PAY, PAY AND PAY AGAIN

There is a BBC report (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14692596) that the unemployed may be made to pay full council tax.

It seems there is a need to save 10% off the current bill. But hang on; wasn't that money taken off benefits by Thatcher's government in the 1980's and paid direct to the council? So effectively it is going to be taken twice.

And how are the single unemployed expected, out of around £56 a week supposed to find £20 council tax? That leaves £36 to eat, pay gas and electricity bills.

All the while the debate continues as to whether to keep (and it looks like it will go) the 50p tax rate and whether there should be a mansion tax.

Looks like once again the poor pay while the rich gain.

BRITAIN IN 2010

Absolutely unbelivable-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12073801

Words fail me.

The State of the Nation

So MP's have called for the government to make a one off payment to for charities which lost millions in the Icelandic bank fiasco.

Personally I think they should be ashamed that a country as wealthy (so we keep being told) as Britain still needs charities to help its poorest. Maybe their time and effort would be better spent demanding sweeping changes to the socio-economic structure that keeps the poor poor and the wealthy wealthy.


 

Fuel Poverty

Friend's of the Earth and Help the Aged have gone to the high court to try to force Government action on fuel poverty.

Government lawyers argued there had 'been no breach of legal responsibility'.

And there was me thinking governing a supposedly democratic, free society had a moral aspect. You live and learn.