Sean W
@insan3gl0ss.bsky.social
Technically zero, if you want to place it elsewhere (like in a garden).
But they are about 1m wide, but need airflow and safety zone so depending on placement can be ~1.6m to ~2.6m.
But they are about 1m wide, but need airflow and safety zone so depending on placement can be ~1.6m to ~2.6m.
December 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Technically zero, if you want to place it elsewhere (like in a garden).
But they are about 1m wide, but need airflow and safety zone so depending on placement can be ~1.6m to ~2.6m.
But they are about 1m wide, but need airflow and safety zone so depending on placement can be ~1.6m to ~2.6m.
Deflation in consumables with short shelf life (food etc) is a good thing - it’s bad for durables as you rightly say. Just my 2p.
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Deflation in consumables with short shelf life (food etc) is a good thing - it’s bad for durables as you rightly say. Just my 2p.
That’s all good stuff and to be applauded for the clear eyed view.
However I’m concerned that we’re also no closer to tackling pernicious issues like good tax design which we make worse and worse with each wheeze. Is there even a plan for that?
However I’m concerned that we’re also no closer to tackling pernicious issues like good tax design which we make worse and worse with each wheeze. Is there even a plan for that?
December 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
That’s all good stuff and to be applauded for the clear eyed view.
However I’m concerned that we’re also no closer to tackling pernicious issues like good tax design which we make worse and worse with each wheeze. Is there even a plan for that?
However I’m concerned that we’re also no closer to tackling pernicious issues like good tax design which we make worse and worse with each wheeze. Is there even a plan for that?
Nah, just make sure you’ve got plenty of loft insulation and double glazing. Beyond that, big rads for low flow temps.
I’ve got a heat pump in my 1928 semi detached and it’s amazing. Currently a toasty 21c and much cheaper than gas.
I’ve got a heat pump in my 1928 semi detached and it’s amazing. Currently a toasty 21c and much cheaper than gas.
November 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Nah, just make sure you’ve got plenty of loft insulation and double glazing. Beyond that, big rads for low flow temps.
I’ve got a heat pump in my 1928 semi detached and it’s amazing. Currently a toasty 21c and much cheaper than gas.
I’ve got a heat pump in my 1928 semi detached and it’s amazing. Currently a toasty 21c and much cheaper than gas.
Would moving green levies into general taxation be a better move vs VAT?
November 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Would moving green levies into general taxation be a better move vs VAT?
If you want to know more, this is some excellent analysis taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/07/22/u.... TL;DR, wealth taxes as people imagine them are *not* good, but we can adjust the existing taxes to be *much much* better and capture more of the gains of wealth as well as not distorting the economy.
UK wealth tax: high risk and anti-growth
Claims of £24bn from a UK wealth tax ignore delays, capital flight (£200–£500bn) risks to growth and employment. Data, country evidence & better reforms.
taxpolicy.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 7:09 AM
If you want to know more, this is some excellent analysis taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/07/22/u.... TL;DR, wealth taxes as people imagine them are *not* good, but we can adjust the existing taxes to be *much much* better and capture more of the gains of wealth as well as not distorting the economy.
No, they’ve suggested an exit tax of settling up of unrealised gains for capital gains purposes, which is not the same as taxing wealth generally - it’s taxing the gains on wealth. IMO it’s a good idea, as why should people escape CGT because they leave?
November 17, 2025 at 7:09 AM
No, they’ve suggested an exit tax of settling up of unrealised gains for capital gains purposes, which is not the same as taxing wealth generally - it’s taxing the gains on wealth. IMO it’s a good idea, as why should people escape CGT because they leave?
When tax is levied if the value has significantly changed? How long would this take, and what might people do to avoid it?
What about the risk of relying on a very small number of people who are very mobile for a large portion of the country’s revenue?
Let’s be honest, it’s just a fantasy.
What about the risk of relying on a very small number of people who are very mobile for a large portion of the country’s revenue?
Let’s be honest, it’s just a fantasy.
November 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
When tax is levied if the value has significantly changed? How long would this take, and what might people do to avoid it?
What about the risk of relying on a very small number of people who are very mobile for a large portion of the country’s revenue?
Let’s be honest, it’s just a fantasy.
What about the risk of relying on a very small number of people who are very mobile for a large portion of the country’s revenue?
Let’s be honest, it’s just a fantasy.
And how would one value all this wealth? Do we have an army of valuers walking around all the big houses and warehouses up and down the country, looking at all the art and jewellery, whisky collections? How do we value private companies owned by multiple people? What happens between valuation and
November 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
And how would one value all this wealth? Do we have an army of valuers walking around all the big houses and warehouses up and down the country, looking at all the art and jewellery, whisky collections? How do we value private companies owned by multiple people? What happens between valuation and
Fair enough, but to be honest I don’t see why pensioners should get off generously (ahem NI, Triple Lock etc) - we’re all in the same boat. Wish you luck.
November 16, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Fair enough, but to be honest I don’t see why pensioners should get off generously (ahem NI, Triple Lock etc) - we’re all in the same boat. Wish you luck.
Is that your quibble? Let’s face reality, there’s literally zero rationale for pensioners for *not* paying NI like the rest of the population who pay any taxes. The closest thing I have to sympathy is that you might have budgeted for not paying NI, but that’s still not a good reason.
November 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Is that your quibble? Let’s face reality, there’s literally zero rationale for pensioners for *not* paying NI like the rest of the population who pay any taxes. The closest thing I have to sympathy is that you might have budgeted for not paying NI, but that’s still not a good reason.
the reality across the income spectrum makes us all worse off.
November 16, 2025 at 10:05 AM
the reality across the income spectrum makes us all worse off.
Oh my god. I’m saying the wealthy are *saying ‘no thanks’ to economic activity* they otherwise want to do because the tax system is stupid - which reduces the tax base (stuff that can be taxed) upon which services we all use are funded. I agree poorly paid people need more assistance, but ignoring
November 16, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Oh my god. I’m saying the wealthy are *saying ‘no thanks’ to economic activity* they otherwise want to do because the tax system is stupid - which reduces the tax base (stuff that can be taxed) upon which services we all use are funded. I agree poorly paid people need more assistance, but ignoring
Ok, well please explain what specifically how am I meant to interpret “We always need incentives for the already well off. Never got the poorly paid.”? If you want solutions, please start by reading stuff the IFS puts out about tax design or Tax Policy Associates to name a couple of places.
November 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Ok, well please explain what specifically how am I meant to interpret “We always need incentives for the already well off. Never got the poorly paid.”? If you want solutions, please start by reading stuff the IFS puts out about tax design or Tax Policy Associates to name a couple of places.
If you’re reading the word incentive as ‘hand out’ then you’re mistaken. We were referring to perverse incentives for people who choose not to do things they otherwise would- like work (and pay tax on it) because of incredibly stupid facets of the tax system.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 AM
If you’re reading the word incentive as ‘hand out’ then you’re mistaken. We were referring to perverse incentives for people who choose not to do things they otherwise would- like work (and pay tax on it) because of incredibly stupid facets of the tax system.
That’s true, but also true of anyone approaching £100k with children to lose around £25k net for the privilege of going from £99,999 to £100,000 and senior healthcare professionals are generally high earners. So I don’t think it’s unreasonable that people might reduce their income to avoid.
November 14, 2025 at 5:08 PM
That’s true, but also true of anyone approaching £100k with children to lose around £25k net for the privilege of going from £99,999 to £100,000 and senior healthcare professionals are generally high earners. So I don’t think it’s unreasonable that people might reduce their income to avoid.
It hasn’t, yet.
I hope it won’t.
I hope it won’t.
November 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
It hasn’t, yet.
I hope it won’t.
I hope it won’t.
I mean there was the Mirrlees Review by the IFS which just feels like it’s a good paperweight by successive governments as another example.
November 14, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I mean there was the Mirrlees Review by the IFS which just feels like it’s a good paperweight by successive governments as another example.
Not if you’re a patient who has been waiting for ages because the consultants are cutting back hours for tax reasons, even if they want to work.
November 14, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Not if you’re a patient who has been waiting for ages because the consultants are cutting back hours for tax reasons, even if they want to work.
Indeed. It’s good policy optics, but really bad actual outcomes wise as it’s upsets incentives.
November 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Indeed. It’s good policy optics, but really bad actual outcomes wise as it’s upsets incentives.
I am one of those people who keep increasing my pension contributions to stay under the Child Benefit limit.
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I am one of those people who keep increasing my pension contributions to stay under the Child Benefit limit.
I hear a tax on door knobs is what’s needed.
November 14, 2025 at 11:10 AM
I hear a tax on door knobs is what’s needed.
What gilts would be best to watch? Short or long term?
November 14, 2025 at 8:04 AM
What gilts would be best to watch? Short or long term?
I can’t work out if HMT employs idiots or it’s our political class who are either idiots or incapable of explaining, not even that complex, ideas to the public and are just going for the ‘easy’ option. Or maybe both!?
November 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I can’t work out if HMT employs idiots or it’s our political class who are either idiots or incapable of explaining, not even that complex, ideas to the public and are just going for the ‘easy’ option. Or maybe both!?
And there’s oh so many bullets left…
November 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
And there’s oh so many bullets left…