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Archive for the Category "Politics"

Flat tax Sep 30

There’s a lot been written recently about flat tax proposals. Too often flat tax options have been deliberately muddled with tax cutting. It would be possible to introduce a flat tax at a sufficiently high rate that the total income tax take remains as it is now, but many of those proposing flat taxes sneak tax cuts in at the same time, muddying the issue.

The Tory Cornerstone Group, though, are fans of tax cutting and make it clear that their flat tax would cut taxes, helping "millions of low-paid workers and pensioners."

They propose a £10,000 personal allowance and a 22% overall rate. That’s the same as the current basic rate, so let’s guess who would benefit most from this. Is it "millions of low-paid workers"? Or is it folk who currently paying top rate tax? Is it possible that those getting the greatest tax savings would be the very richest? Here’s a rough graph to give you a clue.

Graph of flat tax and current tax rates

Can you tell who it is yet?

Single Transferable Vote Sep 30

Today’s Wikipedia featured article is on the Single Transferable Vote.

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Ex-MP arrested over unpaid taxes Sep 29

Ex-MP arrested over unpaid taxes

A former Labour MP who failed to appear at court accused of failing to pay her debts has been arrested in London.

Jane Griffiths was due to appear before Reading County Court on 19 September.

It’s a shame the old Guardian Diary has gone. They’d’ve loved this.

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Corrections and clarifications Sep 29

Over the past week, a number of articles in this newspaper have made reference to the Labour party conference in Brighton. This was an error. We have since discovered that the Labour party conference was held in Harare.

Apologies.