Teddy came and went from this world quickly and quietly. He passed peacefully. Our younger twin, Rafe, was not born until Tuesday 23, but died later that day in NeoNatal ICU.
Baby loss, and coping with grief, is very hard 1/
Nothing we could do. Just a horrible tragedy. We emerged from hospital a week ago shell shocked. We have taken some time out to recover. I am back at work part time, but bear with me. We will come through this, but will always miss our boys. Cards are fine, but pls no flowers 2/
The loss of our younger twin Rafe was particularly acute. He lived and died within a long day. But we treasure our time with him in Neonatal ICU. We were able to tell him of all our hopes and dreams for him, and our family; but he could not make it and died in Flora’s arms 3/
We are grateful to the NHS doctors + nurses who tried to save our boys. We are engaging with Sands, who help families coping with the grief of baby loss. We will try and establish a small fund to support research that will prevent other families experiencing the same pain 4/
The Wave quote is a good description of this awful process, and an acceptance of life passing. You never regret trying to have children. Sometimes baby loss happens. We will never forget our boys. They will be with us always. Just sadly only in their spirit and their memory 5/
@floetry and I have now set up a donation fund for research that will hopefully assist the prevention of other families experiencing the same pain from #pprom + #babyloss that we went through with Teddy & Rafe. ❤️💞6/
Thread 🧵 on the Labour reduction in #WinterFuelPayments.
I was the Minister in charge of this policy at DWP from 2017-2022. Labour are making a big mistake 1/
Firstly an explainer of our benefit system. It is a big beast made up of 12+ ageing computer systems and 1000s of admin staff. It does not do nuance and fine margins. The state pension and add on benefits - winter fuel payment, Christmas support etc are one off payments 2/
Over the last few years the Conservatives Government added an extra £300 extra cost of living winter fuel payment support to all pensioners, meaning they got £500-£600 WFP.This is also not being renewed by labour. So the £500-600 loss to a pensioner on state pensions is huge. 3/
Fully behind an #energysaving campaign. The energy war of Putin means this is a worldwide problem.
Reduction in energy helps constituents save money, &saves the taxpayer money, as public sector should lead the way. Reduce usage, while we address supply. Government must act 1/
The obvious reductions pursued by France, Germany & others in public sector are:
- no public buildings warmer than 19C
- turn off overnight lighting of buildings / ads etc
- turn off hot water for hand washing / public spaces
All basic but simple stuff to help supply issues 2/
This is not Nanny state.
It is preserving supply, saving money for everyone, and encouraging localism. The example of Germany, which is in a massive energy crisis way way worse than UK, is worth following 3/
The PM & Chancellors Budget Bazooka - and the new ESG.
A thread 🧵 1/
To paraphrase M and S that was no “ordinary”mini budget. It was the Full Monty.
We have a new ESG
Energy support ✅
Scrapping tax rises ++✅
Growth ✅
2/
Energy:
The biggest thing in the budget.
The key to everything this winter is #energysupport. Without it, lots of businesses go under, we have a big recession, huge personal debt.
On top of @RishiSunak £37 Billion spring package, the PM/Chancellor have stepped in to help👍⬇️ 3/
🧵 on climate change, emerging markets and specific UK 🇬🇧 action using workplace pensions to finance the change, and get returns for members 1/
For a year + I have been working with the @churchofengland Pension Board, and others, to see how we can unleash the productive power of UK pensions in support of the climate transition in emerging economies, while also delivering sustainable returns for members. It’s doable 2/
but hard. I am particularly grateful to Adam Matthews and David Hickey who I have been discussing this with in particular, not least on their #TalkingResponsibly Podcast. This led to a major conference at Church House on April 20th. We spent several hours debating the issues 3/
Like many of the UK I spent the covid lockdown shielding as I was immunocompromised, following a racing fall as a steeplechase jockey which ruptured my spleen.
In Summer 2020 I could not attend the NHS hospital with my wife as she cared for our children. Sadly, the twins died 1/
and I was only allowed into hospital as the first child’s time was ending.
This was on compassionate grounds.
I say this as we have to accept that the findings against political leaders, and others, for breach of lockdown rules matters. Covid was an awful time in many ways 2/
and many of us are still trying to come to terms with loss, bereavement, and sadness.
To deny the upset caused by breaches of the covid rules would be wrong, and it is right that that there have been unreserved apologies. It is patently clear that the police consider that the 3/