The Government is often keen to tell us that for those with nothing to hide, the ID cards offer nothing to fear.
If that is the case, why has the government fought disclosure of the interim reviews for five years?
Friday 20 February 2009
Trams
The Edinburgh Evening news reports that the contractors are demanding £80m more two days before TIE closes Princes Street for the best part of a year. Are we really to believe that this is the last time that a gun is going to be held to our collective heads? Are we really to believe that the cost will not soar out of all proportion? Would we not be better to take a deep breath, eat humble pie, and pull the plug on the whole infernal project?
Edinburgh Traffic
Is it just me, or is it the case that most of the traffic congestion in Edinburgh has been caused by the Edinburgh Council Roads department with inappropriate closure of Roads, The utility Companies who are digging up the roads at will, (it is said with the conivance of the Council Roads department who are still sore at losing the congestion charge vote) and TIE with the infernal tram project.
It seems to me that most of our traffic problems could be solved by changing the philosophy at the Council and simply recognising that the private car is here to stay, will not go away and in any case is for the most part the most efficient form of transport where more than one person is involved.
It seems to me that most of our traffic problems could be solved by changing the philosophy at the Council and simply recognising that the private car is here to stay, will not go away and in any case is for the most part the most efficient form of transport where more than one person is involved.
Monday 2 February 2009
Bankers and their bonuses (2)
John Barrett and his Liberals have recently suggested that I am out of touch for defending Bankers bonuses.
I wonder if they really have a clue about the way business works.
The fact of the matter is that the Banking industry, indeed most industries, use bonus schemes as incentives to greater performance. Everyone employed in the financial services sector and any other sector involving selling will be familiar with this. Employees have a basic level of salary and they are able to earn additional amounts over and above the basic in return for additional performance measured by specific targets.
Bonuses are paid after the event, in other words any bonuses paid to bankers in Edinburgh during 2008 (and before any taxpayers money was involved) relate to performance in 2007. It doesn't take Einstein to work out that if targets are not met, bonuses will not be paid. Given the losses incurred by the Banking industry in 2008 it is unlikely that many people will be paid bonuses. Those who may receive them will have achieved agreed targets, as such are entitled to their bonus (or incentive) payments.
Nothing that I am saying will come as any surprise to the many thousands of people in Edinburgh West employed in the banking and financial services industry. They already know how the system works.
No, the only people out of touch here are the Liberals.
I wonder if they really have a clue about the way business works.
The fact of the matter is that the Banking industry, indeed most industries, use bonus schemes as incentives to greater performance. Everyone employed in the financial services sector and any other sector involving selling will be familiar with this. Employees have a basic level of salary and they are able to earn additional amounts over and above the basic in return for additional performance measured by specific targets.
Bonuses are paid after the event, in other words any bonuses paid to bankers in Edinburgh during 2008 (and before any taxpayers money was involved) relate to performance in 2007. It doesn't take Einstein to work out that if targets are not met, bonuses will not be paid. Given the losses incurred by the Banking industry in 2008 it is unlikely that many people will be paid bonuses. Those who may receive them will have achieved agreed targets, as such are entitled to their bonus (or incentive) payments.
Nothing that I am saying will come as any surprise to the many thousands of people in Edinburgh West employed in the banking and financial services industry. They already know how the system works.
No, the only people out of touch here are the Liberals.
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