tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049208109612299827.post1573492691790579111..comments2023-12-06T23:58:59.189+00:00Comments on ffranc sais: A shot across the bowsFrank Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447989626809704972noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049208109612299827.post-31998089193568309622008-09-16T11:20:00.000+01:002008-09-16T11:20:00.000+01:00I should have included in the cost savings the inf...I should have included in the cost savings the inflated PR departments in Westminster, some agencies which are arms of the civil service in all but their accounts book entries, and the gold plate on MPs' pensions.Frank Littlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447989626809704972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049208109612299827.post-6910237144953394962008-09-16T11:13:00.000+01:002008-09-16T11:13:00.000+01:00I have no difficulty with the idea of cutting unne...I have no difficulty with the idea of cutting unnecessary jobs, both in the civil service and in health administration. I have also long accepted that a cut in the number of MPs is a necessary complement (and benefit) of full devolution.<BR/><BR/>"Make it Happen" will take loads of lower-paid people out of direct taxation altogether. But it will also reduce everybody's income tax as 4p will be taken off the standard rate. The only "sufferers" will be those at the top end who make use of tax dodges which Vince Cable will put a stop to.<BR/><BR/>What we are talking about is the redistribution of further savings. Why should that all go back in the form of reduced direct taxation? The UK is one of the least directly taxed nations in the EU. Why not (while we are stuck with council tax) help all local councils with better rate support settlements? While Wales is still dependent on the Westminster exchequer, why not replace the Barnett formula with one that more fairly addresses Welsh problems?Frank Littlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447989626809704972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049208109612299827.post-89798262611387213362008-09-16T08:35:00.000+01:002008-09-16T08:35:00.000+01:00The current administration is one of the highest T...The current administration is one of the highest Taxing, if not the highest Taxing governments we've had for a long time.<BR/><BR/>Tax cuts are achievable, we are wasting tax pounds left right and centre in this country. <BR/><BR/>Just looking at the Community Charge in Wales you can see that four out of the top five Councils for high Council Tax are labour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com