I always wonder why people are surprised when foreign buyers of UK businesses close factories and put British people out of jobs. When Craft purchased Cadburys I thought it would only be a matter of time until the first of the UK factories was closed to “streamline costs” and sadly I’ve been proven right. Peter Mandleson’s expression of disappointment about the closure this week was nothing short of naive and pathetic. Apparantly the Americans said nothing about closing factories when he met them recently. Probably over dinner and at taxpayers’ expense. Well didn’t he think to ask about it?
We all know that the first thing ANY investor does when they buy a new business is to find ways to reduce costs – and of course the most expensive of any cost is manpower and production. Not expecting it is a bit like smiling at a wolf who has promised not to eat you just before he devours you in one big bite. Sadly I guess we’ve just got to expect more closures before Craft starts re-naming our favourite chocolate “Craft Dairy Milk”. Just doesn’t sound the same, does it?
New Place of Supply rules
On the VAT front please be sure to check out the new rules for EC supplies of services here http://tinyurl.com/yj9ny7t and the new Intrastat thresholds. I've had a few queries about the changes recently and I know a lot of people are confused. The rules themselves are quite straightforward in principle but as always the devil is in the detail and there are a lot of practical details that you need to follow carefully. If you’re stuck on anything remember to put your query on the forums and we’ll try to figure it out.
My Inner Philistine and those blasted cables!
Today I’ve received my new tv stand and next week I’ve got my new high definition TV. I know I’m a bit behind the times but I had a massive old CRT tv that had passed its 15 year old birthday last year and I really couldn’t justify spending hundreds of pounds on a new one while it was still working. So I was actually relieved when it finally gave up the ghost in November and I now have a new 32” HDTV on the way next week.
But the thing about all of this amazing technology is the wires. Why is it we can send robots to Mars and split the atom but we can’t produce a home entertainment system without yards and yards of cable? I’ve just spent half an hour on the floor sorting out the connections to the Skybox and the DVD player, broken 2 finger nails and used a lot of very bad swear words in the process and there is still a visible tangle of the wires on the floor – wire management system my foot! Roll on wireless connections, can’t come soon enough for me.
But at least this time next week I should be able to give in to my inner geek and watch the latest Star Trek movie in HD on a decent size screen. Sometimes I love being a philistine!
Have a great weekend
Marie