Sat 11 and Sun 12 April

[refitman]

Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF.

[ohsocynical]

Yorks&Humber Labour
‏@yorkshirelabour

Tune into BBC Sunday Politics tomorrow for debate between all Sheffield Hallam candidates including @olivercoppard but no @nick_clegg

That'll probably put the final nail in Clegg's coffin...

[ohsocynical]

Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF.

Night PF

[AngryAsWell]

Went to click like on your post Stephen and it vanished ... lol

[AngryAsWell]

Goodnight, everyone.

well

[Tubby Isaacs]

Yorks&Humber Labour
‏@yorkshirelabour

Tune into BBC Sunday Politics tomorrow for debate between all Sheffield Hallam candidates including @olivercoppard but no @nick_clegg

That'll probably put the final nail in Clegg's coffin...

I can't believe he didn't show for that. He's in trouble. And he's the Deputy PM- he should be able to see off people who've never even been an MP.

[rebeccariots2]

Every now and again I like to venture onto Conservative Home to remind myself how the other side thinks ...

This evening's teaser of an article was about how they could better their campaign by using women to soften the message.
http://www.conservativehome.com/thetory ... l#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BTL is - as you might expect - full of eye popping, comments.

My favourite so far has to be:

... The one thing I am not picking up on is that our women are out and about in the media. It seems to be nearly about the leaders and consequently where we have made a good job of things I am not hearing them and I am looking for them. Communication is Esther McVey's forte.. she should be used a great deal more.

They really don't understand the meaning of words such as communication and soften in the same way as most people, do they ... shakes head.

Anyway - I'm all for it - they should use Esther McVey as much as possible - wheel her out at every opportunity.

[ohsocynical]

Every now and again I like to venture onto Conservative Home to remind myself how the other side thinks ...

This evening's teaser of an article was about how they could better their campaign by using women to soften the message.
http://www.conservativehome.com/thetory ... l#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BTL is - as you might expect - full of eye popping, comments.

My favourite so far has to be:

... The one thing I am not picking up on is that our women are out and about in the media. It seems to be nearly about the leaders and consequently where we have made a good job of things I am not hearing them and I am looking for them. Communication is Esther McVey's forte.. she should be used a great deal more.

They really don't understand the meaning of words such as communication and soften in the same way as most people, do they ... shakes head.

Anyway - I'm all for it - they should use Esther McVey as much as possible - wheel her out at every opportunity.

Edited to alter what I said.

How on earth have Conservatives become so out of touch with the rest of the world?

There was a few tentative Tweets by Conservative Women a while back, but they were so thoroughly trashed I haven't seen hide nor hair of them since.

[rebeccariots2]

Yorks&Humber Labour
‏@yorkshirelabour

Tune into BBC Sunday Politics tomorrow for debate between all Sheffield Hallam candidates including @olivercoppard but no @nick_clegg

That'll probably put the final nail in Clegg's coffin...

I can't believe he didn't show for that. He's in trouble. And he's the Deputy PM- he should be able to see off people who've never even been an MP.

Saw a tweet earlier with a clipping from the Western Gazette about Oliver Letwin's refusal to answer questions from journalists on any policy issues and not turning up at hustings etc. He has apparently confined himself to putting statements on his website rather than interacting in ways that don't suit him. They've captioned him as Oliver Letwin No Comment. The tweeter was pointing out that this is the kind of behaviour the luxury of safe seats allows such MPs.

Editing to add: Not that I'm inferring that Clegg is now in anything like a safe seat ...

[rebeccariots2]

Toby Helm retweeted
paul webster ‏@paulfwebster 50m50 minutes ago
'The Tories have a campaign that is narrow, repressed and uninspiring.' Cameron's former speechwriter, in tomorrow's Observer

[rebeccariots2]

Sky News ‏@SkyNews 10m10 minutes ago
THE OBSERVER FRONT PAGE: "Labour pledges huge fines on tax avoiders to raise £7.5bn a year" #skypapers

Get the snacks in - this is shaping up to be a hell of a fight.

[tinyclanger2]

http://ukgeneralelection2015.blogspot.c ... ation.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

declaration times. apologies if it's already been posted.

[rebeccariots2]

Tim Shipman ‏@ShippersUnbound 3m3 minutes ago
BREAKING: Tories to raise inheritance tax threshold to £1m exempting the family home from the tax Cameron tells Sunday Times

Tim Shipman ‏@ShippersUnbound 3m3 minutes ago
Cameron says parents can give a family home worth up to £1m to their kids tax free from April 2017

John Rentoul ‏@JohnRentoul 3m3 minutes ago
John Rentoul retweeted Nick Sutton
More tax cuts for the rich. Tories trying hard to lose.

[StephenDolan]

Went to click like on your post Stephen and it vanished ... lol

I posted then noticed it was already referenced!

[AngryAsWell]

http://ukgeneralelection2015.blogspot.c ... ation.html

declaration times. apologies if it's already been posted.

Think it has but I'd lost it so thanks

(have put it in a file in Features & analysis for easy finding)

[RogerOThornhill]

Tim Shipman ‏@ShippersUnbound 3m3 minutes ago
BREAKING: Tories to raise inheritance tax threshold to £1m exempting the family home from the tax Cameron tells Sunday Times

Tim Shipman ‏@ShippersUnbound 3m3 minutes ago
Cameron says parents can give a family home worth up to £1m to their kids tax free from April 2017

John Rentoul ‏@JohnRentoul 3m3 minutes ago
John Rentoul retweeted Nick Sutton
More tax cuts for the rich. Tories trying hard to lose.

Wow, even Rentoul getting disillusioned with his hero?

[rearofthestore]

Next poll now up

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 4m4 minutes ago

Tonight's YouGov for the Sunday Times
Con 34% Lab 34% LD 7% UKIP 13% Greens 6% SNP 5%

with this finding

Mike Smithson retweeted
charles hymas ‏@charleshymas 6m6 minutes ago

#sundaytimes #yougov Tories widely disliked for going negative; most including Tory voters say personal attacks on Miliband have been unfair

[ohsocynical]

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 7m7 minutes ago

Tonight's YouGov for the Sunday Times

Con 34%
Lab 34%
UKIP 13%
LD 7%
Greens 6%
SNP 5%

[ohsocynical]

Snap

[Tubby Isaacs]

I'm a bit sceptical about this £7.5bn extra from tax avoidance clampdowns.

[ohsocynical]

Next poll now up

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 4m4 minutes ago

Tonight's YouGov for the Sunday Times
Con 34% Lab 34% LD 7% UKIP 13% Greens 6% SNP 5%

with this finding

Mike Smithson retweeted
charles hymas ‏@charleshymas 6m6 minutes ago

#sundaytimes #yougov Tories widely disliked for going negative; most including Tory voters say personal attacks on Miliband have been unfair

I'd have thought their mumbling bumbling interviews weren't doing them much good either.

[ohsocynical]

I'm a bit sceptical about this £7.5bn extra from tax avoidance clampdowns.

Balls seems to do his sums...Maybe it's a bigger problem than we've been told.

[TechnicalEphemera]

I'm a bit sceptical about this £7.5bn extra from tax avoidance clampdowns.

Yes, but then again if they make tax avoidance highly risky (by levying massive fines when avoidance becomes evasion) who knows how much revenue that could raise.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I'm a bit sceptical about this £7.5bn extra from tax avoidance clampdowns.

Yes, but then again if they make tax avoidance highly risky (by levying massive fines when avoidance becomes evasion) who knows how much revenue that could raise.

Won't firms pay up front while they challenge to cover themselves? They can still challenge and get it back with interest later.

[rebeccariots2]

@suttonnick
Mail on Sunday front page -
Tories: Give £1m to your children tax-free
#tomorrowspaperstoday
#bbcpapers #GE2015

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RogerOThornhill]

I'm a bit sceptical about this £7.5bn extra from tax avoidance clampdowns.

Balls seems to do his sums...Maybe it's a bigger problem than we've been told.

And don't forget that both of them have worked in the Treasury in the past so would have had access to detail that most incoming government's wouldn't.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I'm a bit sceptical about this £7.5bn extra from tax avoidance clampdowns.

Balls seems to do his sums...Maybe it's a bigger problem than we've been told.

And don't forget that both of them have worked in the Treasury in the past so would have had access to detail that most incoming government's wouldn't.

They have, you're right.

How do eg PWC fit in? They've given a lot of advice. Thanks, chaps very interesting?

[AngryAsWell]

Briefcase Michael ‏@BriefcaseMike · 3 mins3 minutes ago
According to Sunday Times, Bank of England Governor, to whom we pay a £250k housing allowance, is a #nondom.

I thought as part of the work terms he was supposed to be "resident" for the time he is here?

[RogerOThornhill]

@suttonnick
Mail on Sunday front page -
Tories: Give £1m to your children tax-free
#tomorrowspaperstoday
#bbcpapers #GE2015

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Labour really need to point out that inheritance tax is paid on something like only 4% of estates right now.

UKIP will moan like mad since they wanted it scrapped altogether. This is all about Tories trying to win back UKIP voters.

[ohsocynical]

Balls seems to do his sums...Maybe it's a bigger problem than we've been told.

And don't forget that both of them have worked in the Treasury in the past so would have had access to detail that most incoming government's wouldn't.

They have, you're right.

How do eg PWC fit in? They've given a lot of advice. Thanks, chaps very interesting?

My bold.

Up to their necks.

[RogerOThornhill]

And don't forget that both of them have worked in the Treasury in the past so would have had access to detail that most incoming government's wouldn't.

They have, you're right.

How do eg PWC fit in? They've given a lot of advice. Thanks, chaps very interesting?

My bold.

Up to their necks.

Worth pointing out that John Whiting, ex-PwC senior tax partner, is the head of the government's Office for Tax Simplification...

[Tubby Isaacs]

But but but Private Eye said that was bad because he'd be all softy on tax avoidance.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Have Labour spoken to him?

[rebeccariots2]

Faisal Islam @faisalislam · 25m 25 minutes ago
Sunday Times splashes that Bank of England Governor Mark Carney is a non Dom.

How long is he planning on staying?

Editing to add: Oops, hadn't seen your post upthread AAW.

[RogerOThornhill]

Have Labour spoken to him?

Quite possible - don't think that there's any ban on opposition politicians talking to quango chiefs.

[RogerOThornhill]

Briefcase Michael ‏@BriefcaseMike · 3 mins3 minutes ago
According to Sunday Times, Bank of England Governor, to whom we pay a £250k housing allowance, is a #nondom.

I thought as part of the work terms he was supposed to be "resident" for the time he is here?

Didn't Labour say there would be exemptions for people on contracts where it was clear they were only going to be for a fixed term?

I can't remember what the terminology was but they weren't called non-doms.

[TechnicalEphemera]

Is it hugely shocking Carney is a non dom? His income from Canada would be taxed if he brought it into the country, so it makes sense for him to do it.

Incidentally how does tax work if you have large amounts of wealth overseas, which generates income but you don't ever bring that wealth and income into the UK?

[RogerOThornhill]

Oh dear, BBC News have just shown a clip of Cameron at PMQs yelling about unfunded commitments on health spending...

[AngryAsWell]

Is it hugely shocking Carney is a non dom? His income from Canada would be taxed if he brought it into the country, so it makes sense for him to do it.

Incidentally how does tax work if you have large amounts of wealth overseas, which generates income but you don't ever bring that wealth and income into the UK?

Same way as the USA? (guessing here) Like when Bojo had to pay USA back tax he'd not paid, even though he lives here?

[TechnicalEphemera]

Is it hugely shocking Carney is a non dom? His income from Canada would be taxed if he brought it into the country, so it makes sense for him to do it.

Incidentally how does tax work if you have large amounts of wealth overseas, which generates income but you don't ever bring that wealth and income into the UK?

Same way as the USA? (guessing here) Like when Bojo had to pay USA back tax he'd not paid, even though he lives here?

I don't think so, US tax would apply to all earnings in all countries, they are unusual in this respect. It is a fringe benefit of having a military that the IRS has the option to outsource tax collection to the USAF and the USMC.

[gilsey]

Is it hugely shocking Carney is a non dom? His income from Canada would be taxed if he brought it into the country, so it makes sense for him to do it.

Incidentally how does tax work if you have large amounts of wealth overseas, which generates income but you don't ever bring that wealth and income into the UK?

If you're domiciled here, you pay tax on all your income, wherever it arises. UK has double taxation treaties with most countries, so if some of it has already suffered tax in its country of origin, that would be offset against your liability here.

I would have expected Carney to be non-dom, didn't Osborne have to change the rules to get him to come, on a short-term basis? Anyway, if his other assets and income are in Canada he'll be paying tax on them there.

When I was a student there were actually 3 categories - resident, ordinarily resident, and domiciled. Different rules for each.

[Eric_WLothian]

Is it hugely shocking Carney is a non dom? His income from Canada would be taxed if he brought it into the country, so it makes sense for him to do it.

Incidentally how does tax work if you have large amounts of wealth overseas, which generates income but you don't ever bring that wealth and income into the UK?

If you're domiciled here, you pay tax on all your income, wherever it arises. UK has double taxation treaties with most countries, so if some of it has already suffered tax in its country of origin, that would be offset against your liability here.

I would have expected Carney to be non-dom, didn't Osborne have to change the rules to get him to come, on a short-term basis? Anyway, if his other assets and income are in Canada he'll be paying tax on them there.

When I was a student there were actually 3 categories - resident, ordinarily resident, and domiciled. Different rules for each.

Exactly - he'll be paying UK taxes on his UK income only. That's perfectly legal now, so no problem. (And he's not using his status to avoid tax by using tax havens).
Another squirrel.

[TechnicalEphemera]

Is it hugely shocking Carney is a non dom? His income from Canada would be taxed if he brought it into the country, so it makes sense for him to do it.

Incidentally how does tax work if you have large amounts of wealth overseas, which generates income but you don't ever bring that wealth and income into the UK?

If you're domiciled here, you pay tax on all your income, wherever it arises. UK has double taxation treaties with most countries, so if some of it has already suffered tax in its country of origin, that would be offset against your liability here.

I would have expected Carney to be non-dom, didn't Osborne have to change the rules to get him to come, on a short-term basis? Anyway, if his other assets and income are in Canada he'll be paying tax on them there.

When I was a student there were actually 3 categories - resident, ordinarily resident, and domiciled. Different rules for each.

Exactly - he'll be paying UK taxes on his UK income only. That's perfectly legal now, so no problem. (And he's not using his status to avoid tax by using tax havens).
Another squirrel.

Except of course he is paying UK tax on only a small part of his income and getting all the benefits of living here. He is presumably paying £30k fee for Non Dom status.

Labour would stop him doing that, but as Miliband points out he doesn't blame the Non Doms for following the rules. What is the Times up to?

[RogerOThornhill]

Exactly - he'll be paying UK taxes on his UK income only. That's perfectly legal now, so no problem. (And he's not using his status to avoid tax by using tax havens).
Another squirrel.

Yes, I'm not sure what game the ST are playing here - using Carney to say "See? Labour's ideas are rubbish as they'd deprive us us of people of Carney's calibre!" when in fact that's not he people they're targeting at all - it's the ones who have settled here or use parentage to play the game of tax avoidance.

Carney will finish his stint and head off back to Canada I expect. He and people like him are not Labour's target in this.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Briefcase Michael ‏@BriefcaseMike · 3 mins3 minutes ago
According to Sunday Times, Bank of England Governor, to whom we pay a £250k housing allowance, is a #nondom.

I thought as part of the work terms he was supposed to be "resident" for the time he is here?

Didn't Labour say there would be exemptions for people on contracts where it was clear they were only going to be for a fixed term?

I can't remember what the terminology was but they weren't called non-doms.

Yes, they did. It's to make sure people can come to the UK and set up businesses without their worldwide income being taxed. I guess coming to take extremely high level jobs is intended to be covered by that as well.

Richard Murphy thinks this is absolutely right. He's not one who lets the rich off tax easily.

[Eric_WLothian]

If you're domiciled here, you pay tax on all your income, wherever it arises. UK has double taxation treaties with most countries, so if some of it has already suffered tax in its country of origin, that would be offset against your liability here.

I would have expected Carney to be non-dom, didn't Osborne have to change the rules to get him to come, on a short-term basis? Anyway, if his other assets and income are in Canada he'll be paying tax on them there.

When I was a student there were actually 3 categories - resident, ordinarily resident, and domiciled. Different rules for each.

Exactly - he'll be paying UK taxes on his UK income only. That's perfectly legal now, so no problem. (And he's not using his status to avoid tax by using tax havens).
Another squirrel.

Except of course he is paying UK tax on only a small part of his income and getting all the benefits of living here. He is presumably paying £30k fee for Non Dom status.

Labour would stop him doing that, but as Miliband points out he doesn't blame the Non Doms for following the rules. What is the Times up to?

The "small part of his income" is considerably more than most residents earn - and are taxed on! If I understand it correctly, the £30k fee is in lieu of tax on foreign bank accounts so he may well be paying this (or part of it) on top of UK taxes.

As was said above, I think Labour were going to make exceptions for genuine "visitors".

[Tubby Isaacs]

Carney got a heck of a salary. Wouldn't be surprised if we were paying the Non Dom charge too.

[Eric_WLothian]

Carney got a heck of a salary. Wouldn't be surprised if we were paying the Non Dom charge too.

Presumably he's paying Canadian taxes on the assets he left behind. Unless Canada is a low-tax country, it's unlikely there would be much of a difference in how much tax he pays in total - which would mean he wouldn't be hit significantly by the non-dom charge.
(Just guessing - I'm not an international finance expert)!
Edited to add ... or Mark Carney's tax advisor.

[TechnicalEphemera]

Carney got a heck of a salary. Wouldn't be surprised if we were paying the Non Dom charge too.

Presumably he's paying Canadian taxes on the assets he left behind. Unless Canada is a low-tax country, it's unlikely there would be much of a difference in how much tax he pays in total - which would mean he wouldn't be hit significantly by the non-dom charge.
(Just guessing - I'm not an international finance expert)!
Edited to add ... or Mark Carney's tax advisor.

He will be paying the charge, so whatever he would be paying in tax is northbound of 30k.

[diGriz]

Hi all. Did we ever ascertain whether or not Cameron inherited his father's non-dom status?