The election is coming soon, and to a town near you…
‘Did it work?’ – ‘No, I still have that urge to vote Conservative.’
Tax cuts are coming, it must be election time again
Spinning the benefits of a tax cut scenario as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hints at further tax cuts
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has given strong hints that he wants to cut taxes in the spring Budget.
Mr Hunt reportedly said that countries with lower taxes have more ‘dynamic, faster growing economies.‘ Didn’t Liz Truss say something like that too? But of course, she didn’t ‘cost it out’ in her mini budget apparently – but she also wanted lower taxes for growth none-the-less.
Autumn statement
In the Autumn Statement, the chancellor reduced national insurance for workers by 2% and announced tax relief for businesses. If inflation falls, followed by lower interest rates, Mr Hunt may consider he has scope for further tax cuts.
At the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland – he was also reported to have said that the: ‘direction of travel’ indicates that economies growing faster than the UK, in North America and Asia tend to have lower taxes. ‘I believe fundamentally that low-tax economies are more dynamic, more competitive and generate more money for public services like the NHS,’ he reportedly said.
It is widely expected that the chancellor will focus on income tax in the upcoming Budget due on 6th March 2024
Lower than expected government borrowing last month has increased the possibility of tax cuts in the Budget, analysts say.
UK Borrowing fell to £7.8bn in December 2023, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated. Interest payments dropped sharply due to a faster than expected decline in inflation. Analysts said the latest figures could give the chancellor more wiggle room for tax cuts.
December’s borrowing figure was £8.4bn less than a year earlier, and the lowest figure for the month since 2019.
Interest payments on government debt fell to £4bn, down by £14.1bn from December 2022.
To infinity and… the moon. ‘I see you’re back again… try and keep it tidy this time, and please recycle after your visit!’ Thank you.
‘Don’t for one minute think you’re staying, especially after the mess you left last time!’
To the moon and back.
Party politics and petty petulance, an average day at No. 10 Downing Street
Welcome politics at No. 10 Downing street
The phrase ‘throwing your toys out of the pram’ is a British idiom that means to behave in a childish or immature way when you are angry or frustrated. It is usually used to criticize someone who is acting unreasonably or making a fuss over something trivial.
Right now, it sums up everyday behaviour at No. 10 Downing Street.
‘I hear turkey stock performs well this time of year’.
This time of year, in December as it gets colder outside, the stock markets begin to warm-up.
‘Prime Minister, you may wish to read my resignation letter before sacking me.’ ‘Was it something I said?’
Ex-NatWest boss loses out on £7.6 million pay deal after Farage fiasco
Dame Alison Rose, the former chief executive of NatWest Group, will lose out on £7.6m after she admitted to discussing the closure of Nigel Farage’s bank account with a BBC journalist.
Another word for getting the sack?
She ‘resigned’ from the banking group in July 2023, after the former Ukip leader complained about a BBC report that claimed his accounts with Coutts, a private bank owned by NatWest, were closed for commercial reasons.
Apology
The BBC later apologised and amended its story, saying that it had checked with a senior source, whom Dame Alison later confirmed was herself, that Mr Farage’s accounts were closed because he fell below Coutts’s wealth threshold.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) initially suggested that Dame Alison had breached data privacy laws by confirming Mr Farage’s banking arrangements, but later issued a formal apology, saying it was ‘incorrect’ and that it had not investigated her.
Pay deal of £2.4 million
Dame Alison will receive her £2.4 million fixed pay package but will not benefit from share awards and bonuses she had previously been entitled to.
Her saga reportedly wiped £850m off the value of NatWest Group. The long-term damage to the bank and banking sector likely hasn’t been fully realised yet.
It’s about trust and privacy, isn’t it?
‘What do you call a smart TV that can’t connect to the internet?’… ‘SMART!’
‘Unfair fare!’ ‘I don’t want to buy the train; I just want a ticket!’
‘I think we may have taken this ‘simplifying’ life thing a bit too far!’ ‘What do you think?’
‘The voice control system on mine is terrible, what’s yours like?’
‘UK government lectern advertising space now available!’
‘Is this the HS2 ticket office? – ‘Does this train go north?’ – ‘No, but we have a very expensive special ticket that will take you round in circles!’
‘Party venue closed!’ – Resident DJ has left the building’
‘Nothing to worry about here – everything is just fine and under control!’
Please just carry on and go about your day-to-day business as usual…
Introducing the UK magic message government lectern
‘Have you noticed everytime the government needs to persuade the public that their ‘message’ is so super important – they roll out the magic message lectern”.
Other important messages
And this…
And this one…
The latest government slogan… ‘LONG-TERM DECISIONS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE’
Let’s roll out the advertisements to persuade the UK public the government knows best… again.
They convinced me!
Not!
It’s a joke!
The UK government is trying to peruade the public that the recent Sunak climate rollback decision is a good thing… ‘LONG-TERM DECISIONS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE’
Who are the kidding?
Polluting car and climate push back
New car show room
We just don’t have the funds, do we?
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to water down some of Britain’s climate commitments, saying the country must fight climate change without penalising workers and consumers.
Sunak issued a statement Tuesday in response to a BBC report saying the prime minister is considering extending deadlines for bans on new petrol and diesel cars – currently due in 2030 —- and on new natural-gas home heating.
The news drew dismay from environmental groups, opposition parties and some members of Sunak’s Conservative Party. It broke as senior politicians from the U.K. and around the world gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Biden and Yellen have placed climate high on the agenda.
Senior Tories who have championed net zero policies are reportedly furious at Sunak’s plans to delay or water down green measures. They warn that the decision will cost the U.K. jobs, inward investment and future economic growth that could have been theirs by committing to the industries of the future.
We won’t save the UK by bankrupting its people – Braverman
Home Secretary Suella Braverman says she backs Rishi Sunak’s expected shift on how the UK gets to net zero carbon emissions.
‘We’re not going to save the country by bankrupting the British people,’ she told BBC Breakfast.
It must be true, I’ve just seen it on the news. Is the UK broke? Is this the real reason for the climate roll-back?
‘We’re not going to save the country by bankrupting the British people’.
I for one am very confused??
Does the UK have the money? Is it a too big-a-burden for the UK tax payer? Can the UK generate enough ‘POWER’ from renewables? The UK needs fossil fuels?
Most of the world still needs fossil fuels!
Are we really ready to switch yet? Renewables and fossil fuels will have to work hand-in-hand for some time yet.
UK inflation in surprise fall, a ‘massive’ drop all of 0.1%
ONS says inflation dropped in August 2023
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK’s inflation rate dropped unexpectedly in August 2023 to its lowest level since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to sharp rises in energy and food costs which were already on the rise due to the pandemic.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 6.7% in the 12 months to August 2023, down from 6.8% in July. The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) rose by 6.3% in the 12 months to August 2023, down from 6.4% in July.
The ONS said that the main factors behind the fall in inflation were lower prices for clothing, footwear, and second-hand cars, partly offset by higher prices for transport services and recreational goods.
UK Inflation 1989 – 2023 (ONS data)
The ONS also said that the inflation rate was still high compared with historical levels, and that it expected it to rise further in the coming months due to increases in energy bills and supply chain pressures.
You can find more details and data about the UK inflation and price indices on the ONS website or on the Consumer price inflation, UK: August 2023 time series.
Jeremy says its OK!
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the news showed ‘the plan to deal with inflation is working’. Well Jeremy, your comments are encouraging – if you truly believe a 0.1% fall in inflation is ‘working‘. Where were you when the Bank of England lost control of the ‘2% inflation remit’.
Where were you when the excessive ‘uncontrolled’ government borrowing infected the UK’s economy? With all that ‘free’ money sloshing around the system, what did you really expect would happen..?
‘I think I might start again!’
Planning complete, time to go ahead and build it. I can add the finshing touches later.
Shares vs Covid19 stock chart
As the pandemic hit world economies, share prices plunged. But as the ‘fear’ lifted so too did the share prices.
‘Is it OK to use a doggy poo bag blackberry picking?’
The blackberry
Blackberries are a very healthy food, packed with antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and other diseases.
Blackberries can be picked from late summer through to mid-autumn. The earlier ones tend to be better raw, the later good for cooking.
A ripe blackberry is deep black with a plump, full feel. It should come away easily when pulled from the stem.
Blackberries can stain your hands and clothes.
Blackberry tea was used to cure dysentery.
There are two types of blackberries: thorny and thornless. Thorny blackberries have more flavour, but thornless ones are easier to pick.
Blackberries are also known as brambles in Britain.
Bramble is the plant that produces the blackberry.
Blackberries are related to raspberries, strawberries, and roses. They belong to the rose family, Rosaceae.
‘I told you that was a risky investment!’
Are we failing our children? Closed doors!
CLOSED: ‘How am I meant to get a decent education’?
School and building closures are disrupting our children’s education in the UK. The issues range from asbestos contamination, building material failures, Covid closures and teacher strikes. What the hell?
‘The economy is a mess – but we still got beer’. ‘What’s economy’?
‘What’s the point of HS2 if there is no one to run it?’ ‘Beats me… guess we’re stuck with it!’
‘Is this the end of the line’?
Yet more strike action continues to create chaos for travellers
Much of the UK will have no train services on Friday 1st Septemebr 2023 as the latest major strike action takes place.
Members of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, who work at more than a dozen train companies, have walked out and have refused to work.
Up to 20,000 RMT union members at 14 operators will also strike on Saturday in a long-running dispute
Meanwhile, a consultation closing most ticket offices in England ends.
Ticket office closures
Unions and disability groups have also taken action against other proposed working practices in the industry, such as ticket office closures.
Currently, nearly 300 stations in England run by train companies with Department for Transport contracts have a full-time staffed ticket office – 708 are staffed part-time. Under the proposals, most would close.
Ongoing dispute
The UK train strikes are part of an ongoing dispute between the rail unions and the train operators over pay and conditions.
- ASLEF members at 16 rail operators will strike again on Friday, 1st September 2023 and Saturday, 2nd September 2023.
- RMT members at 14 train companies will strike again on 2nd September 2023. This will severely affect the timetables.
Pay dispute and working practices
The rail unions are demanding a pay rise that reflects the rising cost of living, as well as job security and improved working conditions. The train operators say they need to make changes to the ways of working in order to save money and improve efficiency, especially after the pandemic hit their finances hard.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operators, has offered a 5% pay rise for 2022, but the unions have rejected it as insufficient and conditional on reforms they oppose.
The train strikes have caused significant disruption and frustration for millions of passengers, especially during the peak summer holiday season. The government has urged both sides to resume talks and find a resolution
‘Take me to your leader. Err… we don’t really have one’!
