Classic LPs for vinyl returnees No.33 Manhattan Transfer. Pastiche Manhattan Transfer represent an arch, knowing form of art pop, based in a knowledge of the 'great American songbook' & the sensibility of stage musicals. This LP, by far their best, distills that into a series of standards all delivered in polished performances that seem to be almost ironic in their intent. Its ideal music to accompany cocktails & remains a cool and sophisticated listen. #VinylCoreCollection #music image
For those encountering personal financial crises, the (qualified) good news is that the the temporary Household Support Fund (which has been rolled forward each year from 2021) is to be replaced by a more permanent Crisis & Resilience Fund, funded with £1bn annually for the next three years by the Govt. This should allow better planning on its disbursement to those in crisis, while the level of funding is about the same. But its better than nothing! #poverty #politics
BBC News
Government to offer cash payouts for people in financial crisis
The replacement for the Household Support Fund aims to help people facing sudden difficulties.
To most people outside the US (and to many inside) the US healthcare system looks dysfunctional (or even dystopian) for all but the rich elite (who *do* get great health care). Is Trump about to start a process of reform that has been largely beyond previous presidents? While there is little more than a series of claims in his 'plan', the focus on making health care cheaper & more accessible might be interesting if (and its a big if) he caries through #USPol #health
the Guardian
‘Absolutely no detail’: experts alarmed as Trump unveils healthcare plan
Months after Trump spoke of ‘concepts of a plan’, framework offers few specifics – and could stall in Congress
Is the UK too reliant on China in its global supply chains? A new report by the IPPR suggests that this may be the case (especially in areas dependent on battery technology). This prompts IPPR to suggest the Govt. adopts a logic of 'securonomics' which would focus on threats to international supply and diversify the sourcing of components & other valuable inputs. Part of the Q.must also be whether 'supply shocks' are supply-related or political? #SupplyChains #China
the Guardian
Over-reliance on China could hit UK energy supply chains ‘putting 90,000 jobs at risk’
Institute For Public Policy Research thinktank report calls on chancellor to pursue policy of ‘securonomics’
Interestingly the US Internal Revenue Service is exploring re-coding some activity by Sovereign Wealth Funds in the US as taxable commercial activity, thereby making it taxable.... while at the moment just a proposal it may be one more element in encouraging a pivot away from the US and towards other regions. As a large chunk of SWF money flows to private equity, its possible Trump will be heavily lobbied to halt the change. The politics of international investment is shifting! #USpol h/t FT
The EU Commmission is considering offering 'accession-lite' to speed up Ukraine joining the EU as potentially part of a peace settlement. This watering down (or for some dismantling) of the accession process is not popular among member states (some suggesting its a trap set by Trump & Putin to fracture the EU). However, in purely focussed national terms might this be seen as helpful to the UK in its attempt to shape the 'reset' with the EU to the UK's advantage? #EU #Brexit #politics h/t FT