Merryn Somerset Webb (@MerrynSW) / X

Merryn Somerset Webb

38.9K posts

Merryn Somerset Webb

@MerrynSW

UK Wealth, Editor at large, Bloomberg. Ex Ed in C @Moneyweek. Ex Columnist/Contrib Editor @FT Opinions personal. NED: THRG and Schroder Japan.Author #SharePower

bloomberg.com/opinion/author…

Joined August 2010

Pinned
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Jun 6
The original white paper for Bitcoin described it as a “peer-to-peer version of electronic cash." That's it. No mention of an investment/inflation hedge/new asset class. So if we value it on those terms (as cash), what's it worth? Spoiler: almost nothing.
Bitcoin and Its Promises Are Showing Their Age
From bloomberg.com
3.4K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Dec 4, 2022
I’m finding it rather amazing how quickly we have accepted that our post will rarely arrive, that we can’t see a GP, that a 12 hour wait at A&E and a 3m wait for a passport is perfectly normal, that paying more taxes for significantly shittier services is inevitable etc.
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Nov 22, 2024
Golden age of money laundering is over, says Lammy. Pretty sure anyone looking at any U.K. high st would disagree.
232K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Oct 29, 2022
Visited quite unwell cousin in hospital. This was her supper. How does anyone come out alive? #NHS
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Mar 29, 2022
I hate to go on about this.. but it is quite important. @NicolaSturgeon has rules in place forcing us all to wear masks in church. Still. Was she wearing one today? Are English churches less dangerous than Scottish ones?
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Jan 28, 2025
The Times is now referring to Labour as a "comedy script masquerading as a government."
135K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Apr 26, 2025
You know how you all think the rich don't pay tax? Good riddance to them etc etc. Maybe that's the wrong take?
422K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
May 21, 2025
So far the oddest bit about this is that he has completed a degree in the UK but still speaks so little English he needs an interpreter in court. How do these degrees at Canterbury Christ Church uni work?
125K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Feb 28, 2022
A year. Scottish children have been wearing masks in class for a year. In class. When adults have had no such restriction. From today they still have to wear them in corridors etc. It’s completely insane.
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Feb 27, 2025
Wind turbines to be painted black to protect birds. Mostly interesting because I remember when they used to tell us turbines didn't kill birds.
276K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Jan 18, 2025
Times today. "Labour's tax plans trigger exodus of millionaires." Net 10,800 gone in 2024. 78 of those centi millionaires (worth £100m plus). 12 billionaires. On gone every 45 mins...Reminder: it takes 39 people on £40k to replace just the income tax paid by one person on £500k.
489K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Aug 21, 2025
Reasonable?
129K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Jul 2, 2025
Who knew? (Apart from every uni basing part of their business model on exactly this)
52K
Merryn Somerset Webb
@MerrynSW
Jan 18, 2025
No. Mostly they pay PAYE on high salaries. Bankers, lawyers, tech workers, high paid media people etc. All PAYE. Plus VAT, CGT, stamp duty.. taxes on flights, insurance and so on and so on. The contribution of the rich/high income in the UK is huge. Enough of this nonsense.
Robert Hanson @roberthanson6.bsky.social
@RobertHanson06
Jan 18, 2025
Except millionaires+ don’t pay any tax - they hold their money in tax havens.
216K