Independence Referendum

[Ironside]

Rod so the BBC ask a question, salmonella answers a totally different question with the same old propaganda, the BBC report they asked a question and that salmonella didn't answer it. I don't see that as biased

Salmonella, really? 

Politicians or all parties answer what they want to answer, why Should Salmond continue to answer the BBC's questions only for them to report something completely different. 

The only propoganda is the state sponsored media.  AS has been stated before the West of Scotland University carried out research and concluded there was a bias in the reporting of BBC/STV but moreso BBC.  That Bias has continued to grow, I mean look at yesterday for example with Charlie Mayfield.  He never once said prices would increase but the BBC report that he did.

The evening before they reported that RBS were moving H'dQ to England, only to have this rubbished by Ross McEwan in his letter to staff, did the BBC apologise or correct this?  No, they never and only after Salmond slapped down Nick "tory boy" Robinson did they correct their online print. 

The BBC have been complicit since the day dot, they have covered up more establishment bias than possibly any other UK media outlet.  They have helped cover the tracks of beasts and paedophiles, misdirected the entire nation on what was happening in Palestine. 

All I can say is I am glad I don't pay the license fee and if I did, I wouldn't be paying it in the future. 

As a former snp member who has been turned away from snp by him , yes I  think he is poison so yes salmonella is correct

[DungBeetle]

"The evening before they reported that RBS were moving H'dQ to England, only to have this rubbished by Ross McEwan in his letter to staff,"

How did he rubbish it?   He freely admits that RBS may well move their - he was just reassuring his staff that they wouldn't lose their job in the short term.

"Our current business in Scotland, including the personal and business bank, IT and operations, human resources and many other functions, are here because of the skills and knowledge of our people, and the sound business environment. So far, I see no reason why this would change should we implement our contingency plans."

The key phrase is "so far".  Moving is largely about the medium to long term.  I've no doubt that there will be no job migration in the short term.  Ask him to committ to the medium term implications and I doubt you'd get him to comment.

[DungBeetle]

Just wondering, I don't know much about corporation tax and parties say polar opposites, but the HMRC website says the following:

If your company or organisation is based in the UK, you'll have to pay Corporation Tax on all your taxable profits - wherever in the world those profits come from.
If your company isn't based in the UK but operates in the UK - for example through an office or branch (known to HMRC as a 'permanent establishment') - you'll only have to pay Corporation Tax on any taxable profits arising from your UK activities.

Is Alex Salmond or the no campaign right on who would get the corporation tax for scottish activities if the is south? Not sure if that constitutes a permanent establishment in Scotland or how that works for an independent Scotland? Any experts? In my reading Scotland independent would be classed as anywhere else in the world and therefore corporation tax would be payable to the UK?

All revenue will be taxable in the UK if is there, but there will be an offset for tax already paid in Scotland on Scottish activities.  So Scotland will get first dibs. However, RBS has a bit of latitude in funnelling profits around to wherever the best tax rate is.

[AndrewT]

I think the BBC gets most things about right.  In the latest conflict in Gaza you have had both sides grouching loudly about bias.  My right wing friends think it is a dreadful place full of lefties, my left wing friends are always moaning about some demo covered incorrectly or some pro establishment bias.  They are bound to get the odd thing wrong, and am sure both sides can produce a list, but that isn't the same as any systematic bias.   

Last month the BBC had 938 complaints about their news coverage having a pro-Palestinian bias. They also got 813 complaints that it was too pro-Israeli, which shows they're doing something right.

Mind you, they also got 1200 complaints about an episode of Pointless getting missed out of a repeat run, so not sure what that tells us about people who complain to the BBC.

[david3103]

If Corporation Tax is 'based on economic activity' why don't Google, Amazon and Starbucks pay more?

[TightEnd]

made me chuckle

Click to see full-size image.

[DungBeetle]

Because of transfer pricing.  The can make intercompany loans and licencing agreements to shift money around the globe.  

For example all of google's intellectual property is in the US.  If they have a UK entity (not sure if they even need to since it is internet based) then they can charge the UK arm for this intellectual property which will relocate profit from UK to US.

[david3103]

If Corporation Tax is 'based on economic activity' why don't Google, Amazon and Starbucks pay more?

Because of transfer pricing.  The can make intercompany loans and licencing agreements to shift money around the globe. 

For example all of google's intellectual property is in the US.  If they have a UK entity (not sure if they even need to since it is internet based) then they can charge the UK arm for this intellectual property which will relocate profit from UK to US.

Of course, but where does that leave Mr Salmond and his statement about the income from companies that opt for relocation in whatever form it takes.

[TightEnd]

An interesting take

I was surprised at the figures in yesterday's poll for 16-24 year olds

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/09/how-the-young-and-the-english-restored-scotlands-no-lead/

[AndrewT]

There was a programme here on RTE last night talking about what independence might mean for Ireland and there were concerns that it could be big competition to Ireland's position as an English-speaking alternative location for businesses in Europe. Ireland has a low corporation tax rate, which is why so many businesses have their European headquarters in Ireland but if Scotland were to go down a similar route then Edinburgh/Glasgow becomes an option instead of Dublin.

[TightEnd]

Reputable & independent IFS in response to the "Save McNHS" campaign to publish some awkward facts

http://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/7366

point 3 refers to the questions Eck was asking yesterday

[redsimon]

http://blogs.channel4.com/faisal-islam-on-economics/full-interview-with-rbs-chief-stephen-hester/13810

Wouldn't get too worried about RBS paying CT.

[DungBeetle]

Ha - good point about RBS brought forward losses.

[TightEnd]

Polling Observatory Scottish referendum special: who is ahead and how close is it?

http://sotonpolitics.org/2014/09/12/polling-observatory-scottish-referendum-special-who-is-ahead-and-how-close-is-it/

(poll nerd porn)

[kinboshi]

Reputable & independent IFS in response to the "Save McNHS" campaign to publish some awkward facts

http://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/7366

point 3 refers to the questions Eck was asking yesterday

Mmm, an organisation heavily slanted towards privitisation talking about how the NHS will be better or worse off under a separate Scotland.  The NHS that is being systematically privatised and effectively destroyed under the current administration (a ball set rolling by the previous Labour government). 

The IFS in not unbiased and is certainly not without agenda.