While we're all arguing about family size, welfare bills, public v. private workers' benefits, etc., etc., should we not consider the following from today's Guardian:
"Three bankers who brought down HBOS - Bank so poorly run it would have gone bust even without 2008 crash" [report finds]
This Bank, under the changing stewardships of Lord Stevenson, Sir James Crosby and Andy Horny, racked up £47 billion of losses. Interestingly, Sir James Crosby sold two-thirds of his shares just before the banking crisis hit. Crosby has retained his knighthood and his £570,000 annual pension. Hornby is now the boss of Coral bookmakers. Stevenson insisted he was not to blame because he was only a part-timer - earning £735,000 a year.
"PM urged to act over British Virgin Island"
Leaked evidence continues to mount that politicians and tycoons from all over the world have used the British Virgin Islands to hide funds. Lord Oakeshott said "How can David Cameron call for the G8 to make big business pay tax when we let the BVI use British law and British protection to suck in billions in dirty money?"
"175,000 UK companies go offshore for directors"
A Guardian/International Consortium of Investigative Journalists investigation documented the activities of more than two dozen "sham directors" - Britons each listed as directors of sometimes thousands of companies registered across the world, allowing the real powers behind them to stay in the shadows. One pair of British expats appeared to have a global empire of 2,250 directorships.
Kate Garroway-Care at home costs
Hunt, the Chancellor, gets his figures wrong!
Help Please! Grandchild being taken to live abroad