Improve Money Rules In 50 Words. Suggest easy changes for our politicians

suiko

This single simple measure would make a greater improvement to the quality of life of more people than any other one I can think of. When there is so little light, surely it makes more sense to have it when people can best make use of it?

I believe that, despite vested interests, this measure would be popular even in Scotland.

WallyBird

Set up a fixed rate percentage expenses deduction for self employed people, so they do not have to keep records of every little thing they do (e.g. receipt for coffee on train to meeting). The government must know the average for, say, an electrician. So, rather than keeping all the records, people could choose to have a standard X% tax relief (based on the average). Even if they paid a little more, it would be worth it, because they would save all the time and stress of keeping the records. It would save work for both the individual and the government.

iankerry

BACS transfer - should not only rely on sort code and account number, but also account name. If no such account exists money should be returned. not kept by the banks.

moggylover

I would not only make it illegal for all Government departments to charge via premium/local rate number to ring them, but also for any service provider/manufacturer/retailer to use such numbers. They have been paid for their produce or service, should you need to ring them because of a problem that should come from their profits and NOT your pocket because this gives them little incentive to improve the product or service.

I might consider there being an exception where you are looking for technical advice (for instance with computers) which are down to your own lack of expertise and not a fault with the computer.

I REALLY object to paying these organisations twice over, especially since it often means listening to a long spiel of dross that you don't want, followed by entering numbers on the confounded computerised answering systems before you then wait in a long queue to speak to someone who you mostly then struggle to make sense of through a foreign accent.

I would also like to see those computerised answering systems replaced with the old fashioned but more efficient (for the customer) receptionist, but I think I am probably without hope on that score:(

JohnP2010

I reduced my water use by 50%, yet my bill decreased by only about 15%. This is due to 'standing charges'. Even if I used NO water, I would still be billed. I suggest that water companies should only bill for actual water used. My gas and electricity supplier did away with compulsory standing charges years ago.

gary_martin_2

This will save 100's of Millions in administration costs and totally stop road tax dodgers. It will also target and charge the heaviest road users and polluters. Having a small car doesn't mean you pollute less, it's the mileage you do!

welshmike_2

Services provided to UK clients by offshore call centres, offshore IT people, etc., have replaced UK based services and UK jobs.
This is a loss of tax to HMRC.
HMRC should require companies registered in the UK that offshore services to non-EU countries to pay an "offshore labour import" tax.

Ackneylad

Utility companies should not be allowed to declare billions in profits and then put up their charges. The government should step in and make the companies look at why they are raising their charges whilst declaring vast profits.

moggylover

sweeney wrote: »

To enable consumers to compare the value of services, establish a common format for the particulars that are relevant to any particular service sector. We should be able to see clearly on a statement, all the information needed to use comparison sites. The present multitude of packages on offer seems there just to make direct comparison nigh on impossible.

I agree on this one entirely! Furthermore, ALL service companies should have to have a like for like comparison of their cheapest deal and then clear price information for the add-ons.

YellowStrebor

Tenants receive discount for number of years in local authority housing rather than number of years actually paying the rent. Discount includes years where housing benefit has paid the rent rather than the tenant; thus, on sale of the house, the tenant benefits from tens of thousands of pounds with little or no contribution themselves.