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Scottish Referendum Part 2 - Electric Boogaloo

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    Regardless of which side of the argument you sit on, most people need to learn a bit about what they're quoting, figures wise.

    I'll give you a couple of examples to help you on your way.

    Tax raised. Government figures of tax receipts are actually estimates. For example, UK corporation tax figures are an estimate based on a survey of 600 companies and extrapolated. 9.4% of this is attributed to Scotland.

    Infrastructure spends. When calculating Scotland's share of national infrastructure spend, it is calculated by taking a percentage of UK infrastructure spend. So it will include, for example, estimated expenditure on The London Underground and HS2.

    Excise and Duty. There is no way of actually calculating this on a regional basis, so for example, whisky taxation receives the same 9-10% estimate in the income column for Scotland.

    I'm actually amazed that a bunch of people who generally work at a reasonable level believe for one second that the disjointed government departments we have in the UK could ever put that kind of information together accurately, both for the UK as a whole and for the component countries.

    Everything the government does in this country is made up of estimates of estimates extrapolated from estimates. If they could actually put together an estimate within £5Bn I'd be amazed.
    When freedom comes along, don't PISH in the water supply.....

    Comment


      Originally posted by d000hg View Post
      So basically you're saying if we fudge the figures to get the answer we want, we get the answer we want?
      Yep, selectively choosing the stats to present the information you want is fairly commonplace - it's what put £350m on the side of a bus, its what had George Osbourne threatening emergency budgets and a cost of £4,300 per household, its what has Scotland claiming it raises more tax per head five years ago, but then there is a Barnet formula.

      I don't even think the exchange rates are anything other than arbitrary and not a reflection of the real economy. Some people are using these as proof that all will be tulip in the future whereas it is more a reflection that some bankers just don't know and are taking a risk averse approach. It would actually be more of a problem when things become more apparent if Sterling takes a sharp rise in value now.


      The one thing I am sure of is that Brexit will not be as bad as Scooterscot, sasguru or Atw claim, but will also not be 'as if nothing changed' as soon people claim. Scexit will leave both Scotland and the UK it leaves behind significantly worse off, irrespective of the outcome of Brexit. I don't have vision of the future to be able to prove it in stats, and past performance is absolutely no indication. I just have a positive outlook and would love it to work out. Some have a very negative outlook and are desperate for it to fail which in itself is a very British trait - along with that British trait of refusing to let someone out of a parking space even though you actually need that parking space yourself.
      Taking a break from contracting

      Comment


        Although Scotland has higher public expenditure than the rest of the UK it's tax contribution is also the highest, now obviously they're going to have to tighten their belts, but all they have to do is get their expenditure down to the level of the UK. Average income in Scotland is higher than most parts of the UK and even with the Oil price at the level it is, it makes and will continue to make a significant contribution .

        I can't see any major economic hurdles, and this is a country that is a long way from being a "basket case".
        Last edited by BlasterBates; 20 March 2017, 14:40.
        I'm alright Jack

        Comment


          Originally posted by BlasterBates View Post
          Although Scotland has higher public expenditure than the rest of the UK it's tax contribution is also the highest, now obviously they're going to have to tighten their belts, but all they have to do is get their expenditure down to the level of the UK. Average income in Scotland is higher than most parts of the UK and even with the Oil price at the level it is, it makes and will continue to make a significant contribution .

          I can't see any major economic hurdles, and this is a country that is a long way from being a "basket case".
          You do realise that you're asking a bunch of champagne socialists not to cock the economy up, don't you?

          It's going to seem wonderful until they've run out of other peoples' money to spend.
          The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist

          Comment


            Originally posted by BlasterBates View Post
            Although Scotland has higher public expenditure than the rest of the UK it's tax contribution is also the highest, now obviously they're going to have to tighten their belts, but all they have to do is get their expenditure down to the level of the UK.
            Yes, I can just see the introduction of student loans of £9k per year (that are currently subsidised via the Barnet Formula) being a real vote winner for the SNP.

            Living within your means is much easier when someone else is picking up a huge slice of your tab.

            “The period of the disintegration of the European Union has begun. And the first vessel to have departed is Britain”

            Comment


              Originally posted by shaunbhoy View Post
              Yes, I can just see the introduction of student loans of £9k per year (that are currently subsidised via the Barnet Formula) being a real vote winner for the SNP.

              Living within your means is much easier when someone else is picking up a huge slice of your tab.

              So you'll be handing back your obesity scooter to social services, will you?

              Comment


                Originally posted by northernladyuk View Post
                So you'll be handing back your obesity scooter to social services, will you?
                Of course not. I took advantage of the "Right to Buy" option.

                “The period of the disintegration of the European Union has begun. And the first vessel to have departed is Britain”

                Comment


                  Originally posted by northernladyuk View Post
                  So you'll be handing back your obesity scooter to social services, will you?
                  You've met his bitch from Munich then?
                  The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist

                  Comment


                    Originally posted by LondonManc View Post
                    You do realise that you're asking a bunch of champagne socialists not to cock the economy up, don't you?

                    It's going to seem wonderful until they've run out of other peoples' money to spend.
                    The point is the UK is about to trash its economy, the choice for the SNP is:

                    1) The UK slashes Scottish spending.

                    2) The Scottish government slashes spending.

                    In other words they may as well go for independence.

                    This is not 2014, they're now being governed by "Boris Johnson", this is IMF begging bowl politics.

                    I'm alright Jack

                    Comment


                      Originally posted by BlasterBates View Post
                      The point is the UK is about to trash it's economy, the choice for the SNP is:

                      1) The UK slashes Scottish spending.

                      2) The Scottish government slashes spending.

                      In other words they may as well go for independence.

                      This is not 2014, they're now being governed by "Boris Johnson", this is IMF begging bowl politics.

                      Or 3) they get independence, wee Jimmy has a statue of herself commissioned in a similar vein to Diane Abbott's £10k portrait (usual thing socialists sorts do, eh?) and bankrupt the country without actually doing a thing for you then blame the Tories.

                      Interesting that all the remain voters up there are considering abandoning the "better together" mantra. :S
                      The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist

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