Keith Shirley

That’s it – I guess you think I’ve finally gone mad. The point is however – if I’m paying taxes then it means either:

• I’m making a profit
• I still have a job

Both of those points are things that can’t be taken for granted at the moment and I always try to find a silver lining.

I’ve never really minded paying some(*) taxes when I can see what I’m getting for it. Unfortunately in the last decade I think there has been a sinful amount of wastage going on. The solution to many problems seems to have been – just throw money at it. I hope that one positive thing that comes out of the current recession is that we and the government will pay a lot more attention to getting value for money.

(*) I say some because there’s a limit. My personal preference for income tax would be a flat rate of 25% (after a buffer for low incomes) and get rid of most of the benefits that are being made available. I don’t mind the high tax on petrol – if I use more I pay more. I think the VAT rate is too high and really discourages spending – there should be just 2 rates – zero and something like 10% or 15%.