Points to Ponder

[Ian]

As for the Sunday Telegraph, it was voted Newspaper of the Year in 2011 by the Press Association..

Sorry? 

Ken has referred to himself as a socialist many times

It's rather a loose definition when he uses it:

Socialism:
any of various social or political theories or movements in which the common welfare is to be achieved through the establishment of a socialist economic system.

He doesn't believe that, as he's said, himself, but more importantly, neither do others.

 WWW

[DaveR]

How would you describe him politically, then? Sounds like you're quite keen on him...

[Ian]

 

Can't stand him, actually, but I like a fiery debate :-)))

He's left of centre but, like so many of his ilk, as soon as he starts making money he starts mislaying principles.

[DaveR]

http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2012/03/income-tax-mayor-livingstone

[Ian]

http://shirazsocialist.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/mehdi-hassan-objectively-a-supporter-of-assad/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Statesman

 

[Ian]

On another forum we have a chartered accountant and the same sorts of comments about paying themselves through limited companies were flying about.  However, it seems that it's nowhere near as straightforward as it appears. From her:

No, because everyone witters on about 'paying themselves at 20%' it but, in almost all cases quoted (which are referring to higher rate payers), it is wrong.

If turnover goes into a company (and doesn't fall foul of IR35) and it generates small company profits, the Company does, indeed, pay about 20% in tax on it. BUT the money is still in the company. A Director, if he wants to get his hands on it, spend it on himself, has to get that money OUT of the company.

For someone like George Osbourne who has a large ministerial salary, if the company pays him a salary or a bonus he will pay income tax at his marginal rate. Depending on the amount the company may have to pay employers NIC. If the company pays him a dividend - he will pay a higher rate of dividend tax on it.  Of course, he can take nothing out, pay no more tax, maybe have some pension provision, or his wife may be involved in the company and the company only pays a low rate but that cannot be correctly described as 'paying himself'.

The company route for high earners is often, if available, the best route tax wise but it ain't at what people quote : 20%.

(This is different for low and middle earners)"


"It's not a scam. HMRC fought the principle all the way to the top of our courts in the Arctic Systems case and lost. If he is not a basic rate taxpayer he will be paying a higher rate dividend tax. People assume it is the same for everyone - including George Osbourne, who very clearly isn't a basic rate payer.

The actual cost of a dividend for higher rate payer is NOT just the corporation tax. They pay an additional 32.5% to 42.5% less tax credit (depending on how high their income is).  As I said, the company vehicle is likely to be the better option tax wise, but it does NOT cost a total of 20% (if in higher rates) it is much, much higher than that.
 
HMRC never liked losing Arctic Systems and Labour pledged to sort something but they never could find a workable solution. It's not a scam, it's the legislation and case law as it stands."

[Ian]

"For anyone who doesn't know....

There is generally no VAT on basic foodstuffs, like bread.
Make it into a sandwich and serve it on a plate in a cafe, now you have value added and VAT is chargeable
Warm up a quiche and sell it for takeaway, now you have value added and VAT is chargeable.

Complicated, but makes logical sense.

Now, let's look at the humble pasty:

Cold pasty for takeaway - no VAT
Pasty warmed up for takeaway - VAT

But what about a newly cooked pasty? It's nice and hot - by virtue of just coming out of the oven - but there is no value added, so there has been no VAT chargeable. Some businesses with oven choose to cook all day long so there is always a regular number of warm pasties free of VAT to sell. However, poor SPAR next door, with its little heater boxes keeping pasties warm - they have to pay VAT. Definitely a strange one.

I have to say, I don't agree with the ruling. Not to support the baker who has managed to have one over on the SPAR for years, but  because I think it will only actually complicate matters with many other things. What about bread newly baked and cooling in supermarkets - will the till need to check the temperaure at point of sale - after all bread, especially rolls, do cool as you are shopping?  Or will they have to hold fresh bread back until it has cooled enough? I can see some ridiculous situations arising from this. Empty shelves at Christmas and a "they are cooked, come back when they have cooled down" Assuming it passes into legislation in the Finance Bill as I understand it (which it might not, lots of measures with complications not thought through properly don't). They may define 'takeaway food' and the supermarket bread situation be avoided that way."
 

[Paddy]

What would happen if I picked up a warm pasty but it had cooled by the time I got to the front of the queue?

Where would the law stand on the shop selling me a cold pasty but providing a microwave oven for me to heat it up?

[Yorkie]

What would happen if I picked up a warm pasty but it had cooled by the time I got to the front of the queue?

Where would the law stand on the shop selling me a cold pasty but providing a microwave oven for me to heat it up?

First question - you would have to eat a cold pastie!

Next:  Ah!  Microwave oven for customer's own use eh?   That sounds like an 'elf an' safety matter I rekon!      Banned - unless you have a suitably trained and Microwave qualified person on the premises to oversee each and every operation of said appliance and give instruction to customer who must undertake a risk assessment and hold a Customer (Use of Shop Microwave) Diploma or NVQ.    ZXZ   

[Paddy]

What would happen if I picked up a warm pasty but it had cooled by the time I got to the front of the queue?

Where would the law stand on the shop selling me a cold pasty but providing a microwave oven for me to heat it up?

First question - you would have to eat a cold pastie!

Next:  Ah!  Microwave oven for customer's own use eh?   That sounds like an 'elf an' safety matter I rekon!      Banned - unless you have a suitably trained and Microwave qualified person on the premises to oversee each and every operation of said appliance and give instruction to customer who must undertake a risk assessment and hold a Customer (Use of Shop Microwave) Diploma or NVQ.    ZXZ   

My bloody pasty has gone cold again!

[pentan]

The vetting scheme for nine million people working with children and vulnerable adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is to be halted. What is your reaction?
Home Secretary Theresa May is to announce that registration, due to begin next month, is to be put on hold. There will be a review of the entire vetting and barring scheme, with a "scaling back" likely to follow.
Children's authors said the plans were an over-reaction to the murders of two schoolgirls by school caretaker Ian Huntley in Soham in 2002
Over-reaction!! what are the UK government thinking even if this scheme saves one child from the likes of Huntley surly it is worth it you can’t put a price on this the politicians are pouring money down the drain in other areas

[Quiggs]

I had to have a CRB ? check when driving School Buses, but it was not transferable to any other activity, so another check was req. At additional cost. It gives the impression of being another money making scam.   

[Ian]

It is, and the current scheme is being suspended to avoid grandparents having to pay for a CRB when they're looking after their grandchildren, among other odd anomalies.

[SDQ]

The CRB checks after the Huntley case were a knee jerk reaction but arguably something had to be done to try and ensure there wasn't a repeat. The problem is that everyone just sat back when they should have been working toward a proper solution, as history has proved that quick fixes rarely stand up over time & usually need at least some fine tuning.

[Yorkie]

I have 3 CRB check certificates, 1 for Victim Support, one for Vision Support and one for Age Concern, all being charitable enterprises that I have worked with in the past.   It was explained to me that they were not transferable due to the different class of vulnerable people with which one was dealing.

In other words one may be suitable for dealing with old adults but not young children etc., which does make some sense.  D)