Preparations companies are making for Brexit • Hacker News Board

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#101

Post by lambada » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:41 AM UTC

sgt101 wrote: post #64

dijit wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not the primary reason, but it's a factor. Low interest mortgages push up what people can afford, which contributes too. But the housing crisis is fuelled almost entirely by investors, and seemingly many of those are foreign. They buy property in London because it's a relatively safe investment, recently it's been very high yield as the supply is nowhere near reaching the demand.

Also planning laws; if ~8 story blocks of 3 bed flats were built the dynamics of London's market would be completely different. These would be ideal for families and the density & low construction cost per unity would mean that the supply of family homes in the market would seriously improve. As it is apartments in London are almost exclusively 2 bedroom where one of the bedrooms is small. This is ok for a family wit…

There are no laws in the UK around children sharing bedrooms, regardless of any characteristic of theirs. Source: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-protection-s...

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#102

Post by nmeofthestate » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:42 AM UTC

coldtea wrote: post #78

nmeofthestate wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or alternatively, people in Scotland voted to stay in the EU because they want to stay in the EU, and it wasn't just to spite the English (around whom the world revolves, apparently). This meshes with public opinion polling in Scotland where people say they want to stay in the EU. Sometimes the simple explanation that isn't based on all the foreigners hating you is the correct one.

> Or alternatively, people in Scotland voted to stay in the EU because they want to stay in the EU, and it wasn't just to spite the English (around whom the world revolves, apparently). Sure, whether they want to "stay in the EU" or not is also based on their relation to their English neighbors, not to some magical enlightened political culture that Scotts have and the lowly English masses lack.

Dear me. I will quietly bow out of this discussion, as it seems to be turning into somebody giving voice to their own strong feelings about the "Scotts". Too much heat, not much light.

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#103

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:42 AM UTC

sgt101 wrote: post #64

dijit wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not the primary reason, but it's a factor. Low interest mortgages push up what people can afford, which contributes too. But the housing crisis is fuelled almost entirely by investors, and seemingly many of those are foreign. They buy property in London because it's a relatively safe investment, recently it's been very high yield as the supply is nowhere near reaching the demand.

Also planning laws; if ~8 story blocks of 3 bed flats were built the dynamics of London's market would be completely different. These would be ideal for families and the density & low construction cost per unity would mean that the supply of family homes in the market would seriously improve. As it is apartments in London are almost exclusively 2 bedroom where one of the bedrooms is small. This is ok for a family wit…

[deleted]

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#104

Post by BjoernKW » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:44 AM UTC

jonathanstrange wrote: post #30

It's sad that the discussion of Brexit and EU-related matters in general always revolve around perceived economic issues. Sure, a healthy economy is important for everyone, but the long-term goals of EU have always been to create a unity of countries with largely shared values to prevent future wars (incl. trade wars and cold wars) and to increase collaboration in all cultural, scientific and social matters. To grow…

Many of the current conflicts within the EU arguably originate from the EU trying to be more than an economic entity.

It's true that the EU, and its antecedents the ECSC and the EC, has been a tremendous force for peace on the European continent but make no mistake:

It's original intent first and foremost was economic collaboration and prosperity.

The impact of international trade, however, goes way beyond mere economic considerations: If you trade with people from other countries you have to communicate and negotiate with them, which in turn helps with reducing prejudice and creating bonds between countries on a personal level.

In my opinion, this has done more for ensuring peace in Europe than lofty political goals.

The centrifugal forces that most blatantly show with Brexit but the alienation of other EU members also is a symptom of are mostly caused by EU politicians indiscriminately pushing for an ever closer political integration without considering if that's what people actually want in each and every case.

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#105

Post by pjc50 » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:44 AM UTC

atlantic wrote: post #95

jonathanstrange wrote: post #30

It's sad that the discussion of Brexit and EU-related matters in general always revolve around perceived economic issues. Sure, a healthy economy is important for everyone, but the long-term goals of EU have always been to create a unity of countries with largely shared values to prevent future wars (incl. trade wars and cold wars) and to increase collaboration in all cultural, scientific and social matters. To grow…

I agree that one of the main problems with current politics is the "experts know best" mentality, of which the reduction of political issues to their economic components is one example. Scientists, economists and others should contribute with their specific expertise, but at the end of the day, it should be up to the electorate to make up their minds - which, in the case of Brexit, they did. This faith in technocracy…

Gove: "The British public has had enough of experts"

Raab, later: “I hadn’t quite understood the full extent of this, but if you look at the UK and look at how we trade in goods, we are particularly reliant on the Dover-Calais crossing,”

Experts: at this point you might want to consider stockpiling your essential medicines...

Come on, this is hacker news. We're all (supposedly) experts. You wouldn't let random members of the public rewrite your pull requests. We have to stand up for the idea that knowing the difference between a good plan and a bad plan matters.

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#106

Post by peteri » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:44 AM UTC

bkor wrote: post #17

ekianjo wrote: post #9

Most companies are well known to be super short sighted, especially large ones. If it makes sense to get out of the UK to make the next quarter targets they will do it. Not surprising one bit.

Moving countries is not that easy though. Leaving the EU means loads of additional paperwork vs now. You need someone who understands and is legally responsible for VAT. You didn't need that before. You need to know how to fill out all kinds of custom forms. There used to be a large amount of custom agents for that, you don't have them in the amount you need because they weren't needed for decades. Loads of companies…

It's not that hard though, in the past when working for folks importing from China it wasn't too hard to do.

Most of the work was picking a commodity code for your imports/exports but you would have been doing that anyway for Intrastat reporting.

For direct to consumer sellers above the VAT thresholds (€35,000 or €100,000) the new regime will arguably be simpler as they no longer need to register in each market but can register with a single authority.

I suspect the Irish VAT office is about to get a lot busier.

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#107

Post by nmeofthestate » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:44 AM UTC

coldtea wrote: post #70

nmeofthestate wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why bother countering a baseless (and bitter and resentful) assertion with an argument? It reminds me of the brexiter voices in England who are furious with Ireland for having the temerity to stand up for what the UK has already agreed on - the NI backstop. It's a chauvinist sense of entitlement and over-confidence that has to some degree led to the brexit mess.

> Why bother countering a baseless (and bitter and resentful) assertion with an argument? What exactly is "baseless"? That Scotland has a long-term rivalry with England? Last time I checked, 45% voted in favor to break up with England in the Scottish referendum -- does the 55/45 result point to some friendly buddies? Or that Germany has disproportionate control of EU policy to its population/economy? That's a lively…

You're making a mistake in your analysis of the independence referendum result that's colouring your views on Scotland. People can want independence without it being a personal slight against you. In fact, the vast majority of people in the world are in favour of their country existing. Don't take it so personally.

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#108

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:45 AM UTC

jonathanstrange wrote: post #30

It's sad that the discussion of Brexit and EU-related matters in general always revolve around perceived economic issues. Sure, a healthy economy is important for everyone, but the long-term goals of EU have always been to create a unity of countries with largely shared values to prevent future wars (incl. trade wars and cold wars) and to increase collaboration in all cultural, scientific and social matters. To grow…

[deleted]

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#109

Post by alecco » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:46 AM UTC

smackay wrote: post #21

hudo wrote: post #13

Any known list about migration of tech jobs from London, what EU cities will now be more interesting for software engineers? Im still in Dublin, but on lookout for some other city/country because of crazy prices in Ireland (rents going up much faster than salaries), and stability (not sure how will Ireland handle Brexit since it depends on UK for lot of import/exports).

This is just anec-data but from a friend who has spent a lot of time in London this year. It appears that the EU nationals are leaving in droves. As a result many IT departments are becoming seriously understaffed. So there may be a boom in jobs for UK nationals or the companies may be forced to go where the employees are and move to an EU country instead.

> It appears that the EU nationals are leaving in droves

EU nationals in low-skilled jobs left in droves. UK is very lenient to give visas to skilled immigrants of any country in the world.

Re: Preparations companies are making for Brexit

#110

Post by _Understated_ » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 11:46 AM UTC

Jaruzel wrote: post #42

coldtea wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's because they a) voted based on their rivalry with the English, b) think they'll do better as a tiny independent country within an EU where the big dogs do whatever they please (or, rather, a single big dog with its satellites, even France plays by their agenda).

Scotland voted remain due to several major factors, the main ones being: 1) SNP have their own agenda to get Scotland independent... 2) ...and the SNP believe that keeping the UK in the EU will make it easier for Scotland to become independent AND remain an EU member at a later date (not true btw, they would have to re-apply regardless). 3) Rural Scotland depends on EU subsidies for farming, and losing them would mea…

I thought I'd reply (being a Scot and living in Scotland I see th propaganda first-hand).

1 - They seem to be playing their cards close to their chest rignt now as I believe people are being turned off by the independence thing. I'm sure there were figures earlier in the year from polls saying two thirds don't want it now. Anyway, we voted already

2 - I agree. The EU have been quite clear on this. Also, I believe a few countries have said they're gonna scupper the vote anyway and not let Scotland in. Don't blame them...

3 - It's about £5bn I believe. This is gonna hurt. I suppose it means we have to pay more for our produce.

4 - This is the real reason I am commenting. See below.

I was at an SNP meeting in 2017 at Prestwick Airport and they wanted to talk about business post-Brexit. They talked shite for the most part: I mean that there were no answers in what they were saying. It was more about laying the boot into the Tory gov.

However, I asked them a question that they couldn't answer - SNP's own figures show a £12Bn deficit that is being "funded" by the UK Gov at the moment and as soon as we leave the UK we are now responsible for that £12Bn ourselves. Their own figures also showed that post-Brexit Scotland will be hit with another £8bn shortfall.

That's £20Bn - The largest deficit of any OECD country. Basically Scotland will be flung into the dark ages on day one of independence.

So, I asked them what was their plan to fix this? They stood up and said they can't give an answer until the UK Gov confirm the figures... despite them throwing the figures around and blaming the UK Gov.

Needless to say I took issue with that and gave them a hard time about it but they didn't budge on their answer.

Not sure why I posted this but I thought a bit of context would be good.

Edit - Grammar