Lay My Hat Forum

Greenbarn · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:05 pm Post subject: Olympic tax dodgers

Had an email in my box this morning from 38 Degrees , trumpeting the fact that following the petition success with MCDo-dos announcing that they wouldn't be claiming the tax breaks given to sponsors' earnings at the Olympics, Coca-Cola, GE, EDF and Visa had been shamed into making similar announcements. That apparently leaves nine other major sponsors, including BMW.

The next email in my box was a big splurge about the wonderful things happening at the games - from BMW. Rolling Eyes

It was almost funny.......
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Moliere · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:10 pm Post subject:

It's OK for you chaps in the remote fastness of Cumbria to gloat, but you are not marooned in your house for 3 days next week because of some silly bicycle race. We literally are sequestered in our village Sat, Sun and Wed, and a number of friends can't even leave their own homes on Wednesday 1 August.

It's a gross and improper imposition (naturally nobody ever asked us if we agreed to this) and it is indicative of the authoritarian police state this useless sodding country is sliding into.

I hope it bloody pours on them.

Mols
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Greenbarn · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject:

Definitely not gloating here Mols; you have my sympathy regarding what almost amounts to house arrest, as do those who won't be able to travel within London because the transport system will be super-saturated, and if they do try and use the tube there's a chance they'll be rubbing shoulders with a grumpy MP and will have to throw all their clothes away.

Following on from the revelation that at this great sporting event, which encapsulates the true spirit of comradeship and competition, sponsorship deals meant you'd only be able to buy chips ("fries" Rolling Eyes

) at the Sign of the Golden Arse (aka McDonalds), came the news of the tax deals brokered with HMG for those involved in the "games". "If you'd like to come here and make shedloads of money for your corporation, we won't charge you any tax on it." Er - why? "And to keep things fair for you, anyone who isn't an official sponsor who uses the word 'Olympic', or a catchphrase like 'Let the Games Begin' will be shot. And we won't allow anyone into the grounds who's wearing a T-Shirt with a rival's name on it, like Pepsi, as that obviously wouldn't be fair to Coca-Cola, who are paying for the whole event."

Okay, I exaggerate. But only the bit about being shot.

And Mols, before you use phrases like "authoritarian police state" and "sodding country", you'd probably better check with Lord Coe that you're not infringing any laws.
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Moliere · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject:

HelenB · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:51 pm Post subject:

Mols you have my sympathy. Last month I had to walk through torrential rain to go out for a meal for my birthday because of the bleeding torch, as the roads were shut off from about noon despite it not arriving until 6pm. At least I could get withing walking distance though and it wasn't for three days.

Greenbarn · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject:

The Indy reporting a radio interview with Lord Smug:

Marks · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 1599 Location: Costa Blanca

It has also become an excuse for employers to ban people taking time off.

A friend of mine works in the train planning department of a well known rail franchise. He finished working on the Olympic timetable in February 2011, everything is in place however he cannot take time off 'in case something goes wrong' - like his department working 12 months ahead can actually re-write the whole timetable overnight because there was a broken down train at Surbition. He has 2 children of school age and cannot take them on holiday.

Another friend works for a well know document archive in the City of London. No time off during the Olympics or Para Olympics. Are they expecting a sudden rush of people wanting to consult ancient documents?

What a load of cobblers. And you can tell Coe I said so if you manage to contact him Mols.
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Moliere · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject:

Ah, Marks, that would be SW trains, I imagine. They are my local train company, and funnily enough, I do have quite a high regard for them, in the main.

Oh yes, they profiteer shamelessly on ancillaries (yesterday I went up to London, it cost me £8.50 for an all services, train and tube, travel card and £9.50 for the station car park!) but they do run a pretty good service, with clean, comfortable trains on a very difficult franchise. So credit where it's due, they are doing some things pretty well.

But, I don't hold out much hope for the Olympy-things from the company which did not have the wit to run the occasional extra train on the day of the Jubilee river procession!

Mols
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Marks · Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 1599 Location: Costa Blanca

Wrong side of the compass.
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Moliere · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:58 pm Post subject:

Oh sorry, it's just that you mentioned Surbiton, which is a key link in my area.

Mols
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