But, Sir... » Can’t someone else pay the tax?

VAT Bastard

Ben — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:15:35 +0000

Stop income tax and increase VAT.

by Chris Sealey

the object of this petition is to stop so many people from evading income tax by employing smart tax lawyers to help them. zero rate vat to apply to foodstuff and essentials like energy bills and 45% on everything else so, the more you earn, the more you spend, the more tax you pay

Of course! It’s so simple! …Wait, no, sorry. Not simple. The other one. Mindless.

Don’t Gas On About It

Ben — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:53:25 +0000

Lower fuel prices.

by Darren Davies

Lower fuel prices its as simple as that! The nation as a whole do not mind paying near the £1 mark but anything over is just greed! We don’t mind paying taxes but a minimum of FOUR just to drive? If the price of crude falls why does petrol at the pumps go up? Lastly… WHY is there a massive difference in fuel prices up and down the country, even when in any one town the difference could be 5p! This is nonsense and their should be a set price for the country or at least for regions. “Where there is a need there is GRRED”

£1 is an entirely realistic price for petrol.

Richard Moore Hates Your Television

Ben — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:08:35 +0000

Oh dear, we have another “scrap the TV license” moron in our midsts. And this one is armed with misinformation! Let’s get this over with…

Scrap the BBC TV License.

by Mr Richard Moore

Why should the BBC be given free money, whilst other TV channels gain no funding from the BBC TV License?

Why also is it satisfactory for the BBC to outsourse it’s published programs to e.g. BBC Americas for viewing abroad.

Why also is it satisfactory for the BBC to use UK License holders money to spurn products for their own profit from the UK public, i.e. childrens toy product etc…?

With the current economic state the country has been placed into, would it not enable families with a lower income to utilise the monies used for a TV License on more benificial items, i.e. feeding their family?

Is it not fair to the other broadcast network’s such as ITV, Channel 4 etc… to not recieve monies from the TV License.

Support the scrappage of the BBC TV License, sign the petition!

Okay, let’s dissect this one, shall we?

Why should the BBC be given free money, whilst other TV channels gain no funding from the BBC TV License?

Because the BBC is a public broadcasting service, and ITV, Channel 4, Channel Five, Sky etc. are businesses supported by advertising.

Why also is it satisfactory for the BBC to outsourse it’s published programs to e.g. BBC Americas for viewing abroad.

Actually, haha, they don’t. What happens is this: BBC Worldwide, the business arm of the BBC, is given the rights to distribute the shows to other territories. What happens then is that BBC America has to bid for those rights, and if they succeed then they get the show. You probably don’t know this but until recently BBC America didn’t have the first-to-air rights to Doctor Who – the American SciFi Channel (now called SyFy) outbid them for the rights to series one through four, and they let those rights lapse this year for the one-off specials.

Additionally, BBC America (which, I need to reiterate, is a business much like ITV and British Sky Broadcasting) actually co-funds some BBC productions such as Robin Hood.

So, y’know. Research.

Why also is it satisfactory for the BBC to use UK License holders money to spurn products for their own profit from the UK public, i.e. childrens toy product etc…?

Again, this is stuff that is all handled by the BBC’s business arms and is not funded by the money they get from the TV license, you frog’s gusset.

With the current economic state the country has been placed into, would it not enable families with a lower income to utilise the monies used for a TV License on more benificial items, i.e. feeding their family?

Considering that television is a luxury item and not a utility, they could always put the TV in the loft if they can’t afford their license.

Is it not fair to the other broadcast network’s such as ITV, Channel 4 etc… to not recieve monies from the TV License.

There is some debate about this, but once again it’s worth noting that ITV, Channel 4 etc. are supported by advertising. The BBC is not.

Thanks for playing.

Keep Your Legs Closed

Ben — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:02:24 +0000

cap child benefit to two children.

by Rhea

We need this to stop some abusers of the system from receiving an income solely for having children.

We are experiencing a population boom in this country which we can not afford and which is bad for the environment. We need to stop – as a society – effectively incentivising people for having large families. If they wish to have more children than two they should fund them entirely themselves and not expect taxpayers to do so.

I’ve raised counter-points to this argument before. Simply put: What happens to large families who are legitimately in need of actual benefits? Do they just allow the “excess” children to starve to death?

On Your Bike VI: The Undiscovered Penalty

Ben — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:46:47 +0000

Charge cyclists 10 pound a year road tax.

by Miss Jade Tipping

its a fair tax, 10 pound a year for cyclists to use public roads as any other form of transport requires tax, insurance, m.o.t, whereas cyclists dont need any of these to use our roads and with the governments new policy to keep the planet green they are forcing more and more people to use cycles for work etc, so there are more cyclists on the roads than ever before, i think most cyclists would not mind paying 10 pound a year to use public roads which would generate a very large annual income for the government to use where it is needed.

It’d be hypocritical of me to point out the people complaining about the 50p broadband tax and then turn around and say this idea here is ridiculous. That being said, cyclists account for a virtually negligible amount of wear and tear on city streets. £10 seems disproportionate to the amount of damage we’re doing, especially when you consider that one car alone pumps out twelvety-thousand billion billion yards of greenhouse gases a day. Possibly I am exaggerating.

And while I’m on the subject of the broadband tax…

Stop the broadband tax.

by Leigh Favell

Why should we have to pay another tax to improve broadband speeds when we already pay tax on broadband.

BT have said the money raised wouldn’t come near to their estimates of the cost to get broadband to all homes.

Well that’s just because BT like to grab money, which explains those Direct Debit fees you also like to complain about.

Every Little Helps

Ben — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:39:30 +0000

scrap the plans to tax phone lines to subsidise other peoples broadband.

by Tony Humphreys

I request that the Government scraps any plans to add 50p a month tax to phone lines to subsidise further broadband roll out. It is wholly unfair to tax my phone line to pay for someone else’s broadband, and it is as simple as that. It is recognised that rural areas do suffer a slower connection and higher costs, but they have fantastic views, clean air and a safer environment – its a choice people have to live in the country – and a decision they take. Please see sense, and stop this poll tax – broadband is not a vital service.

We’ve gone over this before – it’s 50p. All that means is you get to yam one less Kit-Kat in your gob every month. Can you really be so hard-off that you can’t make do without that extra £6 a year?

Reject Rednesday II: The Plight Fantastic

Ben — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:24:28 +0000

That’s right folks, it’s time for another slice of general ignorance!

Encourage the BBC to produce 7 episodes of Eastenders per week to justify the licence fee.

by Christian Dwyer (rejected)

I think it is unjust and unfair that we have no choice but to pay a television licence to the BBC but they only produce 4 episodes of the massively popular soap ‘EastEnders’ per week. This is probably the second most popular BBC broadcasting after the news. It is almost unanimous national opinion that there should be a new episode aired on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, where there currently is not.

Unjustified self-entitlement – it’s what Britain does best.

ensure that summer is longer, warmer and more enjoyable for the good citizens of this great country.

by Anthony Franks OBE of The Franks Family (rejected)

It is far too cold far too soon. The government should establish an all party summer steering group to ensure that summer is longer, sunnier and warmer thus creating a happier workforce who will work longer, harder and more productively. This will drive down debt, increase our GDP, put smiles on our faces and generally improve the standard of living. Really. Promise. Life is too short to live in the dark and to be perpetually grumpy. Let the sun shine in, let the sun shine on.

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius! The age of Aquarius! Aquarius! Aquarius!

jim Hackett.

by Jim Hackett of none (rejected)

He has praised Ireland on there yes vote When do we get ours. please make this known to him.

I’m sure he’ll get right on that.

EMA.

by JANET (rejected)

this has to be the most unfairist allowance.my child cannot continue with his education because we are just over the threshold and cannot afford to send him. but my husband goes out to work and pays his taxes to pay some other kid it, joke

That’s brilliant. Brilliant.

Of note, incidentally, is this petition by “mr iain musgrove” which has been rejected for a reason I haven’t come across before:

It contained information which may be protected by an injunction or court order.

Which is a bit odd. Let us continue:

COLIN ANDREW BROWN.

by Colin Andrew Brown (rejected)

Taking away medication for Epilepsy will cause so many problem’s for these people like myself since I have Nocturnal Epilepsy my medication has been very helpful. The suuden taking away of someone’s medication could also take away someones freedom that they have been giving because of the help from thier medication. So please don’t take away thing’s that help people daily living and helps with the rquirements that the medication is used for

Keep things as they are presently, and don’t give any consideration to that thing you’re not giving any consideration to. Gotcha.

0800 Reverse Bank Charges.

by Richard McManus (rejected)

Change the law to ensure that when a Bank makes a mistake that results in costs to it’s customer the customer can charge the bank a penalty fee of £50 over and above recouping the actual costs of the mistake.

0800 Reverse indeed. Incidentally, whenever I post a new petition here I always type in part of the petitioner’s name to see if we have anything by them already to cut down on tag duplication. I gave me no end of delight to go over to the “Post Tags” text field on WordPress and type in “anus”. I’m sure that speaks volumes about my intellect. Certainly it speaks volumes about how tired I am right now.

And finally…

Irridicate all brussel sprouts from earth, and future variants.

by Paul Nosprout of Nosprouts (rejected)

I, the creator of petition do ask all normal humanoids, to stop the comsumption of all dishwater-tasting vegetation.

But… I like sprouts.

But THis Is HDTV! It’s Got Better Resolution Than The Real World!

Ben — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:20:42 +0000

stoptvlicence.

by Mr M J de Matas of none

For years now innocent people are getting taken to court and fined for non payment. Hard working families,struggle to buy food t.v should not be classed as a luxury in this day and age it should be available as family entertainment. The beeb should allow advertisments to sustain the industry. I am a supporter of the bbc as the information is balanced and true,but surley now the statistics of those who cant afford one ie court action is a complete waste of taxpayers money and the poorer families are paying more than a millionaire in the long run . If any major positive action can be done to stop our public getting criminalised for struggling during this recession sign here please.

Whether you like it or not, television is a luxury. If you can’t afford it, don’t have it. It really is as simple as that.

Fuel For Thought

Ben — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:41:53 +0000

Cap allowable Petrol Prices below the £1.15 mark.

by Mr. Richard Lawrence

We request that petrol prices be examined under a new scheme where petrol prices fluctuating due to profiteering and oil barrel hoarding by bankers, will be made impossible. Petrol prices should be capped at a maximum allowable level, so as to insure Petrol does not outstrip inflation, and does not cause misery to millions by rising by another 5 pence in the coming year. £1.10.9 per litre is already unacceptable.

It’s an interesting and certainly very appealing idea, but there’s a huge flaw: What if the price of an oil canister rises to the point where it’s not cost-effective to sell petrol at £1.15 per litre? We reach a situation there when the petrol stations are losing money and it’s just not worth their efforts selling their petrol in the UK. Tell me, Mr Lawrence, how will you fuel your car then?

I Don’t Think You’ve Thought This One Through, Amanda

Ben — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:39:08 +0000

take into consideration the single people who work full time on minimum wage and still cant live because they dont qualify for anything including to help.

by MISS AMANDA WATERSON

the goverment want young people to go to work when leaving school the people who cant afford to go to uni or other extra education who want to do the right thing an support themselves get no help as we dont qualify for anything if you are single work full time for minimum wage what can you do you dont qualify for any benefits or council properties to rent unless you wait between 10 and 20 years . the only thing you qualify for is 25%off your council tax its hard to look for further education because if you work full time you are restricted to times and if you finish work at 6 you cant get to collage by 6.30 on public transport so most courses are unavailiable and you have to pay to do them anyway ,so if your struggleing to live on minimum wage how do you pay there needs to be support for people who want to work and help themselves otherwise if they dont know what to do they take the easy way and get others to pay.

Your appalling spelling aside (and I hope one of the classes you’re taking in College is English because, frankly, what the Hell), you do realise you contradict yourself in this petition, right? You say single people don’t qualify for any concessions and then, one run on sentence later, state that they get 25% off of their Council Tax. 25%? That’s almost a quarter!

On Your Bike Episode III: Revenge of the Dick

Ben — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:14:33 +0000

Introduce taxation for cyclists using the roads.

by S. Ross

Cyclists seem to get a free ride. They dont obey road laws, they often pose a danger to motorists. There should be heavy taxation, and harsh penalties just like motorists suffer for the “privilege” of using the road network that motorists currently pay for.

Its time for these free-loaders to pay up.

As a cyclist myself, S., I have to say – them’s fightin’ words. Congratulations for throwing every single cyclist in the country in the same cateogory, by the way. it’s that kind of unfairly sweeping generalization that makes this country great.

Hard Work Is Hard Work! Abloo!

Ben — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:41:57 +0000

Review and Reduce Outrageously Crippling VAT Surcharges

by Mr Gavin Jones

Dear PM

Are you aware of how many businesses like mine are getting massive, outrageous VAT surcharges when paying late (even by just a few days)?

I have just received a surcharge of 5% of the VAT due, a massive £900 odd for just being a few days late, which is basically money that I now do not have to pay suppliers, employees and other stakeholders in my business.

In times like these, when many companies are struggling, I think a review is well overdue. After all, we are in effect unpaid tax collectors.

In fact the effort and expense all businesses have to go to to collect and report VAT for the government is unbelievable. Much more flexibility should be allowed, and it should be considered that businesses should even receive a percentage of the total VAT due to cover the extra administration that collecting VAT entails.

So…please can you take a look at this urgently!

Thank you

Pay on time then. One could argue, Gav, that the “massive, outrageous” nature of these surcharges is to prevent people from paying their VAT late.

And actually, y’know, just sort of a general “Fuck you” for having the balls to call yourself an “unpaid tax collector” and suggesting you should get a cut. You knew what you were getting into when you started a business. If you didn’t want the headache you shouldn’t have bloody bothered. Maybe you’d be better suited to flipping burgers or something, although even then I bet you’d complain about how greasy everything is. Pillock.

It’s Got Really Broad Bands, The Platforms Are All Crossed, I Am So Fucked Up, I Am Seeing Some Shit

Ben — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:59:36 +0000

stop the Broadband Tax law!.

by Mr Mark Morris

We pay enough for poor broadband speeds as it is with a tax on it, never mind those who do not have/want broadband.

A controversial broadband tax should be law before the next election, according to Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms.

The 50 pence a month tax applies to everyone with a fixed line telephone.

Speaking at a debate in London, Mr Timms said the tax will be presented to parliament as part of the Finance Bill.

You’re seriously complaining about having to pay £6 extra tax a year? Oh, do fuck off, will you?

It’s All About the Pentiums. Apparently.

Ben — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:10:07 +0000

Pay benefits at most a week in arrears.

by john jenkins

Moving income support to fortnightly is like anyone to choose to pay their direct debits a further month in arrears to allow them to pocket the difference. It is not fair to put the bill on those who were not even in the bankers’ casinos to subsidise the cost of recession. Few on IS even put someone else’s money into accommodation to distort the housing market. It is always better to smooth flows of funds. In this we move to abolish bank holidays and weekends for 24x7x365.25 computer uptime to the 9th 9. A regressive move to fortnightly benefit payments is potentially another 10p tax issue?

“I think benefits should be paid a week in arrears, for this list of quite ridiculous reasons.”
“Well, I’ll be honest with you, there’s no logical reason to do s–”
“Also we should abolish bank holidays and weekends.”
“Right. Right. Okay. Right. That’s… that’s actually pretty stupid, isn’t it? And it doesn’t have anything to do with your initial request.”
“We can leave the computers switched on all the time!”
“…I’m… I’m sure we can. Er. Could… could you leave now? Please? You’re unsettling the more nervous Ministers.”

Narveshwar Sinha The Road Warrior

Ben — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:36:04 +0000

Scrap the parking fee on British Roads.

by Narveshwar Sinha

We, the holder of vehicle tax discs have already paid to use the British roads. Parking on the British roads anywhere in the country is part of using the road by our vehicle. Why should we pay again to park on the very same roads the use of which has already been granted to the vehicle tax disc holder. The Government may place restriction on where not to park or where to park for restricted duration but can not logically ask for paying again to use the road. Parking a vehicle is part of using the vehicle on the road for which we have already paid vehicle tax.

We the undersigned therefore humbly request the Prime Minister to consider the scrapping the parking fee on British roads.

You’re paying to use the road. You’re paying to rest your car on it. Completely different thing, that.

Oh no!

Ben — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:36:16 +0000

stop adults without kids having to pay for other peoples children!.

by Lee oyeah

I think people without children, of people who are in a stable household, who pay their way shouldn’t have to pay taxes for other peoples children, when they don’t put a penny towards it themselves.

I’m glad Lee Oyeah…

…Oh yeah…

…

Anyway, I’m glad he’s able to look at the big picture. Such as, y’know, the fact that he is effectively asking to not have to pay any tax at all seeing as there’s no way to determine how his tax money will be distributed. Additionally, I’m glad he has a good, firm grasp of how society works. Otherwise, y’know, he’s just being a dick. Am I right?