VAT reduction on the cards?

The BBC are reporting that the Government proposes to cut VAT by 2.5% in an attempt to stimulate the British economy.

Since the G20 summit in Washington there has been speculation of possible tax cuts including

• Increased tax allowances.
• A rebate.
• Increases in payments to those in receipt of tax credits

Whilst this may be a fair and equitable way of reducing costs, in isolation I doubt it is enough, it works out as ~£25 per £1k spent. Hardly noticeable. In addition, the reduction may not be passed on to consumers as retailers, wholesalers, importers and manufacturers swallow the reduction in increased profit margins.

I do hope you have more to offer Mr Brown.

As things stand, most people have received pay-rises well below inflation, the value of the pound is dropping like a stone, jobless figures are rising and so on.

"No more boom and bust"?

Yeah, right!

The Tories are talking about targeted (funded) tax cuts. This probably is the better policy in the long term. However, many are struggling and can't afford the luxury of thinking long term. In addition, the bank bailout is going to cost us all very dearly as time goes on, why shouldn't the taxpayer have some kind of assistance from this?

Gordon Brown on "Baby P"

PM Gordon Brown has denied his government are passing the buck in the tragic case of "Baby P".

His spokesman said

"There is an appropriate body for complaints regarding social care

"It is right that complaints should be directed to the Commission for Social Care Inspection to take appropriate action."

I'm sure that baby would agree had it become old enough to know the difference.

As it stands, a whistleblower alerted a number of Ministers of the situation in Harringey and were just bounced around difference organisations instead of someone realising the significance and taking ownership.

Quite frankly these despicable people have blood on their hands today.

Anyone working in industry knows that taking ownership of issues as they arise is critical. Why do ministers (elected to serve) not share in this?

And now, the cold hearted PM dismisses criticism by hiding behind process and procedure.

Nice to know how caring the state is.

This is the face of 21st Century Britain

This vile scumbag is typical of many teenagers and adults who infest the streets of the UK.

It is reported that he was personally responsible for 40% of crime in his town until his father reported him for damaging the family home.

Sadly, this type of vermin are common in the UK.

Most days of the week I see these types of people damaging property, physically attacking passers by, urinating in public, intimidating & shouting abuse at anyone they feel 'deserves' it.

On public transport they damage infrastructure, assault passengers & staff, play loud 'chav' music on their cheap mobile phones.

In their homes they play music to all hours irrespective on how many times they've been warned by the police or local authorities.

I grew up in one of the (officially) most deprived parts of the UK during the 80's/early 90's. Times were tough, unemployment was high & crime was endemic. Rarely did it include unprovoked aggression or rampant destruction of property.

The scale of this behaviour is worrying - now many parents and children are as bad each other - they've behaved this way unchecked so its natural their offspring follow in their parents footsteps.

What do we get in return? ASBO's and community service.

It would be a joke - if it was funny.

I don't claim to have the answers. How exactly do you deal with a sub working class feral group of people?

For starters, perhaps if the police didn't humour them as much as they do (friendly chats, on street warnings), maybe if the courts started handing out real sentences (not just a slap on the wrist) so that both deterrent and punishment can be understood by these people? How about people (usually people who don't have to live in areas infested by these vermin) stop making excuses for unacceptable behaviour?

We also have to enquire as to why we tend to be paying benefits to these workshy yobs. There is a job out there for every able bodied person. No excuse for not paying their own way.

Its time for a REAL CRACKDOWN on these people. They ruin the lives of countless honest hard working people.

More can be done - why do we accept that it isn't already happening?

This post is probably an extensive rant rather than a well formed arguement but I'm pig sick of these bastards!

Goodbye Blair

I'm not a fan of Blair, I never have been.

Just seen his speech in Parliament this afternoon.

Over the years I've said my bit on each of his plans, policies & actions.

He's made some poor decisions which have cost us all dearly. He's lied to us (intentionally or not) and he's took us into a number of wars. Some valid, some not.

That said, I do admire the way he bowed out today. It was odd to see him going after all this time. I was pleased to see the applause from all sides of the house.

I have a bottle of Glen Morangie here and I think a drop is in order. Not as a celebration more to toast the end of an era.

The question is of course, what happens now? What is Brown going to do now he has his prize?

I'm not a fan for various reasons but will judge him (as I suspect most will) on what he does. Lets hope its for the better.

Coverup

Not sure I buy the bullshit they're selling about the Iran Sailors affair.

Irrespective of that, I take issue with -

On the decision to allow two sailors to sell their stories, there had been a "collective failure of judgment".

Armed forces personnel would be banned from selling stories in future he said.

Collective? No. Its the fault of the person who made the decision - who was it and do they still have a job? If so, why? Simple I guess - because it was a snide attempt at propaganda which failed miserably.

In addition - "banned in future" err.. aren't they already prohibited from doing this? Didn't this "collective" take the decision to make an exception?

As the gran on Catherine Tate would say - "...what a load of old shit"!

Saudi Prince 'paid' by BAE

BBC

A Saudi prince received secret payments from the UK's biggest arms dealer, a BBC investigation has revealed.

BAE Systems made regular payments of hundreds of millions of pounds to Prince Bandar bin Sultan for more than a decade.

The payments were made with the full knowledge of the Ministry of Defence.

Prince Bandar would not comment and BAE systems said they acted lawfully at all times. The MoD said information about the Al Yamamah deal was confidential.

Well there's a surprise, eh?!

And what did our corrupt government do? Scuppered the investigation.

Why does nobody get angry about this? Why do we let it happen?

Budget: Does nothing for me, screw you Brown

What a crap budget.

Trying to use this to gain some popularity? Cretin.

I would critique it point by point but I'm really not inclined to do so.

Brown: You are a no-hoper. You are a waste of space just like the rest of your party.

It does nothing for anyone.

Go hang your head in shame.

Israel won't deal with new Palestinian Government

BBC:

Israel has reiterated that it will not deal with the new Palestinian government of national unity that is expected to be approved shortly.A spokeswoman for Israeli PM Ehud Olmert accused the cabinet, made up of rival Fatah and Hamas factions, of endorsing the use of terror.

Time was, I didn't take a view on the Palestine/Israel issue. Was just too deep seated in historical rivalry for me to get my head around it.

Over recent years I've watched and seen Israel act in a despicable manner and get away with it.

Last year, they murdered around 1,000 Lebanese citizens yet it is they who claim the "other sides" are terrorists.

The only reasons the West haven't condemned them and imposed sanctions are (it would appear):

• They have backing from the US.
  

• Any attempt to criticise the Jewish state is referred to as antisemitism.

I shouldn't have to say this but I guess I'm compelled: I have no issue whatsoever with the Jewish faith.

Politics is a different matter entirely.

Its time the world told Israel to wind its neck in.

The government of Palestine is a mater for the Palestinian people, not some cabal in Tel Aviv or Washington.