Contract Hire Specialist

How is that for a reciprocal question posed by Mike Rutheford for the Telegraph? It’s almost like asking wasn’t it great that 60% of our gold reserves were sold to the highest bidder?

Then again, whom are we talking about over here? Anyone with expertise in working in the real world? (another reciprocal question…)

With the UK going to the polls today do you think the answers to any of the above mentioned questions will change? Is that another reciprocal question…

The answer is of course, that nothing ever will change and as long as our docile population allows to have other people’s hands go into their pocket and remove the cash contained therein, things will more or less remain the same – that is, tax, tax and more tax.

Whilst you choose to live in this marvellous and beautiful country and there’s precious little that can be done about taxes, there is quite a bit that can be done about controlling expenses.

It is certainly easier to keep our proverbial heads in the sand, however this approach will only take you so far; it is far better to face the reality square on and if having a vehicle is of necessity for yourself and your business, leasing a car is an excellent option for controlling motor expenditures. No doubt, you will still pay the yearly road tax, maintenance, insurance, fuel – and be susceptible to the fluctuations of these.

By getting good advice however, it is possible to at least control the monthly outgoings by fixing most of the expenses at the outset – which is what a good vehicle leasing broker could and should do.

Whether you opt for a personal or business contract hire (and we will discuss those options in subsequent blogs), a lease will cap the expenses as it pertains to the rental and maintenance of the car and the road tax is usually included in the monthly rental – with the exception of some special deals (make sure to ask the question).

Remember – Governments come and Governments go but the Bull**** stays forever. Enjoy the ride.

Our Mythical Bushwalker reaches a yawning gap between his current standpoint and his destination.

A huge abyss stares up at him mockingly.

All that connects him to the pot of gold on the other side is a flimsy, tattered and weather beaten rope bridge.

“Almighty god” he cries out heavenward, “if I make it to other side in one piece – I promise that 80% of my fortune will be donated to charity”. Having placed his trust in a Higher Power, our bushwalker cautiously places one foot on bridge.

When he is a quarter of the way through he turns heavenward and says “Almighty god, if I make it through to other side – I promise that 50% of my fortune will be donated to charity”.

When he finds himself halfway through to other side he turns heavenward and says “Almighty god, if I make it through to other side – I promise that 30% of my fortune will be donated to charity”.

When he finally makes it across to other side in one piece and none the worse for his exploits he turns heavenward and says “Almighty god – I was joking and you thought I was serious!”

 Lest you think that this little quip is nothing more than the ranting of a bored soul, you may wish to think again.

Our eagle-eyed Chancellor of the Exchequer in his latest Pre-Budget Report slashed by 50% the Carbon Tax payable on cars with an emission of 72 co2.

At first glance this looks and feels like a real savings – 50% tax cut on low emission vehicles. Heck, Santa Claus must have come in early this year.

The catch is, are you ready for this one? – there is no such car in existence in the UK with this level of co2 output.

The lowest level of co2 output is the Smart car diesel coupe with an output of 89 co2.

“My dear suckers – I mean tax payers – when I said that the Almighty squatters of Her Majesty’s Government would cut your taxes we were joking. And you thought we were serious”.