February’s tale: back with the fairies
‘Back with the fairies’, by David Boyle, charts the strange revival of beliefs in fairies, asks in an age of irrational politics what might be driving the phenomenon, and what it might mean about seeking both escape and connections in the modern world. His...
Migration play by New Weather’s Sarah Woods wins national drama award
BORDERLAND by New Weather’s Sarah Woods has won the Tinniswood Award, for best original radio drama script of 2017. The prize was presented by author Philip Pullman, and Sarah gave thanks to the people and organisations she worked with on the struggles of those forced...
It isn’t public versus private, it is big versus small
Let me start with a story, which has to be a little obscure to protect the innocent. The government has a Voluntary Repatriation Scheme for asylum-seekers and refugees who find their home has changed, and who get employment back there. The scheme is administered by...
The climate breakdown behind the ice and snow
Behind the freezing weather that makes some wish for a warmer world, writes Bill McGuire, there is a climate in upheaval... As Britain faces its own bleak midwinter, the brutal cold snap that recently gripped much of North America has once again brought the climate...
At last, a vindication from the National Audit Office
It is a strange thing, vouchsafed to few of us, to find ourselves vindicated by the National Audit Office of all people. Yet I have been. I have explained here and elsewhere that the reason why the Govia Thameslink and Southern rail franchise had been such a disaster...
Refugee drama by New Weather’s Sarah Woods shortlisted for UK broadcast award
The refugee drama, Borderland, set in a near future Britain divided by borders, written by New Weather’s Sarah Woods, has been shortlisted for The Tinniswood Award, the UK’s leading prize for radio broadcasts. The Award, set up by the Society of Authors and Writers’...
Economic prospects for 2018: New Weather and the FT survey
Each year the Financial Times newspaper investigates the UK’s upcoming economic prospects with a survey of analysts. New Weather took part. For most the projection is ‘gloomy’. But, these are our responses to their questions on everything from growth to Brexit,...
January’s tale: The magician’s house
The magician’s house, by Jan Dean, a chilly hearth-side story for the world we live in about a promise, begins a new, monthly feature from our project on modern folk tales for troubling times The magician’s house was first published in our collection of tales 'There...
One special day – a cautionary Christmas tale
One special day – a cautionary Christmas tale by Bill McGuire is a short, seasonal special for our project on modern folk tales for troubling times Ivy collapsed into the overstuffed armchair and let out an enormous sigh. It was so good to be able to relax after all...
The new reformation: 33 theses for an economics reformation
Marking the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's challenge to the established church, the New Weather Institute and campaign group Rethinking Economics, with input from a wide range of economists, academics and concerned citizens, challenged the mainstream teaching of...