Scottish Referendum / Independence - Vol 6

[BlackLabel]

Brown looks like a schoolboy who is wearing last years trousers.

Jokes aside, when he talks about this subject he actually comes across as a likable fella - something he never did as PM.

[plasticpig]

Troubleatmill said:

UK - Zero rated. Water, food, medicine, public transport, books, newspapers, magazines, bin collection.

Now... do you think Alex is going to be able to retain 0% for all of that? I'd wager he wouldn't get close.

You don't know the VAT system very well. There are plenty of foods which aren't zero rated; chocolate biscuits and ice cream for example. Not all books are zero rated either. An exercise book is standard rated. Mains water is standard rated for commercial use; bottled water is standard rated. Only prescription medicines are zero rated; if you buy a pack of neurofen over the counter it's subject to VAT. The NHS has to pay vat on all the medicines it buys. E-books and online subscriptions to newspapers are subject to VAT at the standard rate. Commercial waste disposal is standard rated. Public transport is only zero rated if the vehicle doing the transport can carry 10 or more passengers.

[traxx]

Wills2 said:

I fear it could all end in tears for them, I also don't agree with the offer we made them this week if they vote no.

Presumably the Conservatives like the idea because it will be conditional on Scottish MPs not being able to vote on non-Scottish issues meaning that even if Labour wins an election they will be unable to really implement any of their policies

[benjj]

BlackLabel said:

Jokes aside, when he talks about this subject he actually comes across as a likable fella - something he never did as PM.

I agree. He was a terrible PM but he is a genuinely likeable and decent fellow and I sympathise greatly with him on this.

As was mentioned earlier somewhere on PH he showed his true colours in the Commons after Mr. Cameron lost his child.

[Troubleatmill]

plasticpig said:

Troubleatmill said:

UK - Zero rated. Water, food, medicine, public transport, books, newspapers, magazines, bin collection.

Now... do you think Alex is going to be able to retain 0% for all of that? I'd wager he wouldn't get close.

You don't know the VAT system very well. There are plenty of foods which aren't zero rated; chocolate biscuits and ice cream for example. Not all books are zero rated either. An exercise book is standard rated. Mains water is standard rated for commercial use; bottled water is standard rated. Only prescription medicines are zero rated; if you buy a pack of neurofen over the counter it's subject to VAT. The NHS has to pay vat on all the medicines it buys. E-books and online subscriptions to newspapers are subject to VAT at the standard rate. Commercial waste disposal is standard rated. Public transport is only zero rated if the vehicle doing the transport can carry 10 or more passengers.

Correct - I don't know the VAT system well - Was just reading extracts from the link I posted.
Can't the NHS reclaim the VAT as per other businesses?

[E24man]

jonny996 said:

E24man said:

A genuine question for any Scottish residents and voters.

Regardless of whether the decision on Friday morning is Yes or No, how much damage do you think has been caused to Scotland's reputation, brands, products, tourism and industry by the conduct of the Yes campaign and in particular the very obvious anti-English sentiments that however commonplace or rare quite naturally have received a lot of press within your largest neighbour and trading partner?

I never thought I would ever say this but I now feeling ashamed to be Scottish & I lay that blame at the feet of those vile yes campaigners, if it is a yes then I am out and will be relocating within 12 months. If it is a no I will see how it pans out but I feel it may be like Ireland in the 80's. Either way it will not be the same for a very long time, YES has stirred up a lot of hatred and I do not use that word lightly

Thank you for your honesty. I spent 5 very happy years at Faslane over the period of the Glasgow year of culture and found the Scots friendly and engaging towards the English, albeit with good-natured ribbing on either side, but it does seem to have changed somewhat.

Any other Scottish residents or voters willing to answer? Perhaps a Yes voter?

[Siko]

I work in Scotland but live in England with my Scottish wife and my son is usually found in a Scotland Rugby Shirt. They're wonderful people and it's a wonderful country, but this is a fallacy of truly epic proportions.

I actually think Scotland could do ok on it's own, but certainly not with this SNP plan for socialist/Marxist utopia. I hope it's a resounding 'no' but if it's a yes then I'll be one of the many poor sods paying Scottish taxes without having had a say in it

[Troubleatmill]

Gordon Brown doing really well. Never thought I would say that.

[covmutley]

Yes. Darling came across as being parachuted in, but Gordon brown speaks so clearly and with sincerity, conviction and likeability.

Mr dimbleby! Mr dimbleby!

[General Price]

Fat Eck said:

Mr Salmond repeated that Scotland would use the pound after independence.

He said: "We think there will be a currency union because the mandate of the Scottish people is going to be for that and, of course, it is in the best interests of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom."

Mr Salmond added: "We are going to have a common sense agreement on a common currency and the Bank of England will be the shared Central Bank. That's our proposal."

Sorry Britain,Eck says there will be a currency union and that is final.

The sad thing is,all the gullible fools lapping this rubbish up.

[vonuber]

Troubleatmill said:

Gordon Brown doing really well. Never thought I would say that.

Agreed. A completely different figure to when he was PM IMO.

[Ayahuasca]

Sod Gordon Brown, this is who we need:

[benjj]

FFS, please resize that massive pic.

[covmutley]

Here we go!!

[Wills2]

I think he did well and I'm not a fan...the next bit should be interesting...

[benjj]

His advisors have been busy this morning telling him how to act.

I give it about 8 minutes until he's back to foaming at the mouth like a man with a head full of hate and Kestrel Super.

[paulrockliffe]

Troubleatmill said:

Correct - I don't know the VAT system well - Was just reading extracts from the link I posted.
Can't the NHS reclaim the VAT as per other businesses?

It's complicated. The NHS doesn't make taxable supplies in the main, so can't reclaim on most of the stuff it does, but some stuff has a commercial element, where VAT can then be reclaimed.

The VAT thing is a misnomer really, the EU doesn't benefit from the extra cost to the consumer, but having consistent VAT treatment across Europe helps to maintain a level playing field, so you avoid the situation where all the suppliers of X in Spain have an advantage because they can sell VAT-free while their competitors in other countries can't.

Given the political landscape in Scotland, I'd think the population would like to pay more tax for their government to spend, so everyone's a winner.

[KTF]

Someone has definatley been getting coaching today. How long can he hold on to it though.

[benjj]

It shows the respect most people have for Dimbo, he can be a bd interrogator when he wants...

[macp]

Completely different interview dont you think.Im almost expecting Mr Dimbleby to put his arm around salmond or vice versa.