Online retailer Amazon continues to legally evade paying tax to the UK and European Governments (i.e. people) by trading through an offshore operation in Jersey.
With President Obama and the G20 leaders determined to crack down on tax havens, this blatant avoidance of sales tax seems defiant to say the least. Perhaps Amazon can put forward a convincing argument for selling to the UK mainland from a small island 100 miles away from the closest customers with a tiny internal market and the associated shipping costs?
Amazon is exploiting a legal loophole called the 'de minimis' agreement, under which goods falling below an £18 threshold can be supplied without charging VAT.
This kind of operation will not help the Channel Islands' reputation one iota as they come under the increased scrutiny of governments around the world. Whilst any job losses associated with closure of this business will be much regretted, they hardly compare with those that will be lost in the finance sector if the islands fail to convince the world they are not a centre for tax avoidance.
Bob
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
800 Years Old Petition Rights to The Queen Invoked
The action group to help local depositors from the collapsed Landsbanki group have invoked petition rights granted 800 years ago to the Queen of England. It is one of a number of ancient rights arising from the unique relationship between the islands and England, in particular the monarchy.
The petition 'prays' for the queen's indulgence to intervene using her influence with the UK Government.
Local depositors lost out despite the bail out of UK counterparts by PM Gordon Brown. The petition is keen to stress that these are ordinary locals who have lost out, not rich tax dodgers. An explanation perhaps necessary in these times when so many have an opinion about the island's tax status.
Bob
The petition 'prays' for the queen's indulgence to intervene using her influence with the UK Government.
Local depositors lost out despite the bail out of UK counterparts by PM Gordon Brown. The petition is keen to stress that these are ordinary locals who have lost out, not rich tax dodgers. An explanation perhaps necessary in these times when so many have an opinion about the island's tax status.
Bob
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Amazon Bullies Local Awards Site
Local book awards site Amazonclicks.com is being bullied by the giant Amazon group into giving up it's name. A spokesperson for AmazonClicks told me today they had threatened to take the site, which supports aspiring authors, off their Associates program, he went on,
"We won't be bullied and the more they try the more we will fight back. It's our domain name!
AmazonClicks.com carries very clear disclaimers stating the precise relationship with Amazon on every page of the website, Amazon.co.uk approved the name and have worked with the site n their own Associates program for many months accepting hundreds of new customers and taking orders via the site."
A number of other alleged unethical practices are claimed and there is even talk of a class action law suit being filed on behalf of a large number of authors.
Bob
"We won't be bullied and the more they try the more we will fight back. It's our domain name!
AmazonClicks.com carries very clear disclaimers stating the precise relationship with Amazon on every page of the website, Amazon.co.uk approved the name and have worked with the site n their own Associates program for many months accepting hundreds of new customers and taking orders via the site."
A number of other alleged unethical practices are claimed and there is even talk of a class action law suit being filed on behalf of a large number of authors.
Bob
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hard Luck for Boaters
They're at it again!
This time the developers want to destroy our beautiful old careening hard to make way for plastic super yachts. They just seem hell-bent on ripping up every inch of our island and turning it into another bland over-commercialised non-entity.
The fact is they are desperate to spend their money on some kind of capital project, let's face it interest rates are rubbish and there's not much to excite investors at the moment. So build, build, build - it's a great time to exploit low labour and material costs and achieve future returns when sanity is restored to the markets. The only problem is, to build you have destroy what's already there.
So our lovely old careening hard is the latest target.
I can't help wondering if his has been thought through. Large yachts need lots of water and one of the pluses about the hard is that it dries out so well. So to keep the water in they will need a large gate and then access will only be possible in restricted tidal windows. Will this restriction and the noise of the busy town traffic appeal to the super-rich? Perhaps the area will be sealed off behind security gates to protect these valuable yachts from us plebs who like to wander around this area. And how many super-duper yachts do they expect? The last time I looked you would struggle to maneuver more than two or three at a time especially if the promised improved access for the Trident is fulfilled.
No guys, this isn't a good idea. Go and build somewhere else and leave our heritage alone!
Bob
This time the developers want to destroy our beautiful old careening hard to make way for plastic super yachts. They just seem hell-bent on ripping up every inch of our island and turning it into another bland over-commercialised non-entity.
The fact is they are desperate to spend their money on some kind of capital project, let's face it interest rates are rubbish and there's not much to excite investors at the moment. So build, build, build - it's a great time to exploit low labour and material costs and achieve future returns when sanity is restored to the markets. The only problem is, to build you have destroy what's already there.
So our lovely old careening hard is the latest target.
I can't help wondering if his has been thought through. Large yachts need lots of water and one of the pluses about the hard is that it dries out so well. So to keep the water in they will need a large gate and then access will only be possible in restricted tidal windows. Will this restriction and the noise of the busy town traffic appeal to the super-rich? Perhaps the area will be sealed off behind security gates to protect these valuable yachts from us plebs who like to wander around this area. And how many super-duper yachts do they expect? The last time I looked you would struggle to maneuver more than two or three at a time especially if the promised improved access for the Trident is fulfilled.
No guys, this isn't a good idea. Go and build somewhere else and leave our heritage alone!
Bob
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Herm at Risk
I'm sure the management of Herm island are keen to find new income streams but their latest idea to allow beach parties on the beautiful Shell Beach is totally against the agreement they signed to maintain the island's tranquility.
Shell Beach is one of the few places left in the islands where it is still possible to escape the noise makers. There is provision for party goers on the Whitehouse Lawn so why ruin this beautiful landscape?
What will be next, a Booze Cruises around the Humps? Maybe a beer can throwing competition at the seals or puffins?
The very last thing that Herm needs is a crowd of party going drunks defacing it's most precious gem.
I do hope this isn't a sign of things to come with the new owners.
Bob
Shell Beach is one of the few places left in the islands where it is still possible to escape the noise makers. There is provision for party goers on the Whitehouse Lawn so why ruin this beautiful landscape?
What will be next, a Booze Cruises around the Humps? Maybe a beer can throwing competition at the seals or puffins?
The very last thing that Herm needs is a crowd of party going drunks defacing it's most precious gem.
I do hope this isn't a sign of things to come with the new owners.
Bob
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
HMS Victory found - where is the treasure?
The forerunner of Nelson's Flagship sank off Alderney on 4th October 1744 with a loss of 1,100 lives.
After many years of searching the sea bed, most recently using advanced technologies, the wreck of Victory has now been found by a Florida based exploration company.
This important 175 ft naval warship is lying close to the Casquetes rock north of Guernsey.
No sign yet of the 100,000 gold coins said to be on board when Victory was seperated from escorting vessels during a storm.
Bob
After many years of searching the sea bed, most recently using advanced technologies, the wreck of Victory has now been found by a Florida based exploration company.
This important 175 ft naval warship is lying close to the Casquetes rock north of Guernsey.
No sign yet of the 100,000 gold coins said to be on board when Victory was seperated from escorting vessels during a storm.
Bob
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