Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Raising the personal allowance - now there's an idea!


Belatedly, Darling acts:

I believe that a rebate scheme would be complex and expensive to administer. It would also take time to set up and changes to the eligibility for tax credits could not be introduced this year. [...]

Mr Speaker, raising the personal allowance is simpler than other solutions.

It retains the benefit of a simpler tax system and it also allows basic rate taxpayers to see the benefits as soon as possible, and for the whole of this financial year.

Some of us have been saying this for a decade, you badger-browed bastard. So why do you introduce the "simpler" solution as a short-term panic measure, but retain the "complex and expensive" tax credit scheme in the long run?

If anything, shouldn't it be precisely the other way round?

Labels: ,


// posted by Mr Eugenides on 14.5.08
Comments:
Because their way keeps more people beholden to their 'generosity' with our money? ;)

# posted by Blogger Bill : 14 May 2008 10:41
 
He's just trying to steal the Tories' clothes, as usual.

# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 14 May 2008 12:07
 
Of course it should be the other way round, tax credits are shit. Labour will only be able to admit this once Brown is dead and buried though, as the embarassment of admitting tax credits are an expensive mistake would finish him off.

Z.

# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 14 May 2008 13:04
 
He isn't trying to steal the Tories' clothes; he's been forced to steal them, because - on this matter at least - the Tories are right, and when you're backed into a corner you need a solution that works, not one that sounds impressive but doesn't actually achieve anything.

# posted by Anonymous Sam Duncan : 14 May 2008 15:59
 
you badger-browed bastard

In fine form, Mr E.

# posted by Blogger Lil Jimmy : 14 May 2008 18:05
 
Of course, this particular screw-up is all Labour's, but the Tories are inclined to play exactly the same stupid games.

The 'Lower Rate' (20%) introduced in in the early 90's was the same kind of gimmick. Then, as now, the personal allowance would have been a much simpler tool.

# posted by Anonymous Will : 14 May 2008 22:44
 
The phrase "personal allowance" is particularly shitty. Our "allowance"? Makes us sound like teenagers given pocket money, rather than the fact that WE generate the wealth and these parasites take it.

The State has got us into the position where we are pathetically grateful for them "allowing" us to keep anything at all.

# posted by Anonymous Rob : 14 May 2008 23:01
 
Well said.

# posted by Blogger Letters From A Tory : 15 May 2008 09:48
 
So you get a greasy rope, suspend above a pacvk of rabid wolves, and you get a cabinet minister to climb saiod rope to become deputy PM if they can get the 'voucher' at the top of the rope. Meanwhile other cabinet ministers try to dislodge the climber by firing BBs at them from a set distance. Now I would watch that!!!

Bastards!

# posted by Blogger Chalcedon : 17 May 2008 10:03
 
Post a Comment



<< Home