'How long before we start paying all our money in tax to the Government? ' - Your Letters: June 13

On around 2 May 1966 Tax Freedom Day started, that was the day that up to then all your money went to the Government and only after that date you got to actually keep some of your own money for yourself.

Unfortunately, due to Thatcherism's mass unemployment, hike in VAT from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent and Poll Tax, Tax Freedom Day peaked in 1983 to June 10. This year Tax Freedom Day is at a new record of June 12, so we are now working almost half a year just to pay the Government. Next year, with the Labour’s massive tax hikes, Tax Freedom Day could be in July or even August.

How long before we start paying all our money in tax to the Government and they start giving us some pocket money back?

Gordon Edward Fanthom, Swindon, South Staffs

REASON WHY WE JOINED THE EEC

Ron Goodhall says he cannot understand why we joined the EEC instead of concentrating on worldwide trade. 

Perhaps I can offer a solution to his question.

Ask any exporter in our region which, if given a choice, of the following two options they would prefer:

Option 1. Loading their goods into a very expensive shipping container which is going to take four to six weeks to arrive at its destination many thousands of miles away.

Optopn 2. Load the same goods onto a lorry for delivery the next day in places like Holland, Belgium and parts of France and Germany and an extra two to three days in the rest of the European Union.

I think I know what the answer will be.

Name and address supplied

WHAT, POSSIBLY, COULD GO WRONG?

Good news, the UK is going to build 12 nuclear-armed subs to put us on a par with other nuclear-armed countries. Should we be attacked, we can then retaliate and destroy them. Let that be a lesson to them not to mess around with us! It will cost a fair bit, but at least we will be able to sleep soundly in our beds at night.

I can now reassure a young, earnest relative to stop worrying when TV news or newspapers report on possible threats of attacks appear, I have told her to start worrying about little issues like four million plus children suffering with poverty (and increasing), and the homeless (increasing), and the NHS stretched to breaking. I explained that our safety is in good, peaceful, loving hands, and as soon as Trump and his followers and Putin and his followers sort out their little differences, all will be well. What could possibly go wrong with these two honest, transparent individuals in charge?

Roger Cain, Clee Hill

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