The results of Times Money's PBR survey
Thanks to all our readers who took the time to complete our survey about the Pre Budget Report. We publish the findings below.
Do you think that you will be better off because of the PBR?
Yes: 13% No: 87%
Will the cut in VAT encourage you to spend more?
Yes: 5% No: 95%
Is a 45 per cent income tax rate for high earners fair?
Yes: 45% No, they should not pay as much: 46% No, they should pay more: 9%
Do you think that the Government has done enough to limit the recession?
Yes: 12% No 88%
Which political party do you trust most to run the economy?
Labour: 14% Tories: 75% Lib Dems: 11%
What rating out of five would you give the PBR?
Average rating: 1.7
Survey sample: 2,828 readers
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I believe there are several measures the government could have taken for the economy that would of helped a great deal more then a 2.5% VAT reduction and cost a great deal less.
Here are some ideas. How about revoking some of the rediculous laws that they have implemented causing some of the downturn in the economy in the first place, such as:-
1. The HIPS pack. Overnight this must have stopped
many people from putting a forsale board up and feeling the market, and who knows maybe if they were made an offer on their property, and saw something that they fancied, might have just moved home, and maybe bought a few items such as carpets, curtains and furniture etc)
2. No smoking in public houses. Whether you agree with smoking or not this law has without a doubt killed the pub trade as we know it, and has a huge spin-off effect. Pubs employ barmen/barmaids, have fruit machines, and some employ entertainers.
There could be other options employed such as giving pubs the option to choose to be smoking or not, or perhaps go back to seperate rooms as years gone by. Then again this smacks a bit of a free country.
And how about this for an idea, freeze council tax for the next few years. I believe that in kings Lynn, Norfolk, there have been no council tax increases for 3 years. (I am sure that we would have soon heard had the public not had their rubbish collected in that time)
None of the above would cost a penny, however if the government are set on spending our money how about taking VAT off home fuel bills (which they put on in the first place) this would help every body whether they have a job or are one of the many that have just been made redundant or might be just about to.
I could go on with many more suggestions, but I think this gives a taste of what I think could be done.
Posted by: kim | 1 Dec 2008 21:08:07
I firmly believe had the
goverment and BOE acted when
house prices started running
out of control,we would not be in this mess now.
The actions they have taken
will haunt us for years.
A GENERAL ELECTION would bring more confidence and
stability to this country
than throwing £££ billions
into black holes.
Posted by: stephen | 30 Nov 2008 23:56:22
What a waste of £12.5bn of tax revenues. How will 2.5% reduction in VAT entice shoppers when shops are already offering 20% to 60% off will little effect. The measure is effective only in reducing tax revenues and therefore causing massive increases in taxes in the future on such a futile measure.
Posted by: Wai | 30 Nov 2008 18:49:47
My first point concerns VAT,The only real savings to be made are if I decide to buy a new flat screen tv every week other than that, I can see no positive advantage.No mention was made of increases in local taxation which will leave almost everyone worst of anyway.As regards the housing nothing has been to stimulate that.In all the forthcoming changes have done nothing to boost my confidence, and then there there is the looming spectre of large tax increases on the horizon,be they open an above board,or labours stealth kind.
Posted by: JOHN FRAK | 30 Nov 2008 13:06:01