Spain OMG!

[Robinho]

So Scotland will simply set itself up as a tax haven..........a la Guernsey/IOM/Jersey etc.

Sorted!!

How will it pay for free universities as a tax haven though?

[shaunbhoy]

How will it pay for free universities as a tax haven though?

Initially through the increased Revenues from Oil and Gas. Gradually some form of payment scheme will have to be introduced however.
But by then there will be enough alternative employment and wealth streams to make the Oil & Gas portion less significant.
Not that hard to imagine really.

[speling bee]

How will it pay for free universities as a tax haven though?

8% CT rate and attract international companies. Ireland has done this. The problem is it's a rush to the bottom. What do you do when Ireland cuts to 6%?

[Troll]

My greatest fear is that you'll leave me alone with the rest of the English.

Feel free to fook off back to whatever fly ridden tulipe hole you originated from... and don't let the door hit you on yer arse on the way out

[Robinho]

Initially through the increased Revenues from Oil and Gas. Gradually some form of payment scheme will have to be introduced however.
But by then there will be enough alternative employment and wealth streams to make the Oil & Gas portion less significant.
Not that hard to imagine really.

But in an amazing year for oil, Scotland has only just managed to give more back to the UK than it took? (please bear in mind Scotland is still running a deficit with its share of debt). With production declining, where is this extra oil revenue going to come from?

It's all pointing to the fact that Scotland will be worse off out of the UK... and we haven't even got to separation costs yet.

It's all academic anyway, Scotland will vote no.

[Robinho]

8% CT rate and attract international companies. Ireland has done this. The problem is it's a rush to the bottom. What do you do when Ireland cuts to 6%?

Well, England will be under permanent Tory rule, and Scotland will still languish in leftism. Hard to see how Scotland will be the one to win that tax race.

CT is only one element of taxation anyway. No point dropping CT if your income tax goes up.

[speling bee]

Feel free to fook off back to whatever fly ridden tulipe hole you originated from... and don't let the door hit you on yer arse on the way out

This is exactly what I'm talking about: missing the point, unintelligently delivered and poorly punctuated as well. Every time I go to Scotland, I find it refreshing to find people who are not afraid of intellectual discussion. The same with Ireland and Wales.

Orwell writes about this very convincingly in one of the essays in the Lion and the Unicorn. I think it was England, your England.

[alreadypacked]

8% CT rate and attract international companies. Ireland has done this. The problem is it's a rush to the bottom. What do you do when Ireland cuts to 6%?

They would have to leave the EU, Ireland has managed to keep its 8% as it had the rate when it joined the EU. I think the EU has prevented other countries doing the same, as they think it would destabilise the country.

[speling bee]

They would have to leave the EU, Ireland has managed to keep its 8% as it had the rate when it joined the EU. I think the EU has prevented other countries doing the same, as they think it would destabilise the country.

Automatic EU membership may be not such a slam dunk as it once seemed.

In Spain, economic crisis fans Catalan separatism | Reuters

Secession would complicate Catalonia's relationship with Europe. The European Union says an independent Catalonia seceded it would have to reapply for membership of the bloc.

Also (slightly unrelated but back on topic) have a look at:

Spain risks break-up as Mariano Rajoy stirs Catalan fury - Telegraph

Be Very Careful, Beloved Spain – Telegraph Blogs

[Robinho]

Who'd want to be in the EU anyway?