Are we losing this country?

Pawnless Endgame · 1 Nov 2012 at 21:54

Granted, the London 2012 games have done us good, but I see more of our own companies going abroad. E.g. Cadbury's went across the pond to Kraft, then announced this week, Branston pickle has gone off-shore to Japan. It's making us more of an importer than an exporter, at the same time jobs being lost in favour of off-shore. Neither does our recession any favours. I'm interested to know what the politics are. What do we gain by selling our companies? Sure, a lump sum to begin with (e.g. Premier Foods selling Branston), but is there a contingency plan or do the top guys bail and retire on the lump sum?

Pudney · 1 Nov 2012 at 21:55

There's a difference between being owned overseas and importing.

spicypixel · 1 Nov 2012 at 21:57

Yes we are doomed. Get your brolly ready.

Housey · 1 Nov 2012 at 21:59

In most situations, business is about return for the stakeholders. If that return means you have to sell it to the highest bidder principals or long term perspective rarely come into it.

Destination · 1 Nov 2012 at 21:59

Pudney said:
There's a difference between being owned overseas and importing.

A bit, but either way the gross profits leave the country.
As our retaielrs close and amazon take over, we end up with less overall taxes in the pot.

Its the indirect taxation, and vat that keeps the country moving, so i guess as long as thats still being paid we'll be ok. Corporation taxes will drop, but business that were v close to the wire, likely were not contributing in large amounts.

malfunkshun · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:01

Premier sold Branston, Sarsons, Dufrais and Haywards to reduce their debt issues. They had an agreement with their banks to refinance and selling brands to reduce debt was part of that agreement.

Pudney · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:03

Hikari Kisugi said:
A bit, but either way the gross profits leave the country.
As our retaielrs close and amazon take over, we end up with less overall taxes in the pot.

Its the indirect taxation, and vat that keeps the country moving, so i guess as long as thats still being paid we'll be ok. Corporation taxes will drop, but business that were v close to the wire, likely were not contributing in large amounts.

Not every company moves profits abroad, that's just sensationalism.

Efour · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:12

Globalization... deal with it.

Judgeneo · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:16

We've got a number of things moving into the UK as well.

We're changing as a country certainly, but not necessarily for the worse

minister · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:24

Yes we are, this country is falling apart in so many ways, you have companies abusing our system, you have MPs abusing our system, you have too many immigrants in this country abusing our system the list goes on.

I meet a lot of non British people, and they ask me if there are any real Londoner as they always seem to meet foreign people.
I want my country back, I want to walk down the road hearing people speaking English, i’m sick of bending over to please these visitors, that do not care about anything apart from taking.
You have MPs destroying our councils to make a quick buck, screw the people, you have provate companies seeking government contracts because there is profit to be made and its easy money, compared to the private markets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbLfje8_jgI[/url http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15820601

Mr_White · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:30

minister said:
Yes we are, this country is falling apart in so many ways, you have companies abusing our system, you have MPs abusing our system, you have too many immigrants in this country abusing our system the list goes on.

I meet a lot of non British people, and they ask me if there are any real Londoner as they always seem to meet foreign people.
I want my country back, I want to walk down the road hearing people speaking English, i’m sick of bending over to please these visitors, that do not care about anything apart from taking.
You have MPs destroying our councils to make a quick buck, screw the people, you have provate companies seeking government contracts because there is profit to be made and its easy money, compared to the private markets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbLfje8_jgI

Danthus · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:34

Because everyone critical of immigration is a BNP or EDL fan, of course they are.

Gackt · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:43

OldCoals said:
Because everyone critical of immigration is a BNP or EDL fan, of course they are.

His post reeked of the usual bigotry that is spouted from those groups.

minister · 1 Nov 2012 at 22:53

Gackt said:
His post reeked of the usual bigotry that is spouted from those groups.

Typical close it down with the word bigot post pictures of EDL etc... your trying to intimidate people because its simple to do, rather than discuss the issues thats going on. I for one will not be intimidated by a Fascist, because thats what Fascists do.

Third Opinion · 1 Nov 2012 at 23:04

Germany, China, Japan etc want to own everything and control the world. They now do so how pointless do past conflicts seem now they have practically achieved their objectives.

Crafty · 1 Nov 2012 at 23:06

We are mainly a financial and service industry country now.

You can't compete with the "emerging markets" in manufacturing - if you want a million M5 bolts they will beat you on price every time - its just not possible to do it here for that price with our taxes, employment, h&s laws etc.

We can be pretty good at component manufacture as well though. For example : we don't make aircraft any more, but we do make parts - wing leading edges, flaps, nacelles, etc.

Where we can really compete is the knowledge, experience and skill in how and why to use those bolts in a solution for a customer and using all of that to deliver to the customer.

minister · 1 Nov 2012 at 23:07

Crafty said:
We are mainly a financial and service industry country now.

You can't compete with the "emerging markets" in manufacturing - if you want a million M5 bolts they will beat you on price every time - its just not possible to do it here for that price with our taxes, employment, h&s laws etc.

We can be pretty good at component manufacture as well though. For example : we don't make aircraft any more, but we do make parts - wing leading edges, flaps, nacelles, etc.

Where we can really compete is the knowledge, experience and skill in how and why to use those bolts in a solution for a customer and using all of that to deliver to the customer.

How long do you think that will last?

d_brennen · 1 Nov 2012 at 23:09

Third Opinion said:
Germany, China, Japan etc want to own everything and control the world. They now do so how pointless do past conflicts seem now they have practically achieved their objectives.

You're talking as if these countries are individual people or personas. The world is just a huge bunch of people trying to get on in life. There is no master plan. Even the dirty immigrants stealin ur jaaaabs

Cleeecooo · 1 Nov 2012 at 23:09

minister said:
How long do you think that will last?

If we remain good at it... forever.

Or until a new fifth sector of employment is created.

minister · 1 Nov 2012 at 23:10

Cleeecooo said:
If we remain good at it... forever.

Or until a new fifth sector of employment is created.

I say 10 years then the decline comes. Landlords, immigrants, companies and wars are killing this country. And to people that start post EDL etc... when do we close the doors? or do we keep allowing people to come into this country at what point do we stop As any mention of closing the doors is counter attacked with the word racist.
So all those that dislike EDL etc... when do we close the doors? do we keep it open for ever? because thats what your saying.