http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2014/08/Citizen_Income_briefing_2014_final.pdf :: Here is the Scottish Greens’ Briefing Note on a Citizen’s Income (aka Universal Basic Income) for an independent Scotland. The amount they’re proposing is barely adequate and only partially removes the need for benefits, all because they’re stuck with the idea of funding it from income tax. It is, however, a bold and…
http://www.thersa.org/events/rsaanimate/animate/rsa-animate-crisis-of-capitalism :: Here’s a good video from RSA Animate in which David Harvey shows the nonsense of capitalism in its current form. He’s coming from a Marxist perspective but don’t let that put you off. His description of the inherent flaw in finance capitalism is good and, as usual with RSA Animate, the graphics are…
Scottish Independence: One Good Reason For Voting “Yes”
I’ve just listened to playwright Kieran Hurley’s forthright and energising Aye! Talk in which he lists 25 reasons why he’s voting Yes in September’s referendum on Scottish independence. Most of the 25 reasons relate to Kieran’s own political and moral preferences, things that he dislikes about the UK that he hopes can be done better…
Scottish Independence: On A Wing And A Prayer
I’ve just watched Jim Sillars on the Aye! Talks website giving a speech about the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence. Jim is always worth listening to and here he’s as articulate and passionate as ever about why he believes Scotland should step away from the union with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The best thing about…
http://www.pieria.co.uk/articles/hounding_the_poor :: Here’s a good article from Frances Coppola on the idiocy of the tax credit system – a cack-handed attempt at distributing spending money to people who don’t get enough of it passing through their hands every week. As Frances says at the end of the article, a universal basic income is the only…
Freaking Unbelievable
Steven D. Levitt is a professor of economics at the University of Chicago and co-author of a series of books that have the word “Freakonomics” in their titles. Until yesterday I had never read anything by Mr Levitt, and heartily wish that I hadn’t bothered to read this article on his blog because its stupidity…
The Yes Movement & Political Engagement
The Yes Movement & Political Engagement. Supporters of a “No” vote in September’s referendum on Scottish independence and enthusiasts for keeping the UK intact need to read this article from Jen Stout. This is where the groundswell of support for independence is coming from and tells us what needs to happen in the whole of…
http://flipchartfairytales.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/self-employed-the-nouveau-pauvre/#comment-19576 :: Here’s a great piece of analysis from Flip Chart Fairytales which uncovers the truth behind the recent boom in self-employment in the UK. Turns out declaring yourself as self-employed is an effective way to get the DWP off your back. If you move from Job Seekers Allowance to Working Tax Credits they can…
Very encouraging to see Martin Wolf in the Financial Times talking seriously about full reserve banking. His proposals for are a step in the right direction but are only part of the solution. They highlight a set of additional underlying problems that also need to be addressed. He takes no account of one of the main…
Blowing Bubbles
Yesterday The Telegraph reported on the current house price boom. The average asking price in England and Wales is more than £262,500 – 7.3% higher than it was 12 months ago. For those of us who struggle with the concept of cumulative growth 7.3% doesn’t sound like a very big number but if you do…
Views From The Boatshed 