Category: Kartoonz

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SPLASH DOWN! ‘Oops – that didn’t go so well again, but it got a little bit further this time!’

Failed missile test

MOD missile test flops as £17 million weapon plops into sea

The Trident missile test is a routine exercise of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, which involves firing an unarmed missile from a submarine into the Atlantic Ocean

However, the latest test failed when the missile’s booster rockets didn’t function correctly and plopped into the sea near the launch site. 

This is the second time in a row that a Trident missile test has failed, raising concerns over the reliability and safety of the UK’s nuclear weapons system. The defence secretary and the head of the navy were on board the submarine HMS Vanguard when the test went wrong. 

Deterrent remains a safe option…?

The Ministry of Defence said the nuclear deterrent remains ‘safe, secure and effective’ and that the issue was specific to the test and would not affect a real launch. So that’s reassuring to hear then.  

However, some critics have called for an inquiry into the incident and questioned the need for spending billions of pounds on renewing the Trident programme.

This is highly embarrassing for both the UK and the U.S. and for the manufacturer of the Trident missile.

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‘Congratulations, as you’re the only one able to spell ‘gover ‘n’ ment’ correctly – you’ve got the job. Would you like education or something a little less taxing like… the treasury?’

Government job interview

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THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT JOB DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT

‘Congratulations, you’re the only one to spell ‘gover ‘n’ ment’ correctly – you’ve got the job. Would you like education or something a little less taxing like… the treasury?’
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‘What on EARTH is that smell – was it you?’ ‘No, it’s just the smell of space.’

Space smell

Space smells – fact or fiction?

It’s true, space has a smell. Space is a vacuum, so no one can smell it directly. But astronauts can smell the things that have been in space, such as their suits or tools. 

They report that space smells like hot metal, diesel fumes, barbecue, or burning hydrocarbons. These smells are believed to be caused by the by-products of dying stars, such as hydrocarbons.

Space smell
‘What on EARTH is that smell – was it you?’ ‘No, it’s just the smell of space.’
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Tax cuts are coming, it must be election time again

Tax man

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.

Tax man
‘I hope you have some juicy tax cuts for me?’
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Party politics and petty petulance, an average day at No. 10 Downing Street

Party politics and petty petulance
Party politics and petty petulance – toys out the pram again at No. 10

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.