Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
An inflation-busting 4.9 per cent rise will see the UK's overall contribution to the European Union surge towards a colossal £10billion next year - the equivalent of almost £400 for every household in the country. Osborne branded the move "completely unacceptable" and said those behind the budget proposal needed "a reality check".
UK taxpayers are already facing the prospect of having to fork out a further £6billion to help bail out debt-ridden Portugal, while also dishing out £3billion to help ailing Ireland. This means Britons could have to pay out £19billion over two years,and face further cuts in services to pay for it all. Over to you AlexD.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Surely the mounting sums of money we must pay the EU is adding to the argument from the ordinary man in the street, that being part of the EU is not affordable and that we must leave it.
Roger
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Well, I did my rounds working for the Pledge; all voluntary.
I'm wondering how long it will take for the Pledge to get a referendum on the EU going.
It seems that of late, only a few people in Parliament are making all-important decisions, not even the whole Cabinet. It's always about two people who decide that Britain must bail out Portugal, that Britain must pay £10 billion cash to the EU in return for a 12 diadem flag, they even wait till Parliament is on holiday to send boots to Libya, so no-one can object.
Anyway, what will happen if Spain and Italy demand a bail-out? Will two people in Parliament decide to go ahead with it? It seems so!
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
When you consider that the bank bailout has cost £850 billion (!!!!!!!!!!) then I think for £10 billion we get a pretty good deal. Have a look at some of the transport related infrastructure programmes across the UK that the EU has helped fund
• Felixstowe Rail Terminal - improving intermodal transfer and removing bottleneck on PP26 (AP - €5,000,000)
• Port Salford (enabling studies and works) (AP - €998,125)
• Priority Axis 26: Nuneaton North Chord and Kennett re-signalling works (AP - €4,994,333)
• UK-Ireland FAB development of high level sectors* (MAP ATM/FAB €1,154,378)
See what EU money has helped achieve in Thanet.
These are just SOME of the projects that go on with little or no recognition. Compare that to what the banks achieved and the fact they are still reluctant to assist businesses and I think we get a pretty good deal.
I am happy to pay!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education and standards of living for countries worldwide.
According to the latest rankings, the UK is 26th, Germany 10th, Ireland 5th and Norway is top. Norway is of course, one of only two major European countries NOT to have joined the EU.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
and the exact causal link between those 2 unrelated facts is?
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Well not sure really, just an observation. On closer examination of the figures it can be seen that the more recent countries to join the EU are moving up the world rankings while the older members are moving down. I don't have the time to do the work but there would appear to be a correlation between changes in a country's HDI and its net contribution to (or net receipt from) the EU 'budget'.
While it can be expected that poorer member countries should move up, is it acceptable that the richer EU countries should slip down and get overtaken by USA, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, South Korea, Israel and HongKong?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
With 169 countries listed it should be pointed out that the UK is still very much among those noted as "Very High Human Development". The index also takes into account such factors as the health service and employment.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
My point is that those countries which make the greatest net contribution to the EU bottomless pit are those which are backsliding relative to their peer group of countries which are outside the EU. Coincidence?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
this is proved by how new countries embrace the european ideal when they are given shed loads of dosh.
when this turns around and it is their turn to shell out a different attitude emerges.
ireland is a case in point.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
Fair point Peter
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Ireland had to undergo a spate of austerity measures to receive the bail-out, and I forsee the Irish becoming very anti-EU when it will come to paying back loans with the interest.
The bail-outs and conequent austeruty measures will dry out support for the EU all over the West; the EU glamour is shrivelling like a prune.
But that will speak for itself in due course.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Pass me the smelling salts, I agree with AlexD.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
This quote from the 2010 report gives some insight into the significance of the rankings:
"Our results confirm, with new data and analysis, two central contentions of the Human Development Report from the outset: human development is different from economic growth, and substantial achievements are possible even
without fast growth," said Jeni Klugman, the lead author. "We also gained new insights about the countries that performed best, and the varying patterns of progress." The "Top 10 Movers" highlighted in the 2010 Report—those countries among the 135 that improved most in HDI terms over the past 40 years—were led by Oman, which invested energy earnings over the decades in education and public
health.
Not sure about a EU connection.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
geting back to the original post from marek, how can the e.u. justify this hike when the member states are making big cutbacks at home.
most of the cuts in spending in ireland, spain, italy and others affect people that can least afford it.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
I think human development is characterised by things such as computers, the Web, cell-phones. Cars, tv sets came before that and are now taken for granted, and prior to that it was the wireless.
The virtues of ascetic contemplation probably do not receive a high ranking.
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
"The Human Development Reports have changed the way we see the world," Ban Kimoon said today.
"We have learned that while economic growth is very important, what ultimately matters is using national income to give all people a chance at a longer, healthier and more productive life."
2010 Report
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
alex
if i knew what that was i would probably agree with you.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Yes Mark, that is exactly it. Your taxes are being used to improve the quality of life of people in Bulgaria. Is that what you want your tax money spent on?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
One could describe the first monks as being dedicated to ascetic contemplation, and members of monasteries in general, to whichever extent and degree.
It is like meditation, but usually following a specific discipline, and would tend to be in connection to natural surroundings, far away from the city.
