VAT is going up to 20% say government

To be honest I don't see a problem with raising VAT slightly. It made sod all difference to me when they lowered it, and will make sod all difference when/if they raise it.

And if it helps sort out the deficit then good.
 
anticonscience said:
Does anybody know who our 'creditors' are though? All this talk of money being owed, country in debt etc.
Click to expand...
Well, anyone who has bought and holds government bonds.

However, we also have a lot of 'off the record' debts (thanks to Gordon Brown for taking them off the record) under Enron-style Private Finance Initiatives and directly funded public sector pension obligations.
 
Forgive my rather simplistic question but as the economy recovers and when (if ?) the banks start to have a share price worth selling at, won't the government just sell the shares they own and pay off huge chunks of the debt?
 
sigma said:
Forgive my rather simplistic question but as the economy recovers and when (if ?) the banks start to have a share price worth selling at, won't the government just sell the shares they own and pay off huge chunks of the debt?
Click to expand...
Thats one of the plans, yes.
 
sigma said:
Forgive my rather simplistic question but as the economy recovers and when (if ?) the banks start to have a share price worth selling at, won't the government just sell the shares they own and pay off huge chunks of the debt?
Click to expand...

Indeed, but the debt is usually quoted without the costs of the bailout of the banks. The £163bn annual hole is not the results of the bank bailout, but of general overspending and fiscal incompetence.
 
No1newts said:
Myself and others have mentioned this but just to sum up again. This always happens, Conservatives inherit a mess from labour and then have to make the difficult decisions that Labour (/spit) are too mickey mouse and scared to go out there and make themselves. Conservatives will go out there and make these decisions because they have the backbone, but morons like the OP cry that the difficult decisions that have to be made to protect this country are too harsh :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

The last Tory government ran a surplus in just 3 years despite the backing of the windfall from North Sea Oil and the mass sell off of previously nationalised assets. So it's not like the Conservatives have a fantastic record of financial management either.
 
Mr Jack said:
The last Tory government ran a surplus in just 3 years despite the backing of the windfall from North Sea Oil and the mass sell off of previously nationalised assets. So it's not like the Conservatives have a fantastic record of financial management either.
Click to expand...

Was the deficit in growth or decline during much of that time?

(hint if needed)
 
Last edited:
Mr Jack said:
Because, remember folks, the poor shouldn't have nice things :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Seriously?!

If and extra £2.50 on every £100 (25p on £10) you spend on standard rate goods is enough to make you think twice about buying said goods, then you shouldn't be spending money on them in the first place.


It really is this simple.

To break down your examples:

Electronics and Games - by their very nature they are a luxury goods (not essential), the only caveat I would have would be white goods. On a £300 Fridge you are looking at an extra £7.50. If this makes a difference buy a cheaper Fridge.

Take-aways - on a £5 take-away you will pay approximately 12p more. If this matters buy it cheaper from a super market or simply buy something else.

Domestic fuel - irrelevant as it's unaffected by this rise*.

Clothing and shoes - Childrens clothing and shoes (those marketed at children**) are zero rate so unaffected. Adult clothes are affected but the price increases will be small. There are plenty of cheap, decent quality clothes available that I don't see this as an issue.


*Domestic fuel is a topic for another thread.
**This can get very technical, I won't go into futher detail here.
 
Mr Jack said:
It was fairly mixed (as the source you cite indicates). So, as I said, the Tories didn't do much better in their last government.
Click to expand...

It trended downwards over the course of their government, even with the rise between 1990 and 1995...

That contrasts with Labour's trend of rising upwards even during periods of growth.
 
This is simply shocking.
The Tories really need to sort this mess out they've inherited, NOW!
And they have to do it with their money not mine, why should I pay for it???
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, etc, etc..

Edit: Forgot the mad smiley :mad:
 
JohnnyG said:
This is simply shocking.
The Tories really need to sort this mess out they've inherited, NOW!
And they have to do it with their money not mine, why should I pay for it???
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, etc, etc..

Edit: Forgot the mad smiley :mad:
Click to expand...

Your money is there money. :)

(not meant to be a serious reply as I fully agree that VAT is the best tax to increase).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom