Liberal Democrats Cost Low Paid Families £1127 per annum

The Coalition Government, which included Julia Porkensen's Liberal Democrats introduced a range of punitive tax measures that badly affected of Britain's low income families. According to the analysis by the Institute of Fiscal Studies the average family lost £1127 per annum when taking into account the impact of benefit and tax cuts. Income tax cuts mostly benefited middle income families, not the low paid. The IFS report goes on to say “Low income working age households have lost the most as a percentage of their income from tax and benefit changes introduced by the coalition, mainly as a result of benefit cuts”.

Tax Credits were introduced by Labour to ensure that work pays. It was one of a range of measures that pulled Britain out of the multi-dip recessions that dogged this country in the 1990's, which also included the introduction of a 10% rate of Corporation tax for new businesses and Research & Development Tax Credits. These financial incentives helped people to get work, start businesses and create jobs. In contrast George Osborne has abolished the small business tax rate, so that all companies now pay the same rate of tax whether they earn £1 or £100 Million, cut capital allowances for investment in new plant and machinery, and increased the effective rate of tax for the low paid. Tax Credits and the reintroduction of lower tax rates for small businesses will help build our economy, and deliver skilled jobs to Berwick.

Julia Porkensen first needs to apologise to the people of Berwick for the damage inflicted on them by the Liberal Democrats role in the Coalition Government before claiming to be a supporter of Tax Credits. 

(response the Julia's claim inteh Berwick Advertiser that they are the champions of low paid workers)

Dominic Cummings (Vote to leave EU) is Naive

Dominic Cummings' (Vote Leave) claim that leaving the EU would enable us to get a 'Free Trade Deal' without EU directives demonstrates his naivety. The only Free Trade deal on offer is to join Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein in the European Economic Area (EEA). EEA members are required to abide by EU Directives, but due to the inferior rights offered by the EAA system, they have no say in what they are. Switzerland is neither a member of the EU or the EEA, but has to abide by the EU rules that govern the Single Market. In effect Cummings' 'Vote to Leave' position would remove all influence the UK has over EU Directives, but we would still be obliged to accept them to trade within the Single Market.

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He has now announced that a vote to leave the EU is the only way to stay in a 'reformed' EU - maybe he is just confused.

We must give shelter to refugees

Theresa May's comments on migration simple displays her ignorance about EU migration. The maximum anyone can stay in another EU country without applying for permission is 3 months, unless you have a job or a private income. It is about time Tory politicians told the truth, instead of taking their lead from the Daily Express.

Thankfully the EU had been a pillar of ensuring that no new European conflict has arisen for over 50 years. As it is the current crisis is down to refugees fleeing wars that surround the EU. In the 1930's the UK failed to give sanctuary to 1000's of refugees from Nazi Germany, mostly Jews, and they were then murdered. The same it true today, it seems that the Government relly does want these people to just go away and die.

ARCH the Northumberland Development Company

Are ARCH really taking over the world?
http://nottheberwickshireadvertiser.com/2013/10/17/arch-unmasked-as-secret-terrorist-organisation/

Coming back down to earth ARCH have now been loaned £53 Million of our money by the County Council to 'regenerate' Northumberland. To date there is little to show on the ground for that 'investment' - apart from £15 million of shares bought in property portfolios, and low cost housing being bought across the County to be offered at extortionate private sector rents. Contracts are placed at our expense without the approval of Councillors, being offered up for public scrutiny, or abiding by 'value for money' rules. Should a County Council really be planning to build a Hotel?

This year their turnover was £8 million - admin costs were £6 million (what are they spending the money on), the rest went of debt repayments. The onyl part of business that is profitable os the former Northumberland Coalfields Property Company, that they now own. So ex-miners are supporting this business thorugh their rents.

Much more to follow of this sorry tale, that no-one in authority seems to be interested in

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And now there's Prudhoe Estates - joint venture with Northumberland Estates - from a recent Foi ....

The answers to your questions are as follows;

1.  What are the objectives of Prudhoe Estates ?

To Develop sites restricted by covenants

2.  What type of developments will it be involved in, commercial,speculative,housing ?

As a Commercial real estate investment

3.  What function will it fulfil that cannot be undertaken by existing Arch Companies ?

To have Access to more developable land

Best of Regards

Rural priorities - the Tory way

The North of Scotland and the Islands are suffering from a terrible harvest due to high rain levels, resulting in cattle going to market early, and the prospects of a huge cost burden for winter feed. Yet the Tory high command's only rural policy is to reinstate the inhumane killing of foxes for fun. So much for their oft repeated claim that they are the supporters of the rural economy.

Cameron's wish list

At least we know what cameron wants
a four-year ban on EU migrants claiming in-work benefits
providing greater protections for non-eurozone countries to ensure they cannot be outvoted in the single market by eurozone countries
giving Britain an opt-out from the EU’s commitment to create an “ever-closer union” of the peoples of Europe
giving national parliaments the ability to club together to block EU legislation

In work benefits are claimed by so few people it is not an issue
As we are not in the Eurozone what are we supposed to protected against? Just more nonsense
Not a single EU member states has ever asked for a United States of Europe.
The Lisbon Treaty already gives National Parliaments the right to both refer back, and reject EU regulations

So job done. Let's get the damn referendum out of the way - dump Farage on Rockall - and then the sane majority can get on with enjoying the benefits and freedom of being citizens of Europe.

Cameron must stop pandering to extemists

Cameron has won the General Election so he no longer needs to appease his right wing. Membership of the EU is good for our economy, our personal freedom and our national security, and the Government should take a position. UKIP and other extremists will cry foul when they lose whatever the rules are. They are however a highly vocal, dangerous and subversive minority who are only interested in taking away our freedom - so let's get this referendum out of the way - they can all go and live on Rockall while the rest of us get on with enjoying the benefits of being citizens of the UK & Europe.