Andrew Payne

Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Histories #BAME finding aid now available for all @UkNatArchives and @UKNatArcEdu resources. Download this comprehensive guide with links to all our lessons, workshops, document collections, blogs, webinars and more! nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/reso…

@rich_h_x @grok @BarackObama What has screwed Americans is not the ACA. It’s the health insurance system that sees the provision of healthcare as an opportunity to maximise returns for shareholders. Health care systems should be seen as a societal benefit and not a money making scheme.

@grok. What say you to Claude’s analysis of your answer? Now I have the data I need. Let me also search for important context about what workers actually pay vs. the total premium. Grok's numbers check out — but the missing context is the real story. The 2009 and 2024 figures Grok cited are accurate per the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey: •Family premium: $13,375 in 2009 Healthpopuli → $25,572 in 2024 KFF (+91% is correct math) •Single premium: $4,824 in 2009 KFF → $8,951 in 2024 KFF (+86% is correct math) So the raw numbers are right. But here's what Grok conveniently left out: 1. Workers don't pay the full premium. Those are total premiums — the employer pays most of it. On average, employees contributed $6,296 for family coverage in 2024 Advisory, meaning about 75% is covered by the employer. Presenting the total premium without that split makes it sound like individuals are bearing the full cost. 2. Wages actually outpaced premiums over recent years. Over the last five years, the average premium for family coverage increased by 24%, compared to a 28% increase in workers' wages and inflation of 23%. KFF So in the most recent period, wage growth has slightly exceeded premium growth — the opposite of the narrative the raw 2009-vs-2024 comparison implies. 3. The worker's share has been remarkably stable. The amount that employees pay toward their premiums has not changed much over the last five years, increasing by less than $300, or 5%. Advisory Employers have been absorbing most of the increases rather than passing them to workers. 4. There's already a 2025 survey available. Annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage reached $26,993 in 2025, 6% higher than in 2024. KFF Grok used 2024 data despite a newer survey being out. 5. No inflation adjustment. A 91% increase over 15 years sounds dramatic, but cumulative U.S. inflation from 2009 to 2024 was roughly 50%. So in real (inflation-adjusted) terms, premiums rose closer to ~27%, not 91%. Presenting nominal dollars without acknowledging inflation is misleading. The bottom line: Grok gave technically accurate numbers but framed them in the most alarming way possible by omitting employer contributions, inflation context, wage growth comparisons, and the fact that workers' out-of-pocket share has barely budged.

The day the Affordable Care Act passed was one of my proudest moments as president, because it meant that millions of Americans would have access to health care, some for the first time. The ACA also prevented insurance companies from denying people with pre-existing conditions coverage, allowed young people under the age of 26 to remain on their parents’ plan, expanded Medicaid, and so much more. But the ACA was always meant to be a first step. We still have to do more to expand access and make health care more affordable for everyone.

There's still time to book your spot for next week's ‘History Books’ broadcast with bestselling author Robin Stevens! Date: Wednesday 25th March Suitable for: KS 2-3 Venue: Online Book your free ticket here: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sess…

As a man of the world I was not at all perturbed to see my local supermarket now selling “adult toys” but could anyone enlighten me as to what to do with a tub of Bird’s Custard Powder… asking for a friend!

Our Suffragette will return this year for our free 'Right to Rebel' online workshop (20-24 April)! #KS3 Students will be able to chat with Annie Kenney, a suffragette in the early 1900s played by a professional actor. Book now: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sess…

In our workshop 'Great Fire of London: examine the evidence', students get the chance to view original documents dating back to 1666! #KS1 #PrimaryHistory All of our workshops are free and led by experienced history educators. Book now: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sess…

Our Education Document of the Month for #LGBTHistoryMonth is this letter found by police during a raid at The Caravan Club in the 1930s. It is written by a man named Cyril, addressed to "My Darling Morris". Find a transcript and enquiry questions: flickr.com/photos/nationa…

New workshop offered to schools in North East England: 'Crime and Punishment' (KS3-KS4)! To what extent was Newcastle Gaol a typical 19th century prison? All of our workshops are FREE and led by experienced history educators. Find out more and book: tinyurl.com/3y7d4w5m

Thanks to all of the families who joined us for our Aardman Academy stop motion workshop this weekend! We had a great time using archives to create stop motion shorts (and even got a visit from a very special chicken!). @aardman Stay tuned to see more from the day!

Don't forget to book your free slot for our 'Archives Live: Tudors' event with Dr. Tracy Borman on 11 March! Tracy has chosen five Tudor documents, including her favourite historic record. There will also be a live Q&A and palaeography challenges! Book: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sess…

@Apolitical3678 nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/reso…

@Apolitical3678 The truth: stopdenial.auschwitz.org

@logicaldeduce @C_Hendrick Original script supports the author of that section to be William Shakespeare. He didn’t collaborate with John Fletcher until later. bl.uk/stories/blogs/…

@C_Hendrick Not Shakespeare - John Fletcher.

Bloom said that Shakespeare shaped the modern mind. This stunning clip shows once again that Shakespeare said it better than anyone, and the distance of time only makes the achievement more astonishing.

@Devlinside123 @C_Hendrick Modern American was built on “importing illiterate 3rd world peasants”. And it brought it enormous benefits as a result of the diversity of ambition and drive that came with them.

@C_Hendrick Shakepeare’s a boss BUt then there’s facts not fiction.. Importing illiterate 3rd world peasants with no understanding of the American ethos or creed into a 21st century economy with a 20th century welfare state is a recipe for disaster…

@JasonPremoMFG @jimmymcgill1234 @Pontifex Says the man who proudly manufactures firearms parts to profit from death. I’m sure Jesus is proud of you!

I have received the greatly troubling news regarding an increase in tensions between Cuba and the United States of America, two neighboring countries. I echo the message of the Cuban bishops, inviting all responsible parties to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, in order to avoid violence and every action that could increase the suffering of the dear Cuban people.

We are hosting the fifth ‘Practical Histories Conference’ on Saturday 18 April 2026 (9am – 3.30 pm)! The Conference aims to provide history teachers and teacher trainees with effective and practical ideas to take into the classroom. Book your ticket: tinyurl.com/yc8y9c9h

#LGBTHistoryMonth is just around the corner - we will be hosting a half-hour livestream event on Monday at 1:30pm about the story of Victorian diarist Anne Lister! Students can submit questions for our archival expert. #KS3 #KS4 Book your free spot here: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sess…

We are excited to launch a brand new workshop for #KS5 that is now available to book in the summer term: 'Apartheid: Fight for Freedom'! Learn more and book here: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sess…

There's still time to book your free slot for our half-hour live broadcast 'History Mysteries: Anne Lister' for #LGBTHistoryMonth! Date: 2 February 2026 Time: Video shown at 1.30pm, live-streamed Q&A at 1.45pm Suitability: KS 3-4 Learn more and book: nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/sess…

Our summer term bookings have just been released!🎉 #TNALearning Our workshops cover a wide range of topics from KS1 all the way to KS5. They are available either online or onsite and are free of charge. Book now! Onsite: tinyurl.com/4p65ku5x Online: tinyurl.com/yc45eta2

Elizabeth I was crowned Queen #OnThisDay in 1559 in Westminster Abbey. Our Education Document of the Month is the first speech she gave after she first came to the throne in November 1558. Find a transcript and enquiry questions for students here: flickr.com/photos/nationa…