Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Worst of all, Gorton and Denton didn't vote for Matt 😞 1238
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Those who actually study the numbers are deeply sceptical of the China Shock 2.0 narrative taking over the EU. But heck, why let the facts or indeed the absence of any actual strategy get in the way of a really good panic? 23010
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJohn Bull @garius.bsky.social · 29/09/2026A cash-strapped rural police force struggles to deal with Red Diesel gangs. Until its chief inspector realises can get the Met Police to deal with the problem... ...if he pretends they're Iranian. A new six part comedy starring Toby Jones. 641235364
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupMic Wright @brokenbottleboy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Still putting ‘bomb plot’ in headlines in the glaring absence of any bombs. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comRubio says foreign actor was ‘clearly’ behind suspected RAF Fairford bomb plotThe US secretary of state offered no evidence for his claims, and also said many people were ‘disturbed’ that the five suspects had been released on bail 74824221
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupChristian Wolmar @christianwolmar.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Oh dear I have incurred wrath of Autocar magazine pressreader.com/article/2819...pressreader.comPrior Conviction | AutocarARE YOU ENGAGED in a culture war? Perhaps you didn’t realise; you just thought you were leaving work in time to collect a child for sports practice, before going to the shop on the way home and ... 251
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 26/09/2026One of the maddest posts I've seen 159916
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupChristian Wolmar @christianwolmar.bsky.social · 27/09/2026We should do this amp.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/did-you...amp.majorcadailybulletin.comSpain is changing its cycling rules from October 1: what cyclists and drivers need to knowThe new regulations will bring major changes for cyclists and drivers, from overtaking rules to helmet requirements 2146
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 27/09/2026The BBC is capable of decent reporting when it tries. Personally I find people dressed like this very intimidating, which is sadly why they do it. A major challenge for overstretched police forces. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukBalaclava boys on electric bikes: How to tackle the problem?The sight of masked young men on electric bikes or motorcycles is becoming increasingly familiar - what can be done about it? 4237
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Going back to Blackpool would certainly open a few eyes to the challenges of regeneration. 3283
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJo Michell @jomichell.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Good post. At some point we are going to have to confront the fact that those who live materially comfortable lives may have to cut back a bit on what are effectively luxuries (even if they are now regarded as necessities). 3477
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Worth noting this from Mahmood at the HASC last week. A tacit admission that over a year after the proposals were published they *still* haven't modelled the impacts property - and that the Home Office's £10 billlion number was, as I have repeatedly pointed out, completely nonsensical. 47228
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupHoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 26/09/2026They warned us Mamdani would impose Sharia law. Instead, he unleashed the real threat: line dancing in Bryant Park. 1372303006627
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Might be the jetlag but I'm confused somewhere between "what if the world ends because of AI / trade wars / whatever" and long erudite articles on the Labour Party that leave me little clue as to what they think the point of politics or parties actually is... 54712
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Mahmood's rationale remains the same. Fewer (legal, working) migrants => less racism Nothing to do with integration. No evidence. I'd add this *doesn't* show she hates immigrants (FTAOD don't think she does). It shows her contempt/distrust/fear of ordinary Brits. 3218755
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Osland @davidosland.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Liz Truss doesn't know the difference between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. She knocked £425bn off the value of pension fund assets. She thinks Tony Blair set up the Bank of England. And major companies pay her £80,000 a speech for her insights on politics and economics. 40488138
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Learn from Brexit negotiations. National politicians with warm words do not equal the consensus view of the Brussels bubble. Officials across the EU are right now far more sceptical regarding rejoin chatter, because they do not believe the UK is anything like ready. 27122
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Philp leaning hard into this narrative. 2163
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupChristian Wolmar @christianwolmar.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I do remember in the 1970s cycling in London I would chat to fellow cyclists at traffic lights because there were so few of us 1122
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Another excellent piece by @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social (English) Devolution, like so much else is turning into a binary issue where you either think it a waste of time and money, or a silver bullet to solve all our problems. www.ft.com/content/067a... The dangers of devolution dogmaft.comThe dangers of devolution dogmaViewing decentralisation as a silver bullet could lead to an unthinking rush to pass down power as fast as possible 43311
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupCalvin Jones @calvjones.bsky.social · 25/09/2026"League One? Halcyon days. For City fans of a certain age and disposition, beating Gillingham in the playoff is our top footballing memory." I remember it like it was yesterday #FeedtheGoat www.theguardian.com/football/202...theguardian.comWe Manchester City fans fear relegation and losing trophies … but club are bang to rightsDespite the club’s shocking attempts to legally filibuster the charges out of existence for the past three years, we’ve rightfully failed 131
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Predictable that the EU would say only a closer relationship including action on China will avoid Made in Europe barriers, but there is a wider debate in the EU on how to treat partners which makes this slightly premature. www.ft.com/content/5453...ft.comEU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars to avoid ‘made in Europe’ barriersLondon has lobbied intensely to secure equal treatment for British products but continues to rule out a customs union 63212
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJo Michell @jomichell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026There’s a not much distance between ‘fiscal responsibility’ and ‘making it impossible for your current and future workers to actually work’. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukSouth Tyneside Council nursery closures decision 'devastating'Councillors confirm that all 10 Stanley's nurseries in South Tyneside will close by July 2027. 2155
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Further evidence that the right want to return Britain to a mythical Victorian Age. 9218
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupChristian Wolmar @christianwolmar.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I ve just received a new stock of Fast Track ..Signed copies at £10 discount available by emailing me Christian.wolmar@gmail.com...worth it for the cover alone 096
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I don't particularly like Burnham, but especially coming after Kier 'abandon human rights all ye who vote here' Starmer, that's a bold claim. 188012
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026So Healey recruiting someone who was involved in writing Labour’s 2024 Manifesto to help with communications around the forthcoming Budget is evidence that Burnham is considering calling a GE? There’s nothing in the article to suggest that’s the case. Thin gruel. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comHealey appoints Labour manifesto writer, adding to election speculationEconomist Ravinder Athwal, who worked in Keir Starmer’s team, is poached from Flint Global 4102
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Where “low tech” means not owned by rapacious techbros rather than genuinely low tech. 1237
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJo Michell @jomichell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026I wonder if having one’s recommendations roundly rejected by a Select Committee counts as #impact from the point of view of the REF 181
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026My unpopular view is that we should actually extend the ban on at seat alcohol to other sectors www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/s...theguardian.comUnions urge UK theatres to limit at-seat alcohol sales as staff face ‘unacceptable abuse’Rowdy audience members have disrupted performances with heckling, violence and even copulation in the stalls 5252
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Groupderek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 24/09/2026It's great to see tailoring accommodate such extreme movement today. This level of tailoring was a bit more common in the past, as you can see in old films featuring Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, but many modern suits will lift off the wearer's neck even when they're just walking. 329164332129
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJo Michell @jomichell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026This is the British way. 2223
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Since the state pension was introduced by Lloyd George this really is the right wing desire to go back to the 19th century. Might be popular with Reform’s major donors but not, I suspect, with many Reform voters. That’s a major fault line for Reform www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comThinktank linked to Reform UK calls for abolition of state pension‘Radical’ report likely to influence party’s platform also proposes abolishing inheritance and capital gains taxes 3278
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupAnand Menon @anandmenon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Confused by that story about how all our economic numbers were wrong? Read this by @jdportes.bsky.social and you won't be ukandeu.ac.uk/britains-pro...ukandeu.ac.ukBritain’s productivity disaster was real—but not quite as disastrous as we thought - UK in a changing EuropeJonathan Portes explains why the ONS updated its productivity estimates for the period between 2009 and 2019 from 0.7 per cent to 1.3 per cent and what this change actually means for the UK economy. 21610
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Here's Pochin suggesting that the British government is actively working against the "the will of the British people" This is sane the government that was elected with a substantial majority? 82411
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Not a dicky bird about thugs trying to sink a dinghy with a rescue worker on board or their claims to be "forming an army". Two boats of people seeking safety land and bingo bango they're the ones portrayed as the issue. Labour is complict in the rise of the far right. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukHome Secretary hits out at 'unacceptable' migrant landings in KentUsually brought ashore by Border Security Command or the RNLI, these are the first uncontrolled landings since 2025. 43948317
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Oh, we're still on the "significantly reformed EU" nonsense are we? Like the UK has the power to dictate terms as a returning hero or some such? Same EU as per the last 40 years at least. Be part of it or not. Full stop. www.theguardian.com/politics/202... 42565160
Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Group @uresg76.bsky.social · 24/09/202650 year anniversary of Punk paper www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comThe boy looked at Johnny dreaming of England: a memoir of punk 50 years onIt has been 50 years since Punk exploded into our lives. In spite of its apparent short life, it still resonates through our lives, especially that of youth cultures and music across the globe. Thi... 000
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Good to see that he’s understood the threat . The thing is that it’s not just Russia that’s spreading disinformation about the UK. 3249
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupNick Davies @njdavies.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Great to hear the PM say “We are going to be much prouder in standing up for our values and the rule of law” re foreign information warfare. I wonder if he or the Home Secretary might consider doing the same when it comes to masked vigilantes shutting down infrastructure and harassing the RNLI 301469410
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupAdam Watson Brown @awb58.bsky.social · 23/09/2026‘The risk is the emergence of a migration ‘doom loop', in which political pressure to reduce migration leads to policy choices that weaken economic performance and public services, thereby intensifying the very political discontent that fuels anti-immigration sentiment.’ 06220
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJo Michell @jomichell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Yeah, maybe I'll skip the news break and get on with my admin. 071
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupRuss Jones @russincheshire.bsky.social · 23/09/2026I'm not a lawyer, but if you intentionally attempt to sink a boat with humans on board, how is that not attempted murder? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...theguardian.comFar-right activist Daniel Thomas slashes dinghy in Channel with blade while rescue worker onboardThomas called followers to protest against arrival of asylum seekers in Gosport, but Border Force instead transported them to Dover 1682827898
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar Groupsianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Asylum seeking people don’t have the freedom to work, they don’t even have the freedom to shop using cash or choose where to shop, in temp accommodation they don’t have the freedom to cook or choose their own food - honestly this headline is batshit 1631201
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026My latest for @borderlex.net - the EU is undermining trade agreements and indeed policy stability in a panic about China - and this is exactly the opposite of the stability its' economy needs. Following Trump's lead is obvious bad policy. borderlex.net/2026/09/21/p...borderlex.netPerspectives: Undermining FTAs because of China is bad EU policy - Borderlex - European trade policyThe EU’s Made in Europe and whack-a-mole approach to China is undermining its free trade agreement agenda, to the detriment of long-term partnerships and of the policy stability needed to foster growt... 0206
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026He really is determined to destroy any sense of coherent, fact based, discussion and debate. 062
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupJonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The ups and downs of UK immigration policy over the last decade: my attempt to synthesise the economics, politics and contemporary history. Free to read. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comControl without credibility: immigration to the UK since the Brexit referendumImmigration was central both to the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign and to the political narratives that followed it. Yet the trajectory of migration to the UK since the referendum bears little res... 23823
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 22/09/2026There's a slightly more constructive messaging here from the PM on Made in Europe as if someone has pointed out that the lectures to the EU weren't working. Small steps. As to the next Labour manifesto - i suspect the red lines will go. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comAndy Burnham does not rule out Brexit reversal being in next Labour manifestoPM says immediate focus is on rebuilding bridges with EU as he prepares for first meeting with Ursula von der Leyen 87412
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Are Reform seriously saying that Ratcliffe’s business model is one to admire? 6194
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Gravity still applies even in an age of global markets. 4356
Reposted by Urban and Regional Economics Research Seminar GroupDavid Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Sunak is growing into the role of being an ex PM. Wish the same could be said about Starmer www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...thetimes.comRishi Sunak: Britishness must not be turned into a DNA testI worry that the immigration debate is going far beyond arrival numbers 8557