George Monbiot has an excellent article on tax in the Guardian this morning. At its core is an argument for land value taxation, which he explains has long had powerful support. As he puts it: In 1909 a dangerous subversive explained the issue thus. “Roads are made, streets are made, services are improved, electric light turns night into day, water
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From this morning’s Guardian: It was disappointing to note the Guardian publishing an article in G2 that was little more than a flippant gloss on the opinion of a tax avoider. There is, as the G2 cover suggested, and as I will explain in my forthcoming book, The Joy of Tax, (which title seems to
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The run up to the budget is always frenetic. And now it’s been and gone and we know how debased the Tory’s thinking is. In that case it’s time to set to work on writing the alternative. I discussed the need for that alternative in the Guardian on Friday, but if you want a job
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I’ve been reflecting on the situation in Greece and have pointed out that much of what is happening is the inevitable consequence of neoliberal thinking. So too is the fact that Greece suffers endemic tax evasion. It is thought that 30% of revenues are lost to evasion in Greece, with the rich being especially prone to non-payment. There is a reason
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“I love paying tax. It’s what separates us from monkeys.” So said the wonderful Bard of Barnsley, Ian McMillan on Desert Island Discs last week.  At 31 minutes on the recording you can hear Ian talking about how much he likes to pay tax! Good for him. This is a man who has worked out
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I had this article on the Guardian’s Comment is Free site yesterday and in the paper today: George Osborne is making political capital out of seeking to save £4bn on the benefits bill, happy for those making the claims he’s targeting to be called lifestyle choice fraudsters and layabouts – all, supposedly, because of the
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Sometimes stating the obvious is necessary. We need police. We need laws enforced. And just as much we need their presence in communities – where I suspect they do a lot more simple offering help and direction than they do law enforcement. I am well aware that there are those on the right who think
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Andy Burnham, a Labour leadership contender (albeit one unlikely to win) has argued this morning: It’s time to lose New Labour’s timidity in the face of tax and make a moral argument for it playing a bigger part in deficit reduction. It is fairer than sudden and deep spending cuts, which will leave vulnerable people
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Waste disposal is one of the big issues in UK local politics. Is it one collection a week, or once a fortnight we need? There’s no doubt where public opinion lies. My bins have just been emptied – which is why I thought of this blog. Waste disposal – and recycling – can be managed
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