I have never considered myself a rebel, but it appears that by blog has been banned in China, according to this test. Why not try it yourself and see if you will join me in isolation.
So why do you think I have been banned? Nobody swears on my blog, we have great debates, what could I possibly have said to upset the Chinese authorities? Will this add to my kudos? Can their internet addicted citizens still find a way of locating my site?
Hey guys, respect….
Hat tip, Tin Drummer.
Environmental research projects in the UK are under threat thanks to new 
tax laws which could signal the death of 
private investment in science and small high risk businesses, forcing companies to consider moving overseas.
On the day that Gordon Brown seeks to establish his green credentials, one wonders why environmental projects have been singled out for the brunt of the the HMRC new regulation. It states that any kind of partnership of investors (especially in environmental expenditure) would only get tax relief on £25,000, even if they needed to risk £250,000.
Tony Blakey, of Ethical Trading and Marketing, is extremely concerned about the impact this will have on private investors. He believes it will affect 8,000 high-risk start-up companies each year previously funded by “angels” who will no longer get their support They will lose around £800 million investment a year. This new regulation became effective on 2 March.
Tony said:
“It was changed because hundreds of millions was being invested in new environmental research and Brown did not want to give green relief if it cost a significant amount. HMRC say it was to stop tax relief products raising money.
“No group of private individuals can back scientific research or risky small businesses as loss relief above £10,000 is only given when profits are made. So if the risky venture fails, there is only £10,000 handed back. So why would someone put up £200,000 and only get £10,000 back if it failed? A week ago, a partner in an angel group would have got £80,000 in this example.
“The new rule singled out environmental for the ban. I know of four projects that are part way through and have lost £107 million from private investors not prepared to take this level of risk. Scientists will have to leave the country. Potential environmental projects which would have earned billions for the UK will have to go abroad. Another example of ideas being invented here but developed in a more risk friendly economy.
“Two examples that will have to be funded in the USA or Japan now is a unique biofuel for schools and hospitals and a technology to create free electricity from under the sea.
“The Government has said individuals can now only fund science through highly regulated state approved FSAA controlled structures such as EIS and VCTs. These are extremely difficult to qualify for and getting through the regulation is costly and a nightmare. We asked people and they have said they are sure the Government will stop that after they have gone in.
“What is even more unbelievable is that no-one anywhere has complained or lobbied the Government for an exemption that would allow individuals to obtain pure science research credits in a partnership up front during the risk phase. Plus this is a Gordon Brown approved HMRC initiative and he has singled out environmental research. No-one has said a word while the Government has killed private science funding and the backing of small company high risk projects.
“Scientists and politicians have stood by because the Government spin the lie that this does not affect science investment and that they just want to stop tax avoidance schemes by rich people. Science is simply “collateral damage” in that war.
“Friends of mine suggested that Brown understands how devastating this is, but also knows that David Cameron will now inherit a UK economy with vast amounts of research and small companies missing.”
I know these new tax laws will particularly have a huge impact in my area which relies heavily on angel groups and is dubbed Silicon Fen. Does this demonstrate our Chancellors commitment to environmental projects and new start-ups? Can anything be done to remedy this before these businesses are forced to move overseas?