Red tape stops us from making money
A Chamber of Commerce report released yesterday has shown that the cost of regulation and red tape to small businesses is running at £55bn. 70% of these businesses believe that the government is not doing enough to help them. One of the…
Policy Announcements, Tuesday 27 February
Government Immigrants could be required to do community service before gaining UK citizenship, Gordon Brown has said.During a speech on Britishness the chancellor said adding the condition to language and culture tests for would-be citizens…
Our very British Chancellor
He's at it again, our Chancellor, talking about Britishness. That is one paranoid Scot. Does he not realise that dissecting Britishness is profoundly unBritish, and that real Brits have the self-confidence in our culture not to need to…
Government-created cartel
It is a commonplace of economics that competition drives down prices. Economies of scale drive down costs. The combination of the two may achieve the lowest prices. But normally one would not expect cartels to deliver low prices, however…
Review of the Papers, Tuesday 27 February
Government Changes to the way the Government assesses the cost of regulations for business are being planned to counter claims that companies have been loaded with £55bn worth of red tape since Labour came to power. Ministers are irritated…
Does work work?
Lord McKenzie of Luton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Lords) at the Department for Work and Pensions, today "called on the expertise of businesses, government and charities to discuss and agree what constitutes 'good work'." As he…
Trading favours
David Miliband has prepared (with the help of Alistair Darling and some big businesses) a manifesto for the development of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) after 2012 (Phase 3). He has circulated it to trade associations and big…
Review of the Papers, Monday 26 February
Government A leading architect of Tony Blair's health reforms warns in the Guardian today that the NHS will not survive as a universal tax-funded service without a change of policy. Chris Ham, professor of health policy at Birmingham…
More rising council taxes (though not if Labour need your vote)
The average council tax bill is set to rise another 3.8% this year - an incredible 90% increase since Labour came to power! And surprise, surprise - the lowest rises are in the 238 districts that face elections in May, weeks before Gordon…
Policy Announcements, Monday 26 February
Government Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alistair Darling, has today asked Ofcom to conduct an initial investigation into British Sky Broadcasting Group's acquisition of a 17.9% stake in ITV plc. This means Ofcom must provide…
Give us all your money and we'll save the planet by chauffeur driven car
If ever proof were needed that this government is using the environment debate as a smoke screen to stealth taxes and pushing through their agenda, then just look at how they are acting in their everyday lives. You would think a government…
Understanding the law
Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law. Enforcement of the law (and therefore social order) breaks down if this simple rule is not upheld. Is there not, then, a moral obligation on our legislators, enforcement-agencies, and judiciary…