aggi wrote:In the least surprising news ever UK not ready for a no-deal Brexit on October 31st, confidential cabinet note warns

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/u ... -1.3923139" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CrosspoolClarets wrote:I think I worded that wrong. I think it would better have been worded as many of the chunk just about in the higher rate (not those earning £100k who I don’t particularly worry about) have an income of which 70% goes on taxes and absolute essentials - I think that I implied food and mortgage sits outside the 70% but actually it would have been in it (I was trying to recall a graph I saw some time back but the general point remains the same).

Taxes include things like custom duties so is always a lot higher than we think but it’s important to note that I fully agree with lefties who would say that indirect taxes in particular are regressive taxes and should be applied differently. I also think that Boris should have spelt out a wider range of tax policy that also addresses the lower end and the regressive stuff, and I am hoping he will get onto that. But for me that second and third quintile of the wage earners is pivotal to job creation, enterprise and growth (e.g. a plumber whose self employed tax burden is eased may take on an apprentice and try to grow his business).

Lancasterclaret wrote:I've read it.

And I don't do long posts in reply but the conclusion I've drawn from your post is that you think the EU is discriminating against the UK in its trade deals and that we can get better ones because we don't have to worry about other countries?

I take your point of view and just say that we'll have the same issues with the UK (assuming it still exists) within the UK.

Paul Waine wrote:I like this quote: "The foreign office, according to the note, would need “at least a two-month period” to communicate with more than 1m UK citizens living in other EU countries and to allow them to prepare for the uncertainty around their future status."


What has been going on since June-2016? When I've visited Spain - on holiday - in 2017 and 2018, I saw lots of notices about Brit-expat meetings re what they might need to do around brexit. (I could read those because they were all in English).

And, weren't we originally due to leave 29-March - and the date put back only a short time before that date. Surely, the FCO would have already had their "2 months period" in Jan/Feb this year, if not before that. Or, does the FCO think that everyone will have forgotten previous preparations for brexit and need to do the same all over again?

Any of our "clarets in exile" got any views?

Paul Waine wrote:Hi Lancs, where do you reach the conclusion that I think the EU is discriminating against the UK in its trade deals? That's not what I said, is it.

It's all about the differences in the economies and reaching a deal that works for all of them.

Yes, same in the UK, but there aren't so many differences in the 4 countries, maybe because we've had a single state many more years. Maybe because, to a great extent, we share the same weather. Ditto, mostly, the same language. And, we've only for 2 (I think...) legal systems. And, until recently, a single tax collection system and a single UK government spending system.

aggi wrote:That makes more sense but again it doesn't make me think that help is particularly needed. That would give someone on £65k a year (the midpoint between the current £50k and proposed £80k) £20k per annum for non-essential spending which seems a decent amount.

I wouldn't be against tax policies that support job creation. There are already breaks for apprentices for instance and I'd like to see local breaks for investments in disadvantaged areas, job creation, business expansion, etc but I don't really see how lowing income tax achieves that.

In your plumber example for instance I'd expect that if he was earning enough that this was an issue he'd be set up as a limited company and taking a basic rate income and dividends. Most who will be impacted by this are employees under PAYE.

Lancasterclaret wrote:Hard to tell what you are saying to be honest.

You think the UK with about 1/6th of the population will get better trade deals than negotiated whilst inside the EU?

Size is everything in trade.

Lancasterclaret wrote:Enjoy the workout Paul.

If what you are saying is true, then why are so many countries not rolling over the EU trade deals they already have with the EU with the UK?

Surely if we are going to get better deals then they wouldn't take that risk and roll them over asap?

Paul Waine wrote:Hi Lancs, I'm back - the gym is closed, because the lack of water means their "fire suppressant system" is also not working, so nobody being allowed in.

On the positive side, I made the effort to go to the gym...

I think I heard at the w/end that Korea had agreed a roll over trade deal. But, I've not been watching closely and don't have any idea of where we are with replacing the EU deals - except that the EU deal itself awaits leaving the EU (I think I've got that one right).

You heard incorrectly. They have agreed to look at the possibility of rolling it over.

My guess, is that it takes two to make the deal, and maybe rolling over the existing deal is not the best outcome for either the trading party or the UK. Maybe both parties would like to re-open something from what now exists.

So they can both have a much more beneficial deal? Certainly possible, certainly an very optimistic way of looking at it.

Lancasterclaret wrote:Get a Wii fit and a bike Paul, thats what I've got and they do the job, and its saves on gym membership!

Lancasterclaret wrote:Finally you are veering into something you should know more about!

There is a lot more to the UK-Japan relationship than cars.

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:Yeah, but thanks to the EU-Japan trade deal it's more viable for Honda to build in Japan and ship to Europe.
Brexit isn't the sole reason for Honda to leave, they're just using it for part of the reason.

Bordeauxclaret wrote:Damo did you ever find evidence of those drug charges?

Damo wrote:The price of paracetamol?
Well, no. I was quite wrong about the actual figures on that one.

Damo wrote:The price of paracetamol?
Well, no. I was quite wrong about the actual figures on that one.

Lancasterclaret wrote:And how many factories have Honda shut down in their history?

And again, lot more to Japan-UK trade than cars.

Lancasterclaret wrote:The price charged by companies to the NHS for stuff like paracetamol should be a national scandal btw.

Mala591 wrote:Prediction:

Fast forward to the middle of October with Boris Johnson as PM. There will be two options for MPs to choose between - leave without a deal or leave with May's withdrawal agreement.

A significant number of Labour MPs in leave majority constituencies will then 'extremely reluctantly' vote for the withdrawal agreement and we will leave the EU on 31st October.

Mala591 wrote:Prediction:

Fast forward to the middle of October with Boris Johnson as PM. There will be two options for MPs to choose between - leave without a deal or leave with May's withdrawal agreement.

A significant number of Labour MPs in leave majority constituencies will then 'extremely reluctantly' vote for the withdrawal agreement and we will leave the EU on 31st October.

Paul Waine wrote:What's the scandal on paracetamol? Prices are set by Health Minister - check out the Drug Tariff list. Is the Health minister setting these prices too high? Paracetamol is also available over-the-counter at a typical retail price, i.e. cost of drug plus cost of retailing...

Or, are you comparing the prescription charge cost with the cost of the drug?

Is it the cost to the patient that concerns you?

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:You forgot to add the EU will have the tech in place to avoid a hard border in Ireland.

Lancasterclaret wrote:No need, if we leave with Mays deal.

Anyone who thinks that Boris plan is going to be substantially different from Mays deal is perhaps in for a rude surprise.

claret2018 wrote:I’m just grateful we’ve got so many experts on world trade and international treaties on this forum

Lancasterclaret wrote:Well some of us know a bit more than others.

Reading stuff is so underrated!

claret2018 wrote:A little knowledge on a topic is a dangerous thing.

RingoMcCartney wrote:Chuka Umunna joins the Lib Dems after quitting Change UK

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48631116" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Umunna - "We should remain in the EU. You should be prepared to work from inside an organisation if you want to change it"

Ummuna - "I'm leaving the Labour Party"

Ummuna "I'm Leaving Change UK"

tiger76 wrote:He'll be holding a by-election then of course,he's obviously seen which way the winds blowing in Streatham,and it's blowing in the Lib Dems direction,i think he'll hold onto his seat,but not easily,Labour will throw the kitchen sink at this.

Lancasterclaret wrote:If you get aspirin or paracetamol from A & E, it costs about £10 because of the associated costs. Thats the kind of thing that I'm on about.

RingoMcCartney wrote:Chukka Ummuna - "We know so much more since the referendum, we need to go back to the people and check if they feel different about the decision they made then. We need a People's Vote"

The Constituents of Streatham - "We know so much more since the General Election. We elected a labour MP, but since then we've had a TIG MP, a CUK MP, and know we've got a Lib Dem MP. We want a Peoples By election "

"Vince Cable talks about increasing the minimum wage but you can't trust a word the Lib Dems say. "

Chukka Ummuna September 2013......

CombatClaret wrote:YouGov poll of Concervative party members who will pick the next PM

D9VTE3FXUAArfq2.jpg

Lancasterclaret wrote:If you get aspirin or paracetamol from A & E, it costs about £10 because of the associated costs. Thats the kind of thing that I'm on about.

CombatClaret wrote:YouGov poll of Concervative party members who will pick the next PM

D9VTE3FXUAArfq2.jpg

dsr wrote:I reckon a fair bit of that respone is based on the likelihood of it happening. Brexit supporters don't believe it will cause significant damage to the economy or the Conservative party being destroyed; they do believe it might lead to Corbyn being PM.

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:The EU are already changing aren't they?

Irish border had to be hard apparently but reports are they're looking at tech to avoid it....

If it be your will wrote:This has to be one of the most explosive YouGov polls ever conducted. I would never have imagined the membership were quite this anti-EU. I laughed when I saw it, the thought of Tory members keep repeating Still want to leave, still want to leave, yes - still want to leave, even then - still want to leave. I got the impression there'd only be about a 50/50 split if they were asked "Even if it meant nuclear annihilation?"

It was only the prospect of a Corbyn PM that made some of them pause for thought.