Thomas Cock

@DanielMumby @transportgovuk @hmtreasury @HighwaysSWEST I hope some cheaper alternatives can be considered for making journeys more reliable along this route and helping people in places like Henlade. Also that the promised rail stations stay on the table.

Here's my full report on @transportgovuk & @hmtreasury's decision to cancel @HighwaysSWEST's plans to dual the #A358 between #Taunton and #Ilminster: somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-… #LDReporter #Somerset #Budget2024 #A303 #M5

BREAKING: the dualling of the #A358 between #Taunton and #Ilminster has been officially CANCELLED as part of #Budget2024. @SomersetCouncil and @HighwaysSWEST have declined to comment at this stage. #LDReporter #Somerset #A303 #M5!

@rocknrollofall Pulse just shades Alchemy, but On the Night (with the Encores EP) tops Pulse.

Which LIVE ALBUM do you think is the BEST between these two? -Pulse (Pink Floyd, 1995-release)🎸 -Alchemy (Dire Straits, 1984-release)🤘🏽 Pink Floyd or Dire Straits? #DireStraits #PinkFloyd

Incredible piece of court reporting here from @CarlEveCrime showing so many things going wrong. somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-new…

@DanNeidle Thanks. Which makes me wonder what is the point of VAT? Should we be trying to move towards a rate of 0 for everything?

@thomasrcock This research is all about changes, not static rates. But as a rule we are all better off with one simple rate for everything, and handle redistribution elsewhere in the tax/benefit system.

Here we go again. Another “this is a good thing, therefore there should be a VAT exemption” argument. These arguments are deeply dumb:

@5054magazine Hang on! New cars since 2021 are monitored by the EU if they are sold in those markets.

Important story, this. autocar.co.uk/car-news/consu…

How awful. This is an amazing place. What a terrible set back for the long running efforts to preserve what remained after the last fire. devonlive.com/news/devon-new…

@MartinSLewis Could be good if it means workers have greater income tax relief when they invest in a pension. This might compensate for paying more tax on pensions later on. There’d need to be intergenerational fairness. I think I prefer simplification to hypothecation.

Today's Twitter Poll: Would you support abolishing National Insurance payments (tax paid by workers) and moving it all into Income Tax (tax paid on all income incl from investments/benefits)? It's complex, but worth noting only one blended tax on income, could result in workers paying slightly lower total rates than now & those living off investments or pension income higher.

@5054magazine Which will be finished first? The power plant or the gigafactory?

Why is the new Tata battery factory in Bridgewater? See here... Next to a motorway, but massively more importantly l, next to a nuclear power station. Properly Green energy, 24/7.

I also think you should not be able to run as an MP unless you have done minimum six months in retail/hospitality

If you’re wondering what the next big legal scandal might be … the Single Justice Procedure—a one-magistrate hearing designed to fast-track cases to clear the backlog—is producing alarming stories from elderly, learning-disabled and other vulnerable defendants.

@Paulwiltshire @ShirishMM Thought it was a bit light on the pros, actually. Underplayed the reason why it still has its place: scarcity of attention. Also the fact that journalists use many different ways of storytelling and presenting news all the time.

How journalists tell stories is a bit niche, but it's also absolutely crucial to democracy and community engagement. Fascinating discussion of the pros and cons of the inverted pyramid here - featuring the always fantastic @ShirishMM bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0…

Sacked postmistress fighting 'to her dying breath' to clear name - this was our headline back in 2017 - over six years ago. somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-…

@JolyonMaugham Also politicians announce stuff all the time that will need legislation behind it - like the budget for example. What’s the problem here, is it that there’s no legislative timetable? I’m confused as to why legal action would be needed.

@JolyonMaugham I hope this doesn’t go to the courts because that would mean HS2 will become even more expensive for the taxpayer and add to the blight for landowners. Watching the recent Parliamentary hearings on HS2 convince me B’ham - MCR section is the wrong solution.

@AdamToms3 Also enjoyed following him out to Chesham - an area I know better for MTB than the Metropolitan Line! Now on a long trek to the very south of the network - good luck!

Enjoying checking back in on @AdamToms3 progress - he's broken the unspoken rule of the Tube: don't talk to strangers and it's been fascinating!

What a great idea. Will be dipping in as @myldn spends a day on the Tube. mylondon.news/news/transport…

M'colleague @AlexGSeabrook is covering a council meeting where mayor Marvin Rees has criticised councillors for leaking the Barton House evacuation to the press at a private members' briefing. Despite the fact Alex was already at the scene then. Spoiler: It didn't come from cllrs

Today, I’m spending the whole (working, obviously) day on the London Underground! I’ve got some things to do and will have a chat to some customers going about their day. Follow along on MyLondon. 🚇🚶