The Corporation Tax (Northern Ireland) Bill

Economic prosperity or adversity?

Tax blogger Richard Murphy gave it an excoriating slap down. He has some points. The Bill excludes some categories of business from claiming the new tax rate, including those lending and making investments. Any ‘back office activity’ is excluded. Similar caveats exist.

That said, Mr Murphy is a tax adviser to the TUC and UNITE and to a poverty charity. Not the archetype to salute big business.

The concerns are valid. Equally valid are the more propitious projections. I for one at first blush, am for it. Confusion is not an ignoble condition as I say tous les jours, and I declare no expertise, but I want the chance to control local and indigenous talent and potential.

If that means risk, let it be. The gruelling challenge prepares the ordinary for the extraordinary. I would rather brave the storms of life than stay locked ashore.

And here’s the coming calendar that lies before Royal Assent; and the bold marks those stages completed:

1st reading: House of Commons 8 January, 2015

2nd reading: House of Commons 27 January, 2015

Programme motion: House of Commons 27 January, 2015

Ways and Means resolution: House of Commons 27 January, 2015

Committee Debate: 1st sitting: House of Commons 3 February, 2015

Committee Debate: 2nd sitting: House of Commons 5 February, 2015

Committee Debate: 3rd sitting: House of Commons 5 February, 2015

Committee stage: House of Commons 5 February, 2015

Report stage: House of Commons 4 March, 2015

3rd reading: House of Commons, 4 March 2015

Read more here.