Cruch to last at LEAST another 18 mnths

WTF?_2

Dan: wrote: »

Yes, but in these hard times of recession it will not be easy to get another job. The job section in my local paper has reduced right down to only a couple of pages. The 'rainy day' savings wont last long.

Savings are also at record low levels IIRC, so not many people actually have that much put by.

Hey! Why save when you couold have lots of lolly to 'treat yourself' and after all you got next to nothing in the bank anyway....

For years, interest rates on savings were something like 3 or 4% (before tax) at best. Instead, you could stump up a 5% deposit and 'make' something approaching 10% p.a. on a leveraged sum 20x your own investment, maybe even tax free.

Of course you had to borrow a massive amount relative to your income to afford it but as long as prices kept going up and the country didn't go into recession putting your income in jeopardy, what could possibly go wrong with that plan? :wall:

A lot of us were saying during the boom that it wasn't in fact so great as it looked on the surface - plenty of people were getting by only because of cheap and easy debt/credit.

dopester

Dithering_Dad wrote: »

Surely recessions are bad news for everyone?

No they are not. Recessions and depressions release new energies from what has been destroyed, and shake out the weak businesses that could only survive in a boom bubble of delusion.

Whilst there are dark and painful times ahead, I look at it as a much needed opportunity transfer to generations to come.

Problem is, this one could be a near total destruction of how the system works, seeing how far the HPI and easy credit has gone.

Link:

With no depression, we might have had a large leather business in Stratford and a bigger bookshop in Lichfield, but no Hamlet and no Johnson’s Dictionary.

lynzpower

He might be a pillock prime minister but as a chancellor he did a good job. ( no he didnt, he didnt save enough for the days when hard times would strike. Its all spend spend spend. Yes I agree there is some spending which SHOULD have been done - sure start for example, increases in pensions, pension credit, tax credits to a degree/ although I owuld have preferred a lower tax-take or a higher min wage to pay for this instead of the expensive and convoluted system we have that doenst work etc- but plenty that shouldnt- an olympics no one wants/ a war no one wanted. Dont call this a socialist government, they have left hundreds of failed asylum seekers on the dying on the streets without any recourse, and with no way home, so this is not a government who gives a toss about humans, if it did I wouldnt mind paying for it.)
might of spent spent spent but millions are better off (the poor) ( not always) under this government than ever before, Tax credits, 10p tax (we are being slightly compensated now, but at least it was brought in) winter fuel allowance , investment in NHS (BADLY SPENT BY MANAGERS) and education. Its not badly spent by maangers, have you ever worked in the NHS? The waste has been PFI for heavens sake. heres a few cracking examples. http://www.healthdemocracy.org.uk/healthdemocracy.org.uk/HealthPolicy/GovernmentPolicy/Resources/ResourceShortfall/London%20Strategic%20Health%20Authorities.htm
the government DRIVES PFI. Its not the doctors or hospital manager who dream up these schemes, central government does, then finds local personallel to "action" it.
The credit crunch is effecting all ( its not affecting quite a few people here you might find) , if people took out 125% mortgages and borrowed beyond their means they are paying the price now, its unfortunate, it was a gamble, i dont think people should be slated for trying to better themselves ( neither do I, the chancellor and PM were/ are responsible for allowing the uneducated in financial matters to get themselves in a state, and the banks to lend it.) but the gamble has not paid off, ( can you explain to me, how setting off in negative equity is a gamble that didnt pay off? Anyone who is the chancelor of the exchequer SHOULD know that debt isnt an asset, its a liability. Im sure he did know that, after all its GCSE level maths. What Brown did, is to encourage the lesser educated to believe that debt was wealth. That "investing" in ones future should be done with debt. He has used the same principle to the state coffers. lets all borrow- it will make us feel rich.

If gordon had given a toss abut "decent hardworking families" he would have outlawed 125 mortgages, outlawed IO mortgages, and allowed the market to find a reasonable level within a legislative framework. But he didnt, he allowed the masses to borrow themselves into effective slavery to banks, and now the screw has been tightened ( sorry anyand this WAS bound to happen sooner or later, whether the credit crunch had happened or not.

At least under labour people had the chance ( what chance- the chance to get themselves into huge debt- and be wide open for repo- thanks! Even thatcher with the great sell off didnt do this, the properties were sold at low cost. ) like never before, no body could for-see the current climate, ( sorry, we could see this, the debt has to be paid off somehow, and no one knew how it could ever be done?!) if they could they probably wouldn't of taken the gamble, at least they tried though and have a lot of experience now,, ( I cant imagine people writing to gordon brown after handing thier keys to the bailiffs saying "thanks for the laughs, i know it didnt work out but hell, we tried didnt we "

geoffky

.

Come on, Brown's achievement's are there for all to see.
July 1997
01 • Mortgage Interest Tax Relief At Source (MIRAS) reduced from 15% to 10%
02 • Dividend Tax Credits for pension schemes abolished
03 • Income tax relief on health insurance abolished
04 • Insurance Premium Tax extended to some health insurance
05 • Road Fuel Tax escalator increased to 6%
06 • Vehicle Excise Duty increased
07 • Tobacco duty escalator increased to 5%
08 • Stamp Duty raised to 2%
09 • Carry back of Corporation Tax losses limited to 1 year
10 • Windfall tax on utilities
March 1998
11 • Tax relief for the married couple's allowance (MCA) cut to 10%
12 • Top rate of Insurance Premium Tax extended to travel insurance
13 • Exceptional increase in tobacco and alcohol duties
14 • Duties on casinos and gaming machines raised
15 • Road Fuel Tax escalator increase brought forward
16 • Tax on company cars increased
17 • Tax relief on foreign earnings abolished
18 • Tax concessions for certain professions abolished
19 • Capital gains tax imposed on certain non-residents
20 • Restriction of Capital Gains Tax relief on reinvestment
21 • Corporation tax payments on account brought forward
22 • Stamp duty increased again
23 • Certain hydrocarbon duties increased
24 • Additional diesel duties introduced
25 • Landfill Tax increased
26 • Double tax credits on certain dividends restricted
March 1999
27 • National Insurance Contributions earning limit raised
28 • NI Contributions for self-employed increased
29 • Tax relief of Married Couple's Allowance abolished
30 • MIRAS abolished
31 • Self-employed contractors to pay NI and income tax as if employees
32 • Company car business mileage discount limited
33 • Double escalator on tobacco duties
34 • Insurance Premium Tax increased to 5%
35 • Vocational training relief abolished
36 • Employer NI Contribution base broadened to include all benefits in kind
37 • VAT on some banking services increased
38 • Tax on reverse premiums paid to tenants by landlords introduced
39 • Duty on domestic fuel oils up
40 • Vehicle Excise Duty for lorries increased
41 • Landfill tax escalator introduced
42 • Stamp Duty rates raised again to 2.5/3.5%
March 2000
43 • Tobacco duties increased above inflation
44 • Stamp duty raised for 4th time, scope of duty extended
45 • Extra taxation of life assurance companies
46 • Rules on tax havens tightened up
47 • Company car taxes raised
2001
The Chancellor gives the exhausted nation a year off – no new stealth taxes!
April 2002
48 • Personal tax allowances frozen
49 • National Insurance threshold frozen
50 • NI Contributions for employers raised
51 • NI Contributions for employees raised [Class 1 up 1%]
52 • NI Contributions for self-employed raised
53 • North Sea taxation increased
54 • Duty on some alcoholic drinks raised
55 • Stamp duty thresholds frozen
56 • Tax relief on investment in film industy restricted
57 • Rules on corporate debt tightened
58 • Nil-rate threshold for inheritance tax raised by less than the rate of inflation
April 2003
59 • VAT imposed on electronically supplied services
60 • Domestic staff on £89/week to pay NI & income tax, employers to pay NI
61 • Betting duty increases
62 • Tax on red diesel and fuel oil increased
63 • Anti-tax haven rules tightened to cover more UK firms with Irish subsidiaries
64 • Vehicle excise duty raised
65 • Personal tax allowances frozen again
July, 2003
66 • £35 added to all fines and £3 added to the cost of a home insurance policy
September, 2003
67 • Price of petrol raised 7p per gallon (with the VAT)
October, 2003
68 • Up to 8 times increase in the stamp duty on leases for retail premises
69 • Airport Tax doubled
December, 2003
70 • 40% extra Council Tax on second homes was sneaked in while the Westminster Wonders were breaking up for their hols a whole week before Xmas.
Additional info : It has been pointed out that a number of councils gave an even bigger discount for second homes and the increase for some people can be 80%. Plus the usual 6-18% annual rise, depending on how bloated the council's operations have become.
Exemptions may be granted if the second home owner (1) has to live somewhere because of his/her employment, (2) the dwelling comes with the job, or (3) there are special threat/security reasons involved. All of which excuses apply to 10, Downing Street, the home of a certain Mr. Anthony B. Liar. (Thanks to M.K.)
January, 2004
71 • £60 per day fine for late submission of self-assessment income tax forms
72 • Traffic wardens to receive powers to impose fines for a whole bunch of offences to keep poor people off the roads. The offences will include parking more than 19 inches from the kerb (£100) and dithering by people who are lost over, and who don't know whether to make a turn or keep straight on
73 • A 'Victims Fund' surcharge fine on everyone who passes through the courts. £5 for speeding up to £30 for murder.
74 • Legal Aid for the middle classes abolished
February, 2004
75 • £40 per week charge to middle-class parents for formerly free nursery places
76 • £200 per year charge to middle-class parents for places on formerly free school buses
77 • £250 per hour charge from the fire brigade for non-fire-related call-outs, e.g. clearing up after road accidents and rescuing !!!!! cats from trees
March, 2004
78 • £550 tax rise (at standard rate) for people using a company van or people-carrier out of work time
79 • Council Tax will rise at least 7.4% next year (according to the Budget)
80 • The tax incentive for owner-operator small businesses to become companies abolished
81 • Tax on cross-border payments for goods and services between multi-divisional companies extended to transactions within the UK
82 • Tax on trusts up from 34% to 40%
83 • Duty on red diesel up 1p/litre above inflation (57% rise)
84 • Duty on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used as fuel up 1p/litre above inflation (45% rise)
85 • Personal allowances for taxpayers under 65 frozen
April 2004
86 • PEPs and ISAs containing shares lose their tax break on dividends and the annual ISA allowance cut by £2,000 to £5,000
87 • The 100% tax allowance for small businesses & self-employed on new computer/advanced telephone equipment cut to 50% for 2004/5 tax year
88 • Passports – in addition to costing twice as much as the present price of £42, the new 'biometric data' passports will be valid for half as long. They will have to be renewed every 5 years instead of every 10 years, which doubles the cost yet again.
89 • £100 per year 'lighthouse tax' on small boats over 8 metres long. Commerial shipping lines think they should pay £2.6million per year towards the annual £73million cost of maintaining lighthouses and navigational equipment.
May 2004
90 • Council Tax bills to rise a further £110 in the affected areas to pay for 'Two Jags' Prescott's regional assemblies
91 • Repeat prescriptions : They last only 56 days now. Previously, they lasted up to 112 days – so costs for some people have doubled. The logic, apparently, is that people often don't take all of their tablets; BUT it still means that those who do have doubled costs. And it means twice the work for hard-pressed GPs.
92 • Vehicle Insurance Premiums : In 1999, the law was changed to let NHS trusts reclaim treatment costs from motor insurance companies in cases where fault had been established and compensation paid. Insurance premiums have risen by at least £5 per year to pay for the charging regime.
Before 1999 hospitals could only recoup £21 from road accident victims towards the cost of their treatment. The 1999 act set fixed rates of more than £400 per day for patients who were not admitted, and more than £500 for those forced to stay in hospital.
In March 2004, the rates were raised, allowing hospitals to recover up to £34,800 per case. As a result some major hospitals are now claiming more than £500,000 a year from insurance companies. In effect, patients are now paying twice for the NHS – through both taxes and increased insurance premiums.

stonethrower

lynzpower wrote: »

He might be a pillock prime minister but as a chancellor he did a good job. ( no he didnt, he didnt save enough for the days when hard times would strike. Its all spend spend spend. Yes I agree there is some spending which SHOULD have been done - sure start for example, increases in pensions, pension credit, tax credits to a degree/ although I owuld have preferred a lower tax-take or a higher min wage to pay for this instead of the expensive and convoluted system we have that doenst work etc- but plenty that shouldnt- an olympics no one wants/ a war no one wanted. Dont call this a socialist government, they have left hundreds of failed asylum seekers on the dying on the streets without any recourse, and with no way home, so this is not a government who gives a toss about humans, if it did I wouldnt mind paying for it.)
might of spent spent spent but millions are better off (the poor) ( not always) under this government than ever before, Tax credits, 10p tax (we are being slightly compensated now, but at least it was brought in) winter fuel allowance , investment in NHS (BADLY SPENT BY MANAGERS) and education. Its not badly spent by maangers, have you ever worked in the NHS? The waste has been PFI for heavens sake. heres a few cracking examples. http://www.healthdemocracy.org.uk/healthdemocracy.org.uk/HealthPolicy/GovernmentPolicy/Resources/ResourceShortfall/London%20Strategic%20Health%20Authorities.htm
the government DRIVES PFI. Its not the doctors or hospital manager who dream up these schemes, central government does, then finds local personallel to "action" it.
The credit crunch is effecting all ( its not affecting quite a few people here you might find) , if people took out 125% mortgages and borrowed beyond their means they are paying the price now, its unfortunate, it was a gamble, i dont think people should be slated for trying to better themselves ( neither do I, the chancellor and PM were/ are responsible for allowing the uneducated in financial matters to get themselves in a state, and the banks to lend it.) but the gamble has not paid off, ( can you explain to me, how setting off in negative equity is a gamble that didnt pay off? Anyone who is the chancelor of the exchequer SHOULD know that debt isnt an asset, its a liability. Im sure he did know that, after all its GCSE level maths. What Brown did, is to encourage the lesser educated to believe that debt was wealth. That "investing" in ones future should be done with debt. He has used the same principle to the state coffers. lets all borrow- it will make us feel rich.

If gordon had given a toss abut "decent hardworking families" he would have outlawed 125 mortgages, outlawed IO mortgages, and allowed the market to find a reasonable level within a legislative framework. But he didnt, he allowed the masses to borrow themselves into effective slavery to banks, and now the screw has been tightened ( sorry anyand this WAS bound to happen sooner or later, whether the credit crunch had happened or not.

At least under labour people had the chance ( what chance- the chance to get themselves into huge debt- and be wide open for repo- thanks! Even thatcher with the great sell off didnt do this, the properties were sold at low cost. ) like never before, no body could for-see the current climate, ( sorry, we could see this, the debt has to be paid off somehow, and no one knew how it could ever be done?!) if they could they probably wouldn't of taken the gamble, at least they tried though and have a lot of experience now,, ( I cant imagine people writing to gordon brown after handing thier keys to the bailiffs saying "thanks for the laughs, i know it didnt work out but hell, we tried didnt we "

Couldnt have said it better myself only thing this government did was bring in a ban on fox hunting and even that has been a shambles

ruggedtoast

And in other news Fannie and Freddie have just gone under.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/business/06fannie.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1220727864-ilrt6RtYKI8r8+Ubep+OPA

The executives were told that, under the plan, they and their boards would be replaced and shareholders would be virtually wiped out, but that the companies would be able to continue functioning with the government generally standing behind their debt, people briefed on the discussions said. It is not possible to calculate the cost of any government bailout, but the huge potential liabilities of the companies could cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and make any rescue among the largest in the nation’s history.

Its not often you can pinoint things like this but the old world order is changing in front of our eyes.

geoffky

khan fight here....http://www.justin.tv/eminem152ndpage enjoy thought i would hide it a bit...looks like its off stream

lynzpower

love your secret text there dopseter

the difficulty is that banning boxing means sending it all underground, like dog fighting and co**fighting & no one wants that! I personaly hate the fact that beating each other up is something entertaining for so many, I cant even have it on in the house!

logie28

lynzpower wrote: »

He might be a pillock prime minister but as a chancellor he did a good job. ( no he didnt, he didnt save enough for the days when hard times would strike. Its all spend spend spend. Yes I agree there is some spending which SHOULD have been done - sure start for example, increases in pensions, pension credit, tax credits to a degree/ although I owuld have preferred a lower tax-take or a higher min wage to pay for this instead of the expensive and convoluted system we have that doenst work etc- but plenty that shouldnt- an olympics no one wants/ a war no one wanted. Dont call this a socialist government, they have left hundreds of failed asylum seekers on the dying on the streets without any recourse, and with no way home, so this is not a government who gives a toss about humans, if it did I wouldnt mind paying for it.)
might of spent spent spent but millions are better off (the poor) ( not always) under this government than ever before, Tax credits, 10p tax (we are being slightly compensated now, but at least it was brought in) winter fuel allowance , investment in NHS (BADLY SPENT BY MANAGERS) and education. Its not badly spent by maangers, have you ever worked in the NHS? The waste has been PFI for heavens sake. heres a few cracking examples. http://www.healthdemocracy.org.uk/healthdemocracy.org.uk/HealthPolicy/GovernmentPolicy/Resources/ResourceShortfall/London%20Strategic%20Health%20Authorities.htm
the government DRIVES PFI. Its not the doctors or hospital manager who dream up these schemes, central government does, then finds local personallel to "action" it.
The credit crunch is effecting all ( its not affecting quite a few people here you might find) , if people took out 125% mortgages and borrowed beyond their means they are paying the price now, its unfortunate, it was a gamble, i dont think people should be slated for trying to better themselves ( neither do I, the chancellor and PM were/ are responsible for allowing the uneducated in financial matters to get themselves in a state, and the banks to lend it.) but the gamble has not paid off, ( can you explain to me, how setting off in negative equity is a gamble that didnt pay off? Anyone who is the chancelor of the exchequer SHOULD know that debt isnt an asset, its a liability. Im sure he did know that, after all its GCSE level maths. What Brown did, is to encourage the lesser educated to believe that debt was wealth. That "investing" in ones future should be done with debt. He has used the same principle to the state coffers. lets all borrow- it will make us feel rich.

If gordon had given a toss abut "decent hardworking families" he would have outlawed 125 mortgages, outlawed IO mortgages, and allowed the market to find a reasonable level within a legislative framework. But he didnt, he allowed the masses to borrow themselves into effective slavery to banks, and now the screw has been tightened ( sorry anyand this WAS bound to happen sooner or later, whether the credit crunch had happened or not.

At least under labour people had the chance ( what chance- the chance to get themselves into huge debt- and be wide open for repo- thanks! Even thatcher with the great sell off didnt do this, the properties were sold at low cost. ) like never before, no body could for-see the current climate, ( sorry, we could see this, the debt has to be paid off somehow, and no one knew how it could ever be done?!) if they could they probably wouldn't of taken the gamble, at least they tried though and have a lot of experience now,, ( I cant imagine people writing to gordon brown after handing thier keys to the bailiffs saying "thanks for the laughs, i know it didnt work out but hell, we tried didnt we "

Didn't put enough away for rainy days!! we had enough years to see through this and enough opportunities to vote them out!!

The issues you raise about tax credits minimum wage(both introduced by labour, opposed by tories,) dont really stand ground, every one would like them raised, I'm pointing out this government brought them in ,in the first place.

You say the NHS isn't over run with managers, and blame it on pfi?? not really an argument to be had really, i dont agree with pfi, it was an option, obviously not a good one, you cant argue with monies wasted by management though!!

You say the credit crunch isn't affecting a few people on here,, think your wrong, the credit crunch is connected to world economics, which affect gas, electric, fuel prices and food prices, so it does affect EVERYONE, some people will be able to ride it some wont,

The negative equity you wanted explaining, here goes,, i started off in 2002 with negative equity, bought house just over what it was valued at( strong market, a lot of competition) now stand at £60,000 in equity despite decreases, some people win,, some dont!!

How you go on about the lesser educated and the uneducated waiting for Gordon's next command to get themselves in debt sickens me,

A pathetic middle class view thinking the working class cant think for them selves!!

Why should Gordon brown out law 125% mortgages, the banks took a risk as a business, this is a democratic society. people scream nanny state,, then in next breath,, they moan that the goverment should of.....!!! people and businesses dont need to be told how to wipe their asses!!

illegal wars,,, boring!!!!! ask the old Iraq/afghan regime which they prefer,, mistakes where made , we dont live in an ideal world.

Don't tell me irresponsible people who borrowed beyond their means blame the government!! its their signature along with the banks on them forms, not Gordon browns,,

logie28

geoffky wrote: »

.

Come on, Brown's achievement's are there for all to see.
July 1997
01 • Mortgage Interest Tax Relief At Source (MIRAS) reduced from 15% to 10%
02 • Dividend Tax Credits for pension schemes abolished
03 • Income tax relief on health insurance abolished
04 • Insurance Premium Tax extended to some health insurance
05 • Road Fuel Tax escalator increased to 6%
06 • Vehicle Excise Duty increased
07 • Tobacco duty escalator increased to 5%
08 • Stamp Duty raised to 2%
09 • Carry back of Corporation Tax losses limited to 1 year
10 • Windfall tax on utilities
March 1998
11 • Tax relief for the married couple's allowance (MCA) cut to 10%
12 • Top rate of Insurance Premium Tax extended to travel insurance
13 • Exceptional increase in tobacco and alcohol duties
14 • Duties on casinos and gaming machines raised
15 • Road Fuel Tax escalator increase brought forward
16 • Tax on company cars increased
17 • Tax relief on foreign earnings abolished
18 • Tax concessions for certain professions abolished
19 • Capital gains tax imposed on certain non-residents
20 • Restriction of Capital Gains Tax relief on reinvestment
21 • Corporation tax payments on account brought forward
22 • Stamp duty increased again
23 • Certain hydrocarbon duties increased
24 • Additional diesel duties introduced
25 • Landfill Tax increased
26 • Double tax credits on certain dividends restricted
March 1999
27 • National Insurance Contributions earning limit raised
28 • NI Contributions for self-employed increased
29 • Tax relief of Married Couple's Allowance abolished
30 • MIRAS abolished
31 • Self-employed contractors to pay NI and income tax as if employees
32 • Company car business mileage discount limited
33 • Double escalator on tobacco duties
34 • Insurance Premium Tax increased to 5%
35 • Vocational training relief abolished
36 • Employer NI Contribution base broadened to include all benefits in kind
37 • VAT on some banking services increased
38 • Tax on reverse premiums paid to tenants by landlords introduced
39 • Duty on domestic fuel oils up
40 • Vehicle Excise Duty for lorries increased
41 • Landfill tax escalator introduced
42 • Stamp Duty rates raised again to 2.5/3.5%
March 2000
43 • Tobacco duties increased above inflation
44 • Stamp duty raised for 4th time, scope of duty extended
45 • Extra taxation of life assurance companies
46 • Rules on tax havens tightened up
47 • Company car taxes raised
2001
The Chancellor gives the exhausted nation a year off – no new stealth taxes!
April 2002
48 • Personal tax allowances frozen
49 • National Insurance threshold frozen
50 • NI Contributions for employers raised
51 • NI Contributions for employees raised [Class 1 up 1%]
52 • NI Contributions for self-employed raised
53 • North Sea taxation increased
54 • Duty on some alcoholic drinks raised
55 • Stamp duty thresholds frozen
56 • Tax relief on investment in film industy restricted
57 • Rules on corporate debt tightened
58 • Nil-rate threshold for inheritance tax raised by less than the rate of inflation
April 2003
59 • VAT imposed on electronically supplied services
60 • Domestic staff on £89/week to pay NI & income tax, employers to pay NI
61 • Betting duty increases
62 • Tax on red diesel and fuel oil increased
63 • Anti-tax haven rules tightened to cover more UK firms with Irish subsidiaries
64 • Vehicle excise duty raised
65 • Personal tax allowances frozen again
July, 2003
66 • £35 added to all fines and £3 added to the cost of a home insurance policy
September, 2003
67 • Price of petrol raised 7p per gallon (with the VAT)
October, 2003
68 • Up to 8 times increase in the stamp duty on leases for retail premises
69 • Airport Tax doubled
December, 2003
70 • 40% extra Council Tax on second homes was sneaked in while the Westminster Wonders were breaking up for their hols a whole week before Xmas.
Additional info : It has been pointed out that a number of councils gave an even bigger discount for second homes and the increase for some people can be 80%. Plus the usual 6-18% annual rise, depending on how bloated the council's operations have become.
Exemptions may be granted if the second home owner (1) has to live somewhere because of his/her employment, (2) the dwelling comes with the job, or (3) there are special threat/security reasons involved. All of which excuses apply to 10, Downing Street, the home of a certain Mr. Anthony B. Liar. (Thanks to M.K.)
January, 2004
71 • £60 per day fine for late submission of self-assessment income tax forms
72 • Traffic wardens to receive powers to impose fines for a whole bunch of offences to keep poor people off the roads. The offences will include parking more than 19 inches from the kerb (£100) and dithering by people who are lost over, and who don't know whether to make a turn or keep straight on
73 • A 'Victims Fund' surcharge fine on everyone who passes through the courts. £5 for speeding up to £30 for murder.
74 • Legal Aid for the middle classes abolished
February, 2004
75 • £40 per week charge to middle-class parents for formerly free nursery places
76 • £200 per year charge to middle-class parents for places on formerly free school buses
77 • £250 per hour charge from the fire brigade for non-fire-related call-outs, e.g. clearing up after road accidents and rescuing !!!!! cats from trees
March, 2004
78 • £550 tax rise (at standard rate) for people using a company van or people-carrier out of work time
79 • Council Tax will rise at least 7.4% next year (according to the Budget)
80 • The tax incentive for owner-operator small businesses to become companies abolished
81 • Tax on cross-border payments for goods and services between multi-divisional companies extended to transactions within the UK
82 • Tax on trusts up from 34% to 40%
83 • Duty on red diesel up 1p/litre above inflation (57% rise)
84 • Duty on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used as fuel up 1p/litre above inflation (45% rise)
85 • Personal allowances for taxpayers under 65 frozen
April 2004
86 • PEPs and ISAs containing shares lose their tax break on dividends and the annual ISA allowance cut by £2,000 to £5,000
87 • The 100% tax allowance for small businesses & self-employed on new computer/advanced telephone equipment cut to 50% for 2004/5 tax year
88 • Passports – in addition to costing twice as much as the present price of £42, the new 'biometric data' passports will be valid for half as long. They will have to be renewed every 5 years instead of every 10 years, which doubles the cost yet again.
89 • £100 per year 'lighthouse tax' on small boats over 8 metres long. Commerial shipping lines think they should pay £2.6million per year towards the annual £73million cost of maintaining lighthouses and navigational equipment.
May 2004
90 • Council Tax bills to rise a further £110 in the affected areas to pay for 'Two Jags' Prescott's regional assemblies
91 • Repeat prescriptions : They last only 56 days now. Previously, they lasted up to 112 days – so costs for some people have doubled. The logic, apparently, is that people often don't take all of their tablets; BUT it still means that those who do have doubled costs. And it means twice the work for hard-pressed GPs.
92 • Vehicle Insurance Premiums : In 1999, the law was changed to let NHS trusts reclaim treatment costs from motor insurance companies in cases where fault had been established and compensation paid. Insurance premiums have risen by at least £5 per year to pay for the charging regime.
Before 1999 hospitals could only recoup £21 from road accident victims towards the cost of their treatment. The 1999 act set fixed rates of more than £400 per day for patients who were not admitted, and more than £500 for those forced to stay in hospital.
In March 2004, the rates were raised, allowing hospitals to recover up to £34,800 per case. As a result some major hospitals are now claiming more than £500,000 a year from insurance companies. In effect, patients are now paying twice for the NHS – through both taxes and increased insurance premiums.

quite pathetic if you ask me,, did you copy this from the student union board???

most points invalid, tax rises pay for the running of the country, sorry i almost forgot we didn't have any of these under the Torie( poll tax, resulting in anarchy and riots) things where much better then,,,


remember this is as democratic society with a government voted in by the people, A great nation with a proud history and a bright future.

If you dont like it, new Zealand are looking for immigrants..

BTW i have lived and worked in third world countries with REAL problem, Albania in the 1990 s being one.

As a 28 year old English man i take heed of an old proverb, "you dont know your born"
look at the bigger picture, the world is bigger than your little bubble!!