Cambelbynum’s blog. it’s time to read about term life crime insurance policy.
August 31, 2007
Science Daily — According to a new review in American Journal of Transplantation, people who donate their kidney or part of their liver to help someone else may themselves encounter difficulty with life and health insurance, despite insurance companies saying otherwise.
“Insurance companies, when surveyed, stated they would insure living kidney donors, and would usually not charge higher premiums,” says review author Robert Yang, a research fellow in the Kidney Clinical Research Unit at the London Health Sciences Centre. “Despite that, 3-11 percent of donors still experienced insurance problems.”
Potential live donors worry about possible insurance problems in the future. As many as 14 percent of potential donors, from various countries with different social support and health care systems, expressed concern with their insurability if they were to donate an organ. Some research indicates that these concerns may lead a potential donor to reconsider donating.
Yang suggests that physicians should provide all information to patients before they make the important and life-altering decision to donate. “Even if donors are willing to accept the risks of non-insurability and/or higher insurance premiums, transplant professionals still have an ethical obligation to protect donor freedom of choice while ensuring that donors do not suffer unnecessary stress or financial penalty,” says Yang.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. (more̷ 
August 30, 2007
A family will face a crown court trial accused of trying to sell a National Insurance card belonging to the late Princess Margaret on the internet.
David Neil, 66, his wife, Constance, 65, and their son, Jeffrey, 34, denied handling stolen goods at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.
The Neils, from Stanley, County Durham, elected for a crown court trial.
They were arrested after attempting to sell the card on the internet auction site eBay.
They are accused of dishonestly handling the card between January 1997 and August 2006 after it had been allegedly stolen.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a committal hearing at the same court on 30 October.
All three were remanded on unconditional bail.
Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, died in February 2002, aged 71, after suffering a stroke and associated heart problems.
Originaly from Source
August 29, 2007
Science Daily — A drug used in some countries to treat the symptoms of Huntington’s disease prevents death of brain cells in mice genetically engineered to mimic the hereditary condition, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.
Dr. Ilya Bezprozvanny, associate professor of physiology, led research showing that the drug tetrabenazine — used in some countries to treat the symptoms of Huntington's disease — prevents death of brain cells in mice genetically engineered to mimic the hereditary condition. (Credit: UT Southwestern Medical Center)
The research sheds light on the biochemical mechanisms involved in the disease and suggests new avenues of study for preventing brain-cell death in at-risk people before symptoms appear.
"The drug can actually prevent brain cells from dying," said Dr. Ilya Bezprozvanny, associate professor of physiology at UT Southwestern. "It’s much more important than people thought."
The study, of which Dr. Bezprozvanny is senior author, appears in the July 25 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.
The drug, called tetrabenazine (TBZ), is commercially distributed as Xenazine or Nitoman and blocks the action of dopamine, a compound that some nerve cells use to signal others. TBZ is approved for use in several countries, but not the U.S., to treat uncontrollable muscle movements in Huntington’s and other neurological conditions.
Huntington’s is a fatal genetic condition that usually manifests around ages 30 to 45, according to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. About one in 10,000 people in America have the disease, with another 200,000 at risk. One of the most famous people with Huntington’s was folk singer Woody Guthrie, who died in 1967.
Huntington’s is caused by a dominant gene, meaning that a person carrying the gene is certain to develop the disease and has a 50 percent chance of passing it on to his or her children. Symptoms include jerky, uncontrollable movements called chorea and deterioration of reasoning abilities and personality. Symptoms begin after many brain cells have already died.
Although a genetic test exists, some people with a family history of Huntington’s choose not to be tested because there is no cure and because they fear loss of health insurance. There are treatments to lessen the symptoms, but there is currently no way to slow or halt the progression of the disease.
In the current study, the UT Southwestern researchers used mice that were genetically engineered to carry the mutant human gene for Huntington’s, causing symptoms and death of brain cells similar to those seen in the disease. The study focused on an area of the brain called the striatum, which plays a critical role in relaying signals concerning motion and higher thought and receives signals from several brain regions.
The striatum is primarily made up of nerve cells called medium spiny neurons, which undergo widespread death in Huntington’s. One major input to the striatum comes from an area called the substantia nigra, which controls voluntary movements and sends signals to the striatum via nerve cells that release dopamine.
The researchers conducted various coordination tests on both normal and genetically manipulated mice. Engineered mice given a drug that increased brain dopamine levels performed worse on these tasks, while TBZ protected against this effect. Most importantly, TBZ appears to reduce significantly cell loss in the striatum of the engineered mice, the scientists report.
"More research is needed to determine whether this protective effect might also be present in humans, and also whether at-risk people would benefit from the drug," Dr. Bezprozvanny said.
Clinical trials in humans would be very difficult, however, because trials require many participants and there is no easy way to score effectiveness of a presymptomatic drug, Dr. Bezprozvanny said. Thus, his future studies in animals will look at the effectiveness of TBZ given just after initial symptoms have developed. This situation simulates what would probably happen in a human trial, he said.
Other UT Southwestern researchers involved in the study were Dr. Tie-Shan Tang, instructor in physiology; and Dr. Xi Chen and Dr. Jing Liu, postdoctoral researchers in physiology.
The work was supported by the Robert A. Welch Foundation, the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, the Hereditary Disease Foundation, the HighQ Foundation and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by UT Southwestern Medical Center. (more̷
August 28, 2007
After a summer break Working Lunch came back on air yesterday.
Gillian looked into the textile row with China.
Simon investigated a call to increase the National Insurance money paid back to firms which choose not to join SERPs.
On the markets Adam looked into the price of oil and oil related shares. And also their impact on the market as a whole.
And Rob was in Cumbria visiting the last remaining factory mass producing running shoes in western Europe.
Don’t forget if you’ve any stories or questions for us do get in touch. Drop an email to working.lunch@bbc.co.uk
If you missed the programme you can click on the video icon in the top right of this page until 1.30pm on Wednesday to watch it.
Originaly from Source
August 27, 2007
When you are starting your first business, the last thing you want to have is hassles over how much tax you should be paying.
Small business expert George Derbyshire looks at how a new businessman or woman can most easily approach dealing with their tax returns.
QUESTION
Rachel, UK
I am a student of engineering, currently studying in my third year of five.
As a hobby I make jewellery, as presents for friends, but also to sell.
I don’t make very much from this. In fact, I don’t think I have made a net profit at all yet. Do I need to make some kind of tax declaration?
ANSWER
George Derbyshire, chief executive of the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies
If you are currently working and paying income tax and national insurance, any revenue generated by your own business can be treated as “additional income” on your tax return.
This will be your total earnings from sales less all your associated expenses.
On the other hand, if you are self-employed and this is your sole income, you are not required to make contributions until your profit exceeds the threshold, currently 4,465.
Ask George Derbyshire a question
You are advised to contact your local HM Revenues & Customs office, as you have to complete the Small Earnings Exemption Form (CF10) if you do not wish to make National Insurance contributions.
For more specific advice relevant to your business, you should contact your local Enterprise Agency. Many of them can offer a free consultation session.
You can search for your nearest agency on the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies website (link on the right), or ring us on 01234 831623.
Terms & Conditions
Return to top
Originaly from Source
August 24, 2007
The National Union of Teachers is to ballot its members on action to start this autumn.
It has raised concerns over children’s wellbeing, the pressure on staff from exam targets and a narrowing of the curriculum.
After a lively debate at the NUT annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, members voted unanimously in favour of a boycott.
John Whearty, a secondary school teacher from Liverpool, said the maths and English tests, known as Sats, were “dangerous for our kids”.
 |
The tests are about collecting useless data, which the government collects and uses to batter teachers
|
He added: “It makes me feel quite rotten to be part of something that’s so obviously wrong.
“The tests are about collecting useless data, which the government collects and uses to batter teachers.
“These are false measurements, used to determine how well staff are performing.
“The Sats have weighed heavily on us as teachers. It’s quite humiliating and it holds us back from other things we should be doing.”
‘Set up to fail’
After the motion was passed, delegates rose to their feet, repeatedly chanting: “No more Sats.”
The NUT, which has 250,000 members, will also circulate a national petition, calling on the Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, to end the tests.
It is planning to hold public meetings, distribute leaflets and approach other unions to join in the boycott.
Sats at age seven are only taken in England, and at age 11 in England and Wales.
Those for 14 year olds are taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and include testing on science.
Last year, the Westminster government failed to meet its target that 75% of 11 year olds in England should have reached the required standard in maths and 80% in English.
The NUT claims the pressure to perform in Sats is damaging some children’s mental health.
Marilyn Evans, a primary school teacher from Croydon, Surrey, said: “We should stop these Sats. Assessment should be continuous, not in this form. Sats set children up to fail.”
John Illingworth, former NUT president, added: “Our most obvious allies are parents. They understand the damage these tests do. We must work with them.”
In another debate, the NUT also voted unanimously to condemn the government’s handling of school finances.
This came after weeks of complaints that teachers would have to be made redundant because of miscalculations on government funding.
Some schools face six-figure budget deficits as a result of extra payments for pensions, National Insurance and other staffing changes.
A sum of 500m is unaccounted for. The government believes this is being withheld from schools by local authorities.
The authorities claim they have not received the money.
According to the NUT motion, the government has “grossly underestimated” the amount required to make the necessary improvements to education.
Originaly from Source
August 23, 2007
The Prudential insurance company is telling many of its personal pension customers to opt back into the state second pension (S2P).
Its advice will go out in a letter to 440,000 customers on Monday.
The Prudential says the amount of money the government contributes to those who are opted out is not big enough to offset the potential risks.
This is the first time the Pru has made this recommendation for all its opted-out customers.
In past years, the Pru has focused its advice more narrowly.
Last year it recommended opting back only to men more than 60 years old and women aged over 54.
But now Tom Boardman, the Pru’s director of policy development says the firm strongly believed that most people should contract back.
“It is important that individuals are incentivised for the risks being taken by opting out of the State Second pension,” he said.
“Our view is that the rebate levels for the 2005/06 and 2006/07 tax years will not provide sufficient incentive for the majority of our customers to remain contracted out.”
Second pension problems
The ability of some individuals to opt out of the S2P (then known as SERPS) was introduced by the Conservative government in 1988.
It extended an option which had been available to occupational pension schemes and their members since 1978.
In return for relinquishing any claim to a second - earnings-related - state pension, individuals would be compensated by paying lower National Insurance contributions.
This rebate would be paid directly into their alternative personal pension plans, such as those sold by the Pru.
Different advice
The idea was that people would be better off in the long term if they relied on their own pension savings, based on the return from investments, rather than on some of the benefits provided by the state.
Now, however, the tide of opinion is strongly against contracting out of the S2P.
In August the Financial Services Authority (FSA) said many of the 3 million people who are currently opted out of the S2P were likely be worse off as a result.
Last year the Norwich Union advised 253,000 contracted out savers to opt back in, and was disappointed when only about 40,000 decided to do so.
Originaly from Source
August 22, 2007
A clear message has emerged from the pre-Budget report.
The chancellor has his sights targeted, possibly as never before, at people looking to avoid tax.
Gordon Brown’s thinking is simple. With public finances tight, those who previously avoided tax need to be made to pay up.
This pre-Budget report adds further weapons to the government’s anti-avoidance arsenal.
New legislation attacks artificial capital losses and managed service companies, restricts the use of Alternatively Secured Pensions (ASPs) and penalises certain promoters of avoidance schemes.
Capital losses
Making a loss on an investment is not all bad news.
Capital losses can be offset against gains, so reducing your tax bill.
 |
PRE-BUDGET REPORT
Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader
|
The pre-Budget report has now introduced rules that target capital losses that have been created artificially in order to reduce your tax bill.
However these rules should not apply to the majority of people, as their losses will usually arise from the normal disposal of investments.
Managed service companies
Thousands of people work through their own companies.
They are usually directors of these companies and control the company’s assets and finances.
If these companies pay the individual in dividends rather than in salary, they can pay less tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC).
To prevent this, the government previously introduced anti-avoidance rules known as IR35: if an individual is within these rules then this tax and NIC avoidance does not work.
However, the government has become increasingly concerned that significant numbers of individuals are ignoring the IR35 rules.
The focus of their concern is those individuals who work via pre-packaged company structures, sometimes called Managed Service Companies or Composite companies.
Although in many cases the individual should have paid the higher tax and NICs required by IR35, they often have not.
When the taxman tries to collect the money, the individual has already left the company and the company has no assets.
The government has now announced new legislation that deems all those working within these MSC or composite structures to be employees, so they will have to pay the same NICs and tax as employees.
|
Many people dislike having to hand over their pension savings to an insurance company when they are 75 in exchange for an annuity
|
However, those who control and manage their own companies have been clearly told that they are not the target: the old IR35 rules will remain in place as before for these “personal service companies.”
Alternatively secured pensions
Many people dislike having to hand over their pension savings to an insurance company when they are 75 in exchange for an annuity.
Under the new pension rules introduced in April 2006, it is possible to avoid taking an annuity by using an Alternatively Secured Pension, or ASP.
ASPs were originally intended for the Plymouth Brethren, a religious group who had principled objections to annuities.
However, they have been more widely used, and the government has been concerned that they were being marketed as a capital protection device rather than as the provider of an income in retirement.
The PBR announces a clamp down: a minimum and maximum rate of income must now be taken once you reach 75.
You cannot just leave the lump sum in the pension fund and take out a couple of quid a year.
In addition, there will be a penal 70% tax charge if any balance remaining on death is passed to anyone other than a dependent, charity, or (in some cases) repaid to the employer.
The good news, however, is that the ASP has not been eliminated, as some had predicted.
Instead it remains for those who want to be able to control their own income in retirement.
Promoting tax avoidance
Since 2004, innovative tax planning has to be reported to Revenue by the person who thinks it up (the “promoter”).
And if a tax planning scheme falls within these rules, and you use the scheme, you have to tell HMRC on your tax return.
However, because some promoters have found ways round these rules, the PBR announces new legislation which makes it harder for promoters to avoid telling HMRC.
So if you use one of these innovative tax schemes you are more likely to have to report it to HMRC.
Of course, the quicker HMRC can find out about a new tax avoidance scheme, the quicker it can be stopped: this PBR also includes a list of targeted new legislation, which stops schemes already disclosed by their creators under these rules.
Verdict
One refreshing element in this new swathe of legislation is that the Revenue has said that it is prepared to consult on most of these issues.
This makes it much more likely that the legislation will be appropriate, and will not hit people by mistake.
Overall, though, the pre-Budget report represents a tightening of the UK tax regime.
A light is being shone into the dark recesses of the tax system and the taxman hopes to benefit.
Originaly from Source
