John Roberts
@john_actuary
Actuary for far too many years. Welsh, but now live in the spiritual home of the Wurzels out west. Don’t think I’ve got the accent yet. Like zider though...
So with the news this morning that the earnings growth announced today means the state pension (SP) will very likely increase by another 8.5% next year, it's time to set out once again why the SP triple lock (TL) is such a bad idea. 1/
An update - Clare's post saying that no country had a lower death count in 2021 from 2020 was quickly deleted. I doubt it will stop her continuing to post misleading data though, but good to see this one taken down.
Hey Clare - rather than ChatGTP, why not have a quick look at ONS data. A bit embarrassing that you missed your own country, but I guess after 5 years of peddling misleading and downright wrong data, embarrassment isn't something that comes easily to you.
A magnificent sight as the Spanish Galeón Andalucia passes under the Clifton Suspension Bridge and enters Bristol Harbour through the Cumberland Basin lock.
I am loath to criticise my former BBC colleagues and I’m aware they weren’t in on the story. But the idea of a TV presenter losing his job being the top story on the website as opposed to Parliament being kept in the dark for two years about the Afghan data leak is risible.
“A child has died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital after contracting measles” An avoidable tragedy. Please get yourself and your kids vaccinated. For yourself and for others. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… 1/2
Travelling back from London to Bristol this morning on a late running sardine packed @GWRHelp service as the one before and one after are both cancelled. I’ve thought for a while the service is going to the dogs, but this just confirms it. 😡
This piece of art in a gallery consisting of three heavy duty vehicle batteries left me cold at first. But after a while I began to see the plusses and minuses in it.
First sentence nails it, particularly with regard to the triple lock reference that follows.
🚨📝 NEW COLUMN Britain is sleepwalking into fiscal catastrophe The triple lock is emblematic of this - even if it was right to introduce it, the policy's time has surely passed Yet all political parties are full-square behind it Which leader will be bold enough to, er, lead?
For anyone still interested in mortality trends, our good friends at the CMI have issued their half year update, which shows that mortality in 2025 is running at just about the lowest level yet, but still only comparable to 2019 which was (at the time) a very low outlier.
More evidence from the independent OBR that continuation of the triple lock is unsustainable, as its mechanism increases the state pension faster than both earnings and prices. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
Worth a read for anyone inspired by the story of the couple who wrote the book The Salt Path.
Penniless and homeless, Raynor and Moth Winn found fame with The Salt Path: the story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. It became a global bestseller and was adapted into a major film. But we can reveal it wasn’t the whole truth. @chloehadj Read: bit.ly/3GtJXsy
A big shout out to National Highways for having a weekend closure of the A34 between the M4 and Didcot on the same weekend as the British Grand Prix. 🙄
Heading to @SilverstoneUK for @F1 qualifying? See our #TRIP tips below: ⛽ Top up 😴 Rest 🔍 Inspect 🌦️ Prepare 🚧 Be aware that the #A34 north at #Chieveley is closed for planned works until 07/07 06:00, more details can be found here: nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/sout…
Facebook’s AI tool (which seems totally unnecessary anyway) managing to get the simplest of questions that it asks itself wrong…
I’m not sure Flixbus has fully optimised its latest SM advertising campaign…
A sad but worthwhile read (and watch tonight) for those worried about the rise of conspiracy theories in terms of health impact. The mother’s name may be familiar to many, given her notoriety. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
Amusingly inappropriate picture on a Daily Fail article about BA having a one week trial removing water bottles for economy passengers.
Oh no! Just had an official letter telling me my SP age is 67. I never knew! When I started work 40 years ago I was told it would be 65. I’ve paid my dues, and now the govt is stealing my pension with barely 3 years notice. How will I fund my expected leisurely lifestyle now?
