Time for a car boot sale of national assets?
Post categories: 5 live Drives Down The Deficit
|09:23 UK time, Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Day 3 of 5 live Drives Down the Deficit. We're on the A1 and heading for the very centre of Britain. Our destination? Haltwhistle in Northumberland.
Today is the big sell-off. But it's not as easy as it seems. For the sake of our exercise this week, we are trying to cut the deficit. But you can only sell things once.
Nonetheless, our panel of Northumberland chancellors will be wielding For Sale signs.
What could they sell? The Crown Jewels? Does the state need to own the roads we drive on? Should the whole university system be privatised?
We'll be live in Northumberland from 4pm on Drive.
Chris Mason is 5 live's political reporter
- 5 live Drive will be looking at the budget deficit all week
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Comment number 1.
At 11:57 28th Jul 2010, amdc wrote:We need to sell very little. We do need to call in unpaid invoices though, particularly the £130 billion worth of tax uncollected, avoided or evaded. That leaves a deficit of 26bn, say 36 because costs will beincurred in ensuring tax is paid. Easy. Why isnt this higher up the agenda?
Adam, Leicester
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Comment number 2.
At 16:56 28th Jul 2010, sashsquatch wrote:The Crown jewels and other assets pertaining to the monarchy bring in revenue in the form of tourism. This is an ongoing income whereas if we sell them, they're gone for good. They are a source of income as well as a cultural asset to the country. I find it bewildering that people constantly slag off the monarchy without realising that they are responsible for a great amount of income to this country. Suggestions on collecting outstanding tax however make perfect sense. Other steps the govt are taking such as cutting down on advertising which costs in the region of 11m per year also make sense. If it isn't making money but COSTING money, get shot of it. If it is generating income, keep it. Simples.
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Comment number 3.
At 18:29 28th Jul 2010, jackshepherd wrote:The state owns nothing, the population owns it.The Dartford River Crossing is a good example of double dealing. It was built and motorists were to be charged until the cost of construction was met. This was achieved about two years ago, so was the toll dropped? Oh no, the powers that be found another use for the income, so we go on paying.
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