[jambutty]

The whole point of this is to ensure that IR do not 'bypass' the law, the law itself will let them do it thus saving millions of pounds of the law abiding tax payers money. Laws are and should always be an evolving beast updated as and when we can improve society through application of common sense.

It has been reported today that ONE MILLION people were overcharged for Income Tax entwisi. I wouldn’t want such incompetent department delving into my bank account. In the event of an overdraw it is the account holder who has to go to the time, trouble and expense to get it put right. The law should also be fair and giving the Inland Revenue the automatic power to take unpaid taxes direct out of an account is a long way from fair, even it appears to be justified.

you seem to have taken this as a personal command from the way your response was worded,

Seeing as your comments were directed at me, how else could I have taken them?

perhaps if it was teh case large companies wouldn't 'swing teh lead' in late payments to smaller companies and it could save a good few from bankrupcy.

Many a small business has gone down the pan because of delays over and above the normal 30 days from the big boys.

Draconian - no

Do look up the meaning of the word.

In the original novel it was about control of people not the application of law and order.

Control of people and the application of law and order go hand in glove.

Your turn to pick the bones out of that entwisi.

Could you explain that bit to me again please.

Certainly Neil. A Standing Order is under the control of the account holder and is for a fixed amount. DD can be for varied amounts and for regular monthly/quarterly payments they do not inform you in writing each month/quarter. Regarding the DD for variable amounts, you may be informed in writing but my experience has been that by the time that I got the letter the money had already been withdrawn. In the event of an overdraw it is the account holder who has to go to the time, trouble and expense to get it put right.

As far as energy bills are concerned the energy companies rely more and more on estimated meter readings and then customer readings if the estimates are incorrect. Then once a year someone comes round to actually read the meters. In my experience the estimate has always been more than the fact. So if I had a DD to pay my energy bills the wrong money would have been withdrawn.

You may be happy to allow someone to help themselves to the money in your account. I am not and I reserve the right to voice my view on the issue.