Spurs boss Redknapp cleared of tax evasion charges

One nil!

Doesn’t it give you a warm, fuzzy and highly gratified feeling knowing that HMRC isn’t omnipotent? I wonder if they will now decide to tax all gifts (outside IHT provisions)? In spite of what the unctuous Dave Hartnett said, the avoidance and evasion of tax is in direct proportion (in this country at least) to the level and perceived unfairness and burden of the impost. I didn’t notice so much hoo-ha when Maggie was in charge. Isn’t it a truism that the lower the rate the larger the tax trawl?

Posted by: Harry Katz

full time on this one

How's that for an own Goal......I just hope Harry learns to use a PC (e-mails)and dictate a letter, before he becomes ENGLAND manager, I understand that HMRC are trying to find out the name of Harry's other dog now

Posted by: Geoff

Harry Katz's nostalgia for Thatcher

It was Thatcher that started the culture that has brought this country to ruins Harry. Since 1970 this country has been looted by her( and Blair's) mates; their great achievement was making working man aspire to the same greed. Isn't it strange that in the two periods in our history when income and wealth was most unequal, that we get crashes? Nothing to do with the rich having bled the country dry, Harry and having sucked demand out of the bottom by paying their workers buttons. Working man has now realised they've been conned and o the bare minimum. FTSE directors get paid 1200% more than they did in 85; would be an injustice to make them pay more tax. Please don't give me the politics of envy rubbish; I envy no one on earth. I pity people who are so spiritually bereft as to need so much money.

Posted by: Des Platt

@ Des Platt

Well I guess that's one view. Naturally I don't share it at all. That is what is so very wrong with the UK - lack of aspiration. (Let alone envy). The old adage still holds true: a man in New York sees a Rolls Royce driving past as says -"One day perhaps if I work hard and am successful I'll be able to get one of those". In the UK the reaction is somewhat different. “Greedy bugger he probably earns more than 2000% of the average wage - so he shouldn't have one- and he earns far too much." I didn’t notice any comment from you regarding tax – so must presume you are a fan of high and intrusive taxation – the perfect antidote to enterprise and hard work. Sadly Des it would seem that we are progressing towards your socialist utopia. Now that China and Russia have embraced capitalism (and are the biggest Rolls Royce customers) it seems that we in the UK will be trading in our BMWs for Trabants.

Posted by: Harry Katz

@Harry Katz

Enjoying the debate Harry; I often enjoy and agree with your comments. In fact I think that socialism is unachievable as the greedy and most ambitious still make the rules ,much as I think the world would be a better place with "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs" which may be a Marxist phrase but is also very Christian.Unfortunately, we don't get from the top or bottom according to abilities so it's the middle who pay. I think we have to have Capitalism; I just wish the likes of Cameron and Osborne weren't in denial of the failure of extreme capitalism such as we've had for thirty years.

Posted by: Des Platt