Author Topic: Points to Ponder  (Read 214143 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline Blongb

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 1077
  • I love living in Llandudno.
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #870 on: June 06, 2021, 12:53:17 pm »
Good for the G7, 15% is a very reasonable and fair fate of tax to charge multi national companies. Now all we need is for the G20 to agree and we could be well on the way to seeing this implemented.
Quot homines tot sententiae: suus cuique mos.
(There are as many opinions as there are people: each has his own view.)

Offline Hugo

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 13884
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #871 on: June 06, 2021, 05:14:44 pm »
It is a good suggestion, is fair and long overdue but implementing it won't be straight forward

Expect opposition from Russia ( currently suspended from the G8 )    China and even the European Union as Ireland, Luxembourg and   Leichtenstein have vested interests in the lower tax rate of tax

An Irish subsidiary of Microsoft paid no corporation taxes last year despite posting profits of $315 billion







Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #872 on: June 17, 2021, 03:39:40 pm »
Seems like a good idea, any comments ?

The UK government will develop a freeport in Wales even if the Welsh government does not agree, the Welsh secretary has said.

Simon Hart told a committee of MPs "we would rather do it as a team effort than have to resort to reserved powers, but it is a commitment".

A freeport is a zone where companies can pay less taxes and have lower business rates.

Welsh ministers reject accusations they are an obstacle to freeports.

In May they said they had raised concerns and sought an agreement on the plans.

Mr Hart acknowledged that the Welsh government determines business rates and planning in Wales, but said there was a "real determination" from UK government departments, local authorities and port authorities to set up a freeport in Wales.

Mr Hart told the Welsh Affairs Select Committee a freeport could create 15,000 Welsh jobs.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-57511919

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #873 on: July 31, 2021, 01:27:22 pm »
Employee shortages: Where have all the workers gone?

It's not often that economies face the disruption we've endured in the last year, and none of us should be surprised that it's taking the labour market a while to settle down.

But some are wondering whether Covid is triggering an historic rebalancing of power between the bosses and the workers.

No-one in their right mind would compare Covid to the Black Death, which wiped out enough of the workforce in the 14th Century for peasant labour to be in short supply, with the result that farm wages rose by several tens of percent over the following years. Covid has certainly not disrupted employment in anything so direct a fashion.

But pandemics can accelerate social and economic change. In particular, in the last year, Covid has prompted many foreign workers in the UK to return home to sit things out. We can't be sure all will choose to come back.

Anna Janczuk, the founder of a large Polish community organisation in Ealing, west London, told me that most of her close friends had moved back to Poland: "What they value is the close contact with their family. They re-evaluated their choices and priorities."

Add Brexit into the equation, and the old assumption that companies can just hire extra people from Eastern Europe to fill any gaps can no longer be taken for granted.

Anecdotally, Covid has also led to more than a few people to think about what matters to them and to retire early or to leave employment to start a business of their own. Economic "inactivity" has risen during the pandemic, as data from the Office for National Statistics highlights.

These are all developments that make life harder for employers, who would thus expect to pay more to find the workers they need - not just for the pandemic, nor for the pingdemic, but for ever after.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58014256

Offline Fester

  • Ad Free Member.
  • *
  • Posts: 6660
  • El Baldito
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #874 on: August 01, 2021, 06:47:38 am »
Yes indeed, and the situation on staffing is actually a crisis in many towns and cities in the U.K.
Llandudno is particularly badly affected, with a large percentage of the hotel staff having been from EU countries can not, or will not return.
Similarly the laundry companies who used to collect and deliver to the hotels every day, are now coming every three to five days.  This causes hotel managers to close off rooms which cannot be serviced, and thereby pushing prices up for the remaining rooms.
Care homes too, and NHS ancillary workers. 
They are no longer deemed to be key workers, although we clapped on our doorsteps for them a year ago.
Slaughter houses and meat and chicken processing plants are without staff too, as are the farms that supply them.
All in all it’s an inflationary spiral which is already evident, but has only just begun.
Fester...
- Semper in Excretum, Sole Profundum Variat -

Online Ian

  • Administrator
  • Posts: 8949
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #875 on: August 01, 2021, 10:00:47 am »
...the situation on staffing is actually a crisis in many towns and cities in the U.K.
Llandudno is particularly badly affected, with a large percentage of the hotel staff having been from EU countries can not, or will not return.

And the hotels often have only themselves to blame, as they made a large number of their key staff redundant.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #876 on: August 01, 2021, 10:01:23 am »
A piece this morning, adding to the employment problem.......

Covid: One in five firms plan job cuts as furlough tapers - survey

The British Chamber of Commerce said extra training was needed to deal with thousands of redundancies predicted.

From Sunday, government payments reduce to 60% towards salaries, with employers paying 20%.

The government said the approach was "right" and meant "we can focus support elsewhere" as the economy recovers.

According to the most recent figures up to 30 June, about 1.9m workers were on furlough, down from a peak of 5.1m in January.

The government said 11.6 million jobs have been supported since the Job Retention Scheme launched in April 2020.

The scheme is due to close at the end of September.

cont   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58043041

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #877 on: August 05, 2021, 10:07:39 am »
I did not know about this legality, and if I had seen the same thing, I would have been worried, despite the religious aspect, it still  seems a very liberal law.

Sikh man Prabjot Singh was left "embarrassed" after being kicked out on a trip to North Wales with pals.

The incident unfolded after Mr Singh travelled from the West Midlands on July 30.

The families had visited Aber Falls before heading to Tir Prince Fun Park in Towyn, Conwy.
Staff at the park noticed the six-inch kirpan around his waist.

A kirpan is a religious sword or dagger which Amritdharis must wear.
And they are legally allowed to do so in the UK for religious reasons under the Offensive Weapons Bill.

cont  https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/sikh-birmingham-dad-handcuffed-kicked-21230006?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

Offline Hugo

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 13884
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #878 on: August 05, 2021, 11:05:36 am »
I think that I'd be  worried too because in the hands of the wrong person then who knows what might happen.     Not exactly religious
 but when worn as part of the national dress of Scotland, the sgian-dubh is legal in Scotland, England, and Wales. so the Scots should have the same equality:

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #879 on: August 08, 2021, 10:35:22 am »
The shortage of drivers due to Brexit, is in the news now almost daily, a simple answer is to improve conditions and wages, and it would also reduce unemployment, is that to simplistic, is it back down to people who do not want to work, easier pickings else ware ?

"The average salary for a Truck Driver is £30,200 gross per year (£2,010 net per month), which is £600 (+2%) higher than the UK's national average salary. A Truck Driver can expect an average starting salary of £24,200. The highest salaries can exceed £60,000."


The Welsh haulier facing its biggest crisis in 50 years
It's the name on the back of many a lorry you pass on the motorway, but Owens Group is facing a huge challenge caused by Brexit

Owens Group runs 250 vans doing home deliveries, approximately 500 HGVs alongside 850 trailers. The company moves around 4,000 truck loads of goods per week. It has a turnover of around £100 million a year alongside a reputation of being one of the most successful haulier services not only in Wales but the whole of the UK.

But he is now facing one of his most difficult times in charge. With 1,000 drivers at the company’s disposal, Owens Group has still found itself 150 drivers short of where it needs to be. Ian warned that the supply chain needed drastic action today to help tackle the ongoing driver shortages which he described as their “biggest challenge in fifty years”.

“The supply chain is smoking and it is at the point now where it is on fire, circumstances have meant this has been a problem brewing for years. It’s a perfect storm, everything that has been going wrong, currently is and I don’t know what the short term solution is to it, it is worrying” said the managing director.

The company is at a point where it, like many other hauliers across the country, is having to limit its deliveries which has been a contributing factor to the lack produce and goods being found on Welsh supermarket shelves.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/welsh-haulier-facing-biggest-crisis-21255082

Offline Hugo

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 13884
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #880 on: September 22, 2021, 02:56:39 pm »
Dog owners could be hit with £5000 fine for switching to harness instead of a collar
All pets must wear identifiable tags by law.     The law seems to have gone barking mad!     Laws for micro chipping, dog fouling etc but who actually enforces the law?

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/dog-owners-could-hit-5000-21639141

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #881 on: October 01, 2021, 03:05:53 pm »
Council (Tax payer money) working with new (Private) owners of Kinmel Hall to progress much needed roof repairs    &shake&

Kinmel Hall, located near the village of St George in Abergele, was purchased by a mystery buyer at auction for £950,000 in May.

Fears were raised that the Grade I property had only another five years in its current condition before further damage, including roof collapses.

A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council said: "We’re in ongoing dialogue with the owners, currently concentrating on progressing the roof repairs to stop water ingress."

It is understood the new owners are from the area.

“The previous owner of Kinmel Hall had it for 10 years, but sadly did nothing with it.  &shake&

“Hopefully the new owner has lots of exciting plans and we will see this magnificent building returned to its former glory".   &shake&

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19619157.council-working-new-owners-kinmel-hall-progress-much-needed-roof-repairs/

Offline Hugo

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 13884
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #882 on: October 13, 2021, 06:13:43 pm »
Has the world gone mad?   

Warning to Ring doorbell owners after court rules device ‘invaded neighbour privacy’
Dr Mary Fairhurst could be awarded £100k in damages as a result of the landmark hearing


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/warning-ring-doorbell-owners-after-21848508

Online Ian

  • Administrator
  • Posts: 8949
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #883 on: October 15, 2021, 03:06:02 pm »
I wonder why he had four ring doorbells. all presumably recording.
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline SteveH

  • Management Board Member & Newsgroup Editor
  • *
  • Posts: 12989
Re: Points to Ponder
« Reply #884 on: October 18, 2021, 10:05:30 am »
Saying all the right things, BUT ...........

Wales economic plan to retain and attract young people as nation faces demographic timebomb
Economy minister Vaughan Gething is holding an Economic Summit today with business, union and council leaders

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-economic-plan-retain-attract-21887559