Further Cuts needed

[WA Toffee]

That is what I was saying Dave, but it was largely those damned Scottish Banks that we are paying for but why should central government be handing so much money to north of the border.

I know you are just popcorning, but what do you think would have happened to the British economy if those banks weren't subsidised? And as Scotland hasn't had its referendum yet, they are still part of the UK, therefore it is not really valid to talk about Scottish economy and English economy in separate terms - they are all part of the UK economy.

I am fortunate that I live in the most affluent state in Australia, as a result we very heavily subsidise the economies of the Eastern states because we have a huge state income from mining and oil/gas royalties. We have a GST here which is similar to VAT in the UK. The revenue from GST is shared between states depending on need. This means that while Queensland receives just over $1 per capita in GST revenue and Northern Territory receives over $5, here in Western Australia we receive just 44 cent - less than 10% of what the NT receives. And that is what being in a country is all about - the richer states receive less so that the less affluent states can receive more.

If Scotland does receive more than its "fair share", then that is likely due to the policies of previous governments which have decimated the Scottish economy at the expense of keeping jobs in England - if you think Thatcher had it in for scousers, ask a Glaswegian how she affected them

 

[Tree13]

Yeah, it probably was OTT, but there's people provoking this. We all have to be careful of what we say.

All your credibility just flew out the window. You're rejoicing in the murder of five people and the injury of dozens more because you don't agree with the politics of some people on an internet forum?

Learn where to draw the line mate. You would never accept the comment I quoted above if someone offered it to you in defense of an opinion that you didn't agree with. Pretty hypocritical IMHO.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

In my opinion, the greatest shame in British economic history is the absolute shambles and incompetence of Labour between about 1972 and 1990. At a time of such economic and technological change the Tory party in the UK effectively had no opposition. As a consequence I think this country lost its moral compass and sense of place in the world.

Look at France or Germany (the UK's only real equivalents). Both countries managed to progress their economies in this period but still retain a native manufacturing industry. Also both countries have a national pride that I think the UK has long since given up. It shows itself in the social security provisions in both countries.

You've only to look at the way the French protect their farmers through crisis after crisis or the way the huge German companies manage any redundancy programmes to see how national pride and respect can manifest itself in a modern economy.

So whilst ultimately I'll always blame Maggie for her evils - a lot of blame also goes to Labour for allowing her to get away with it!

Or maybe the Govt of the time was catering for 'middle England' ensuring that they picked up those small constituencies to get a majority ? It mattered not to them that their policies were wrecking the Labour constituencies as they would be unlikely in ANY event to pick up those seats.

Yes, the French look after their Farmers in regards to in the Eu, but there have been plenty of instances where they've took muck spreaders down the Champs Elysee in protest at Govt. cuts, and virtually every other occupation has strong trade unions to prevent the govt trampling on them, I remember seeing Airport workers rioting on the runway at Charles de Gaulle and lobbing concrete and tarmac through the terminal windows.

I'm pretty sure that our redundancy rules mean that companies have to pay you far less than our european counterparts do, meaning that you become reliant on the state a hell of a lot quicker. Many that have never been made redundant don't realise that the '1 weeks pay for each year of service' doesn't actually mean that you get a week of your wage for each year, the minimum that they are required to pay is about the same as a week of statutory sick pay, which is exactly what most end up getting due to have little representation to fight their case.

 

[evilwebby]

In my opinion, the greatest shame in British economic history is the absolute shambles and incompetence of Labour between about 1972 and 1990. At a time of such economic and technological change the Tory party in the UK effectively had no opposition. As a consequence I think this country lost its moral compass and sense of place in the world.

Look at France or Germany (the UK's only real equivalents). Both countries managed to progress their economies in this period but still retain a native manufacturing industry. Also both countries have a national pride that I think the UK has long since given up. It shows itself in the social security provisions in both countries.

You've only to look at the way the French protect their farmers through crisis after crisis or the way the huge German companies manage any redundancy programmes to see how national pride and respect can manifest itself in a modern economy.

So whilst ultimately I'll always blame Maggie for her evils - a lot of blame also goes to Labour for allowing her to get away with it!

France is a bl00dy mess mate, hung out to dry by successive socialist governments.
Have a read from someone who has actually overseen its demise: http://www.newsweek.com/fall-france-225368