Tim Longson🏳️‍🌈#UniteTheUnion💪

PhD Researcher. Firm supporter & activist for true Left Wing socialism. Specialist knowledge: molecular medicine, computers/technology/internet, climate change.

[Tim Longson🏳️‍🌈#UniteTheUnion💪 @timlongson]

@PolitlcsUK .@andyburnham Tax wealth & banks rather than attacking the poor & vulnerable (disabled & elderly) to fund public ownership of public services, etc. We also DON'T need to kowtow to Donald Trump by wasting even more money on "defence" when peaceful diplomacy ends wars in 2026!

[Harry Eccles @Heccles94]

The Tories are saying disabled people are the cause of over priced coffee?

Nothing to do with years of austerity, privatisation and Liz Truss then? No?

[We Own It @We_OwnIt]

🚨BREAKING
The Financial Times has just revealed that Thames Water’s US hedge fund creditors are close to agreeing a ‘last and final’ deal to take over the company.

A handover to US hedge funds. A continuation of the privatised chaos. And a huge reward for the people who have run our water into the ground.

The deal would see them allowed to pollute our rivers and seas without consequence - in exchange for an upfront payoff.

This deal is absolutely outrageous, in every regard.

112 MPs have already called for special administration of Thames Water.

A cross-party group of MPs - who scrutinise the Environment Department - have said that the creditors’ proposal should be rejected and Thames Water should be brought into special administration.

And the former Environment Secretary rejected a previous version of the creditors’ deal in June. This new version is not better in any way.

@andyburnham promised to reverse Thatcher’s legacy of privatisation. He promised public control of life’s essentials.

This really is the moment of truth for Andy Burnham. If he allows the water supply of 16 million people to be sold off to US hedge funds - how can we take him seriously about any of his promises?

NO DEAL to the Thames Water creditors. Special administration now.

[Zack Polanski @ZackPolanski]

Disgusting.

[Cat Hobbs @CatHobbs]

Come on @andyburnham

You promised to reverse 40 years of neoliberalism, to tackle Thatcher's privatisation of life's essentials

You said public ownership is what "should be done"

Don't let Thames Water off the hook on the environment, TAKE IT BACK NOW

https://t.co/DisZzYwGqT

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

Farage suggests he expects damning verdict on £5m ‘gift’ from parliament’s sleaze watchdog.

Could lead to a 10 day suspension from the House of Commons, petition for a by-election.

Reform UK is mostly funded by billionaires not living in the UK.
https://t.co/WT0b7SgePm

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

Thames Water asks creditors for more time to help repay £20bn debt pile.

Govt dither and delay to public ownership increasing debt, interest payments and customer bills.

Must enforce all laws, revoke TW licence to operate, bankrupt it, buy at low price.
https://t.co/t0FpRL72cx

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

Tories plan £36bn social security cut.

It would cut benefits for old, sick, disabled and reintroduce the two-child benefit cap.

Silence on corporate welfare, tax perks of the rich, low wages, profiteering, £700bn tax not collected in the last 20 years
https://t.co/YKxTeFAcZM

[Good Law Project @GoodLawProject]

Over 100,000 people have now used our tool to say no to Palantir in the NHS.

We thought we should commemorate the moment:
https://t.co/hWUCCFXbl6

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

Poundland's private equity owners extracted £18.3m in 17 months, bought for £1.

£8.6m interest, £3.8m store closure fees, £2.6m debt arrangement plus other fees.

PE has £22.5m secured loan, will get paid first. HMRC owed £97m. Trade creditors owed £127m.
https://t.co/HIQpNMGNz1

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

British Gas resumes force-fitting prepay meters months after £112m settlement.

With escalating energy, rents and food bills; more people will struggle to heat or eat.

More pressure on GPs, hospitals, public services.

Squalor is a political choice.
https://t.co/oHvUUuUAOH

[Zack Polanski @ZackPolanski]

Palantir have paid huge sums to former Labour ministers to lobby for this.

The NHS sees no convincing patient benefit.

Like the US told Trump this week, we're done with big tech corporations taking over our democracy and public assets.

Labour won't stand up to them. We will.

[Good Law Project @GoodLawProject]

When the government first published Palantir’s contract, 417 out of its 586 pages were entirely blacked out. We took legal action and forced them to reveal crucial details about protecting personal data. Now, ministers are at it again.

We were in court this week: https://t.co/sJCDRQdlwh

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

Mayors will get new powers over how water companies are run under new “regional water councils”.

It won't resolve the crisis.

Water will remain privatised, companies want profits, pay dividends, fleece customers.

Let companies go bankrupt, nationalise
https://t.co/eEqJvVkT59

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

AstraZeneca CEO eyes record £28m pay package bonanza, up from £17.7m.

Previously, AstraZeneca CEO threatened to deny drugs to the NHS unless it paid more. Govt capitulated.

Blackmail works, delivers high rewards for shareholders and execs.
https://t.co/dGF0JD4iK5

[Zack Polanski @ZackPolanski]

This is truly dystopian.

Not in our name.

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

In 2024-25 584,000 people paid Capital Gains Tax (CGT), less than 1% of adults.

CGT rates are 18% to 24%. Wages taxed at 20% to 45%.

Budget hands another tax perk to the rich. Up to £10m lifetime gains for founders of companies to be taxed at 10%.
https://t.co/NTUtsrnX5k

[Zack Polanski @ZackPolanski]

The 50 wealthiest families own more wealth than the poorest 34 *million* people.

The problem is not a pensioner or a young person looking for a job - the problem is wealth inequality.

We need a wealth tax. Now.

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

Painful' years ahead, as living standards set to fall.

Household disposable income to fall by £1,050 or 3% by 2029.

That is a political choice.

1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined.

Redistribution is off the political agenda.
https://t.co/K2gAOSFPX7

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

£1.25bn subsidy for Rolls-Royce to develop a new engine.

RR will keep assets and income streams.

RR had operating profit of £3.5bn in 2024-25, will pay £9bn to shareholders over next 3 years.

UK Govt won't take equity stake, £1.25bn not repayable.
https://t.co/GSjapj3vTY

[Prem Sikka @premnsikka]

This is how the UK Chancellor can increase the income tax personal allowance by £3,000.

Must end/curtail subsidies to banks.

Align tax rates on capital gains & dividends with those on wages

Inconvenience to a few, but millions lifted out of hardship.
https://t.co/52MsQARCGN