Author Archives: Giolla

Hiding in the budget

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It’s really quite amazing what gets hidden in the budget, like HMRC being allowed to intercept any suspicious mail anywhere in the country and open it before it is delivered. (hat tip LPUK). Now to be fair they can intercept stuff at the moment, but they have to tell you before they open it, the plan is in future they can just open stuff without telling you. The relevant section of the Postal Services Act 2000 is already quite vague but does at least state clearly that they have to give you the chance to be there when they open … Continue reading →

Bits of budget and other stuff

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One thing I hadn’t noticed in much of the budget coverage was that the idea to charge a 50p a month tax for having a telephone line, to fund rural broadband is alive and well (hat tip The Register). Though only if Labour win another term, or if the Tories decide it’s a wizard wheeze to take more money off us. Of course once they do you can bet it will be as temporary a tax measure as VAT is. Meanwhile Letters from a Tory picks up on some news that has been over shadowed by the budget. The proposed … Continue reading →

Digital Economy Bill – Petiton Harriet

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Currently the Digital economy bill, is still trundling it’s way through parliament without any proper debate or anyone much taking a look at it. On Thursday Harriet Harman will have to explain the Government’s plans for this bill so before then write to her and ask that it be given proper time for a full debate. This in case you’ve forgotten is the bill that will block access to websites and cut off your internet access for alleged copyright infringement whilst at the same time allow anyone to make use of your photographs for anything if they think it’s an … Continue reading →