It's triggering for so many reasons. So at the current rate it's still at least a 1/3rd of the pump price of unleaded petrol. AND there's the VAT as well...
I'm actually not against taxation generally. I believe in a (small) welfare state system that can support people in need and provide some basic levels of public services. But, I'm not at all a fan of varying percentages for different classes of people. Income Tax and NI should, in my humble opinion, just be a flat percentage for everyone. How can the same percentage be unfair to anyone? And I mean small as well. I don't really want the government (or any local "authority") to tax me more and decide to spend that on charitable aid overseas or to fund wars that shouldn't happen. If I want to donate to charity, I will. If I don't want to support war, I won't! Simplistic I know. I am.
Jack, this was a challenging piece, but your note 3 enabled some perspective. I think there is a structural problem with the taxation base in this country, for obvious historical reasons. Example: how many countries place such reliance on fuel and alcohol duty? Perhaps politicians have realised this, and their response is decade-long “freezes.” Think tanks may reflect on such matters, though I’ve never heard such. But elsewhere?
It's triggering for so many reasons. So at the current rate it's still at least a 1/3rd of the pump price of unleaded petrol. AND there's the VAT as well...
You should hear what the government takes from income tax, NI and VAT!
I'm actually not against taxation generally. I believe in a (small) welfare state system that can support people in need and provide some basic levels of public services. But, I'm not at all a fan of varying percentages for different classes of people. Income Tax and NI should, in my humble opinion, just be a flat percentage for everyone. How can the same percentage be unfair to anyone? And I mean small as well. I don't really want the government (or any local "authority") to tax me more and decide to spend that on charitable aid overseas or to fund wars that shouldn't happen. If I want to donate to charity, I will. If I don't want to support war, I won't! Simplistic I know. I am.
Would Dubai suit?
Jack, this was a challenging piece, but your note 3 enabled some perspective. I think there is a structural problem with the taxation base in this country, for obvious historical reasons. Example: how many countries place such reliance on fuel and alcohol duty? Perhaps politicians have realised this, and their response is decade-long “freezes.” Think tanks may reflect on such matters, though I’ve never heard such. But elsewhere?