LondonMix

Yes rahrahah, but general anti-evasion laws exist in most countries. Meaning that even if a tax structure is technically allowed, if it is viewed by the tax authorities as 'aggressive' (meaning crossing the line into evasion), they are still deemed illegal. Its because of these catch-all rules that many groups now get official tax rulings from the tax authorities declaring that their structures are not an abuse of the law. So, people doing what you describe above in my view are part of the criminal class of evaders. Perhaps that's part of where our misunderstanding rests. And yes, there is a lot of outright criminal activity including money laundering. This impacts real estate in particular all over the world.

I definitely agree with that. Many things that can be seen as ethically wrong are not illegal per se. Its in this specific instance, where I think we disagree rather than on that general point. Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > LondonMix Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Fair enough Jeremy if you find the behaviors > ethically equivalent. > > Yep. Legality and morality are not always as > strongly correlated as we'd like them to be.

Fair enough Jeremy if you find the behaviors ethically equivalent. I don't find a freelancer earning part of his or her income from their company in dividends (which do still attract tax) morally equivalent to someone who intentionally evades tax by not declaring their income to HMRC. But that's just my opinion.

Rahrahrah-- I agree that there are people actually committing crimes and laundering money. It should be investigated who they are and they should be prosecuted. The point I was making to Jeremy is that people legally using existing tax law are unlikely not to do so unless the law changes. You think these people are morally bankrupt and I think these people are like most people on earth, neither good nor bad. I was simply drawing the distinction regarding the plumber that few people will knowingly break the law compared to those that simply use the law as its intended to their advantage.

With all that said, I'm not saying that the system should remain as is. That's a totally different question.

How can you say that though? These tax treaties specifically exist the reduce tax so saying they are not in the spirit of the law is patently untrue. Its more complicated to set up than an ISA but its no less clear what the purpose is. In fact, many corporations get tax rulings from the tax authorities to specifically ensure that the structures they are using are not seen as avoidance. These types of structures are used by state investment entities in addition to private investors. I don't think you realize how complicit the tax authorities themselves are in the system that currently exists globally.

It might seem trite but its true. There is a difference between acting legally and illegally. If you want people on mass not legally reduce their tax bill you have to change the laws that allow and induce them to do so. Trying to plead to some moral duty would be as effective as telling an average person not to put money in an ISA because the government needs more tax revenue. It would seem absurd, because it is absurd. rahrahrah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I thought this was an interesting early response > to the leak. Notice that many of the predicted > responses have been trotted out: > http://waitingfortax.com/2016/04/04/some-thoughts- > on-the-panama-papers/

There a plenty of people who don't break the law rahrahrah but everyone uses legal ways to minimize their tax bill. Paying dividends from your company is really no different than investing in a tax free ISA. Some people's behavior might seem morally wrong to you but the reality is they are simply using government set up structures and policy like everyone does.

Yes, tickets sell out for every day. Its always at full capacity. We had to book a guided tour because the standard tickets were sold out when we decided to go. However, I can't recommend taking a guided tour enough. It really enhances the experience.

It isn't equivalent because using offshore structures isn't illegal unlike what the plumber is doing. In fact, the only reason it works is because this country (as is the case with most countries) have specific tax treaties with certain offshore jurisdictions that make the entire structure work. It is more equivalent to the self employed person taking dividends-- and every self employed person I know does that. No one pays more tax than they are legally obliged to. The only solution if you don't like the status quo is to end all of the treaties but that would need to be done by not just the UK but every country globally to have the desired effect. Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > IMO it's ethically equivalent to the plumber who > asks to be paid cash, or the IT contractor who > avoids tax by paying himself dividends. Almost > everyone who can, does - so to blame the > individuals seems rather pointless. Like BB says.. > you need to close down the loopholes...

Pregnancy stuff depends. My insurance covers pregnancy complications and IVF but not routine birth. All plans are different though and the better the coverage the more expensive it tends to be.

I have it through work. It is good for being seen quicker for injuries that aren't life threatening. With that said, one of my friends father's was refused testing on the NHS based on symptoms he was having. He then went private (I think he had to pay for a private GP referral but then insurance kicked in but could be wrong). Turns out he had pancreatic cancer. It would have gone undetected much longer if he hadn't been able to use his insurance. That might simply be a fluke though even for non life threatening stuff like slipped discs, quick and early treatment can make a big long term difference. Again, another friend without private insurance had a pretty bad slip and kept being mis-referred, lost appointments etc for over a year. In the end, what could have been initially a simple treatment plan ended up requiring surgery. She's complaining the health Ombudsman. In general though, everyone I know who uses the NHS is happy and fine. Those are just the two horror stories I know personally.

Go to Granada and see the Alhambra. Don't leave Andalusia without visiting. You can get a transfer to Malaga that's cheap and fast from Granada. Depending on what time of year, you could go skiing in the Sierra Nevada and then end the day down at the beach when you leave the mountains.

Yes, I thought that too Jeremy. Perhaps these are the deep pockets they've been after! I didn't realise they had that many outlets DF. I agree its less likely they'll be a pop up, though businesses like Brissi with a few outlets have done pop ups in the old ED Deli site. Let's see how they get on. I think they'll probably make a killing.

Yeah, that was my guess. That's really the only unit large enough. It may just be a pop up similar to with Brissi did. It seems to be that Landlords business model.

We have the set up you describe. Wider opening into the second reception room from the extended kitchen. The dining table is in the second reception room but is visible and right off the kitchen. We have a sliding pocket door that can open or close off the two spaces as we want. In the kitchen extension we have the kitchen with island seating near the dining room and then a family room with sofa and chairs at the garden end of the room. Its worked well for us as our garden is South facing and we can open up the space to the garden almost 9 months of the year. Its where everyone hangs out when we have loads of people are over and its the heart of family life. The front reception room is where we have our telly and ends up as more private adult space. That front reception room can be opened to the dining space by opening the large double doors that separate the lounge from the dining room. The doors fold back against the wall so it feels really open when we do that. However, when we want more privacy or light a fire, we close them up and its very cozy! I'm sure others will be on here with their own layouts and ideas. Good luck figuring out what works for your family! A play room is also a popular option for the middle room. It just depends on your lifestyle and how much space you have.

earlydoors Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Irrelavant. Not irrelevant. You don't know what you are talking about as concerns breast feeding.

New developments come with an infrastructure levy. That levy is supposed to be used to improve infrastructure to support new development.

Thanks Saffron, that's interesting.

That's true-- . Where my friend is looking-- Penge / Eltham, Catford-- was equally manic (sealed bids etc) until recent weeks. ED has been less manic than that for a good long while. I think the slowdown will disproportionately impact the higher segments of the market. The highest end of the market is virtually frozen. The buyers are no longer there at same price as before. My boss lives in Chelsea and his house has been on the market for 4 months. That market is so over-valued and buyers simply aren't there at those prices anymore.

Saffron / Monkey, why wouldn't you want to participate? No judgement (just curious) as these surveys help shape government policy via monitoring the health of the nation. Is the information collected not secured properly in your view?

It is a bit both. London as a whole is cooling. Its only just started but I have friends that are looking who have seen a dramatic shift in the last few weeks. Its the knock on effect of the distress in the super prime segment. Last year prices in Knightsbridge fell 7%. The new high end developments both in prime central London and on the South Bank are flooding the market just as demand from buy to let investors (both abroad and domestic is cooling). I actually think this year will be a tough slow market with very few transactions and falling prices. Long term I think prices will continue to rise unless something dramatic happens regarding jobs growth in the city (possible depending on Brexit / immigration policy).

I don't think Darrell is dead. The guy said at the end that he'd be fine. Anyhow, this week's episode was definitely the episode of love!

Frazer stop being a troll.

I'm on my phone so I probably misread the info. Good luck finding a solution that works for you