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PS teamhurtmore are you refering to "the Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility"
What a mouthful!
Here:- http://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/why-did-the-Federal-Reserve-lend-to-banks-and-other-financial-institutions-during-the-financial-crisis.htm. Barc, HSBC and RBS all had access to official and secret fed funding.
they appear to be saying (Federal Reserve) that there was nothing secret about it. Suspect the figure were actually available but not highlighted. What do you think?
By the way access is not the same as using, the option to use is enough to stabilise the market? Again your opinion?
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26006467
From the JRF report today.
The SNP have already said they will massively increase child benefit, and promised to bin the bedroom tax.What will the UK government do to reduce child poverty? It's over to you Dave.
Sd, no I am referring to the US primary dealer credit facility (pdcf) throu which Barc was able to borrow over $850b in short term funds. At the time the FED did not have to, nor did it, disclose the information. RBS borrowed just under $500bn from the FED. These are the sums that are/were required to keep these institutions afloat. Hence this romantic notion that Scotland could simply use the £ as a meansof exchange and do without a proper lender of last resort is an absurd fantasy that is so far divorced from reality that you could only find it in things like the book of dreams.
The are many people who believed that Barc was bust in the crisis but through a lot of smokes and mirrors, hidden support, creative mark-to-market approaches etc made it thought without overt state support. Given the way that Diamond was quickly sacrificed in the end, they may have a point!!
What will the UK government do to reduce child poverty? It's over to you Dave.
Erm, you do realise that due to the method of calculating child poverty, it actually reduced during the recession?
Thats right, a large portion of the 'reduction' is actually down to average incomes falling - see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22886817 for an example - and arguably part of the reason poverty fell quicker in Scotland, is because average wages have fallen further.
An anomaly caused by a statistical weakness in the method of measurement, and one that Dave and IDS have both admitted is a problem with the figures rather than a real improvement, but its the accepted measurement across the EU and OECD and nobody has been able to come up with an agreed better method of measuring.
. The ability of Scotland to do this and free University education etc is entirely based on them getting a larger subsidy/payment from central government. Without this how will they pay for it all these extras? I am at a loss as to why people have not seen such an obvious fact??. gordimhor - Member
> http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26006467
From the JRF report today.The SNP have already said they will massively increase child benefit, and promised to bin the bedroom tax.What will the UK government do to reduce child poverty? It's over to you Dave.
Good grief! I agree with SD 253!
.teamhurtmore - Member
Sd, no I am referring to the US primary dealer credit facility (pdcf) throu which Barc was able to borrow over $850b in short term funds. At the time the FED did not have to, nor did it, disclose the information. RBS borrowed just under $500bn from the FED. These are the sums that are/were required to keep these institutions afloat. Hence this romantic notion that Scotland could simply use the £ as a meansof exchange and do without a proper lender of last resort is an absurd fantasy that is so far divorced from reality that you could only find it in things like the book of dreams.
Some simple facts how did countries like Greece get into such dire financial straits? When they joined the Euro they were able to borrow at significantly lower interest rates. German government bonds were considered far safer than Greek government bonds. BUT a Greek Euro buys the same as a German Euro. Money moved into Greek bonds. Interest rates then fell for Greek bonds allowing them to borrow much more. German interest rates rose but not significantly as Germany is much bigger than Greece and there borrowing was more conservative. Scotland is Greece we are Germany. This is a relative statement based on size of country. Scotland will borrow at rates similar to the UK it is doubtful that they would be able to do that if they had a separate currency. Britain would have to control there spending to stop them doing a Greece. Without the extra money they get from central government the only way I can think of them meeting all there spending promises is to do a Greece and borrow what they can't pay back. In a similar situation to the financial collapse who will bail them out?
Well yes and no. Comparing Scotland and Greece is not helpful or appropriate IMO. For one thing the concept of an optimum currency area is essentially satisfied by Scotland and rUK unlike across the € zone. So we are not comparing apples with apples.
Other points re level or interest rates may be true but for different reasons. Actually in ST, Scottish rates more likely to be higher until track record established. Threatening a technical default would not be a good start!!!
On the issue of independence of economic policy, or lack of it, I agree but for different reasons and not because you can equate Scoltand and Greece.
I equated Scotland with Greece on a size of country basis. There ability to borrow is based on UK rates. As stated I can think of no way that they can meet there spending promises without extra borrowing. Maybe I am missing something? Will they get all the oil revenues?? Oil out put has fallen 50% over the last 5 years (I think that is roughly correct)
I appreciate that but still think it's not a particularly relevant comparison.
Yes, they will have to borrow independently. One of the challenges clearly is the sensitivity to potentially volatile oil prices.
.teamhurtmore - Member
I appreciate that but still think it's not a particularly relevant comparison.Yes, they will have to borrow independently. One of the challenges clearly is the sensitivity to potentially volatile oil prices
I doubt that North sea oil/gas has much life left in it. It way past its peak. As it happens I am very pleased about that as I think it was the cause of the collapse in manufacturing via "crowding out". I will assume you know what I am talking about.
The ability of Scotland to do this and free University education etc is entirely based on them getting a larger subsidy/payment from central government. Without this how will they pay for it all these extras? I am at a loss as to why people have not seen such an obvious fact??
Is it? Proof?
How about we save money in other places, tax accordingly etc etc Maybe this is what Eck means when we wants to model us on Scandinavia, high taxes but with a great quality of life? I don't know, but saying Scotland cant afford to do these things seems to be deliberately missing the fact savings can be made elsewhere, if need be.
I doubt that North sea oil/gas has much life left in it. It way past its peak. As it happens I am very pleased about that as I think it was the cause of the collapse in manufacturing via "crowding out". I will assume you know what I am talking about.
I partially agree on the NS Oil. Reserves are getting harder to get to maintenance costs are rising. Income will still be there for quite a while assuming investment keeps coming, which may require some sweeteners, but I can't see it disappearing totally all that quickly. I do think focusing on the wealth etc that it will bring is a mistake though.
I am guessing that you are referring to the fact that NS oil led to an appreciation of the £ which made the decline of heavy industry in Scotland (and elsewhere in UK) all the more painful. Couldn't possibly happen again could it?!?!
High taxes - he wants a tax competitive state. Hard to see that meaning high taxes.
No saying the opposite as the oil sales fall the £ [u]should decline[/u] making exports cheaper imports more expensive.. teamhurtmore - Member
I am guessing that you are referring to the fact that NS oil led to an appreciation of the £ which made the decline of heavy industry in Scotland (and elsewhere in UK) all the more painful. Couldn't possibly happen again could it?!?!
SD-253 - MemberThe ability of Scotland to do this and free University education etc is entirely based on them getting a larger subsidy/payment from central government.
COSLA's estimates say the bedroom tax costs Scotland £8m more than it raises. And now it seems like we're going to have to pay even more to mitigate the negative effects, despite there being little evidence that there's any positive effect at all. Certainly the supposed £500m saving doesn't exist.
It is exactly the sort of thing that drives people to the independence camp, something has come from Westminster that makes no sense in Scotland (or, for that matter, much of the UK). Actually abolishing the bedroom tax in Scotland (or rewinding the clock so we never had to introduce the damn-fool thing) is really the sensible option but sadly we're not able to do that. Instead we have to pay twice to fix someone else's mistake.
I can't get into the "scotland is subsidised" thing without me and THM getting in a war for 3 days and it doesn't achieve a thing so let's just say, it's not that simple and much has already been said on the subject.
Either way, vulnerability to a potentially volatile commodity is an issue. It's never a one way street to paradise.
Actually NW isn't it pretty simple - Scotland spends and raises more revenue per head. Net, net, not a real issue, unless of course the revenues sources is a risky one!! 😉
Bedroom tax results in hire costs only in the short term and 8 million is a meaning less figure hardly worth discussing.
As people move out of houses that are considered to big and into smaller houses this frees up these houses for larger families (morally the right thing to do). As most will probably be renting in the private sector where rent is more expensive this will result in a fall in housing benefit as private renting is more expensive. Problem there is a relative shortage of smaller accommodation.
I don't understand why it has resuled in higher costs?
I see no reason why the bedroom tax will drive people towards the SNP. It is about benefit payments and as the majority aren't on benefits they don't actually care one iota. In fact probably the other way round.
SD, where to start.
First, "only in the short term"- no. The houses/flats required simply don't exist, building tens of thousands of new flats doesn't happen in the short term even if you've got infinite money to pay for it.
Freeing up houses for larger families- this is the concept, the reality is that single bedroom accomodation is the most stressed area, so what this actually does is push more people into the area where there is the greatest lack. We have housing associations talking about demolishing perfectly good 2- and 3-bedroom accomodation because they can't fill it. (this isn't a Scottish exclusive)
You "don't understand why it's resulted in higher costs", clearly not. Extra administrative costs, extra support costs for those impacted, and massive increases in rent arrears (increasing rent doesn't mean increasing revenue- the government fantasy figures assume the entire increase will be paid!),and pushing council residents into private accomodation increases housing benefit costs (and means rents are paid into the private sector not the public, so a double loss). This is all leaving aside the cost of building new homes.
Why should this push people to vote Yes? (not "towards the SNP"). Incredibly simple- Westminster imposes a change that doesn't work for Scotland, Scotland has to pay to fix it. And you don't have to be on benefits to disapprove when people are treated badly. You certainly don't need to be on benefits to disapprove of money being spent badly, where the main outcomes are negative.
And as for £8m being "meanless, hardly worth discussing" why then did you think the £13m extra cost of mitigating the damage caused by the bedroom tax is worth discussing?
The cash cost is of course only one cost- this is driving vulnerable people into debt, a 31% increase in the number of residents in arrears directly attributed to the bedroom tax. People who don't have the option of moving, because the smaller houses don't exist.
SD-253 - Member
...The ability of Scotland to do this and free University education etc is entirely based on them getting a larger subsidy/payment from central government. Without this how will they pay for it all these extras? I am at a loss as to why people have not seen such an obvious fact??
I love the way it is assumed that Scotland can't or won't be able to afford this or that.
Scotland will an independent state setting its own priorities and budget, not blindly following the imperial posturing of the future English government.
If something doesn't work, and there be a few of those things, we can change our policies.
One thing we won't be doing is chucking enormous amounts of money into weapons of mass destruction or waging foreign wars.
This frees up a few bob for stuff which actually has benefits for the population.
The sad thing is that all the negative propaganda isn't new. It's as if the government is recycling the crap they used as each colony reached for independence.
Some very good points there Northwind. I agree as I stated there is a shortage of small accommodation. Although I have never met anyone who has had difficulty getting a single bedroom house/flat. Both in Manchester and Lincolnshire and I know quite a few who are or were on benefit. Obviously not a statistic. A suggestion not practical in all cases but dividing 2 3 or 4 bedroom houses into smaller 1 bedroom houses is not always impractical. My mother did it with a 6 bedroom house.
And as for
£8m being meanless, hardly worth discussing why then did you think the £13m extra cost of mitigating the damage caused by the bedroom tax is worth discussing?
That is an idiotic question you brought it up as reason for leaving the union and that is what we are talking about.
. I say this again Northwind the vast majority of people could not give a monkeys about the so-called bedroom tax. Your views are statistically worthless. You will get a tiny meaning less amount of voters by using that as reason for leaving the union.
Why should this push people to vote Yes? (not "towards the SNP"). Incredibly simple- Westminster imposes a change that doesn't work for Scotland, Scotland has to pay to fix it. And you don't have to be on benefits to disapprove when people are treated badly.
I have said this a few times I really want rid of Scotland from the union. My view of the Scottish, based entirely on experience is you are bunch of ******. The *s does not add up to particular word but if you can think of one with negative connotation please use it. Vote yes for indendence please!
SD-253 - MemberThat is an idiotic question you brought it up as reason for leaving the union
Er no I did not. And it's just up the page so everyone else can see you're talking pish too 😆 I even quoted you in my first post on the subject.
Apparently quite a lot of people do care- it's national news, raised repeatedly in the Scottish and Westminster parliaments. The tories think enough people care to bring it in as part of their benefit-bashing agenda.
Northwind
This is from your posting
.And as for £8m being "meanless, hardly worth discussing" why then did you think the £13m extra cost of mitigating the damage caused by the bedroom tax is worth discussing?
Sd. Keep it pleasant please.
Epicyclo - what is the scale in reduction of defence spending that is being planned to spend on other things?
.teamhurtmore - Member
Sd. Keep it pleasant please.
I will endeavour to do so!
The report you link to is interesting ninfan but refers to a different survey. The JRF also found that levels of child poverty fell during the recession, but the fall stopped during the recession.
SD-253 an independent Scotland can choose to spend it's money on different policies as it sees fit. Perhaps you now will admit there are areas other than immigration where Scotland has different priorities and needs from the rUK.
I asked what the Uk govt would do to bring children out of poverty? It's informative that all the responses from pro union people amount to attacks on the SNP policy. Not one policy put forward. Nothing.
Edit to make clear that I was referring to my earlier question .
By the way Northwind will you have an army or will we be expected to protect you? No doubt you are about to predict the future and say you won't need one.
Yes, that is me, and it was posted as a response to this:
SD-253 - MemberThe ability of Scotland to do this and free University education etc is entirely based on them getting a larger subsidy/payment from central government.
Remember?
Some extreme bellendery from SD....
My point is they won't have enough money to keep there spending promises. This
does not in way address that problem. I haven't seen much in the way of policies of any substance from the pros other than the English are horrible to us.SD-253 an independent Scotland can choose to spend it's money on different policies as it sees fit.
Now now this. Nobeerinthefridge - Member
Some extreme bellendery from SD....
applies to both of us. And your statement hardly adds to the debate!teamhurtmore - Member
Sd. Keep it pleasant please.
Sd-253 Funny that you have been arguing about a couple of policies for the last 3 hours. As for this
I haven't seen much in the way of policies of any substance from the pros other than the English are horrible to us.
] That's just a product of your own fevered imagination.
What's funny about it and couple of policies I don't think so. I have been arguing about it for 3 hours because there is nothing on the television..gordimhor - Member
Sd-253 Funny that you have been arguing about a couple of policies for the last 3 hours. As for this
Do you mean "other than the English are horrible is just a product of your own fevered imagination" ? I am afraid I hear the equivalent far to often to agree.
I haven't seen much in the way of policies of any substance from the pros other than the English are horrible to us.
] That's just a product of your own fevered imagination.
3 hours on a subject you don't even get to vote on so whatever opinions you have just don't count - what a waste of time, how sad.
And your attempt at a devastatingly witty reply will be just as wasted because
I'm away now. Toodle pip.
Says it all can't vote on a policy which clearly effects me. And not even entitled to have a view on it. If that's not sad what is? Jock by any chance ChubbyBlokeInLycra? If not what are you doing on here?.ChubbyBlokeInLycra - Member
3 hours on a subject you don't even get to vote on so whatever opinions you have just don't count - what a waste of time, how sad.
Sd-253 Well if you can't see any irony in your arguing that the Scottish government has no policies other than on the immigration issue and then posting about their policies for 3 hours. ....
SD-253 is obviously glaikit. Don't be too harsh on the little man, you can't expect him to see such things as irony in his postings.
. I merely counter arguments that are being put up about my views. If I fail to answer them It will be assumed that the other person has won. Also the telly is crap.gordimhor - Member
Sd-253 Well if you can't see any irony in your arguing that the Scottish government has no policies other than on the immigration issue and then posting about their policies for 3 hours. ....
I see no irony here, not a spec. A normal person would find it obnoxious. You seem to think it is an acceptable view?.3 hours on a subject you don't even get to vote on so whatever opinions you have just don't count - what a waste of time, how sad.
The bedroom tax is a disgrace. At best its badly thought out, I mean who would deliberately implement a policy that saves no money while forcing people out of their homes.
And who in Scotland voted for it?
Absolutely Nae ****
That's who.
That is why the bedroom tax is important. Beyond the basic unfairness of it , its a prime example of the democratic deficit we face.
And who in Scotland voted for it?Absolutely Nae ****
How do you know that? Scotland were part of the population that elected this government, like it or not.
Personally I thought it was an ill thought out idea but it seemed to have a lot of popular support.
When I lived in the Central Belt, there seemed to be a lot of resentment towards the "neds" who lived off benefits.
I will say this again, and no doubt be flamed for it and accused of trolling, IME Scotland is not a very tolerant Country. A lot of bigotry and casual racism. On STW all the Scots are painting a very different picture.
Poor old wee eck, it's the accountants turn to show their "bias" today.....
Workers would face “major uncertainty” over the future of their pensions in an independent Scotland, according to an expert report warning the SNP has failed to answer a series of key questions. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) said Alex Salmond’s White Paper had failed to address fundamental issues about state, public sector and personal pension plans.
Honestly, we expect too much. To make up stuff on pensions as well as the economy, taxation, spending, education etc is too much for one party surely?
IME Scotland is not a very tolerant Country. A lot of bigotry and casual racism. On STW all the Scots are painting a very different picture.
Well thankfully anecdote does not equal evidence.
Scotland and England's differing views on EU membership are probably more illustrative than a single opinion.
Of course an individuals experience may vary, Nigel Farage I'm sure thinks the Scots are an intolerant bunch, but really that says more about him.
Well thankfully anecdote does not equal evidence.
I can post numerous links to news reports of sectarian viloence and religious bigotry and extremism.
Sending bullets to a football manager?
Protesting about providing a ferry service on a Sunday?
Not allowing swimming pools to open on a Sunday?
Yes it's a minority. However, it's very much part of Scottish culture.
Yes it's a minority. However, it's very much part of Scottish culture.
How can you say that with a straight face? There a loads of idiots who protest with the BNP and EDL in England but I'd never say "I know it's a minority, however, it's very much part of English culture."
Yes, it's a minority. As pointed out earlier in the thread the number of sectarian crimes is actually very low. Stories like that appear in the press a lot because the sell news papers. And Neil Lennon's rhetoric and behaviour at the time was bound to get him to some bother (not saying it was acceptable) what ever his religion and background.
I can post numerous links to news reports of sectarian viloence and religious bigotry and extremism.
And the best selling newspaper in England is the Daily Mail
I could play this game all day
And Neil Lennon's rhetoric and behaviour at the time was bound to get him to some bother
Another part of the problem. Celtic idiots are as bad as Rangers idiots.
The BNP and EDL are not considered "acceptable" by the vast majority. The Free Church of Scotland is part of the "establishment".
A policeman wouldn't get into bother if he was a member of the Free Church but he would if he was in the BNP.
And the best selling newspaper in England is the Daily Mail
Yes England has plenty of arseholes.
The point I was making, yet again, was the "left leaning" open minded Scots who post on here are not at all typical. You all keep painting an image of this Workers Utopia you will create once independent. You are deluded. The problems you are denying exist will only be magnified once you can't blame the English for some of the problems.
The BNP and EDL are not considered "acceptable" by the vast majority.
How many BNP councillors have there been in England?
How many have there been in Scotland?
Lets not even start on the recent rise of UKIP.
Do you have any actual evidence beyond anecdotes and isolated incidents involving clowns in the "Old Firm" to support the assertion that Scotland is "not a very tolerant country"
isolated incidents
They are not isolated. The Orange marches cause major problems every year, to a calendar.
Scotland has a tiny ethnic minority.
Why is that if your so open?
Also, you will only really find problems with the BNP and the like when this populations grows.
From the scotland.gov.uk website.
African 0.6 14 30,000
Asian/Asian Scottish/Asian British 2.7 67 141,000
Caribbean or Black 0.1 3 7,000
Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups 0.4 9 20,000
Other ethnic group 0.3 7 14,000
White 96.0 n/a 5,084,000
All Minority Ethnic Population 4.0 100 211,000
All Population 100 n/a 5,295,000
I really can't believe you are seriously equating the BNP and the EDL with the Free Church of Scotland.
Just in case other people don't know the Free Church is entirely separate from the Church of Scotland.
Scotland has a tiny ethnic minority.
Why is that if your so open?
Who knows? Maybe most of the UK's immigrants are heading to London or Birmingham for instance? You have evidence to say people aren't moving to Scotland due to us being bigoted.
The Orange marches cause major problems every year, to a calendar.
Major problems? Sometimes get stuck behind a march, but that's pretty rare and the marches are a lot smaller than they were when I was a kid*. Used to be all down Maryhill Road - now it's one band of spotty youths, half a dozen fat blokes with orange sashes and beetroot faces, and a dozen track-suited followers.
It's more sad than anything.
*They used to come up our road. Fishing line tied across the road at ankle height was very amusing...
You have evidence to say people aren't moving to Scotland due to us being bigoted.
*Waves as someone who moved to Scotland.
Just for the record, I met my first bigot the other day(since moving in 2010). Far behind my bigot per year tally experienced living in England.
There seemed to be quite a few angry Scots that day, and they wasn't annoyed at the English fella.
I've said it before, but will say it again. The Scots have proven themselves to be a sorted, friendly and welcoming folk.
I've said it before, but will say it again. The Scots have proven themselves to be a sorted, friendly and welcoming folk.
Course we are, after all, we are all Jock Tamson's Bairns
"Course we are, after all, we are all Jock Tamson's Bairns"
If he keeps going at this rate we'll soon a be leigh Griffiths bairns.
[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26028481 ]BP Continue Investment in Scotland![/url]
Oh wait, that's not what the headline really says, but you spin it either way I guess. Union supporter wants UK to stay together and the (lack of a proper) currency debate is causing some uncertainty, but they're continuing to invest. Anything we didn't know already?
richmtb - MemberThe bedroom tax is a disgrace. At best its badly thought out, I mean who would deliberately implement a policy that saves no money while forcing people out of their homes.
And who in Scotland voted for it?
Absolutely Nae ****
That's who.
That is why the bedroom tax is important. Beyond the basic unfairness of it , its a prime example of the democratic deficit we face.
Aside from the 412,855 people who voted Conservative, and the 465,471 who voted Lib Dem, you mean?
and the 465,471 who voted Lib Dem
I don't think anyone voted for them based on what they might of done if they got in a Tory led coalition....
the 412,855 people who voted Conservative
16% of the electorate in Scotland. Hardly a ringing endorsement. How many of those were people affected by the bedroom tax, I don't know, but I reckon there would be some.
Aside from the 412,855 people who voted Conservative, and the 465,471 who voted Lib Dem, you mean?
Well done your Google foo is strong.
I think suggesting that Lib Dem voters in Scotland support the bedroom tax is tenuous at best. I think I can say with some certainty that it wasn't part of the Lib Dem manifesto.
What percentage of the electorate voted Conservative?
Even then its a rather moot point as only an absolute fool would support a taxation policy that actual costs taxpayers money and I don't think even Scottish Conservative voters fall into that category.
Even then its a rather moot point as only an absolute fool would support a taxation policy...
Only a fool would believe a cut in benefits cut was a tax. 😆
Only a fool would believe a cut in benefits cut was a tax.
Yes done like a kipper, the point still stands though. A change in policy designed to reduce spending that actually increases it is none too clever, a bit like me apparently!
BPs investment was signed off ages ago, and the projects are mid-stage so would carry on whatever the decision. However, rumour around the North Sea is that the majors are reducing spend as it's not so attractive anymore, and that they are looking to sell or get shot of assets. So whether it's future UK or future Scotland looking at the tax receipts, there is chance they won't be as good as predicted.
However, rumour around the North Sea is that the majors are reducing spend as it's not so attractive anymore, and that they are looking to sell or get shot of assets. So whether it's future UK or future Scotland looking at the tax receipts, there is chance they won't be as good as predicted.
This is true, on going costs are getting higher as the age of most of the infrastructure is getting on a bit. I think most of the estimates on Oil and Gas fronts factor in this in, no? Either way, it's a nice bonus to have, the economy etc wouldn't dependant on it.
Doesnt really matter whether the spare room subsidy is a tax or a benefit cut. It is an obviously unfair policy which is causing great distress to many. The party that imposed this policy got 16% of the scottish vote in 2010. This is in todays independent
[url= http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/big-lie-behind-the-bedroom-tax-families-trapped-with-nowhere-to-move-face-penalty-for-having-spare-room-8745597.html ]null
sorry broken link the article is actually from aug last year
This is from the independent though
[url=.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-national-party-attempts-to-scrap-the-bedroom-tax-north]bye bye bedroom tax[/url]
It's also worth pointing out that, even when the Scottish government found the money to pay the bedroom tax for everyone affected in Scotland, the Westminster government has been deliberately obstructionist when it comes to getting the money to the people who need it.
The BP thing - so BP is going to pull out of Scotland and go drill for oil in England instead? It's pointless pontificating - of course businesses want stability, and a right-wing government is of course more popular with them.
To go back to the BBC bias issue.I heard a bulletin on 6music where they said that the head of BP had spoken out against independence, no mention was made of his making it clear that this was his personal opinion and not BP policy,nor did 6music play the dialogue.
"BP confirms investment in North Sea" doesn't have the same ring to it I suppose.
Meanwhile in "not very tolerant" Scotland the Same Sex Marriage bill passed 105 to 18. For those keeping score it passed 366 to 161 in Westminster
To be fair BBC covered BPs investment went it was announced a few years ago, there has been nothing new announced for a while and unlikely to be for the foreseeable future. The reality is the North Sea isn't looking very attractive for majors right now which is why Bob Dudleys comments do matter to an extent.
Yesscotland, at it again:
"With independence, the continued use of sterling has the overwhelming support of the people of Scotland [b]and the public in the rest of the UK,[/b]" a spokesman said.[b]
Oh really? Hmmm.....
Now that's a trick they haven't pulled before. And the BBC bias - again unchallenged!! 😉
Where does your quote come from THM ?
gordimhor - Member
Well let's see there's....the rise in prices at the supermarket after independence ...the list goes on .....it's tough having to report this pish without laughing .
Gordi, and now the bloody FT are at this pish as well. Where do you reckon they source this rubbish from?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b8f05d3c-8cfa-11e3-ad57-00144feab7de.html#axzz2sHJsLuAB
Still the business schools could have some news case studies in parallel imports coming up. Compare tesco in Ireland with sainburys in Scotland....
I can understand the point about unit costs perfectly well, however the cost of distribution around the central belt from distribution centres that are already in the central belt shouldnt rise. As for me and those like me the nearest supermarket is just over 20 miles away, as far as local shopping is concerned there is only a Co-op which doesnt operate a national pricing policy anyway.
Robert Peston wrote this
[url= http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-25300398?oo=8066 ]Food prices in Scotland[/url]
Where did you find the statement from the yes spokesman?
whatnobeer - MemberI don't think anyone voted for them based on what they might of done if they got in a Tory led coalition....
16% of the electorate in Scotland. Hardly a ringing endorsement. How many of those were people affected by the bedroom tax, I don't know, but I reckon there would be some.
Posted 5 hours ago # Report-Post
richmtb - MemberWell done your Google foo is strong.
I think suggesting that Lib Dem voters in Scotland support the bedroom tax is tenuous at best. I think I can say with some certainty that it wasn't part of the Lib Dem manifesto.
What percentage of the electorate voted Conservative?
Even then its a rather moot point as only an absolute fool would support a taxation policy that actual costs taxpayers money and I don't think even Scottish Conservative voters fall into that category.
Posted 5 hours ago # Report-Post
Well 36% of Scottish voters voted for the parties we have in government, and they together enacted this policy.
The Scottish Lib Dems voted against Labour's motion on scrapping the 'tax'. Over a quarter of Scottish labour MPs didn't even bother to turn up for the vote on it either. If [i]all[/i] the Labour MPs had, they probably would have won the vote, as they lost the vote by 26 and 43 failed to show!
So the Conservatives brought in the bedroom tax as it was in their manifesto, the Liberals brought it in even though it was not in their manifesto. Labour mps couldn't be bothered to oppose it.All the above parties are in the no camp. Vote Yes to get rid of the bedroom tax.
retro83 - MemberWell 36% of Scottish voters voted for the parties we have in government, and they together enacted this policy.
Absolutely nobody voted for the Lib Dems we have in government- people voted for the different Lib Dems that existed before the election
Northwind - Member
Absolutely nobody voted for the Lib Dems we have in government- people voted for the different Lib Dems that existed before the election
Well you could say that about any party that makes an unpopular decision when in government. I'm sure that not many Labour voters wanted to go to war in a faraway land based on dubious evidence. They still voted them in though. Same with the Lib Dems, they made an unpopular decision with getting into bed with the Conservatives, then continuing to cuddle up to them for the rest of their term in office.
gordimhor - MemberSo the Conservatives brought in the bedroom tax as it was in their manifesto, the Liberals brought it in even though it was not in their manifesto. Labour mps couldn't be bothered to oppose it.All the above parties are in the no camp. Vote Yes to get rid of the bedroom tax.
Are you implying that Scottish politicians will become trustworthy if they report only to Hollyrood and not Westminster?
Also Labour and the Lib Dems have both said they will scrap the 'tax' if elected.
In any case, the 'bedroom tax' seems like a rather minor point to argue on. I'd be more concerned with Scotland's financial services industry. Hint: where does 90% of that business come from? How many does it employ in Scotland (over 100,000) and how much does it contribute to GDP (over 10%).
retro83 - MemberWell you could say that about any party that makes an unpopular decision when in government.
It's not quite the same when that one unpopular decision is "become tories"