Correct me if I'm wrong here - but that seems to mean the more successful you are the more likely you are to vote NO. If one notes that intelligence strongly correlates with how successful you are in life, there seems to be an obvious conclusion to draw about your average cybernat.
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
There's a lesson there. Being privately educated - and proud of it - is not necessarily an obstacle to being a successful politician in the UK, provided you don't look, sound and act elitist with all the patronising and condescending behaviour that goes with that.
And if you're going to trouser a couple of million quid, don't spend it on Duck Houses or Wisteria cleaning
Spend it funding the cause you quit a top job for to enter politics in the first place and you're good as gold!
Isam, you're trying too hard on the Farage thing.
.
He may not have hidden it, but I'd reckon a tiny number of people were following closely enough to be aware of it. (Apparently he also hasn't been declaring the property to the Electoral commission either, which is a lot less flashy but still worth a ticking off for someone).
The polling on Farage tells you that people don't know he went to private school, so he's not a useful study of whether there's a stigma attached to it or not (on a general note his leadership response ratings show he's better known than he was but still lower than the other 3).
Actually the polling on Farage tells you that the public like him & they think he is more in touch than other party leaders (not referring only to the poll I referenced earlier, although anyone claiming that wasn't positive must be very one eyed)
I'll meet you in the middle, I would guess that if Farage had been an MP at the time of the expenses scandal, he would have been caught out like many others were.. I am sure he isn't whiter than white, and there maybe skeletons somewhere. All traders love a move
But the fact is that luckily enough, he wasn't a Westminster MP at the time of the expenses scandal, and that what he has done with EU expenses is not comparable to that, certainly not in the eyes of the public, who love a colourful, loveable rogue and cut them more slack than miserable boring MP's.
He's not on your side so you hate it, He is on mine so I love it. It's human nature
In the era of hung politics, all three main parties are preparing for a leadership contest With the general election result so uncertain, leadership contenders in the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems are making themselves known.
Their full name is "The Roman Party. Ave!" and seem to consist of a French bus driver from Reading. The basis of his policy is – “when in Rome do as the Romans do”.
What does the 'Ave!' stand for? There's an enthusiastic predictor of Conservative electoral success on this site that this suffix should surely sing to.
"Just 36% of the 2,076 people questioned in the BuzzFeed/YouGov poll correctly guessed that Nigel Farage went to private school, despite him happily talking about his time at London’s prestigious Dulwich College on many previous occasions.
This falls even lower among people who say they will vote UKIP at the next general election: just 31% of potential UKIP voters believe Farage was privately educated, with 38% saying he went to a grammar school and 25% believing he went to a comprehensive.
An impressive 77% of UKIP supporters say Farage is in touch with normal people.
This compares to just 37% of likely Conservative voters who feel David Cameron understands the concerns of a typical member of the public."
There's a lesson there. Being privately educated - and proud of it - is not necessarily an obstacle to being a successful politician in the UK, provided you don't look, sound and act elitist with all the patronising and condescending behaviour that goes with that.
And if you're going to trouser a couple of million quid, don't spend it on Duck Houses or Wisteria cleaning
Spend it funding the cause you quit a top job for to enter politics in the first place and you're good as gold!
Isam, you're trying too hard on the Farage thing.
Just making sure everyone is aware of the difference between claiming expenses to do up the house and spending an allowance on a worthwhile cause... people are still confusing the two
Has Farage published accounts to confirm that?
He must have receipts for the 'banks of computers' whirring away in Bognor.
Don't know.. but face facts, this story hasn't resonated in the way you hoped..
Facts? That's what I'm trying to get you to clarify.
You're consistently telling us that Farage spends the allowances solely on the cause, yet are unable to provide any proof to back that claim up.
Blind faith.
How would I know the facts?!
Could well be that its impossible to prove
If he had spent the whole allowance on hiring the plane for General Election in 2010, that would have been against the rules... do you think the public would feel as they did about the duck house or the moat?
The rules have been bent, I don't doubt it.. but it doesn't matter that's the point.
You want it to be like the MPs expenses scandal, but the fact is that it isnt
SL: Yet in that same poll 47 per cent say they’re satisfied with George Osborne’s performance as Chancellor, and half of the survey believes the economic position in the country will improve.
EB: Look, you can’t put a point to me and then quote a statistic which supports my argument and then dismiss it. The fact is most people believed there is a cost of living crisis; it is absolutely right to say…
SL: But the point is do they believe it’s going to continue to the next election?
EB: If you let me just finish one sentence, Shaun…
Shaun had let him onto his second sentence.....boo hoo....
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
There's a lesson there. Being privately educated - and proud of it - is not necessarily an obstacle to being a successful politician in the UK, provided you don't look, sound and act elitist with all the patronising and condescending behaviour that goes with that.
And if you're going to trouser a couple of million quid, don't spend it on Duck Houses or Wisteria cleaning
Spend it funding the cause you quit a top job for to enter politics in the first place and you're good as gold!
Isam, you're trying too hard on the Farage thing.
.
The polling on Farage tells you that people don't know he went to private school, so he's not a useful study of whether there's a stigma attached to it or not (on a general note his leadership response ratings show he's better known than he was but still lower than the other 3).
Actually the polling on Farage tells you that the public like him & they think he is more in touch than other party leaders (not referring only to the poll I referenced earlier, although anyone claiming that wasn't positive must be very one eyed)
I'll meet you in the middle, I would guess that if Farage had been an MP at the time of the expenses scandal, he would have been caught out like many others were.. I am sure he isn't whiter than white, and there maybe skeletons somewhere. All traders love a move
But the fact is that luckily enough, he wasn't a Westminster MP at the time of the expenses scandal, and that what he has done with EU expenses is not comparable to that, certainly not in the eyes of the public, who love a colourful, loveable rogue and cut them more slack than miserable boring MP's.
He's not on your side so you hate it, He is on mine so I love it. It's human nature
The problem Farage has is not expenses but his temper and patience. He seems to alienate quite a few of his colleagues too. He dislikes being told what to do so much that he's never acquired the managerial skills and temperament required to politely and respectively manage what others do as a leader.
I have a theory that he recognises his weaknesses here, which is why he put off running for UKIP leader for so long, despite his many other talents.
Not that it matters for him now, but it's this that makes me hesitate about voting UKIP.
Actually the polling on Farage tells you that the public like him & they think he is more in touch than other party leaders (not referring only to the poll I referenced earlier, although anyone claiming that wasn't positive must be very one eyed)
I'll meet you in the middle, I would guess that if Farage had been an MP at the time of the expenses scandal, he would have been caught out like many others were.. I am sure he isn't whiter than white, and there maybe skeletons somewhere. All traders love a move
But the fact is that luckily enough, he wasn't a Westminster MP at the time of the expenses scandal, and that what he has done with EU expenses is not comparable to that, certainly not in the eyes of the public, who love a colourful, loveable rogue and cut them more slack than miserable boring MP's.
He's not on your side so you hate it, He is on mine so I love it. It's human nature
Sure the polling on Farage shows him to have more positive ratings on the others, but also has a higher undecided response rate etc.
I don't hate it Isam, it's just as I said, you're pushing things too hard to be convincing.
(Although you're at least far more sensible than the Kipper here the other day claiming the MPs expenses scandal was actually all about immigration).
I suppose my main feelings towards UKIP are a curiosity as to how things are going to shake out (both election result wise, but particularly organisation and grass roots wise), with a dash of amused comparison with my experience as a Lib Dem of highs and lows etc.
Change.org have a petition up calling for Farage to repay his £50,000 allowance or resign:
Between 2009 and 2014 Nigel Farage MEP took £15,000 a year to pay for his office costs. His former office manager, and a subsequent Times investigation, found that the office was actually given to Farage rent-free by a supporter, and that the office costs were only £3000 a year.
That leaves £50,000 of taxpayers money unaccounted for (£12,000 a year). When questioned, Mr Farage said the money could be spent "as he likes".
Nigel Farage MEP has spent the last week calling for Maria Miller's resignation. He should hold himself to the same standards.
We call for him to pay back any of the £50,000 he's wrongly claimed, or resign.
SL: Yet in that same poll 47 per cent say they’re satisfied with George Osborne’s performance as Chancellor, and half of the survey believes the economic position in the country will improve.
EB: Look, you can’t put a point to me and then quote a statistic which supports my argument and then dismiss it. The fact is most people believed there is a cost of living crisis; it is absolutely right to say…
SL: But the point is do they believe it’s going to continue to the next election?
EB: If you let me just finish one sentence, Shaun…
Shaun had let him onto his second sentence.....boo hoo....
I hate it when interviewers interrupt. I'm interested in the views of the interviewee, not some puffed-up journalist.
If he had spent the whole allowance on hiring the plane for General Election in 2010, that would have been against the rules... do you think the public would feel as they did about the duck house or the moat?
The rules have been bent, I don't doubt it.. but it doesn't matter that's the point.
You want it to be like the MPs expenses scandal, but the fact is that it isnt
If you don't know the facts why did you show so much certainty about where the allowance had gone?
It's less venal and so not as good a news story if it doesn't have a duck house, but you're creating a false dichotomy of this story either being equal to MPs expense scandal or zero.
IF as a hypothetical the allowance has just been put into Farage's account and used to fund UKIP that's not going to come across as a good thing. The public may or may not believe the allegations but it's not going to be a positive. Not just in the initial headlines but as something for opponents to throw back at him.
(My general stance on this, and similar stories is that most news stories are remembered very fuzzily in the long term and just play a small part in ongoing party/personal image).
For those interested in the journalistic standards of the Times and Sunday Times, the Court of Appeal (Maurice Kay LJ (VP) & Laws LJ) has today granted a renewed application of the defendants for permission to appeal against the judgment of Tugendhat J in Cruddas v Calvert. In that case, Mr Cruddas was awarded £180,000 in damages for libel and malicious falsehood. Will "public interest journalism" be vindicated?
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
Really?
A sovereign Parliament can legislate whatever rights it likes for employees. The point is that it is accountable to the voters.
SL: Yet in that same poll 47 per cent say they’re satisfied with George Osborne’s performance as Chancellor, and half of the survey believes the economic position in the country will improve.
EB: Look, you can’t put a point to me and then quote a statistic which supports my argument and then dismiss it. The fact is most people believed there is a cost of living crisis; it is absolutely right to say…
SL: But the point is do they believe it’s going to continue to the next election?
EB: If you let me just finish one sentence, Shaun…
Shaun had let him onto his second sentence.....boo hoo....
I hate it when interviewers interrupt. I'm interested in the views of the interviewee, not some puffed-up journalist.
Never interrupt your opponent when he makes a mistake.
SL: Yet in that same poll 47 per cent say they’re satisfied with George Osborne’s performance as Chancellor, and half of the survey believes the economic position in the country will improve.
EB: Look, you can’t put a point to me and then quote a statistic which supports my argument and then dismiss it. The fact is most people believed there is a cost of living crisis; it is absolutely right to say…
SL: But the point is do they believe it’s going to continue to the next election?
EB: If you let me just finish one sentence, Shaun…
Shaun had let him onto his second sentence.....boo hoo....
I hate it when interviewers interrupt. I'm interested in the views of the interviewee, not some puffed-up journalist.
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
Really?
A sovereign Parliament can legislate whatever rights it likes for employees. The point is that it is accountable to the voters.
I doubt we'd lose any of those rights in an independent UK.
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
Really?
A sovereign Parliament can legislate whatever rights it likes for employees. The point is that it is accountable to the voters.
I doubt we'd lose any of those rights in an independent UK.
Four weeks' paid holiday is the Working Time Directive, which would - surely - be immediately under threat. As far as the others the initiative has come from Europe, but there's no reason to believe we wouldn't keep them - but it does leave BOO in a strange place if the assumption is we keep everything.
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
Really?
A sovereign Parliament can legislate whatever rights it likes for employees. The point is that it is accountable to the voters.
I doubt we'd lose any of those rights in an independent UK.
The point is surely that many of these are rights that the Tories and UKIP opposed introducing?
If he had spent the whole allowance on hiring the plane for General Election in 2010, that would have been against the rules... do you think the public would feel as they did about the duck house or the moat?
The rules have been bent, I don't doubt it.. but it doesn't matter that's the point.
You want it to be like the MPs expenses scandal, but the fact is that it isnt
Hogg never claimed for the moat.
I cleaned the damn thing myself, when I were a lad, and never got paid for it!
One of my observations of the 2 debates on in or out of Europe between Clegg and Farage-I watched both-neither mentioned what the impact on workers would be in the whole time. The 4 weeks paid holiday is under threat,a huge threat to every worker,and yet neither Clegg nor Farage saw fit to mention it,which is why neither the LibDems or Ukip are on the side of workers.
The reason why undertrained, East Ukrainian conscript troops are flying Russian flags over their armoured vehicles and jumping out of them to hand over the keys to local Russian speaking paramilitaries is simple.
They don't want to get killed. And they particularly don't want to get killed for taking part in a PR exercise in front of TV cameras, initiated solely for the purpose of leveraging negotiating power in multinational negotiations over the Ukraine's future.
And any article which claims that Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the world's most outspoken tand extremist Liberal Democrat, speaks for the Kremlin should be dismissed out of hand. The lovely Masha Snegurochka should continue with her Ph.D. studies at Columbia University in silence.
I think I feel about the same as Clarkson feels if he bumps into Piers Morgan. You can tell that Balls knows he is directly lying/obfuscating/misrepresenting and yet with him it seems transparently obvious to the listener unlike any other politician one would care to mention. Prezza could be dismissed as a fool.., but Balls is no fool, which in fact make's it worse.
One of my observations of the 2 debates on in or out of Europe between Clegg and Farage-I watched both-neither mentioned what the impact on workers would be in the whole time. The 4 weeks paid holiday is under threat,a huge threat to every worker,and yet neither Clegg nor Farage saw fit to mention it,which is why neither the LibDems or Ukip are on the side of workers.
The 4 weeks holiday will be the 5.6 weeks holiday as from 2009 about which the Coalition has made no proposals to revise or scrap. Typical socialist scaremongering.
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
Really?
A sovereign Parliament can legislate whatever rights it likes for employees. The point is that it is accountable to the voters.
I doubt we'd lose any of those rights in an independent UK.
Well, Sean F expresses it precisely. At present, we do not have the right to abolish these things even if our elected government (which may have won with say 40% of the votes) wishes to. If we withdrew from the EU, we would be able to if we wished - and certainly I remember foot-dragging by all the parties over agency workers rights until Labour finally agreed to them.
It's the usual basic rights vs powers of elected Government issue that comes up whenever we discuss any kind of entrenched legislation or treaty. If you feel feel that these things should be changeable, then withdrawing from the EeU shouldn't be a problem in that respect. If you feel they shouldn't be changeable, then it's a legitimate argument. There are other parts of European legislation - open competition, for instance - where Conservatives might feel keener to have them entrenched.
'The stakes are high. So many of the rights at work we rely on come from Europe. Rights like four weeks’ paid leave, maternity rights, and equal treatment for agency workers.
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
Really?
A sovereign Parliament can legislate whatever rights it likes for employees. The point is that it is accountable to the voters.
I doubt we'd lose any of those rights in an independent UK.
Well, Sean F expresses it precisely. At present, we do not have the right to abolish these things even if our elected government (which may have won with say 40% of the votes) wishes to. If we withdrew from the EU, we would be able to if we wished - and certainly I remember foot-dragging by all the parties over agency workers rights until Labour finally agreed to them.
It's the usual basic rights vs powers of elected Government issue that comes up whenever we discuss any kind of entrenched legislation or treaty. If you feel feel that these things should be changeable, then withdrawing from the EeU shouldn't be a problem in that respect. If you feel they shouldn't be changeable, then it's a legitimate argument. There are other parts of European legislation - open competition, for instance - where Conservatives might feel keener to have them entrenched.
When most of your law becomes entrenched, you're not really living in a democracy any more.
Yep, I'm sure the hard working people who live in council estates are going to love being lumped in with the Chav elements of what are rightly described as sink estates. Do you a man of the people honestly believe that a minimum wage grafter wants to be associated with the likes of the scummier areas of our towns and cities?
I grew up on a council estate in Scotland. It's inhabitants would not thank you for describing it as a "sink estate" (tho some in the terraced houses harboured uncharitable views of the minority who lived in the tenements..)
George and Danny's policy of keeping business taxes low but clamping down on avoidance seems to be paying dividends.
The long-running saga of how much Starbucks pays in UK taxes seems to be nearing resolution.
Starbucks Corp., (SBUX) the world’s biggest coffee chain, will move its European head office to London from Amsterdam, increasing the amount of tax it pays in the U.K. following criticism over the matter last year.
The move will concentrate “a modest number” of senior executives in the U.K. capital, with some being transferred from Amsterdam, Starbucks said today by e-mail. The Seattle-based company also said it means it will pay more tax in the U.K.
British lawmakers and activist groups blasted Starbucks last year, saying the company used complex accounting methods to minimize its tax burden. The coffee chain said last year it would pay 10 million pounds ($16.8 million) of U.K. corporation tax in both 2013 and 2014.
“They had been taken to task in the U.K. for tax -- a perception that they were not paying their fair share of taxes,” Sara Senatore, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, said in an interview. “My interpretation is that this might be a response to that.”
All part of Plan A. All part of the economic recovery.
George and Danny's policy of keeping business taxes low but clamping down on avoidance seems to be paying dividends.
The long-running saga of how much Starbucks pays in UK taxes seems to be nearing resolution.
Starbucks Corp., (SBUX) the world’s biggest coffee chain, will move its European head office to London from Amsterdam, increasing the amount of tax it pays in the U.K. following criticism over the matter last year.
The move will concentrate “a modest number” of senior executives in the U.K. capital, with some being transferred from Amsterdam, Starbucks said today by e-mail. The Seattle-based company also said it means it will pay more tax in the U.K.
British lawmakers and activist groups blasted Starbucks last year, saying the company used complex accounting methods to minimize its tax burden. The coffee chain said last year it would pay 10 million pounds ($16.8 million) of U.K. corporation tax in both 2013 and 2014.
“They had been taken to task in the U.K. for tax -- a perception that they were not paying their fair share of taxes,” Sara Senatore, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, said in an interview. “My interpretation is that this might be a response to that.”
All part of Plan A. All part of the economic recovery.
All the above, and more, won't help the Tories in the coming EU elections and they will be lucky not to lose 80 seats at the GE in 2015. The blues - or should I say, the turquoise - are doomed and you'd better get used to it.
Starbucks are happy to move out of the Eurozone for their European HQ.
Anything more than 2 MEPs seems wildly optimistic, and it's hard to argue that 0 is not the most likely, even the LDs have recognised that possibility, and I don't think it's entirely expectation management on their part - I think they actually believe they will suffer a total wipe out.
When most of your law becomes entrenched, you're not really living in a democracy any more.
That's right. It's not really the case now, but it's the argument against a written constitution. The counter-argument is that some things - freedom from arbitrary arrest, say - are so important that they should be entrenched.
It would be helpful if those who favour withdrawal from the EU and ECHR spelled out which rights they would like to keep in a British Human Rights Act and whether it would be entrenched in some way (e.g. require a qualified majority to amend). If they don't, they leave the field open to opponents to suggest that they might not keep them, which is what's happened here.
What on earth is wrong with Vanilla, these gremlins in the system seem to be getting worse not better? Speaking of Vanilla, aren't we now long overdue an Ed is crap thread too?
Anything more than 2 MEPs seems wildly optimistic, and it's hard to argue that 0 is not the most likely, even the LDs have recognised that possibility, and I don't think it's entirely expectation management on their part - I think they actually believe they will suffer a total wipe out.
The LDs need to poll less than about 7.5% in the South East to suffer a total wipeout. (The hurdle in the SE was 7% last time, but I suspect others will do slightly more poorly this time around.) That's probably equivalent to a sub 6% national share.
Which is possible (maybe a 30% chance), but it's not likely.
George and Danny's policy of keeping business taxes low but clamping down on avoidance seems to be paying dividends.
The long-running saga of how much Starbucks pays in UK taxes seems to be nearing resolution.
Starbucks Corp., (SBUX) the world’s biggest coffee chain, will move its European head office to London from Amsterdam, increasing the amount of tax it pays in the U.K. following criticism over the matter last year.
The move will concentrate “a modest number” of senior executives in the U.K. capital, with some being transferred from Amsterdam, Starbucks said today by e-mail. The Seattle-based company also said it means it will pay more tax in the U.K.
British lawmakers and activist groups blasted Starbucks last year, saying the company used complex accounting methods to minimize its tax burden. The coffee chain said last year it would pay 10 million pounds ($16.8 million) of U.K. corporation tax in both 2013 and 2014.
“They had been taken to task in the U.K. for tax -- a perception that they were not paying their fair share of taxes,” Sara Senatore, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, said in an interview. “My interpretation is that this might be a response to that.”
All part of Plan A. All part of the economic recovery.
All the above, and more, won't help the Tories in the coming EU elections and they will be lucky not to lose 80 seats at the GE in 2015. The blues - or should I say, the turquoise - are doomed and you'd better get used to it.
Starbucks are happy to move out of the Eurozone for their European HQ.
The location of corporate headquarters are never going to be influenced by currencies, because the costs are so modest. So, it's OK to have HQs in high cost locations like Zurich and Zug.
In this case, I think Starbucks has been shamed by the Treasury, and is concerned that there is a real risk of some serious action by HM Government to eliminate some of the worst excesses of transfer pricing.
It will be interesting to see if the other guilty parties (largely Apple and Amazon) do more to pay taxes in countries where they actually make their profits.
My experience of council housing is pre public sewers so the outside lav was a piece of wood you sat on with a hole in the middle through which you aimed into a bucket,which was collected weekly,often spilt,by what was known as the honeycart. The bath was an old copper left in the shed in front of the fire and there was always the river if the weather was good. Massive garden,though,which helped to feed us.
My experience of council housing is pre public sewers so the outside lav was a piece of wood you sat on with a hole in the middle through which you aimed into a bucket,which was collected weekly,often spilt,by what was known as the honeycart. The bath was an old copper left in the shed in front of the fire and there was always the river if the weather was good. Massive garden,though,which helped to feed us.
Things have moved on a bit. Ed Balls talks what you used to aim at the bucket.
When most of your law becomes entrenched, you're not really living in a democracy any more.
If we leave aside the question of Europe for a second, do you think it would be legitimate for a an elected government to - say - disallow universities from accepting black students?
Or are there certain rights governments should not be able to transgress?
- seems quiet here, or is that the normal way of things nowadays?
The loss of tim has reduced the amount of rapid crossfire - we are now more civilised or more dull, according to taste. Warms up when there's a poll, though - come back at 10pm and you'll find everyone spinning over the latest YouGov.
When most of your law becomes entrenched, you're not really living in a democracy any more.
If we leave aside the question of Europe for a second, do you think it would be legitimate for a an elected government to - say - disallow universities from accepting black students?
Or are there certain rights governments should not be able to transgress?
Plenty of Council-House folk on here: Fluffy; ASoD/Council-House-Tory; LW&P Paul; AVE-IT!!! The question is: Why do folk from the poor Inner-London estates vote to the right whilst the upper-middle-class - plastic-Danes (c.f. Sven) - depend and demand on the public-sector teet to support their life-styles...?
George and Danny's policy of keeping business taxes low but clamping down on avoidance seems to be paying dividends.
The long-running saga of how much Starbucks pays in UK taxes seems to be nearing resolution.
Starbucks Corp., (SBUX) the world’s biggest coffee chain, will move its European head office to London from Amsterdam, increasing the amount of tax it pays in the U.K. following criticism over the matter last year.
The move will concentrate “a modest number” of senior executives in the U.K. capital, with some being transferred from Amsterdam, Starbucks said today by e-mail. The Seattle-based company also said it means it will pay more tax in the U.K.
British lawmakers and activist groups blasted Starbucks last year, saying the company used complex accounting methods to minimize its tax burden. The coffee chain said last year it would pay 10 million pounds ($16.8 million) of U.K. corporation tax in both 2013 and 2014.
“They had been taken to task in the U.K. for tax -- a perception that they were not paying their fair share of taxes,” Sara Senatore, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, said in an interview. “My interpretation is that this might be a response to that.”
All part of Plan A. All part of the economic recovery.
All the above, and more, won't help the Tories in the coming EU elections and they will be lucky not to lose 80 seats at the GE in 2015. The blues - or should I say, the turquoise - are doomed and you'd better get used to it.
Starbucks are happy to move out of the Eurozone for their European HQ.
In this case, I think Starbucks has been shamed by the Treasury, and is concerned that there is a real risk of some serious action by HM Government to eliminate some of the worst excesses of transfer pricing.
Isn't it more likely that Starbucks was reacting to negative press? They're a retailer, in a competitive market.
As UKIP try to burn the apostates, a flood of good news puts out the fire.
More good news from foreign companies who have recently decided to headquarter in the UK. And news which will fire up the Scots as it promises to join us all together in one happy union.
Hitachi Ltd. said it secured 2.7 billion pounds from international institutions to finance its contract to build 65 high-speed trains for use on Britain’s East Coast rail line between London and Scotland.
Lenders including Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, HSBC Holdings Plc, Lloyds Banking Group Plc and the European Investment Bank agreed to provide funds, allowing Hitachi to reach financial close with the U.K. government, company spokeswoman Daniela Karthaus said.
Today’s deal secures the last tranche of funding for the 5.7 billion-pound Intercity Express Program to replace diesel and electric trains built as early as 1976 on two of Britain’s busiest long-distance rail arteries. Tokyo-based Hitachi reached financial close in 2012 on financing for 57 IEP trainsets to be deployed on the Great Western line.
“These new trains will transform rail travel between many of the great towns and cities of England and Scotland,” U.K. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said in a statement. [Bloomberg]
And it is not only the Scots who will be delighted with this news. George and Danny will welcome it too as evidence that the UK is not only attracting increasing inbound investment from multinational manufacturers, it is also attracting private sector finance for infrastructure development from foreign and UK banks, thereby relieving the burden on the national debt.
But don't worry, MikeK. If UKIP gets 5% or more at the 2015 GE, Cameron will ask College to design a new livery for the Hitachi trains.
IF as a hypothetical the allowance has just been put into Farage's account and used to fund UKIP that's not going to come across as a good thing. The public may or may not believe the allegations but it's not going to be a positive. Not just in the initial headlines but as something for opponents to throw back at him.
I don't think his opponents will be throwing any thing back.
Firstly, the EU Parliament's allowances are hilariously abused.(Found that elephant, yet?) The last thing pro-EU parties want is that to be brought to everyone's attention. UKIP would just love it.
Secondly, it is well known that a lot of constituencies are being kept afloat by Vote Office money. UKIP is untainted by this, of course.
I agree that the public is against tax-funded political parties, but that is what we've got by the back door. Expect deafening silence from the major parties.
IF as a hypothetical the allowance has just been put into Farage's account and used to fund UKIP that's not going to come across as a good thing. The public may or may not believe the allegations but it's not going to be a positive. Not just in the initial headlines but as something for opponents to throw back at him.
I don't think his opponents will be throwing any thing back.
Firstly, the EU Parliament's allowances are hilariously abused.(Found that elephant, yet?) The last thing pro-EU parties want is that to be brought to everyone's attention. UKIP would just love it.
Secondly, it is well known that a lot of constituencies are being kept afloat by Vote Office money. UKIP is untainted by this, of course.
I agree that the public is against tax-funded political parties, but that is what we've got by the back door. Expect deafening silence from the major parties.
Guido put a list of MP constituency office landlords online.
George and Danny's policy of keeping business taxes low but clamping down on avoidance seems to be paying dividends.
The long-running saga of how much Starbucks pays in UK taxes seems to be nearing resolution.
Starbucks Corp., (SBUX) the world’s biggest coffee chain, will move its European head office to London from Amsterdam, increasing the amount of tax it pays in the U.K. following criticism over the matter last year.
The move will concentrate “a modest number” of senior executives in the U.K. capital, with some being transferred from Amsterdam, Starbucks said today by e-mail. The Seattle-based company also said it means it will pay more tax in the U.K.
British lawmakers and activist groups blasted Starbucks last year, saying the company used complex accounting methods to minimize its tax burden. The coffee chain said last year it would pay 10 million pounds ($16.8 million) of U.K. corporation tax in both 2013 and 2014.
“They had been taken to task in the U.K. for tax -- a perception that they were not paying their fair share of taxes,” Sara Senatore, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, said in an interview. “My interpretation is that this might be a response to that.”
All part of Plan A. All part of the economic recovery.
Publicly hounding Starbucks to pay money to HMRC that they did not legally owe, just resulted in lower wages for UK employees of Starbucks.
I've been too busy to check but have your yellow boxes been out and about today ?
Would you be so kind as to give me a yellow box for earnings increases less RPI.
RPI being of course a better measure of inflation than CPI.
Historical equivalents going back as far as possible would be revealing I think.
It is a measure of the incompetance of the Eds that they haven't mentioned RPI today.
In return I will reveal the brilliant idea you inspired in me which will solve the Eds economic problems.
I have also been formulating profound thoughts on the nature of the UK economy, all to be revealed when Charles is available.
ar
Arguing whether RPI or CPI should be used as a benchmark for comparison with earnings is a pointless academic exercise.
If you believe it would show substantial differences in the ratio over a long historical period put forward your arguments. But first I would suggest you look at this chart [ http://bit.ly/1eAeQrv ] comparing the movements of the four main indices since 1989. Between 1992 and 2009, RPI was clearly higher than CPI, but the reverse (or near parity) is true for the periods before and after.
All my ideas are brilliant, ar, but, unlike Charles, I do not seek royalty payments for their use by others. Remember Charles's family has always been in trade.
UKIP welcomes with open arms all the international companies that opens HQ's, offices and factories in the UK.
That will not prevent the Turquoise Party from losing around 80 seats at the 2015 GE. AveryLP can make all the yellow boxes ad infinitum, It won't prevent the Turquoise Party succumbing to their inevitable doom.
The rate of inflation doesn't include housing costs.
Average people not being able to afford an average house on average wages isn't a sign of economic success"
"Meff
Don't forget bankers and MP's wages are included in this average."
"jg49
However, when bonus payments are excluded from the figures, wages rose by 1.4%, still below the rate of inflation.
How many mid & low income workers qualify for a bonus?
So for the vast majority of the UK work force pay increase remains below inflation."
"JonathanB
Haven't had a pay rise in years. Don't know anyone who has. An average figure includes and is skewed by the people at the top, raking it in."
"Natalie Rowe
Another day, another announcement from the Ministry Of Truth.
Meanwhile, food bank use is increasing..."
David
Hmm - the main problem is that CPI doesn't include housing costs. And these are frankly rocketing. If you include house prices into the CPI figure it's around 2.7% (not the ONS rental equivalent which is currently coming up with a figure lower than CPI! Bad stats frankly).
Also RPI - more than 1.7% - that's actually closer to what people spend.
So no - we are still getting poorer."
"cargols
Statistics, statistics = pinch of salt! I earn £7.50 per hour caring for vulnerable young adults. Apparently that's enough to live off!"
"drcarol
42.CaptainFantastic
You really think that my situation is different the majority of the population - read the rest of the comments on here - I don't think so!!
Like most, I am happy to have a job that pays a living wage - but what cheeses me off is the acceptance of this drivel by BBC journalists who should do their jobs properly and investigate this propaganda."
"Asdic Ping
We are only talking 0.1% here and that includes bonuses which most workers don't get. It also annoys me that the blame for the recession is often blamed on the previous administration, when the root cause was the banks irresponsibility and aren't the bankers the Tories mates?"
The rate of inflation doesn't include housing costs.
Average people not being able to afford an average house on average wages isn't a sign of economic success"
"Meff
Don't forget bankers and MP's wages are included in this average."
"jg49
However, when bonus payments are excluded from the figures, wages rose by 1.4%, still below the rate of inflation.
How many mid & low income workers qualify for a bonus?
So for the vast majority of the UK work force pay increase remains below inflation."
"JonathanB
Haven't had a pay rise in years. Don't know anyone who has. An average figure includes and is skewed by the people at the top, raking it in."
"Natalie Rowe
Another day, another announcement from the Ministry Of Truth.
Meanwhile, food bank use is increasing..."
David
Hmm - the main problem is that CPI doesn't include housing costs. And these are frankly rocketing. If you include house prices into the CPI figure it's around 2.7% (not the ONS rental equivalent which is currently coming up with a figure lower than CPI! Bad stats frankly).
Also RPI - more than 1.7% - that's actually closer to what people spend.
So no - we are still getting poorer."
"cargols
Statistics, statistics = pinch of salt! I earn £7.50 per hour caring for vulnerable young adults. Apparently that's enough to live off!"
"drcarol
42.CaptainFantastic
You really think that my situation is different the majority of the population - read the rest of the comments on here - I don't think so!!
Like most, I am happy to have a job that pays a living wage - but what cheeses me off is the acceptance of this drivel by BBC journalists who should do their jobs properly and investigate this propaganda."
"Asdic Ping
We are only talking 0.1% here and that includes bonuses which most workers don't get. It also annoys me that the blame for the recession is often blamed on the previous administration, when the root cause was the banks irresponsibility and aren't the bankers the Tories mates?"
Comments
http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/page/s/vote-now
Is there postal voting in the Indyref ?
These are rights that we could lose if the Tories and UKIP get their way.'
Really?
I'll meet you in the middle, I would guess that if Farage had been an MP at the time of the expenses scandal, he would have been caught out like many others were.. I am sure he isn't whiter than white, and there maybe skeletons somewhere. All traders love a move
But the fact is that luckily enough, he wasn't a Westminster MP at the time of the expenses scandal, and that what he has done with EU expenses is not comparable to that, certainly not in the eyes of the public, who love a colourful, loveable rogue and cut them more slack than miserable boring MP's.
He's not on your side so you hate it, He is on mine so I love it. It's human nature
In the era of hung politics, all three main parties are preparing for a leadership contest
With the general election result so uncertain, leadership contenders in the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems are making themselves known.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/04/era-hung-politics-all-three-main-parties-are-preparing-leadership-contest
You deem every Balls appearance a car crash.
The boy who cried wolf.
Sink estates?? Nothing like love for the common man.
"Labour heartlands " ??
Could well be that its impossible to prove
If he had spent the whole allowance on hiring the plane for General Election in 2010, that would have been against the rules... do you think the public would feel as they did about the duck house or the moat?
The rules have been bent, I don't doubt it.. but it doesn't matter that's the point.
You want it to be like the MPs expenses scandal, but the fact is that it isnt
I'm determined to get a fireside seat.
Have you read the transcript?
Triumph was it?
SL: Yet in that same poll 47 per cent say they’re satisfied with George Osborne’s performance as Chancellor, and half of the survey believes the economic position in the country will improve.
EB: Look, you can’t put a point to me and then quote a statistic which supports my argument and then dismiss it. The fact is most people believed there is a cost of living crisis; it is absolutely right to say…
SL: But the point is do they believe it’s going to continue to the next election?
EB: If you let me just finish one sentence, Shaun…
Shaun had let him onto his second sentence.....boo hoo....
I have a theory that he recognises his weaknesses here, which is why he put off running for UKIP leader for so long, despite his many other talents.
Not that it matters for him now, but it's this that makes me hesitate about voting UKIP.
I don't hate it Isam, it's just as I said, you're pushing things too hard to be convincing.
(Although you're at least far more sensible than the Kipper here the other day claiming the MPs expenses scandal was actually all about immigration).
I suppose my main feelings towards UKIP are a curiosity as to how things are going to shake out (both election result wise, but particularly organisation and grass roots wise), with a dash of amused comparison with my experience as a Lib Dem of highs and lows etc.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27053500
Salih Abdus-Salaam @Kiambiroiro 2h
“@RT_com: BREAKING: Dozens of Ukrainian troops surrender APCs, withdraw from #Slavyansk http://on.rt.com/ljrplh pic.twitter.com/rkaN77Ywyh”
Between 2009 and 2014 Nigel Farage MEP took £15,000 a year to pay for his office costs. His former office manager, and a subsequent Times investigation, found that the office was actually given to Farage rent-free by a supporter, and that the office costs were only £3000 a year.
That leaves £50,000 of taxpayers money unaccounted for (£12,000 a year). When questioned, Mr Farage said the money could be spent "as he likes".
Nigel Farage MEP has spent the last week calling for Maria Miller's resignation. He should hold himself to the same standards.
We call for him to pay back any of the £50,000 he's wrongly claimed, or resign.
Those eager to sign up should go immediately to http://chn.ge/1tajyQF
Sam, Nigel, (another) Dave, and me old Weathercock need not worry. Avery has not signed.
He much prefers to chortle while watching the bonfire and fireworks display.
It's less venal and so not as good a news story if it doesn't have a duck house, but you're creating a false dichotomy of this story either being equal to MPs expense scandal or zero.
IF as a hypothetical the allowance has just been put into Farage's account and used to fund UKIP that's not going to come across as a good thing. The public may or may not believe the allegations but it's not going to be a positive. Not just in the initial headlines but as something for opponents to throw back at him.
(My general stance on this, and similar stories is that most news stories are remembered very fuzzily in the long term and just play a small part in ongoing party/personal image).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2605987/Save-Nigel-Farage-Leader-east-Ukraines-pro-Moscow-separatist-movement-issues-bizarre-plea-help-Ukip-leader.html
http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2014/04/16/defensive-much/
I think Ley handled it well - he had him bang to rights on his polling selectivity....
How about council estates?
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/now-north-korea-asks-foreign-office-to-act-over-london-hairdressers-kim-jongun-stunt-9264881.html
That's why they entered the city with a Russian flag:
http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-04-16/vehicles-showing-russian-flag-enter-slaviansk/
That's why the paramilitaries have been caught communicating on tape with Moscow:
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/russian-paramilitary-leaders-in-eastern-ukraine-caught-on-tape-communicating-with-moscow-343644.html
And the troops are doing this even though a large majority in Eastern Ukraine oppose the Russian troops in the country:
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117357/despite-pro-soviet-protests-majority-ukrainians-lean-toward-europe
I cleaned the damn thing myself, when I were a lad, and never got paid for it!
The 4 weeks paid holiday is under threat,a huge threat to every worker,and yet neither Clegg nor Farage saw fit to mention it,which is why neither the LibDems or Ukip are on the side of workers.
The reason why undertrained, East Ukrainian conscript troops are flying Russian flags over their armoured vehicles and jumping out of them to hand over the keys to local Russian speaking paramilitaries is simple.
They don't want to get killed. And they particularly don't want to get killed for taking part in a PR exercise in front of TV cameras, initiated solely for the purpose of leveraging negotiating power in multinational negotiations over the Ukraine's future.
And any article which claims that Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the world's most outspoken tand extremist Liberal Democrat, speaks for the Kremlin should be dismissed out of hand. The lovely Masha Snegurochka should continue with her Ph.D. studies at Columbia University in silence.
Rumour has it that the sunk South Korean ferry might have hit a North Korean sub...
It's the usual basic rights vs powers of elected Government issue that comes up whenever we discuss any kind of entrenched legislation or treaty. If you feel feel that these things should be changeable, then withdrawing from the EeU shouldn't be a problem in that respect. If you feel they shouldn't be changeable, then it's a legitimate argument. There are other parts of European legislation - open competition, for instance - where Conservatives might feel keener to have them entrenched.
What is your experience of council housing?
George and Danny's policy of keeping business taxes low but clamping down on avoidance seems to be paying dividends.
The long-running saga of how much Starbucks pays in UK taxes seems to be nearing resolution.
Starbucks Corp., (SBUX) the world’s biggest coffee chain, will move its European head office to London from Amsterdam, increasing the amount of tax it pays in the U.K. following criticism over the matter last year.
The move will concentrate “a modest number” of senior executives in the U.K. capital, with some being transferred from Amsterdam, Starbucks said today by e-mail. The Seattle-based company also said it means it will pay more tax in the U.K.
British lawmakers and activist groups blasted Starbucks last year, saying the company used complex accounting methods to minimize its tax burden. The coffee chain said last year it would pay 10 million pounds ($16.8 million) of U.K. corporation tax in both 2013 and 2014.
“They had been taken to task in the U.K. for tax -- a perception that they were not paying their fair share of taxes,” Sara Senatore, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, said in an interview. “My interpretation is that this might be a response to that.”
All part of Plan A. All part of the economic recovery.
•Hillary Clinton (D) 51% [52%] {56%} [53%]
•Paul Ryan (R) 43% [44%] {40%} [37%]
•Hillary Clinton (D) 53% [58%] (50%) {48%} [47%] (46%)
•Chris Christie (R) 42% [37%] (37%) {45%} [41%] (43%)
•Hillary Clinton (D) 53% [55%]
•Mike Huckabee (R) 40% [41%]
•Hillary Clinton (D) 54% [58%] {55%} [50%] (52%)
•Rand Paul (R) 40% [38%] {40%} [38%] (41%)
•Hillary Clinton (D) 54% [56%] {57%}
•Ted Cruz (R) 39% [39%] {35%}
•Hillary Clinton (D) 54% [58%] {52%} [50%] (52%)
•Marco Rubio (R) 38% [37%] {42%} [38%] (40%)
•Hillary Clinton (D) 55% [58%] {53%} [48%] (54%)
•Jeb Bush (R) 39% [38%] {41%} [40%] (38%)
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/04/15/224503/poll-christie-regaining-but-clinton.html
Starbucks are happy to move out of the Eurozone for their European HQ.
It would be helpful if those who favour withdrawal from the EU and ECHR spelled out which rights they would like to keep in a British Human Rights Act and whether it would be entrenched in some way (e.g. require a qualified majority to amend). If they don't, they leave the field open to opponents to suggest that they might not keep them, which is what's happened here.
Which is possible (maybe a 30% chance), but it's not likely.
In this case, I think Starbucks has been shamed by the Treasury, and is concerned that there is a real risk of some serious action by HM Government to eliminate some of the worst excesses of transfer pricing.
It will be interesting to see if the other guilty parties (largely Apple and Amazon) do more to pay taxes in countries where they actually make their profits.
The bath was an old copper left in the shed in front of the fire and there was always the river if the weather was good.
Massive garden,though,which helped to feed us.
Or are there certain rights governments should not be able to transgress?
The value of Bilderballs to Lab as a leftie who can do sums may be outweighed if he can't fib better.
Welcome back in any case!
I've been too busy to check but have your yellow boxes been out and about today ?
Would you be so kind as to give me a yellow box for earnings increases less RPI.
RPI being of course a better measure of inflation than CPI.
Historical equivalents going back as far as possible would be revealing I think.
It is a measure of the incompetance of the Eds that they haven't mentioned RPI today.
In return I will reveal the brilliant idea you inspired in me which will solve the Eds economic problems.
I have also been formulating profound thoughts on the nature of the UK economy, all to be revealed when Charles is available.
I'm sure the "civic nationalist movement" (#bbcindyref, SNP, last night), will say zero.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/16/ed-balls-prosecution-hitting-parked-car-shadow-chancellor?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
On that car crash.
More good news from foreign companies who have recently decided to headquarter in the UK. And news which will fire up the Scots as it promises to join us all together in one happy union.
Hitachi Ltd. said it secured 2.7 billion pounds from international institutions to finance its contract to build 65 high-speed trains for use on Britain’s East Coast rail line between London and Scotland.
Lenders including Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, HSBC Holdings Plc, Lloyds Banking Group Plc and the European Investment Bank agreed to provide funds, allowing Hitachi to reach financial close with the U.K. government, company spokeswoman Daniela Karthaus said.
Today’s deal secures the last tranche of funding for the 5.7 billion-pound Intercity Express Program to replace diesel and electric trains built as early as 1976 on two of Britain’s busiest long-distance rail arteries. Tokyo-based Hitachi reached financial close in 2012 on financing for 57 IEP trainsets to be deployed on the Great Western line.
“These new trains will transform rail travel between many of the great towns and cities of England and Scotland,” U.K. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said in a statement. [Bloomberg]
And it is not only the Scots who will be delighted with this news. George and Danny will welcome it too as evidence that the UK is not only attracting increasing inbound investment from multinational manufacturers, it is also attracting private sector finance for infrastructure development from foreign and UK banks, thereby relieving the burden on the national debt.
But don't worry, MikeK. If UKIP gets 5% or more at the 2015 GE, Cameron will ask College to design a new livery for the Hitachi trains.
Firstly, the EU Parliament's allowances are hilariously abused.(Found that elephant, yet?) The last thing pro-EU parties want is that to be brought to everyone's attention. UKIP would just love it.
Secondly, it is well known that a lot of constituencies are being kept afloat by Vote Office money. UKIP is untainted by this, of course.
I agree that the public is against tax-funded political parties, but that is what we've got by the back door. Expect deafening silence from the major parties.
http://order-order.com/2013/11/14/names-of-every-mp-caught-in-re-renting-scandal/
MPs using their expense accounts to rent from the local party machine seems to be pretty common.
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/National/article1177583.ece
Reducing/eliminating the tax burden on UK companies and individuals would be a better strategic goal for HMG.
Arguing whether RPI or CPI should be used as a benchmark for comparison with earnings is a pointless academic exercise.
If you believe it would show substantial differences in the ratio over a long historical period put forward your arguments. But first I would suggest you look at this chart [ http://bit.ly/1eAeQrv ] comparing the movements of the four main indices since 1989. Between 1992 and 2009, RPI was clearly higher than CPI, but the reverse (or near parity) is true for the periods before and after.
All my ideas are brilliant, ar, but, unlike Charles, I do not seek royalty payments for their use by others. Remember Charles's family has always been in trade.
UKIP welcomes with open arms all the international companies that opens HQ's, offices and factories in the UK.
That will not prevent the Turquoise Party from losing around 80 seats at the 2015 GE.
AveryLP can make all the yellow boxes ad infinitum, It won't prevent the Turquoise Party succumbing to their inevitable doom.
Louise Mensch ✔ @LouiseMensch
Labour peer @LordSugar keen to let you know his thoughts on @edballsmp "cost of living crisis" pic.twitter.com/3UHH6w5tv7
Lord Sugar ✔ @Lord_Sugar
.@LouiseMensch RT:Labour peer keen to let you know his thoughts on......Shut up you stupid cow.Keep up your hobby of seek more publicity
Louise Mensch ✔ @LouiseMensch
.@UKLabour peer Alan "Shut up you stupid cow" @Lord_Sugar has thoughts on feminism before, of course. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-513264/Sir-Alan-Sugar-Why-I-think-twice-employing-woman.html
LOL
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27047966
The top ten rated comments are as follows:
"Shaunie Babes
The rate of inflation doesn't include housing costs.
Average people not being able to afford an average house on average wages isn't a sign of economic success"
"Meff
Don't forget bankers and MP's wages are included in this average."
"jg49
However, when bonus payments are excluded from the figures, wages rose by 1.4%, still below the rate of inflation.
How many mid & low income workers qualify for a bonus?
So for the vast majority of the UK work force pay increase remains below inflation."
"JonathanB
Haven't had a pay rise in years. Don't know anyone who has. An average figure includes and is skewed by the people at the top, raking it in."
"Natalie Rowe
Another day, another announcement from the Ministry Of Truth.
Meanwhile, food bank use is increasing..."
David
Hmm - the main problem is that CPI doesn't include housing costs. And these are frankly rocketing. If you include house prices into the CPI figure it's around 2.7% (not the ONS rental equivalent which is currently coming up with a figure lower than CPI! Bad stats frankly).
Also RPI - more than 1.7% - that's actually closer to what people spend.
So no - we are still getting poorer."
"cargols
Statistics, statistics = pinch of salt! I earn £7.50 per hour caring for vulnerable young adults. Apparently that's enough to live off!"
"drcarol
42.CaptainFantastic
You really think that my situation is different the majority of the population - read the rest of the comments on here - I don't think so!!
Like most, I am happy to have a job that pays a living wage - but what cheeses me off is the acceptance of this drivel by BBC journalists who should do their jobs properly and investigate this propaganda."
"Asdic Ping
We are only talking 0.1% here and that includes bonuses which most workers don't get. It also annoys me that the blame for the recession is often blamed on the previous administration, when the root cause was the banks irresponsibility and aren't the bankers the Tories mates?"
"kondor
No one believes this rubbish."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27047966
The top ten rated comments are as follows:
"Shaunie Babes
The rate of inflation doesn't include housing costs.
Average people not being able to afford an average house on average wages isn't a sign of economic success"
"Meff
Don't forget bankers and MP's wages are included in this average."
"jg49
However, when bonus payments are excluded from the figures, wages rose by 1.4%, still below the rate of inflation.
How many mid & low income workers qualify for a bonus?
So for the vast majority of the UK work force pay increase remains below inflation."
"JonathanB
Haven't had a pay rise in years. Don't know anyone who has. An average figure includes and is skewed by the people at the top, raking it in."
"Natalie Rowe
Another day, another announcement from the Ministry Of Truth.
Meanwhile, food bank use is increasing..."
David
Hmm - the main problem is that CPI doesn't include housing costs. And these are frankly rocketing. If you include house prices into the CPI figure it's around 2.7% (not the ONS rental equivalent which is currently coming up with a figure lower than CPI! Bad stats frankly).
Also RPI - more than 1.7% - that's actually closer to what people spend.
So no - we are still getting poorer."
"cargols
Statistics, statistics = pinch of salt! I earn £7.50 per hour caring for vulnerable young adults. Apparently that's enough to live off!"
"drcarol
42.CaptainFantastic
You really think that my situation is different the majority of the population - read the rest of the comments on here - I don't think so!!
Like most, I am happy to have a job that pays a living wage - but what cheeses me off is the acceptance of this drivel by BBC journalists who should do their jobs properly and investigate this propaganda."
"Asdic Ping
We are only talking 0.1% here and that includes bonuses which most workers don't get. It also annoys me that the blame for the recession is often blamed on the previous administration, when the root cause was the banks irresponsibility and aren't the bankers the Tories mates?"
"kondor
No one believes this rubbish."