The Bonkers TUC

Right, I don’t know about how many of you have heard about the TUC‘s plan to introduce a super-tax on the rich, but I’m against it wholeheartedly!

Now I have no problems with a bigger tax on the rich per se, as I believe that if such a tax were to exist then it wouldn't necessarily harm the rather deep pockets of the "elite." It may also bring in some extra funds for a treasury which, thanks to a certain Mr Brown, is significantly out of pocket at the moment. This in turn may provide some sort of help for an economy is on something of a downturn, hint hint Mr Darling/Mr Brown. Thus I don't believe a tax on the very rich would necessarily be a bad thing. Shocked, aren't you?

However, don't get the idea that I am backing what the TUC have suggested. They are suggesting a super-tax on those who earn more than £100,000, which I think is utterly preposterous. As the previous article stated, now 1 in 100 tax payers have jobs which pay salaries of over £100,000. A large tax on these people would, in my view, be totally un-just. I know several people in the north, who are on these salaries. However to earn it, they have to commute to London weekly, often spending up to 4 nights away from their families. This, inevitably leads to stress and I believe that another huge tax on these people will be even more stressed. (A weak argument I know, but I have witnessed it firsthand.)

My other argument (probably the more relevant one) is that those in the highest bracket of tax are already being taxed too much. Those who earn £34,600 or more are forking out 40% of their income to tax. Those who are earning £100,000 p.a. are realistically earning around £60,000. But that is before ludicrous energy bills which are costing everyone a massive amount these days. Then there are mortgage repayments, ever more important in this era of banks not lending to each other. In addition there are food prices which are soaring thanks to huge demand from the emerging economy. But that's beside the point. I'm trying to convey the message that a super-tax would not be beneficial to many people.

With the very rich, the tax wouldn't affect their lifestyles in any way shape or form, with the exception of maybe having to buy a cheaper car. However with those with salaries of £100,000 the tax would affect them on such a scale that it is unrealistic to introduce the tax.