SidIyer

Current: Agentic Engineering for Startups @ AWS | Comic crazy, anime buff, technology enthusiast & a gunner for life.

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

The Middle East’s Manchurian Candidate.

[Alex Wickham @alexwickham]

EXCLUSIVE: Andy Burnham’s comments backing Man City’s UAE owners have been criticised by some of his own ministers and officials, who say he risks breaching the government’s neutrality on the case.

*Government insiders also fear Burnham’s remarks leave him exposed because they think it’s possible the UAE leadership could ultimately be disqualified from running the club.

*UK officials think if City loses its appeal its Abu Dhabi owners could fall foul of the Independent Football Regulator’s fit and proper persons test. The decision is for the IFR, set up by Keir Starmer’s government to be independent from ministerial pressure, they said.

*Starmer’s administration removed a clause from the law that would have made the IFR take into consideration the government’s foreign and trade policy when testing owners’ eligibility. It did so to make the regulator independent from government influence on ownership eligibility.

*As a result, Burnham’s comments suggesting Man City’s UAE ownership should continue specifically because of the investment they bring to Britain undermine Labour’s own legislation, a senior government source says.

*No10 tonight issued a clarification in a bid to defuse the row: “As the Prime Minister made clear, the initial judgement is serious and there can’t be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules. He also stressed that it is an ongoing independent process. It is essential that it is allowed to run its course and the outcome respected If wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.“

*It speaks to the delicate position Burnham’s government finds itself in on the Man City saga, and the complex and differing views and interests that are held across departments.

*Parts of the foreign office, especially diplomats who work with the UAE closely, are determined to maintain good relations especially on trade and security. That’s also the view of Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who has close relations with Man City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, sources say.

*However, other senior figures in the foreign office have grown frustrated at the UAE’s actions on a range of issues recently, from its conduct in the war in Sudan to illicit financing and allowing the evasion of western sanctions on Russia and Iran.

*Another complicating factor is that many cabinet ministers represent areas in or around Manchester. Burnham was mayor so he, like Reynolds, has a long-standing relationship with Man City’s owners and the UAE. Ministers need to make sure their own local allegiances don’t conflict with the government’s legal position, an official said.

*Education Secretary Lucy Powell is a Man City supporter and the club’s Etihad stadium is in her constituency. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has expressed support for City in the past. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary who oversees sport, represents nearby Wigan.

https://t.co/uLVjdlOLDc

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

From the frying pan into the fire. This was one of the worst policies to be rolled out.
Not surprised, our government is incapable of thinking.

[Andy Burnham @andyburnham]

Let's be honest.

A lot of young people have stopped believing they'll ever own their own home.

That's what happens when rents are high, house prices are high, and saving for a deposit feels impossible.

My Labour government is stepping in to help.

With Your First Home, first-time buyers will be able to buy a new-build home with a deposit of just 2.5%.

Because hard work and saving should count for something.

And because the dream of owning your own home shouldn't belong only to those with help from the bank of Mum and Dad.

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

Pubs are a vibe.

[Britain's Lost & Living Pubs @Britains___Pubs]

I don't care what anyone says. Our pubs are better than any bar on the planet.

Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England

[Joe Lonsdale @JTLonsdale]

The world is going to be alright, guys.

Keep having kids, loving your family, and starting and building businesses and institutions. Don’t live in fear.

Leaders have big responsibilities and challenges ahead, but it doesn’t help to scare everyone. We are on top of it.

[Alan Smith @AlanJLSmith]

My son‘s best friend hasn’t come back to school this term – his parents tried for 2 years but simply can’t afford to keep paying school fees with 20% VAT on top.

A young man in his final year of school has to scramble around now to find a school place to study for his A-levels.

Congratulations Labour. Mission accomplished.

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

Same shit , different day.
Nothing will change and the only reason is : @UKLabour lacks governance competency across energy , finance , food , education and health.
It’s not their fault - it’s the people who voted for incompetence , because of the conservative protest vote.

[Steven Swinford @Steven_Swinford]

The Times's weekend read:

* When parliament returns next week, Andy Burnham will do everything in his power to project change - a new leader, a new direction and a blizzard of announcements to go with it

* On Tuesday he has first Cabinet, a two-hour statement to the Commons before Alex Norris unveils his plans to keep PC Andrew Harper's killers behind bars despite early release scheme

* On Wednesday he hosts Emmanuel Macron and has his first PMQs

* He hopes to demonstrate change in style and substance. The 'big moment' in No 10 is seen as his first PMQs - he will take a deliberately non-combative approach rather than going for the jugular'

* The substance will come over next few weeks. First, there will be trade sanctions on Gaza settlers, a move backed by a third of Labour MPs and supported by Lib Dem and Green voters

* Second, he will approve drilling for Gas at Jackdaw off the coast of Aberdeen in the North Sea. A visit to Aberdeen has been pencilled in to make announcement alongside a pledge for more investment in renewables. Rosebank decision deferred again

* Then we head to conference at the end of September, which will be themed around - you've guessed it - hope and change

* The Budget on October 28 is a deliberately slimmed down, steady as she goes affair. Economists still think tax rises are inevitable

* Much of the focus in No 10 is on the 10-year plan - the vision moment. I'm told this is seen as more important than the Budget and conference. Pencilled in for November

* But how much change is there really? Is this a genuinely radical government ushering in the biggest changes for 40 years, as Burnham said? Or is it as John Healey told @SamCoatesSky - 'a continuity of a Labour government with a change of leader'

* Many of the big decisions have been postponed. The £10bn question of when Britain will hit 3% defence spending has been delayed until the spending review next year

* We get two pivotal reviews on welfare after the Budget - Milburn and Timms - but we won't get a meaningful response until next year

* Social care reform is also for next year, after Dame Louise Casey's review concludes. The national conversation is coming sooner

* A decision Thames Water has been shelved until after the Budget

* Starmerite: 'Apart from playing the guitar, where's the change of direction'

* But there is one huge difference - Andy Burnham is not Keir Starmer. He is popular and so far that popularity appears to be holding

* A YouGov poll for The Times found that more than a quarter of voters expected him to do well and believe he has so far. Another 17% said they expected him to do poorly but he exceeded their expectations

* Again, behind the figures is that progressive alliance with significant support from Green and Lib Dem voters

* Can Burnham’s popularity survive contact with No 10? With the autumn upon us we are about to find out

https://t.co/8m0Lxu9vq8

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

Solving for paper cuts to optimise for optics - which is just getting worse for the ruling party.

[Rt. Hon. Alan B’Stard MP @NoWayWoke]

Please tell me this is AI 🙄

[Toby Young @toadmeister]

What is the point of striving to earn and save just to fund a fiscally incontinent state incapable of reining in welfare spending? It's reached the point where it's time to give up, writes A.P. Doff-Cashcow.
https://t.co/bW1b2zyKZM

[Daily Mail @DailyMail]

The National Grid collapses, Britain goes dark... chaos is unleashed: Nightmare scenario that Britain's Net Zero obsession is pushing us ever closer to, by energy expert KATHRYN PORTER https://t.co/uTCZ0BShpa

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

My bigger question is - why do we need net zero?
Also , why isn’t maintaining bio diversity or even investing into bio diversity sufficient for us if tapping into energy reserves in the North Sea and nuclear energy generates higher economic outcomes?

[Bob Ward @ret_ward]

This is deceitful nonsense. The @Conservatives plan for the energy system would prevent the U.K. from reaching net zero, and so would not help the world to stop climate change. And it is based on the assumption that natural gas will be 40% cheaper than today.

[John Redwood @johnredwood]

Mr Burnham acts as if he just wants to be Mayor of England, making comments about bus services and waste collection. When is he going to tackle the big problems of growth, debt, migration and crime as Prime Minister?

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

Very seldom I come across tweets which are timeless. Perfect example 👇🏾

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

If this person is the beacon of financial acumen in the UK, we need to really invest in financial literacy as mandatory course for children.

[Gary Stevenson @garyseconomics]

You can't have a thriving economy without high taxes on the rich

[Neelanjana Basu Iyer @nee13njana]

Shameless appropriation by @jwpei_official. Only rootless people steal others’ culture and aesthetics because they don’t have any of their own. What thieves.

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

@varundubey This is legit cool.

[Winston Marshall @MrWinMarshall]

Britain cannot claim to be a first world country whilst having to ration water

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

The hard question is @UKLabour under @andyburnham or any leader need to answer is : Where is the money going ?
1. National energy is at risk.
2. Food security is at risk.
3. Defence is non-existent.
4. Health services are overwhelmed.
5. Infrastructure is collapsed.

[Alan Smith @AlanJLSmith]

In the 24 months since Labour came to power, we've seen;

• Employer National Insurance increased from 13.8% to 15%.
• The employer NI threshold cut from £9,100 to £5,000.
• Income Tax and National Insurance thresholds frozen until 2031.
• Capital Gains Tax increased from 10% and 20% to 18% and 24%.
• Business Asset Disposal Relief increased from 10% to 14%, then 18%.
• Investors’ Relief increased and its lifetime allowance cut from £10 million to £1 million.
• Carried interest taxation increased and moved towards the Income Tax regime.
• Dividend tax rates increased by two percentage points.
• Savings-income tax rates increased by two percentage points.
• Property-income tax rates increased by two percentage points.
• Most unused pension funds brought into the Inheritance Tax net.
• Agricultural Property Relief restricted.
• Business Property Relief restricted.
• Inheritance Tax thresholds frozen for longer.
• The non-dom regime replaced with a more extensive residence-based system.
• VAT imposed on private school fees.
• Business-rates relief removed from private schools.
• Stamp Duty increased on second homes and buy-to-let properties.
• The Furnished Holiday Lettings tax regime abolished.
• Pension salary-sacrifice benefits capped at £2,000 before National Insurance applies.
• The Cash ISA allowance cut to £12,000 for most under-65s.
• A 22% charge introduced on interest from cash held inside non-cash ISAs.
• Restrictions introduced on transfers and cash-like holdings within ISAs.
• The Energy Profits Levy increased and extended.
• Investment allowances for oil and gas producers reduced.
• A new Vaping Products Duty introduced.
• Tobacco duties increased above inflation.
• Vehicle Excise Duty increased for many new cars.
• Electric vehicles brought into the Vehicle Excise Duty system.
• A new mileage tax announced for electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
• Air Passenger Duty increased.
• Climate Change Levy rates increased.
• Plastic Packaging Tax increased.
• A new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism introduced.
• Making Tax Digital extended to more landlords and self-employed people.

Together they represent one of the biggest transfers of wealth from households and businesses to the Treasury in decades - with no noticeable improvement in public services.

Whether you're a business owner employing staff, a parent paying school fees, a farmer planning succession, an entrepreneur building wealth or simply someone trying to save for retirement...

You keep less of what you earn.
You keep less of what you invest.
You leave less to your family.

Death by a thousand cuts is becoming tax policy.

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

The only aspect I dither on this is : Gyok went all in for his move to us + our front line is injury prone and he is a machine.
I would think of Martinelli + £70-80Mn for Alvarez.

[FK @fkhanage]

I must be one of very few Arsenal fans to not see *£80m + Gyökeres* for Alvarez as a “no-brainer.” Thoughts?

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

@clare_liguori That got me thinking. Maybe the long-term model is:

• Shared agent for collaborative planning and specs.
• Individual agent sessions for implementation.
• Shared agent again to integrate work, validate it against the spec and surface conflicts.
A hybrid and novel DX?

[SidIyer @SidIyer]

@clare_liguori That’s interesting. Do you see the long-term abstraction becoming one persistent engineering agent per project, with different users interacting with it through their own sessions, rather than sharing a single conversation?