No respite on British VAT

4801British Prime Minister Cameron has said that he cannot promise to reduce VAT after the next election.

His statement came during a pre-election walk-about in Newark. A market trader there said that the high tax was keeping him from being able to expand his picture framing business.

More criticism reigns down on Ryanair

ryanair2Now there is another chance to bash Ryanair as travellers have criticised it for its check-in procedure.

The criticism follows that made by passengers about hand baggage.

Netflix announces European expansion

netflixNetflix has announced that it will begin to operate in six countries in Europe.

The online tv and film streaming service will first extend its offering to the French, German and Swiss markets.

British toddler released from care

albufeirahotelparaisoThe British toddler who was taken from her parents for her own safety on Sunday has been released from hospital and will be going back to Belfast.

The girl spent three nights in Faro hospital after complaints about her mother’s drunken behaviour led to the police being called and removing the child from the Paraíso Hotel in Albufeira.

Algarve nurse shortage to be eased

nurseThe Regional Health Authority for the Algarve announced today it already has taken the steps necessary to overcome the shortage of nurses in the region and will start recruiting as soon as possible.

This will be welcome news for the Union of Portuguese Nurses whose members have been working below the legal staffing minimums put in place by the government to ensure patient care and safety.

New national register of rental properties in Portugal

rentalvillaSoon, properties for let will have to be registered on a national database held by Turismo de Portugal, according to the Ministry of Economy, as part of a tightening up of regulations for local accommodation.

Apartments and houses rented to tourists for short periods of time have to register with Tourism of Portugal as local accommodation, according to a ministry spokesman.

Europe pledges not to sell its gold

goldThe gold reserves of European countries have again been protected by the renewal of an agreement to restrain from selling significant amounts for the coming five years.

The initiative should help countries avoid the catastrophic decision by then Chancellor Gordon Brown to sell 400 tonnes of Britain’s gold reserves when the price of gold was at its lowest in two decades.

Designer drugs now a global phenomenon

pillsdesignerThe UK has one of the highest number of users of “legal highs” in Europe, according to a UN report.

Figures showed that 8.2% of people in Britain surveyed in 2011 had taken psychoactive substances, generally called “legal highs”.