Read the Daily Telegraph today?
The front page! Brilliant combination of stories...all with a financial theme.
Higher tax payers paying up to £700 per year tax because the increase in the tax threshold was moved in line with general inflation not the rate of wage inflation which has risen faster. A very subtle stealth tax according to critics of Gordo and his boys and girls.
Inflationary pressure is leading to up to a million mortgage holders suffering and being put at jeopardy of losing their homes. Bet they could do with the additional £700 per year above if they were a higher tax payer.
And what does out taxes pay for? Part of it goes towards Gordo and the rest of the 600 plus elected members of the House of Commons. One of these members of parliament, Derek Conway, has been exposed as paying his two sons (one of whom wants to be 'Queen Sloane') and Mrs Conway some £260,000 as they are, apparently, part of his orifice... sorry office!
Henry 'Queen Sloane' Conway, his son and an undergraduate of the University of Cambridge, has never worked for his father according to his mates and received £10,000 per year. Used some of the dosh to throw a aprty with the title of 'Fuck Off I'm Rich'. Nice to know where our cash goes is it not?
Unbelievable...and the MP's are voting tomorrow whether to suspend him for ten days! Only ten???
Talking of politicians the Speaker of the House, The Right Honorable Michael Martin, spent £20,000 of taxpayers money over last summer issuing libel actions to protect his own personal reputation!
Unbelievable....
Gordo nicks the cash and the MP's get greedy! No chance that we being exploited is there? No wonder, Gordo chickened out of an election.
Great front page!
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Bad move, rich lawyers?
Every Summer time my old school has a reunion. I think that I will go to the next one. I might get rich now that the High Court has made their latest ridiculous decision.
As I see the aged faces of my compatriots, I shall look over and see if they hold an American Excuse card or a Gold Basterdcard. If their wallets/purses are laden with such plastic, and I can make out a case that I suffered abuse at their hands, then I shall sue them! I can do this because of this ruling.
Mrs A was not the first person that was by that utter bastard who won £7 million on the Lotto. She may not be the last should our legal system allow him out on the streets again. Serial sexual predators like Hoare should be locked up forever and never let out. But the touts will always find a way to earn a crust by exploiting legalities to allow such scum to roam around again.
However, because the scumbag won the jackpot, Mrs A can now claim compensation. This is a dangerous move.
There will be a floodgate of claims and counter claims that will clam up the legal system only earning money for the touts.
When a judge sentences a criminal, the punishment is given out. Now, as the victim, you can further punish the individual over and above the legal system. There is now no limit.
So when is my next school reunion?
As I see the aged faces of my compatriots, I shall look over and see if they hold an American Excuse card or a Gold Basterdcard. If their wallets/purses are laden with such plastic, and I can make out a case that I suffered abuse at their hands, then I shall sue them! I can do this because of this ruling.
Mrs A was not the first person that was by that utter bastard who won £7 million on the Lotto. She may not be the last should our legal system allow him out on the streets again. Serial sexual predators like Hoare should be locked up forever and never let out. But the touts will always find a way to earn a crust by exploiting legalities to allow such scum to roam around again.
However, because the scumbag won the jackpot, Mrs A can now claim compensation. This is a dangerous move.
There will be a floodgate of claims and counter claims that will clam up the legal system only earning money for the touts.
When a judge sentences a criminal, the punishment is given out. Now, as the victim, you can further punish the individual over and above the legal system. There is now no limit.
So when is my next school reunion?
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Congestion in Cambridge 3
Just done the online questionnaire that Cambridge Council have put up.
Very badly put together this! Almost deliberate in it's way that it leads you....
You have to be careful here, the way that the questions are asked and the order that they are given is that it assumes that there is a high level of congestion and that you will want to reduce it. In fact, it is a very biased questionnaire and one that will give the council the answers that they want to hear.
If you only traveled in Cambridge at rush hour, you are led to believe and it is implied that the congestion is particularly bad here.
Also, with being online and with anyone in the world able to answer it, there is a major opportunity for the council to get people to answer the questions and so 'load' the results in their favor. What is to stop people completing the questionaire using an elderly neighbours name and address when they know that they will not have a computer in their home?
Not saying that this will happen but it is a distinct possibility.
Very badly put together this! Almost deliberate in it's way that it leads you....
You have to be careful here, the way that the questions are asked and the order that they are given is that it assumes that there is a high level of congestion and that you will want to reduce it. In fact, it is a very biased questionnaire and one that will give the council the answers that they want to hear.
If you only traveled in Cambridge at rush hour, you are led to believe and it is implied that the congestion is particularly bad here.
Also, with being online and with anyone in the world able to answer it, there is a major opportunity for the council to get people to answer the questions and so 'load' the results in their favor. What is to stop people completing the questionaire using an elderly neighbours name and address when they know that they will not have a computer in their home?
Not saying that this will happen but it is a distinct possibility.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Congestion in Cambridge 2
Been looking at other blogs for views on the congestion charges that are currently beng considered for Cambridge.
Interesting reading...three blogs were of particular interest.
That Canadian Girls blog outlines an email that she recieved when asked about the consultation process. It seems that you either have to go online to register your comment (which of course disadvantages the vast amount of car drivers that do not access the net) or attend one of the roadshows staged at various venues across the county and in Suffolk. Interesting to note that these roadshows occur at a diverse set of venues including;
The Daily Maybe also comments on the charge and has some very interesting remarks about the polictical nature of all of this including comment regarding possible impropriety. There is also a reason given for not giving the residents of Cambridge the referendum that they should have, the comments made by the council about 'overbidding' the amount needed and the way that businesses will change their working days to avoid paying the charge. I just hope the reast of the country follows suit. As if...
Phil Smith's blog is a little more extreme and cynical in its view though nothing would surprose me here. He may be on the wrong track (sic) but I can see that maybe he is not. You never know in this world.
Incidentally, if you do want to go and complete Cambridge City Council's online questionaire, then please go here.
Interesting reading...three blogs were of particular interest.
That Canadian Girls blog outlines an email that she recieved when asked about the consultation process. It seems that you either have to go online to register your comment (which of course disadvantages the vast amount of car drivers that do not access the net) or attend one of the roadshows staged at various venues across the county and in Suffolk. Interesting to note that these roadshows occur at a diverse set of venues including;
- Park and Ride places (you would expect those that use P'n'R to be more on favor, would you not?)
- Towns such as St Ives and Ely whose residents may or nay not frequent Cambridge and hence be considerably less concerned about the charge.
- Towns that are further away such as Haverhill and Newmarket which are in Suffolk. Does the fate of the congestion charge lie on their hands?
The Daily Maybe also comments on the charge and has some very interesting remarks about the polictical nature of all of this including comment regarding possible impropriety. There is also a reason given for not giving the residents of Cambridge the referendum that they should have, the comments made by the council about 'overbidding' the amount needed and the way that businesses will change their working days to avoid paying the charge. I just hope the reast of the country follows suit. As if...
Phil Smith's blog is a little more extreme and cynical in its view though nothing would surprose me here. He may be on the wrong track (sic) but I can see that maybe he is not. You never know in this world.
Incidentally, if you do want to go and complete Cambridge City Council's online questionaire, then please go here.
Congestion in Cambridge
If you travel around the conservative city of Cambridge in the morning, you ill experience congestion. In my experience, no greater than that of Manchester, Sheffield, Blackburn and Norwich. All cities that I have been to in the recent weeks and months.
The council say that that is a problem and that they want to do something about it. They want to increase bus usage, increase people riding on bicycles and getting people within the city to walk more. Admiral aims, I am sure that regular readers will agree.
However, one of the most controversial parts of the scheme is to introduce a congestion charge so that every car/vehicle/van that moves between the hours of 7.30 to 9.30 pays a charge of £3-£5 per day. This means that anyone in a moving car will pay around £600-£1000 per year just to travel. In addition to car tax. On top of fuel tax. It appears that there will be 37 fixed camera positions as well as mobile cameras out at this time. If you move a car ten yards, you will be liable. Approximately 90% plus of all journeys will be captured and charged. This would raise about £35 million pounds per annum it seems. He stressed that the congestion charge was the last action that would be last thing to happen.
The figures above come from a conversation that I had with one of the councils transport guru's that manned a stand in a local shopping center today. Incidentally, it appears that £10 million of the £35 million wold go on administration charges. Thats a whopping 28%! No plans had been made what to do with the £25million left over it seems.
I am wondering how many people will decide to look for work elsewhere because the council would now employ an effective tax simply to arrive for work?
The view of the guy that I spoke with was that there was a problem (no more so than most of the cities that I visit) and that it needed to be solved. One way (the only way?) would be to use a grant from Gordon Brown and his boys and girls. This would be used to increase bus usage through dedicated bus lanes, more cycle paths and to provide more park and ride locations.
I discussed at length the proposal and came to understand that in order to alleviate the 'problem' the labour government would give £500 million to solve the issue. One condition of this government grant was that the council then had to impose the congestion charge. There appears no other way to 'solve' the financial aspects and hence the congestion charge will become a reality.
Worryingly, the method of consultation seems to consist of selective questionnaires to chosen groups of Cambridge people and these roadshows. The council also refuses to hold a referendum on the matter believing that their will be a 60% anti congestion vote.
More worryingly and when asked the question, "Can you assure me that none of the council will benefit directly or indirectly on a personal level?" the answer was that no assurance could be given.
Conclusions
1. The Cambridge congestion charge will become a reality. Once here, what odds will I get that it wont also happen in Manchester, Sheffield, Blackburn, Norwich and other cities? Cambridge will be setting a model for other cities to follow and that will mean more additional taxation for the already hard up ad much put upon motorist.
2. Applying 28% to £500 million equals £140 million. Will that be the administration charges? Thats an awful lot of jobs within the council!
3. Up to £1000 pounds per year is a lot of additional money to find just to work in the city. Will that lead to businesses not being able to function? Will smaller businesses be able to meet the additional rise in pay demands? Will teachers, teaching assistants and nurses be able to afford this additional tax?
4. Once we are all riding on buses and have congestion charge, we now have the council able to increase these charges at will. As the guy at the shopping centre stated, there needs to be a change in the way people act and the council had a duty to impose this changes for the greater good.
5. We do not want the congestion charge and yet we are going to have it. Period. We are going to have to get used to it. There is NO alternative to it from the councils point of view.
6. The council is being very dictatorial in this process and claiming that proper consultation is taking place. Roadshows are NOT proper consultations and the refusal to have a referendum within the city is NOT right. Come on, lets have a council that has some balls (apologies to any female members of the council but you know what I mean here)
I call on Cambridge City council to listen to the residents, to forget any congestion charge and to make it clear that if the roads of the city do become congested then we will make our own choices on our travel options.
If there are factual errors in the above or any named member of the council wishes to comment on any of the above, I shall be happy to add their comments.
The council say that that is a problem and that they want to do something about it. They want to increase bus usage, increase people riding on bicycles and getting people within the city to walk more. Admiral aims, I am sure that regular readers will agree.
However, one of the most controversial parts of the scheme is to introduce a congestion charge so that every car/vehicle/van that moves between the hours of 7.30 to 9.30 pays a charge of £3-£5 per day. This means that anyone in a moving car will pay around £600-£1000 per year just to travel. In addition to car tax. On top of fuel tax. It appears that there will be 37 fixed camera positions as well as mobile cameras out at this time. If you move a car ten yards, you will be liable. Approximately 90% plus of all journeys will be captured and charged. This would raise about £35 million pounds per annum it seems. He stressed that the congestion charge was the last action that would be last thing to happen.
The figures above come from a conversation that I had with one of the councils transport guru's that manned a stand in a local shopping center today. Incidentally, it appears that £10 million of the £35 million wold go on administration charges. Thats a whopping 28%! No plans had been made what to do with the £25million left over it seems.
I am wondering how many people will decide to look for work elsewhere because the council would now employ an effective tax simply to arrive for work?
The view of the guy that I spoke with was that there was a problem (no more so than most of the cities that I visit) and that it needed to be solved. One way (the only way?) would be to use a grant from Gordon Brown and his boys and girls. This would be used to increase bus usage through dedicated bus lanes, more cycle paths and to provide more park and ride locations.
I discussed at length the proposal and came to understand that in order to alleviate the 'problem' the labour government would give £500 million to solve the issue. One condition of this government grant was that the council then had to impose the congestion charge. There appears no other way to 'solve' the financial aspects and hence the congestion charge will become a reality.
Worryingly, the method of consultation seems to consist of selective questionnaires to chosen groups of Cambridge people and these roadshows. The council also refuses to hold a referendum on the matter believing that their will be a 60% anti congestion vote.
More worryingly and when asked the question, "Can you assure me that none of the council will benefit directly or indirectly on a personal level?" the answer was that no assurance could be given.
Conclusions
1. The Cambridge congestion charge will become a reality. Once here, what odds will I get that it wont also happen in Manchester, Sheffield, Blackburn, Norwich and other cities? Cambridge will be setting a model for other cities to follow and that will mean more additional taxation for the already hard up ad much put upon motorist.
2. Applying 28% to £500 million equals £140 million. Will that be the administration charges? Thats an awful lot of jobs within the council!
3. Up to £1000 pounds per year is a lot of additional money to find just to work in the city. Will that lead to businesses not being able to function? Will smaller businesses be able to meet the additional rise in pay demands? Will teachers, teaching assistants and nurses be able to afford this additional tax?
4. Once we are all riding on buses and have congestion charge, we now have the council able to increase these charges at will. As the guy at the shopping centre stated, there needs to be a change in the way people act and the council had a duty to impose this changes for the greater good.
5. We do not want the congestion charge and yet we are going to have it. Period. We are going to have to get used to it. There is NO alternative to it from the councils point of view.
6. The council is being very dictatorial in this process and claiming that proper consultation is taking place. Roadshows are NOT proper consultations and the refusal to have a referendum within the city is NOT right. Come on, lets have a council that has some balls (apologies to any female members of the council but you know what I mean here)
I call on Cambridge City council to listen to the residents, to forget any congestion charge and to make it clear that if the roads of the city do become congested then we will make our own choices on our travel options.
If there are factual errors in the above or any named member of the council wishes to comment on any of the above, I shall be happy to add their comments.
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Parenthood
'Dad, please can I have some money to go down the shop to get some milk as we have run out?
If your offspring asks you that question around the age of thirteen then you know that you are getting it right with the kids.
'Dad, fancy a pint? I'm buying'
If your offspring asks you that question at the age of eighteen then you have definitely got it right!
If your offspring asks you that question around the age of thirteen then you know that you are getting it right with the kids.
'Dad, fancy a pint? I'm buying'
If your offspring asks you that question at the age of eighteen then you have definitely got it right!
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