If You're Happy And You Know It!

Today is the United Nations' inaugural International Day of Happiness. I hope you're having a happy day. 

The thinking behind the day is to encourage a different understanding of development - one where the priority is the well-being of citizens and their freedom to live happy and fulfilling lives. This comes in constrast to economy centred approaches of the past, which in many cases have served to increased inequalities between rich and poor, rather than improve the lives of all. It might also highlight how 'Western' countries aren't as 'developed' as they might like to consider themselves to be. What Ban Ki-Moon is saying is that economic growth isn't the be all and end all if the well-being of people is sacrificed in the process. 

Today is also several other things. Firstly the equinox - the day that winter becomes spring in the Northern Hemisphere and that summer turns to autumn down south. Watching the turning of seasons, natures cyclical development, is certainly something that makes me feel happy. 

It's also the day for the announcement of the UK Budget. Reviewing the key points there is some not so happy news. I'm not sure how the numbers work (my guess is population growth) but unemployment is up, even though there are technically more people in work. Fewer people are claiming job seekers allowance "probably due to tougher stances by job centres" says the Guardian. The increase in unemployment is pretty much down to 18-24 year olds becoming unemployed - maybe with the end of seasonal contracts over the Christmas period. Not good news for young people then.

Good news for the future is an increase in personal allowances (money you earn tax-free) is going up to £10,000 in 2014 - early than previously stated - and tax free childcare vouchers for families with both parents working which may benefit women in particular. Other good points come in investment in low emission vehicles, however I personally feel that promoting shale gas and carbon capture is missing the point a bit on the environmental front. 

I have to agree with some of the commentors though - why not raise the personal allowance rather than taxing people and giving it back to those who meet certain criteria through tax credits. 

One thing is for sure, I will be a happy person if more is done to stop ta avoidance, particularly by corporations.