Conversation with My Accountant

I phoned my accountant this morning.

Me: Hello Rupert, It's Nigel here.

Rupert: Hi Nig, what can I do for you?

Me: You know that rather clever tax-avoidance scheme you devised for me, allowing me to channel zillions of squid tax-free to the Galapagos Islands?

Rupert: Yah, damned clever, isn't it?

Me: Yes. But you can knock it on the head now. Osborne - you know, the oik who went to Westminster - has cut the top rate to 45p. So I no longer need your services. From now on I'm going to pay my tax.

Rupert: Hah, Hah. Good one Nig, for a moment I almost believed you...

Never forget, Never forgive

The Cabinet - presumably Lib-Dems and Tories alike - banged the cabinet table to celebrate the passing of the Health Bill and the demise of the NHS.

George Osborne Tax Dodger?

On Radio 4 a few minutes ago George Osborne claimed he was not a 50p tax payer. I have just checked and the Ministerial salary falls just below the threshold at around £450,000. But is this his only source of income? The interviewer raised that question but quickly backed-off (I suspect the producer whispered in his ear). It can't be the case that Osborne has no other source of income; perhaps he has accountants to make sure he pays no tax on this additional income. It would be interesting to know. Wikipedia says this: "He has an estimated personal fortune of around £4 million, as the beneficiary of a trust fund that owns a 15-per-cent stake in Osborne & Little, the wallpaper-and-fabrics company co-founded by his father, Sir Peter Osborne". Not a 50p tax payer?