Scotland’s accountants demand answers from nationalists | Better Together

Scotland’s accountants demand answers from nationalists | Better Together

Scotland’s accountants have picked apart the nationalists’ plans for a tax system in a separate Scotland in a crushing new report. In “Scotland’s Tax Future” ICAS, the body representing Scotland’s accountants, criticises the SNP’s lack of detail saying the nationalists are “virtually silent” on the matter in their plans to break up the UK.

The report clearly shows Scotland’s fiscal position is better off as part of the UK. With public spending £1300 higher than the UK average, we get a good deal out of the UK. If we were to separate this extra spending would be lost. It is clear that in the UK we have the best of both worlds; the ability to make the decisions that matter most to Scots here, backed up by the strength, stability and security of the UK.

The report, which is highly critical of several areas in the SNP’s manifesto for separation, says:

• The lack of numbers in the SNP’s plans “leaves a gap”, especially regarding the impact of oil and gas revenues on Scotland’s spending capacity.

Words for The Wise, From Basics to a Better Way, Hebrews 6 NASB

Hebrews 6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Peril of Falling Away

6 Therefore leaving the [a]elementary teaching about the [b]Christ, let us press on to [c]maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits. 4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, [d]since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often [e]falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close [f]to being cursed, and [g]it ends up being burned.

 

Better Things for You

9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that [h]accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the [i]saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence [j]so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” 15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by [k]one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. 17 [l]In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, [m]interposed with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have [n]taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 [o]This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters [p]within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Bible Panorama

Hebrews 6

V 1–3: PROGRESS The readers are urged to progress from the foundational truths of the gospel in order to get to know God better. They are not told to abandon those truths, but to go on from them, as a boat would leave the harbour. It still needs that harbour!

  V 4–6: PARTAKERS There are those who come to the very edge of faith in Christ and even partake of some of the Holy Spirit’s blessings (partake literally means ‘to go along with’) without ever having turned to Christ. Their hearts have become hardened by tasting God’s Word without taking it in, and by skirmishing around the border instead of entering into the blessing.

 V 7–8: PARABLE The parable used here, of thorns and brambles coming up from the ground, reminds us that our fruit will show whether we are truly saved or not.

V 9–12: PERSUADED The writer, however, tells his readers that he is confident that they are saved and that there are things that accompany their salvation that he has noticed. This includes labouring in love for other Christians. He urges them to be diligent to walk with God day by day, through faith and patience, inheriting God’s promises.

V 13–18: PURPOSE Just as God confirmed His word and intentions through Abraham, He has confirmed it through His promise and His oath, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

 V 19–20: PRESENCE The Christian’s sure hope is anchored, as is his soul, in the presence of Jesus Christ in heaven. Like an anchor securing a boat, Jesus is there to ensure that those who trust in Him will be there with Him.

Dictionary of Bible Themes

6745 sanctification, nature and basis of

The process of renewal and consecration by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the consequence of justification and is dependent upon a person being in a right relationship with God.

Sanctification is grounded in the holiness of God

God is holy Eze 39:7 See also Lev 22:32; Jos 24:19; Ps 30:4; Hos 11:9; Isa 6:3; Rev 6:10

God demands that his people should reflect his holiness Lev 19:2 See also Lev 11:44-45; Lev 20:7-8; Heb 2:11; 1Pe 1:15-16

Sanctification is the will of God for his people 1Th 4:3 See also Eph 1:4; Eph 2:10; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:1-2

 

The basis for sanctification

God’s election of his people 1Co 1:2; Eph 1:4-11; 1Th 5:9

The atoning death of Jesus Christ Heb 13:12 See also Ro 6:11; Ro 7:4; Ro 8:2; 1Co 1:30; 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:25-27; Heb 10:10-14; 1Pe 2:5

The grace of God Lk 1:69-75; Php 2:13; 2Ti 1:9; Heb 12:10

 The work of the Holy Spirit Ro 15:16; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2

The word of God Jn 17:17; Eph 5:25-26; 2Ti 3:16

The need for sanctification

The universal sinfulness of humanity Isa 64:6 See also Job 15:14-15; Ps 51:5; Ro 5:12-19; Eph 2:3

Enslavement to evil can only be broken through the death of Jesus Christ Jn 8:34-36 See also Ro 6:16-18; Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17-24

The need for renewal and growth 2Pe 3:18 See also Ro 12:1-2; Col 1:10; 1Th 4:3-6; Heb 6:1-3

The nature of sanctification

A process which has already been initiated 1Co 1:2; 1Co 6:11

A process of growth in holiness Ro 12:1-3; 2Co 3:18; Eph 4:15; 1Th 4:3-7; Heb 12:14; 1Pe 2:1-3; 2Pe 3:18

Consecration to God Ex 32:29; 1Ch 29:5; Pr 23:26; Ro 12:1

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY Prepare for Challenges ‘A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.’ UCB

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY

Prepare for Challenges

‘A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.’

Proverbs 27:12

The UCB Word for Today - 5 Aug 2014

The path to your God-given destiny will have different challenges, so you must expect them. Indeed you must prepare yourself to face them. Solomon wrote, ‘A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.’ Wouldn’t you rather look ahead and prepare, instead of looking back with regret? Why does the Bible record the failures of great men like Abraham, Moses, Elijah and Peter? To give you hope; to let you know that nobody performs flawlessly; to help you believe if they can do it, by God’s grace you can too. The road to success has many potholes. You’ll fall into some—and they’re messy. Not only will you have to climb back out, you’ll have to dust yourself off, refocus, recommit, and keep going. Since failure is inevitable, why not make it your friend by examining each experience and growing stronger through it? Once you learn to do that, you won’t keep repeating the same mistakes, and you’ll become more emotionally and spiritually stable. Timelines change, resources dry up, assumptions prove false, plans and people fail. As comedian Bill Cosby quipped, ‘Nothing fits in a pigeonhole but a pigeon.’ As you walk the pathway to your God-given dream, remember the old Italian proverb: ‘Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out’. No problem; you can get another pair of shoes! Just make sure you don’t wear out and give up. Here’s God’s promise to you: ‘Keep travelling steadily along His pathway and in due season He will honour you with every blessing’ (Psalms 37:34 TLB).

 

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Independence referendum debate: Alistair Darling wins round one in televised clash with Alex Salmond, Daily Record, Updated

ALISTAIR DARLING won a shock victory
 in the first referendum TV debate 
last night as Alex Salmond came unstuck on the pound. The Better Together leader, an underdog before the start, hammered the First Minister relentlessly on the future of Scotland’s currency.

And when it was all over, 56 per cent of viewers surveyed in a snap ICM exit poll named Darling as the winner.The former Labour Chancellor had been widely expected to fall victim to Salmond’s feared debating skills.

But he put his SNP rival on the 
rack with strong attacks over whether Scotland would keep the pound
after a Yes vote.The bruising encounter early in the two-hour battle seemed to unsettle the First Minister, who went into the debate behind in the polls and knowing he needed a convincing victory.

Salmond rallied later to score strong points over Con-Dem welfare cuts, Trident and the Bedroom Tax.Darling also looked uncomfortable as the First Minister repeatedly challenged him to admit Scotland could be a “successful independent country”.

But the future of the pound – seen by many as the key issue in the race to September 18 – was Salmond’s downfall.

 

Read more here:

 

Further Reading here:

 

Yes Scotland ridiculed after issuing a guide telling supporters what to say on social media during TV debate 

“The Scottish Government’s own figures show a separate Scotland’s finances would be in a weaker position than the UK’s 2016/17 thanks to declining North Sea oil revenues. But the guide told supporters in bold type that “we will be in a stronger financial position in the first years of independence than we are today.”

Alex Salmond accused of a 'huge deception' over his plans for a currency union after a Yes vote

"Alex Salmond claims that nothing much will change, that threats otherwise are a bluff and that Scotland would keep the pound sterling - but although Scotland could keep using the pound, to promise 'no change' is a huge deception: the consequences would be enormous."

Alex Salmond And Alistair Darling Clash Over Currency In First Scottish Independence Debate. PA/Huffington Post UK

Scottish independence TV debate: First blood to Alistair Darling as he clashes over currency with Alex Salmond in televised Yes/No debate

FMQs: Alex Salmond defends independence pound plan

Duel that ignored the hard questions: MAX HASTINGS delivers his forthright verdict on last night's Scottish independence debate . Daily Mail

This was billed as the Great Debate between Scotland’s First Minister and the former chancellor and standard-bearer for the No campaign, Alistair Darling.

In truth it turned into the Big Silence night, with neither side confronting the real issues and harsh realities about the future of an independent Scotland.

Alex Salmond called on Scots to seize the ‘opportunity’ of independence with both hands. Alistair Darling urged them to reject it, but did not dare to say frankly to his audience: an independent Scotland will be Iceland without the fish, a dependency culture without visible means of support, a basket case bobbing on the remotest beach of Europe.

He had to renounce such arguments, because Salmond mocks the No campaign as ‘Project Fear’; because polls show that Scottish pride is affronted if anybody reminds them how meagre is their income tax base, how feeble is entrepreneurialism north of the border, how drugged on state subsidy their nation has become.

Salmond, one of the most skilful politicians in Britain, handled himself brilliantly. His pronouncements, from the Vladimir Putin school of statesmanship, are delivered with wonderful fluency, heedless of their polarisation from truth. He emphasised again and again the Norwegian model for an independent Scotland, saying nothing of the fact that Norway has vastly more oil and fewer people.

He flatly contradicted Alistair Darling’s assertion that Scotland could not expect to share a common currency with England, saying ‘everything will change in the negotiation if we get a yes vote’. He repeated doggedly again and again: ‘The pound belongs to Scotland as much as to England’, which means nothing.

Tactically, Darling was usually talking sense and Salmond nonsense, but the ex-Chancellor – perhaps the only man to have emerged from service in the Blair-Brown governments with an enhanced reputation – often seemed on the wrong foot.

Nowhere in the debate, whether from the platform, the floor or the so-called expert commentators, were hard questions asked about how Scotland would support itself as an independent country. Salmond asserted that the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies and Office for Budget Responsibility are simply arms of the Westminster government, which deceive Scots by noticing that the North Sea oil take is shrinking fast. He also rejected the IFS calculation that there is a £6billion black hole in SNP spending plans for an independent Scotland.

He spoke as if his country was Saudi Arabia, its only problem how to spend vast natural wealth.

Read more here:

Further Reading:

A pounding for Alex Salmond over currency in big TV debate

Rudd suggests SNP energy policy won’t meet needs

Independence: Fiery debate but no clear winner

Scottish independence essay: Say No to colony myth

'You are really scrabbling around now!' Alistair Darling takes the fight to Alex Salmond in first live TV debate on Scottish independence Daily Mail, Updated

  First Minister and ex-Chancellor take part in live two-debate on STV

  Voters to decide Scotland's fate in historic referendum on September 18

  New IpsosMORI poll puts No campaign on 54% but Yes campaign on 40%

  Up to half a million people are still undecided with just weeks to go 

  No campaign has received £2.6million, ahead of £1.5million for Yes camp

  Cameron, Clegg and Miliband sign joint declaration promising tax powers

Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling have clashed over their competing visions for the future of Scotland in the first live TV debate of the referendum campaign.

But millions of people trying to watch the historic head-to-head were dismayed after the STV website crashed under the intense demand from viewers worldwide.

In the early skirmishes, Mr Salmond repeatedly complained that independence was the only way to prevent a future Tory government while Mr Darling insisted Scotland was stronger as part of the UK.

As the political temperature rose, Mr Darling repeatedly accused Mr Darling of 'scrabbling around', claiming the First Minister has 'lots of good lines but no answers'. 

Voters in Scotland will make their big decision on independence in the historic referendum on September 18.

The No campaign has been consistently ahead in the opinion polls, despite months of intense debate, impassioned pleas and trading of facts and figures. 

One of the biggest threats to the Yes campaign has been growing doubts about the currency an independent Scotland would use

.

After ditching the idea of adopting the euro, the SNP has claimed it would enter a currency union with the UK and continue to use the pound.

But the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems have all made clear they would block a deal, whoever wins the next general election.

Mr Salmond came under intense pressure about how he would continue to use the pound, faltering repeatedly about whether he has a back-up plan.

Read more here:

Further Reading:

“The best way to keep the pound would be through a currency union like today,” said Sir Martin Jacomb, former chairman of Prudential, and Sir Andrew Large, former deputy governor of the Bank of England. This is not compatible with Scotland being politically independent, and is therefore not on offer,”

Record View: Big question still left unanswered after independence referendum debate

Egypt begin work on second Suez Canal which will run alongside the original 145-year-old waterway in five years' time Daily Mail

  The new 45-mile section would run alongside the existing Suez Canal

  Project could be complete in five years at a cost of more than £2.4billion 

  101-mile-long Suez is the fastest shipping link between Europe and Asia 

  New waterway will allow ships to travel in both directions for half that length

  Egyptian authorities believe it will boost annual revenues to $13.5billion  

Egypt is planning to build a new Suez canal alongside the existing 145-year-old waterway in a multi-billion pound bid to boost its economy.

The 45-mile corridor will expand what is the fastest shipping route between Europe and Asia and is part of several 'mega projects' designed to breathe new life into the nation.

Warplanes flew overhead in a ceremony broadcast on state television from the canal city of Ismailia as Egypt's president Abdel-Fatteh el-Sisi officially launched the military-led scheme, set to cost £2.4bn.

He said that digging of the new canal will allow ships to travel in both directions for just under half of the canal's 101-mile length. And although the initial time frame for completion was five years, el-Sisi estimated it could be finished in just 12 months.

Egypt is the gatekeeper of the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest water corridors and the strategic link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

Read more here:

Scotland 'likely to be worse off after independence' Daily Telegraph

Economic think tank Fiscal Affairs Scotland draws the conclusion after analysing oil and debt figures produced by both the UK and Scottish Governments.

Scotland is far likelier to be worse off as a separate country, according to an impartial analysis published today as the man who hired Fred Goodwin at RBS accused Westminster of scaremongering over the country’s banks.

Fiscal Affairs Scotland said the wide range of estimates for oil revenue and national debt provided by the UK and Scottish Governments made it impossible to predict exactly what would happen following a Yes vote.

But the economic think tank said that for Scotland to be wealthier, it would have to strike a deal with Westminster to repay only half of its population share of the UK’s national debt while receiving almost twice the predicted income from the North Sea.

If Scotland inherited its full population share of the UK’s national debt, as expected, then oil revenues would have to meet the First Minister’s most optimistic possible forecast if it was not to be poorer.

The analysis was conducted in the wake of the Treasury’s claim the Union is worth £1,400 annually for every Scot, while Mr Salmond claimed independence could be worth £1,000 per person after 15 years.

Read more here:

Further Reading:

Alex Salmond's borrowing plans 'prove currency union won't happen'

“Fiscal Affairs Scotland’s independent analysis demonstrates again that the Scottish Government’s fantasy figures do not stand up to scrutiny. A separate Scotland means higher taxes and less money to spend on vital public services.”

Independent Scotland's debt 'would force spending cuts or tax rises'

Scots to to set their own income tax if they reject independence, under deal between Cameron, Clegg and Miliband. Daily Mail

  Joint declaration promises more financial powers if independence is blocked

  David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have backed the deal

  Comes on the day of a TV debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling

  Scotland currently raises 15 per cent of its £30billion budget

David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have signed a joint declaration that promises more financial powers for Scotland if it rejects independence.

The move by the leaders of the three main parties is an attempt to rubbish claims by Alex Salmond that Westminster will not deliver more devolution if Scots vote ‘no’.

It comes ahead of tonight's TV debate between Scottish First Minister Mr Salmond and Alistair Darling, the former Labour Chancellor who fronts the pro-union Better Together campaign.

There are just over six weeks to go until voters in Scotland decide whether to remain in the UK or become an independent nation in the September 18 referendum.

Polls have so far failed to show a majority in favour of independence, but both campaigns are hoping to receive a boost as a result of tonight’s TV debate. The six leaders’ declaration states: ‘We support a strong Scottish Parliament in a strong United Kingdom.

‘We now pledge to strengthen further the powers of the Scottish Parliament, in particular in the areas of fiscal responsibility and social security.’

Currently, control over council tax and business rates means the Scottish Government raises about 15 per cent of its £30billion budget, with the majority of public spending funded by a block grant from the UK Treasury.

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Scottish Independence, a Vehicle for Alex Salmond's Grandiose Ego ?

Calais immigration chief's plans to solve border crisis? Free ferry tickets to Britain and move the French boundary to Dover - as immigrants jump into lorries stuck in traffic to get across the Channel, Daily Mail

  Philippe Mignonet warns the French town is under 'serious pressure

  Wants Britain to share burden of migration so it 'understands problem'

  Predicts up to 5,000 people could be camped in Calais by end of year

  Police delay raids on Jungle 2 camp after tensions erupt into clashes

Migrants massing in Calais should be put on a ferry and sent to Britain, the port’s immigration chief said last night.

Warning that the French town was under ‘serious pressure’ as 1,000 Africans gathered at an illegal camp, Philippe Mignonet also called for the border to be moved from Calais to Dover.

He said he wants Britain to share the burden of migration so it ‘understands how difficult the problem is’.

Last night Mr Mignonet said his town was struggling to cope and predicted that up to 5,000 people could be camped out in Calais by the end of the year.

‘What we want to do is buy the migrants ferry tickets to Britain and let them deal with the problem,’ he said, adding that more than 30 already make their way across the Channel every day.

‘We want the border to be moved from Calais to Dover and Folkestone for one month so Britain understands how difficult the problem is.’

The comments came as the area’s police chief delayed raids on the camp, known as Jungle 2, after tensions erupted into clashes between migrant groups the night before.

Jungle 2 and another camp had been ‘due to be dismantled’ after court orders to evacuate expired yesterday.

Comment:

I don’t understand why the French insist that these ill-legal immigrants should move to the UK, surely the  French or any other European Government that these poor people pass through,  should take  the responsibility to care, support and provide financial assistance for these unfortunate people, why should the British Tax Payer be responsible?

Read more here:

Further Reading here:

A hero for our time: Inspired by the man who built his own toll road? He's one of countless Britons rising up to solve problems the State's too useless to fix Daily Mail

1.      Businessman Mike Watts spent £150,000 of his own money to build toll

2.    It was after part of the A431 in Kelston, Somerset collapsed and closed

3.     He took matters in own hands to solve chaos caused by 14-mile diversion

4.    Mr Watts has shown up council 'jobsworths' who say road can't be fixed

The businessman who has built his own toll road around a road closure in Somerset should be knighted in the next honours’ list. He is an inspiration.

By taking matters into his own hands to solve the chaos caused by a 14-mile diversion on a busy commuter route, Mike Watts has set a shining example to anyone who has ever moaned about public services.

Faced with months of roadworks and upheaval, and the loss of business at the party supplies shop he runs with his wife Wendy in Bath, the pioneering  52-year-old didn’t just complain.

He put his money and his effort where his mouth is, rented a nearby field and built an alternative road to allow traffic to bypass the closure, charging drivers £2 each way.

He spent £150,000 on the gravel track next to the A431 in Kelston and says he will probably spend that again to maintain it. He says he only wants to break even before December when the council is due to re-open the proper road, which was closed after a landslip.

Of course, the council has been quick to question his efforts, citing that mealy-mouthed old staple — health and safety. 

Rather than thanking him, they’ve subjected Mr Watts to all sorts of snooty checks and inspections. Well, they must be furious. They have been utterly humiliated by him.

Mike Watts, British Hero

Businessman sets up private toll road just 340 yards long charging motorists £2 a time to bypass closed section of main road.

Rail commuters are hit by up to 40,000 bogus parking fines: 'Pirates' accused of demanding money from commuters using the wrong law, Daily Mail

  £100 fines handed out when drivers outstayed permitted period at car parks belonging to Chiltern Railways

  MET Parking Services was using the wrong law to issue the parking tickets

  Company also issues fines on behalf of McDonald's car park users

  Firm, which manages car parks on line between Marylebone and Birmingham, admitted that 1,025 tickets were incorrectly issued

  DVLA earns £10m a year from private parking firms for right to access its database

Parking ‘pirates’ are accused of issuing thousands of bogus penalty notices to travellers using railway station car parks on a busy commuter line

.

Fines of £100 a time were handed out when drivers stayed beyond the permitted period at car parks belonging to Chiltern Railways.

But MET Parking Services was using the wrong law to issue the tickets, and is now accused of demanding money under false pretences from as many as 40,000 commuters.

The tickets were issued using a law introduced in 2012 which banned the use of wheel clamping on private land, but allowed the owners to issue penalty notices. However railway car parks are covered by different byelaws.

Commuter Trevor Carvey took on MET after receiving a ticket in Ruislip, Middlesex. He used the Freedom of Information Act to discover MET was using automatic number plate recognition cameras to identify drivers via the DVLA database, then pursue them for payment – often with the threat of court action.

Read more here:

Further Reading:

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said rogue firms will not be tolerated, and launched Government investigation

A single beam pierces the sky as the lights go out across Britain: Tributes to the fallen a century since World War One was declared. Daily Mail

  Idea inspired by former foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey's famous words when war was declared 100 years ago

  Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace all took part in London

  PM David Cameron urged families to join in the 'gesture of remembrance' by leaving on a single light

The London Eye, 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament were among Britain's landmarks which turned out their lights for an hour at 10pm last night to remember those who died in the First World War.

Homes, businesses and public buildings across the UK were asked to leave on a single light or candle to commemorate the moment then-prime minister Herbert Asquith declared Britain had entered the First World War at 11pm on August 4, 1914.

Buildings around the country yesterday took part in the 'hour of reflection' between 10pm and 11pm, leaving just a light illuminating a window.

The plan was inspired by the words of then-foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said just before the announcement: 'The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.'

Other buildings taking part in an hour-long lights switch-off last night were Broadcasting House in London, the Eden Project in Cornwall, St Paul's and Durham cathedrals, and Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

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