And yet another example of the Home Office’s ingrained lack of common sense. Now imagine how many of these stories there are going to be *daily* if the proposed ILR policies go through.

Literally the stuff of nightmares. Assuming we get in before the crazy 10 year rule is introduced, my husband will be applying for ILR in 3 months. Stories like this are just terrifying, I really feel for this family. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

☘️ Happy St Patrick’s Day! Did you know that by 1971 there were 31,000 Irish-born nurses working in Britain, making up around 12% of the NHS nursing workforce? Join our upcoming seminar exploring the stories of Irish nurses who helped shape British healthcare. 1/2

Yet another cruel, poorly planned moneymaking racket from the Home Office. So glad my Irish passport enables me to avoid this nonsense. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Calling @lshtm.bsky.social alumni interested in health equity, advocacy, medical humanities or the history of public health 👇 🎨 Enough is Enough! The Politics of Health in Cartoons 📅 18 Feb 2026 | 17:30–19:00 📍 @rcn.org.uk, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN 🎟️ Free (in person)

Next week!

PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb. www.gov.uk/government/c...

Watching #WinterOlympics on BBC last night and I swear the commentator said ‘the entomology of drunk driver’. The subtitles say ‘etymology’ but I played it back & it was defo entomology 🦟🦗🐜 Either way, it’s insane!

Wow this guy must have Hobbit feet, and definitely a very understanding girlfriend! www.rte.ie/news/regiona...

Dear BBC, please make it possible to watch Olympic opening ceremonies WITHOUT the inane and inaccurate commentary of your presenters #winterolympics #openingceremony

This is why I love my job, being part of a team that shares such wonderful stories of individuals doing great things around the world to improve public health.

Ugh! Guardian journalists are why we can’t have nice things. Can’t you just let us enjoy #Traitors in peace? The clue is in the name, of course contestants are gonna be mean to each other! www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

This! www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...

Update: As predicted 😞 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Really hope Starmer isn’t gonna do a Neville Chamberlain over Greenland.

It’s always so called Christians… where’s the justice for the healthcare worker whose name has been unfairly dragged through the mud? www.theguardian.com/law/2026/jan...

Saw this in a derelict former Wetherspoons window in Crystal Palace this morning. I’m choosing to take it as a sign that 2026 could still turn out okay, in spite of the current evidence…

I’ve had my new cash ISA with #LeedsBuildingSociety for a mere matter of days, and they’ve already cut the interest rate by 0.25% 😡

Hi everyone *LAST FEW!* Join me next Tuesday 13 Jan for the beginning of a six-workshop Ghost Story Writing Course. It's one of my favourite things to lead. Writers at all stages who want to explore the ghost story genre will love this course. Book now ghoststorycourse.eventbrite.co.uk

I’m watching Run Away on Netflix & it’s cliched, the plot is dumb but it’s the night before ‘back to work’ so it’s pure escapist nonsense and I’m here for it.

Some real gems in here. Even a few places I wasn’t familiar with, as a lifelong Londoner www.standard.co.uk/going-out/at...

As if 2025 wasn’t challenging enough, my Insta feed is now bombarded with New Year ads to get fit, to lower my blood sugar and generally make me hate my middle aged body.

When I worked in a west London charity shop I once found Sandi Toksvig’s credit card in a bag of clothes that had been donated. The person who left the bag reappeared fairly soon after to retrieve the card. Alas I didn’t get to meet Sandi herself.

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas this year is for my cough to disappear and to have clear sinuses. PLEASE… it’s been 3 months now! 🙏

#NHS must learn lessons of COVID to overcome winter #flu In the Guardian experts including @martinmckee.bsky.social say increasing vaccine uptake, boosting support for people to stay home when unwell & increasing ventilation would help protect from flu. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

it's the day before Wednesday. A good day to normalize trans people in your life! you say how do I do it? You do it by accepting them. you almost certainly already know some trans people without realizing it, So this is easy... thank you and please repost

Ok good news is in short supply right now so I’m sharing this which makes me happy. As a working class boy who didn’t have much opportunity for travel in his youth, being able to spend a year abroad while at uni transformed my life. I want this chance for others. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

Dear Crowborough, personally I’d be more concerned about your neighbours at Saint Hill. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Looking to further your knowledge & skills specific to #pandemics? Our online short course is designed for those working on disease outbreaks to develop skills critical to effective pandemic preparedness & response. Runs 19 Jan - 20 Feb 2026 👉 bit.ly/3iyCwS4

<cough> <cough> Why is #flu such a tricky virus? Find out how flu interacts with other winter viruses & why we need a new #vaccine each year from expert Punam Mangtani in the latest LSHTM Viral podcast Listen 🎧👉 pod.link/1497329104/e... #H3N2 #PublicHealth

It’s the run up to Christmas when high streets should be buzzing. In the last two weeks I’ve seen so many small, independent businesses in my area announce they’re closing. The last time I saw this in such volume was the recession of 2008-10. Very sad.

Trans people must be normalized in this country. How do we do it? We just accept them in our lives it's simple. If you'll do this with me please repost thank you

I love Richard Osman’s House of Games, big fan for a while now, but I really wish the question writers could mix it up a bit. Less sport, less UK pop/TV, bit more international, bit more theatre. Just feels quite blokey sometimes.

Um, in the words of Katherine Ryan, ‘Are men okay?’ www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/sc...

This is sad news indeed. Seems like all the fun, interesting and unique aspects of London are being needlessly driven out. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I’ll never complain about TFL again. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Think this is a pretty astute assessment of Starmer’s government from Leo Varadkar and probably explains why Labour voters (like me) feel so let down. There’s no plan, just reacting to Farage, letting him set the agenda.

Most of these flags are probably made in China. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

How is a cancelled non-event the top story on @bbclondon.bsky.social yet there’s zero coverage of #transpride in London? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... London's Hot Air Balloon Regatta cancelled for sixth year running - BBC News

Londoners, my friend Jack's trans history walking tours have two more dates: events.humanitix.com/trans-histor... I don't shill for friends indiscriminately - if you're keen on accessible, entertaining, moving, locally rooted & politically engaged trans history, I would genuinely recommend this!

What a massive waste of time and money No action to be taken over Kneecap's Glastonbury performance www.bbc.com/news/article...

If you work in the City come watch this free talk Tuesday lunch time. If you don't work in the city you can still come too! www.tickettailor.com/events/leade...

@nesrinemalik.bsky.social Thank you for raising awareness of this. The govt have yet to clarify if the extension will apply retrospectively to those already on family visa route (e.g. my husband). We’ve already shelled out c.10k so far. Where does it end?!? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I went for a wander around the super trendy Coal Drops Yard / Granary Sq redevelopment last week & while it’s lovely to visit, there’s literally no useful or affordable shops/services apart from Uniqlo. Does anyone actually buy anything in Coal Drops? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Just finished watching Big Boys and I have to say Jon Pointing is an astounding actor. His ability to play a jack the lad character whilst also conveying the agony of depression had me in tears on several occasions. www.channel4.com/programmes/b...

My new favourite catchphrase, courtesy of the amazing Katherine Ryan: ‘Are men okay?’

Lovely weekend walk from Little Venice to Hoxton, via Camden & Kings Cross, along the Regent’s Canal. Great way to experience London’s different neighbourhoods. #walklondon

Kylie Extensions on double vinyl www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12705052...

So proud of our @lshtm.bsky.social runners raising funds for scholarships for students across the globe. Donate here: www.lshtm.ac.uk/supportus/gi...