Energy costs will go up next month whilst the inflation figure for this month is 1.7% and this is used to fix benefit rises (inc.pensions).. This should be good for the treasury? although the Guardian commentator said it may mean less people crossing tax thresholds (I do not believe this as higher paid earners will still get % pay rises which will take them over static thresholds?
Fuel duty may go up – for much of the country this is about time! But not if living in a rural community where cars are essential. Road pricing is inevitable in the long run, and I am not sure how equitable it could be?
Traditional rises in fags and booze are probably ruled out by the contunued decline in pubs? Vapes could be ripe for a hit? More people are taking it up despite not smoking – My little shop sells nearly £100000 per year! Taxing alcohol by units, as in Scotland would seem sensible? I guess the village pub is having to address an adapt or change situation. Maybe the Irish type bar where groceries are also sold? But there are already shops there? Providing take away meals would be an alternative as many people now seem to rely on the takeaway. Possibly providing a complete roast meal for groups?
An interesting aside in the paper. As electric cars become more popular, oil consumption will fall (Great), but then so will the price as supply and demand kicks in! With cheaper petrol and diesel the second hand car users will be quids in; unless the government creates a triple lock type rule. i.e. Petrol at the pump will always be ‘x’ or just tax the shit out of it. And it is not even that simple. Oil companies have decades worth of oil in their underground reserves. If it is not selling as petrol – make plastic? For our oceans and environment plastic is a huge problem. Whilst it can e a boon, it also will need regulation. Food wasteage is reduced by the sensible use of containers, but too many are not reused. I recycle sandwich filler boxes that would otherwise be landfill! They are the perfect snadwich box.
Productivity – I think I miss interpreted this for years. I thought it was to do with efficiency at doing the job, however it seems that it has more to do with transport and infrastructure? Wales has low productivity due to the shit road and rail network, not lazy fuckers skivving off to watch/play rugby! Maybe we should be encouraging working from home, or at least locally. The geographical implications for the next hundred years are spectacular!