From BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight today: Isle of Wight residents slam Red Funnel ferry crossing cuts. Under new timetables from 3 January, the last Red Jet ferry to the Isle of Wight will depart from Southampton at 22:30 GMT, with the final departure from West Cowes changing to 23:05. Red Funnel blamed the decision on reduced passenger demand. Isle of Wight residents have argued earlier crossings meant those hoping to attend concerts on the mainland would no longer be able to get home. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-67635947 There is no mention of any government nor of any politician in the above … Continue reading Isle of Wight residents slam ferry crossing cuts as government-subsidised company makes £12 million in profits and pays £8 million in dividends

Anonymous The unchallenged assertion that high earners will leave if income tax levels are raised has been shown to be a lie. It is not a factor which unduly influences high earners who have their principal home in Scotland. Because their main home is here they also get the common benefits that every other citizen is entitled to, including free higher education. They also have friends and family here and social links. In addition, often a fair amount of the money they receive is not ‘income’ that is subject to ‘income’ tax. They have financial advisers who specialise in tax … Continue reading The unchallenged assertion that high earners will leave if income tax levels are raised has been shown to be a lie

From the New Zealand Herald today: Greater Wellington Regional Council chairman Daran Ponter says KiwiRail “must be s***ting themselves” over the escalating cost of portside infrastructure needed for Cook Strait’s new mega ferries. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed the potential cost to the taxpayer is now “many times” what the Government initially signed up to. “The financial situation of this project is extremely troubling,” she said. The matter appears to have been considered so pressing that Willis met with the state-owned enterprise’s top brass about it before she was even sworn in as the Finance Minister, the Herald can reveal. KiwiRail is … Continue reading New Zealand Government accused of hiding mis-management of costs in delayed multi-billion ferry contract

The above worthy petition, currently attracting a pathetic level of interest, applies only in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Several, often highly informed, friends have asked me to sign it, unaware of this: Social Security Scotland fast-track applications from people with a terminal illness and aim to make payment within  seven working days. Individuals who are terminally ill automatically receive the highest rates of assistance they are entitled to and there are no award reviews.  https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/terminal-illness/#:~:text=Social%20Security%20Scotland%20fast%2Dtrack,there%20are%20no%20award%20reviews. The reason is simple. As with so many other positive announcements by the SNP Government, ‘our’ media have learned to look the other way. … Continue reading Scottish media fail to inform terminally ill of highest benefit fast-tracked within only 7 days because it’s another SNP thing

Frances McKie On 22nd September 2022, Andrew Bowie’s Tory London Government announced a “mini-budget” which caused international banking panic and  promptly added over 30 Billion pounds to the frightening UK fiscal deficit – doubling it within 2 months. His government immediately passed this debt on to ordinary workers, with  ordinary incomes,  through new stealth taxes. His government is already condemned internationally for its deliberate increase of poverty throughout the UK, especially amongst our most vulnerable communities- the disabled, old and very young. With that  horrific record, Mr Bowie should surely be very careful about accusing anyone else of “economic vandalism”.  However, … Continue reading Mr Bowie should surely be very careful about accusing anyone else of “economic vandalism”