To be proud that the uk taxpayers are helping Greece

[returningtotheuksoon]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3159806/British-taxpayers-liable-1BILLION-emergency-loans-Greece.html

Typical daily mail outrage. But I think its brilliant that the uk tax payers are helping the Greek people. We are all part of Europe and I'd like to think if there were people suffering in our country other countries in Europe would help out. This is a country where many pensioners are going without as their money has been halved. I know I would struggle if I was given a 50% pay decrease.

What part of the UK budget is this £1billion being taken from?

I'd like to think if there were people suffering in our country

What do you mean "if" people are suffering?

Cameron came back in 2013 crowing about the fact that he'd got the EU to agree we'd never have to chip in for eurozone bailouts again, and how this proved he would be able to negotiate change within Europe. Except now Juncker is saying that agreement was only a treaty and has no legal force, so the UK are on the hook after all. Sorry, we changed our minds, now cough up.

Beacon of integrity, the EU

Except now Juncker is saying that agreement was only a treaty and has no legal force

Er, treaties are legal forces ...

Junckers attitude is what will get people voting to leave the EU rather than any bail out. As pp said, no one will ever be able to believe any concession given even if it's in a written agreement!

My partner is Greek, has business' in Greece so yes, I am probably biased and emotionally involved which will obviously sway my opinion, I do however despair at some of the posts regarding the crisis - please don't believe all you read in the newspapers - they had the banks run dry, tourists not to visit and stores with no food, garages with no fuel. All absolute rubbish.

Re the tax invasion.

My partner and every salaried worker in Greece pays their tax, public servants included. Like in the UK, it is taken from their wages. Tax evasion did and does exist yes, but in the main it is big companies, like in the UK (starbucks, amazon etc) that evade tax.

Greece has been hung, drawn and quartered by the Eurozone. Given unrealistic demands that they didn't have a hope of ever succeeding to repay - lets not forget that Germany's debt was wiped off totally - why not Greece?

Greece's debt was initially brought by corrupt governments. They have been given demands that they can't hope to fulfill by their creditors and it's disgusting that the hard working people of Greece have been impoverished for so long by Merkel, the Eurozone and yes, their government.

Do not blame the vast majority of hard working, so friendly and giving Greeks. Yes they may be in austerity, but from my experience, they'd give you their last and then some.

Hi Baby :)

re self employed - I really don't think it's a 'Greek' thing that self employed people 'fiddle' - I know you're not saying that but I can certainly say that in the UK I could give you numerous people who discuss how to evade tax, give 'tips' on what can be claimed etc to pay less tax. Is this not the same?

As for properties being sold at far below their selling price? Well 1. I hope they're 'legal' or the owner will lose more than their cut down property, and '2' more fool them if their property isn't shown as its worth.

I really do think a lot of it is chinese whispers, I don't disagree that is does go on, but certainly not to the extent that would affect the Greek economy. Blame the politicians, Troika and the Eurozone.

Greece hasn't a hope in hell of repaying the debt with the restrictions put on it :( x

I have experience of Italy, and tax evasion includes businesses asking people to pay cash for every single thing - from a vet's bill to a house purchase!

Public sector workers are stuck with PAYE, but the t&c for most of them are extraordinary. People complain about baby boomers here, but in Italy they have thoroughly shafted their dcs. Luckily they didn't have many of them.

in the UK I could give you numerous people who discuss how to evade tax, give 'tips' on what can be claimed etc to pay less tax. Is this not the same

Evade or Avoid? Avoidance is perfectly legal (I've just avoided some tax today, by not buying any alcohol).

Evasion is (rightly) illegal, and anyone offering advice - especially in public will find themselves having some deep philosophical debates with HMRC. Which they will lose.

Sorry, lurking, it was a 'political' agreement and had no legal force. Says Juncker. So much for 'the first ever powers reclaimed from the EU'.

The 'renegotiation' will be a washout. The EU is unreformable. We should get out.

I am currently in Hamburg and this evening there was a protest march through the city. The protest was in support of the Greeks, about how the austerity measures are too severe etc.

I'm sure these protesters would all happily lend me money without expecting me to pay it back

It's a bit like saying: I want a loan, but I don't want to be £200 short on my salary every month because I'd have to buy value brands instead of the expensive ones I like. So I just won't repay, because I shouldn't have to suffer that.

Also reminds me of pil who wanted dh and brothers to chip in so they could continue to shop at Marks & Spencers, drink champagne every evening and buy Country Casuals etc etc. when we were implementing austerity measures in our own house

I'm afraid I just don't understand. Why would anyone in Europe happily put their hand in their pocket to help a Greek retire at 50? A Dane retires, I think, at 70. It would be like UK asking other EC members to cough up to meet our benefits bill.