Monday, 26 July 2010
Friday, 23 July 2010
UK Economy Grows Most in Four Years... but
Here are the reasons why caution is the word today, despite encouraging results - Stephanie Flanders BBC blog: Economy Caution
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Thursday, 24 June 2010
UK Budget Stealth Tax
The four-year freeze on Inheritance Tax allowance confirmed in the United Kingdom's June Budget represents a major tax increase in real terms on thousands of families in Northern Ireland.
Describing the move as a ‘stealth tax’, NI independent financial advisor Stephen Hill said that the move would seriously impact on the money passed from family members.
He believes that the freeze on the nil rate band, first mooted in the emergency March budget, has slipped under the radar and that local people here do not fully appreciate the potential impact. “This freeze is tantamount to a huge increase in inheritance tax,” said Mr Hill, of S Hill & Co Investment Advisors.
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Describing the move as a ‘stealth tax’, NI independent financial advisor Stephen Hill said that the move would seriously impact on the money passed from family members.
He believes that the freeze on the nil rate band, first mooted in the emergency March budget, has slipped under the radar and that local people here do not fully appreciate the potential impact. “This freeze is tantamount to a huge increase in inheritance tax,” said Mr Hill, of S Hill & Co Investment Advisors.
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Wednesday, 12 May 2010
DC Seals The Deal
So, that's that then. David Cameron is the newly, and finally elected, Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As opposed to his election as one might have been, just might have been, it is time to wish him well. His boldness and determination will be needed to maintain Britain's fragile coaltion with Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats.
If the coalition lasts, it will be the Liberal Democrats which take the harsh edge off insensitive Tory policies. Unchecked, Cameron and Osborne would likely push too hard, too soon in what they see as the national interest, not noticing the trail of public destruction they would leave in their wake. The brutal excellence of capitalism and market renewal is less easily applied to families, to the young and the old. Losing your job is losing your job.
So, that's that then, David Cameron. We wish you well. Walk steady, walk tall, tread gently.
If the coalition lasts, it will be the Liberal Democrats which take the harsh edge off insensitive Tory policies. Unchecked, Cameron and Osborne would likely push too hard, too soon in what they see as the national interest, not noticing the trail of public destruction they would leave in their wake. The brutal excellence of capitalism and market renewal is less easily applied to families, to the young and the old. Losing your job is losing your job.
So, that's that then, David Cameron. We wish you well. Walk steady, walk tall, tread gently.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Near Miss
There was a crucial moment when Nick Clegg was missing from the political radar, but when he popped up at the debates, the political police, the FBI of policy, nabbed him, and suddenly he just wasn't Mr Popular.
Weeks of scrutiny are putting Clegg's Liberal Democrats back where they belong, in a vaguely relevant position.
With this election too close to call, Labour and the Conservatives are playing the roles of big banker and small business. Dave 'The Banker' Cameron, pretends to be offering the best deal on the High Street, but really, it's only for those with big fat wallets. Gordon 'I'm not sure I agree with Nick anymore' Brown, is the MD of a business which did well in the good times, but just can't catch a break when the squeeze is squeezing.
Dave pretends he really, really understands the plight of the British people, and feels a little sorry they didn't get bailed out, like him, in life's fiscal lottery. Gordon 'gets it', though what every MD will tell you; when your back's against the wall, telling consumers their service levels will improve next year just doesn't cut it.
Gordon has turned a profit into a loss. Dave has one lesson left to lend to Gordon - what every big bank will tell you - some businesses are too big to fail. Labour may be politically insolvent, but they are still in the game, and with a little luck, a little pleading, and stone cold plausability, they may yet win the largest number of seats. If not, Cameron will call in the nation's overdraft, and we will feel a squeeze that will make many squeal.
Weeks of scrutiny are putting Clegg's Liberal Democrats back where they belong, in a vaguely relevant position.
With this election too close to call, Labour and the Conservatives are playing the roles of big banker and small business. Dave 'The Banker' Cameron, pretends to be offering the best deal on the High Street, but really, it's only for those with big fat wallets. Gordon 'I'm not sure I agree with Nick anymore' Brown, is the MD of a business which did well in the good times, but just can't catch a break when the squeeze is squeezing.
Dave pretends he really, really understands the plight of the British people, and feels a little sorry they didn't get bailed out, like him, in life's fiscal lottery. Gordon 'gets it', though what every MD will tell you; when your back's against the wall, telling consumers their service levels will improve next year just doesn't cut it.
Gordon has turned a profit into a loss. Dave has one lesson left to lend to Gordon - what every big bank will tell you - some businesses are too big to fail. Labour may be politically insolvent, but they are still in the game, and with a little luck, a little pleading, and stone cold plausability, they may yet win the largest number of seats. If not, Cameron will call in the nation's overdraft, and we will feel a squeeze that will make many squeal.
Friday, 30 April 2010
"I'm sorry, oh, so sorry..."
The ghost of Major past is lurking.
Former British Prime Minister John Major's monumental ransacking of political polls in the final week of campaigning is keeping alive the hopes of Labour Party diehards.
Major defied the settled political wisdom of the time to squeak home with a narrow majority. A softening of the Liberal Democrat's inflated poll figures would help ensure Labour retains the majority of seats, and if Labour finishes no worse than second, the opportunity to form a coalition government will remain.
By his own admission, he's a bit biased, but worth a read: http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog.php
Former British Prime Minister John Major's monumental ransacking of political polls in the final week of campaigning is keeping alive the hopes of Labour Party diehards.
Major defied the settled political wisdom of the time to squeak home with a narrow majority. A softening of the Liberal Democrat's inflated poll figures would help ensure Labour retains the majority of seats, and if Labour finishes no worse than second, the opportunity to form a coalition government will remain.
By his own admission, he's a bit biased, but worth a read: http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog.php
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