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More than a fifth of all “austerity generation” UK children scarred by poverty. Children bear the human cost of refusal to tax corporations and super rich. Tories want to reimpose the two child benefit cap to fund defence. Reform want to do the same to cut price of a pint of beer.

Competition regulator allows additional 2% -4% increase in England water bills on appeal. Regulators side with industry. Companies to collect more money from captive customers, dump sewage in rivers, pay dividends, exorbitant exec pay. Rip-off continues. Who protects people?

Ah, Amsterdam, never change.

The Ig Nobel awards (for science that makes you laugh and think at the same time) have traditionally been given in the US but this year they are moving because of concerns about safety of winners and journalists from Trumps regime

Original post: social.coop/@afewbugs/11...

Decided to do another #AlbumParty which is when I listen to all the studio albums from an artist or band in chronological order, no shuffling. Today, Tool. Starting with Opiate from 1992.

Every news story is now “State Senator Randy Pervert (R-Springfield) was indicted on 8 counts of lewd behavior with a child under 12 and has been put on paid leave from his two jobs as Border Patrol liaison and youth pastor at First Presbyterian (PCA) where parishioners say they were ‘blindsided.’”

Now, live on YouTube! www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LnZ...

Today, I start on an #AlbumParty for #GreenDay! Starting with 1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours. I have heard this early album so much, from local radio when I was growing up to my earliest mp3 player playlists. The song "I Was There" sounds like my commute to high school.

Another #AlbumParty! In recognition of the SuperbOwl music acts, I start today's efforts with Bad Bunny's 2018 X100PRE. I don't think I knew much about Bad Bunny before, but early efforts to see what he is about suggest he can feel the rhythm in the world. I cannot stop the bop.

Back at work after the holidays, so I figure it is time for another #AlbumParty! My spotify wrapped is heavily influenced by my album party listening sessions & that I need to diversify the genre and gender balance. So today, I will be listening to Portishead. Starting with "Dummy" from 1994.

Just found I was cited in new research titled "The Creation of Superheroes and Supervillains through Alchemy, Science Accidents, and Violent Scientific Delights". I wrote to 1 of the authors (Lilia Walsh & Anna-Sophie Jürgens to get a copy to read. Aces! tinyurl.com/yvvb52bz

Another #AlbumParty! This time, I'm heading back to the '90s for some shoegaze alt rock with Catherine Wheel! Starting with their 1992 album, Ferment. I don't think I have ever listened to this album all the way through.

So, I restarted the #CAKE #AlbumParty. This time for real! Motorcade of Generosity, from 1994. Some absolute stellar options, especially considering it was a debut album.

This... This has never happened to me before. Wordle 1,588 2/6* 🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Another #AlbumParty - this time CAKE, my old hometown local weirdos. Starting with "Fashion Nugget", from 1996 takes me right back to high school. But I don't think I ever sat down and listened to all their songs so that is getting corrected today.

⏰ One week to go until our Using integrated non-survey data for evaluating and correcting for non-response bias in surveys workshop. 📅 14 October 2025 ⏰ 13:00-14:30 📍 Online 🧷

I currently have very short, natural brown hair. But what I want to do is dye it for Halloween. Anyone want to suggest a fun halloween costume that requires short dyed hair?

🎉New on the Data Impact blog🎉 Paul Chau, a Data Architect at the UK Data Service, explores how the Data Explorer platform enhances data interoperability through in-built transfer services and SDMX. blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk/dotstat-and-...

Upcoming IUD fitting appointment, called to check anaesthetic & pain relief options. Told to use OTC. Oh HELL no! Tried that once but couldn't because the pain was like kidney stone or necrotic ovarian torsion (I've had both). Eventually was told there is a numbing spray & gas+air available.

Had some time before my first conference session for the day. Naturally, I got a coffee and went for a graveyard wander in the city centre.

🎉New on the Data Impact blog🎉 Listen to Eve Little introduce and discuss her new blog post on the Data Impact blog! You can read the full blog post here - blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk/voices-behin...

Was just prompted to give feedback on Microsoft Co-pilot. I was scathing. I have no idea how it is meant to help people. Nothing that it suggests it can 'help' me do are tasks that I need help with. Who is this for?

'Put simply, we have a really strange system in higher education, where nobody admits how much things actually cost, nobody admits who’s paying for what, research is kept alive on the toil and goodwill of underpaid academics....'

Did you know we've launched a new, free-to-access data skills module to help users get the most out of the Family Resources Survey (FRS)? Please see our website for more information:

Our Research Software Engineers work with researchers from across the University but have you ever wondered how these projects are managed? Find out more about the roll out of Agile Methods across the RSE team and how it makes projects easier for both researchers and RSEs.

One of the first things Vladimir Putin did on becoming president was take over NTV, the TV channel that hosted a satirical puppet show because he didn't like the Putin doll and how he was portrayed. He arrested NTV's owner and only released him when he signed the channel over. #Colbert

Colbert’s cancellation isn’t a warning, my good bitch. We ignored the warnings. This shit is happening.

What a lovely share from my presentation this morning! I'm very keen to reduce the unnecessary fear and panic around synthetic data, so thanks for this!

Disabled people want to live a full life. Instead, we’re forced to scrap over our right to food and a wash | Frances Ryan www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Your brain works fine when you're under 25 (no matter how 'inconvenient' this fact may be) theneuroscienceofeve... The 'frontal lobe theory', that your brain isn't 'fully mature' until age 25, remains very influential... and almost entirely wrong. #Brains #Teens #development #Policy

The gluten-free mini steak pies at UKCOTS lunch are ace! @ukcots.bsky.social

Space is booming, with satellites multiplying. It’s Europe’s moment to create a single market for space that works for all. Safer space. Stronger Europe. Shared future. 24 June: the countdown begins ↓

Brownshirt ICE rolled up to my local Home Depot today and got the F-off treatment. Shoutout to this woman because this is exactly how it’s done. No badge, face covered = F*ck all the way off. 📌 It’s on us citizens to stand up for our vulnerable brothers and sisters.

Wow. Numbers signing the amendment opposing the governments welfare reforms growing - up to 119 now. Thank you to all the Labour MPs who have had the courage to step up and do the right thing 👏

The government’s disability cuts will have a “devastating” impact on women’s health and dignity and could breach equality law, experts warn. The new rules won’t take into account menstruation or some women’s extra toilet requirements. My exclusive: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

There's a proven way of reducing road congestion but we don't like investing in it because it's socialism so instead we aim for AI tech. The answer is mass transit.

Howdy, folks! Decided to do another #AlbumParty. This time it is Queen! I will almost certainly also include Freddie Mercury's other work (I LOVE the song Barcelona) but probably won't carry on to Queen + and all the live albums put out after Mercury's death.

Learned a new word today. It seems "ambuscade" is a synonym of ambush. Thanks for that, Dept Q.

Listening to Sloop John B. An excellent song that's long been one of my favourites. I like the intricate layering of sound, both instruments and voices. I like the contrast between the upbeat, chipper sound and the quiet desperation in the lyrics. RIP Brian Wilson.

I tested positive for COVID, despite wearing a good mask last week while I was at a conference. Le sigh. This is the 1st time that I have ever actually tested positive for COVID. I got all the vaccines that I was able to get, so hopefully it will be relatively mild and short.

If you haven't seen Space Ghost Coast to Coast in full yet, Internet Archive has you covered archive.org/details/ghos...

I'm back on the Skunk Anansie #AlbumParty with Wonderlustre (2010) after a big gap in time. So far, the vocals seem more prominent... Or the guitars are more subtle? Except for the impact moments when they are not subtle. I like it. An interesting development.

I accidentally started another #AlbumParty - Skunk Anansie. Starting with "Paranoid & Sunburnt" (1995). I've been seeing a lot of references to them recently but had never (AFAIK) heard them before. My bad! So far, I'm LOVING them. So much energy, feeling, and V-flicking attitude!

Anyone hanging about in London and interested in the Labour Force Survey? ukdataservice.ac.uk/events/labou...

💻 Join us today at 1pm for our Code Anxiety Club drop-in – Introduction to the command line. There's no need to book, just access the livestream from the following link:

Do you work with the UK Labour Force Survey or Annual Population Survey? Join us on 19 June @ucl.ac.uk‬ for the Labour Force / Annual Population Survey User Conference 2025! The event is free to attend and you can register at the following link: ukdataservice.ac.uk/events/labou...

22nd Labour Force/Annual Population Survey User Conference! 19 June 2025, 10.00 to 16.30, University College London Get the latest updates - Connect with data producers and researchers - Gain insights into current research and practical applications using the data Register: buff.ly/6mKWoSI

We're pleased to announce that the full programme for the free Family Finance Surveys User Conference 2025 is now available! 🗓️ Wed 9 July 2025, 10.00-16.30 📍 Friends House, London (with online option) See the programme and register here: