitigate it. Remains despite undoing the NI increase. I dream of us becoming European by bringing income tax and NI down to £10k. Or even the £6k LQEL for auto-enrolment contribution. Cut NI and UC taper, raise pensions, still flush.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
When you have to become an EU associate member at 7 and prevent Alberta independence at 9:
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A points deduction that gets them relegated is fine. Should be narrowly for (continuing) non-cooperation/denial. But punishing investing in a team to win ahistoric guff. They weren't bribing refs. All this talk of taking away titles, £100s millions compensation is so self destructive. Step back.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/intr...
newcastleunited.com
A new club crest for Newcastle United | NUFC
We are proud to introduce the new club crest chosen by our supporters to represent Newcastle United.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Mag’s new crest released. Not much change of that, but fully expect this (new) castle ‘logo’ to get everywhere on the merch and branding. And over time…
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Subsidising ‘greener’ UK-EU EVs rather than tariffing Chinese seems least worst option at this point of high energy prices. At the very least try to limit Chinese OEMs profits. And it’s every proud son of the North East’s duty to buy the new Nissan Leaf.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ignoring the politics, would there be greater benefit than usual for UK borrowing costs - given US and other major market deficits/debts - for Healey at the Budget to go faster on deficit reduction?
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Would need someone who doesn’t have the same priorities to view those things as important, to then be a coward and not tackle them. I’d imagine he genuinely thinks he is doing hard things to reach his goals - force people to eat some bitterness in daily life for the sweetness of national power.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Isn’t the point that it’s not his goal? Not a ‘harmonious society’/GDP maxxer. He wants demand suppression and to rely on exports in order to consolidate global supply chains and dependence on China. Property taxes and social security get in the way that 15-20% youth unemployment don’t.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Would probably avoid anyone forced to sell off their homes or empty their life savings at 4 or 5p.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This triple-lock policy seems a lot of pain for not much gain. Does seem to hit poorer pensioners harder than rich ones. Remain convinced protecting the triple local but adding a ‘hypothecated 2p Health + Social Care levy’ for over-65s would be much easier.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This really is a great discussion. A must-listen. So much fuzzy data and thinking on the transition. So many great business ideas (and earnings of bad ones) to make use of that rejected heat too - especially for a country facing punishing energy costs.
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Jonny Marshall @jonnymarshall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It's fairer too. Funding investment through the tax system would lead to a much flatter burden on households across the income distribution than using energy bill standing charges or unit rates
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Jonny Marshall @jonnymarshall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A good move. Within a decade, the cost of financing new assets – not fuel costs – will be the main driver of electricity prices: by 2035, capital is set to make up over half of power system costs, up from 8 per cent in 2025
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
British soft power: Channel 5 hires Michael Palin for a 3-part series on the Philippines. Takes in a tour of the presidential palace that ends up hosted by the current President, Bong Bong Marcos who does it on condition of asking one question: ‘what inspired the Python fish slapping dance??’
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Yeah, theoretically reducing their cost of equity will make more (lower margin) projects viable for these builders. Planning reform aims to eventually make us less beholden to highly concentrated volume home builders, but while we are this helps.
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Borners @borners.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The UK isn't an especially homeownership oriented society. Its Germany and co who are weird. UK is also one less than 10 societies in the world where social housing exceeds 10% of total stock.
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Gavin Jackson @gavinjackson.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
British household wealth is probably more exposed to financial assets, through private pensions as well as directly, than to property nowadays.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Such a huge red flag for wrong'uns. Traffic police and punishing offences should be a much higher priority. Cars with ghost plates and drivers with no-license/insurance on motorways are an important enabler of serious criminal enterprise using cars and motorways.
bbc.co.uk
Thousands of illegal ghost plates on cars revealed by new cameras
Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.
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Banjon @beardybanjo.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"what if we continued the work of George Osborne to hollow out the broad tax base, but with lefist vibes?"
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
That was incredible. Incredibly embarrassing for World Rugby and Piardi too though. Letting Etzebeth delay the game for 5 mins trying to cheat a 9th sub. That yellow for Sua’ali’i ridiculous. Last 20 mins probably does more damage to union in Australia than the result helps.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Stick covenants on the ground or whatever, ensure creditors aren't stiffed, but let foreign billionaires lose fortunes to overpaid players (and 50% to taxman). Mike Ashley was a careful steward of NUFC according to FFP/PSR/SCR fans. There are much worse things than administration in football.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The beauty of football is the brutality - one man's fairytale is another man's nightmare. 'Doing a Leeds' means Brighton or Hull can dream in Premier League. Luton race up and down. 'Sunderland till I die' ain't wrong. They all come back up or down in the end, then start again.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
All the financial rules are just cartel moat-digging dressed up as 'ensuring fans don't lose their clubs'. Bollocks. Rangers went bust - fully liquidated. But what actually makes a club was untouched. It reformed, it's still Rangers. A club's history and support does not depend on spreadsheets.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Never got why some people so wound up about this. Financial doping was Arsene Wenger cope. Rich owners buying football clubs to pump money in for prestige is football heritage, the genesis of the professionalism.
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Andy Bruce (Reuters) @bruceandy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
October 2016
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
FFS
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Joel Budd @joelbudd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Pricing environmental actions is really hard! If the payments regime is new, which this one is, demand will be extremely hard to forecast. And a bad growing season like the one we have just had will drive more farmers to the environmental schemes. Auctions might be better.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Quite stunned to find Janos Kornai’s analysis of Soviet Union economic incentives and their failings pop up as theoretical underpinning for challenges facing effective club rugby administration. Soft budget constraints and input hoarding under uncertainty directly referenced.
thetimes.com
We know what it’s like to run rugby clubs. This Soviet system doesn’t work
From Ireland to Australia, clubs operate in a centrally planned economy where no one has the incentive to make the professional game a success
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Logic extends to richer pensioners, who should pay at least as much tax on their asset income as workers. Over a few years bringing NI down to 4p and a new 'Health and Social Care Levy' for anyone collecting state pension up to 4p would be good.
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Simon Jeffrey @simonjeffrey.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Interesting piece. What chances do you think for any sort of deepened UK-Canada deal? UK and Canada are the two middles peers adrift here. (This is not a CANZUK question!) Mutual flexibility and need to go further or not worth the squeeze?
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