Incuding illegal drugs/prostitution in national accounts

[Kizzy]

'A person exercising a regulatory function to which this section applies must,
in the exercise of the function, have regard to the desirability of promoting
economic growth.'

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2014-2015/0033/lbill_2014-20150033_en_7.htm#pb16-l1g83

'Until recently, financial data on revenue generated by illegal drugs and prostitution wasn't factored into Britain’s official gross domestic product (GDP) measure. But an ONS report published in May marked the first time such illicit industries were included in official GDP estimates.

The ONS emphasized in its May report that new estimates of Britain’s GDP “cover the import, production and sale of illegal drugs and the provision of prostitution services.”

http://rt.com/uk/191932-drugs-sex-uk-gdp/


Well... Now we know the real reason for the new relaxed attitude to drugs,
Way to make crime pay dave.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3sL5rJdR_SEJ:www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/economy/national-accounts/articles/2011-present/inclusion-of-illegal-drugs-and-prostitution-in-the-uk-national-accounts.pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

[Toy Soldier]

I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand, I don't think we should be encouraging vices and addictions... On the other, I don't think legitimising prostitution and drugs (class B and below, at least) would actually increase the number of people becoming prostitutes or using prostitutes or drugs.

And it's a potential gold mine...

The only issue is have with the legitimise toon of sex services as employment is that I can just imagine the Jobcentre sanctioning benefits for women because they haven't had a crack at being a hooker, or refuse to go to an interview in a brothel :/. Other than that, legalisation and taxation of sex services would only, if anything, make both workers and, err, "clients", safer... and would do A LOT to combat horrific things like sex trafficking. I don't understand why it's illegal. If someone (individually) wants to sell sex, or buy sex, surely that's no one's business but theirs? The question of force / exploitation is a completely separate issue and like I said... Would happen LESS if legitimised.

Drugs, again, I don't think legalising them would drastically alter usage, and would ultimately make them safer. Most are certainly no more dangerous than alcohol and we have a massive double standard there. And, to be pragmatic. .. Stick a whopping great 70% tax on cannabis and watch several billion pounds of deficit evaporate.

[Vicky.]

I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand, I don't think we should be encouraging vices and addictions... On the other, I don't think legitimising prostitution and drugs (class B and below, at least) would actually increase the number of people becoming prostitutes or using prostitutes or drugs.

And it's a potential gold mine...

The only issue is have with the legitimise toon of sex services as employment is that I can just imagine the Jobcentre sanctioning benefits for women because they haven't had a crack at being a hooker, or refuse to go to an interview in a brothel :/. Other than that, legalisation and taxation of sex services would only, if anything, make both workers and, err, "clients", safer... and would do A LOT to combat horrific things like sex trafficking. I don't understand why it's illegal. If someone (individually) wants to sell sex, or buy sex, surely that's no one's business but theirs? The question of force / exploitation is a completely separate issue and like I said... Would happen LESS if legitimised.

Drugs, again, I don't think legalising them would drastically alter usage, and would ultimately make them safer. Most are certainly no more dangerous than alcohol and we have a massive double standard there. And, to be pragmatic. .. Stick a whopping great 70% tax on cannabis and watch several billion pounds of deficit evaporate.
A friend of mine was sanctioned not long ago for refusing to apply for a job as an 'exotic dancer'. Needless to say the sanction was quickly overturned but it should never have been applied in the first place :laugh: Cant believe jobs like that end up on the jobcentre site to begin with

I'm all for legalizing it all tbh. Would definitely make it safer..I only found out recently that the diamorphine I had in labour is actually heroin but the clean version :o

[waterhog]

take the money out of the dealers - make it cleaner and safer and like TOY said put tax on it and i am sure there will be less of a problem with it. and if the problem increases at least we have the billions in tax to help treat them and to set out awareness programs so people make there own mind to not go down this path.

as for prostitution - its the oldest profession and nothing will stop it. make it leagal safer cleaner and open and reep in the tax.

you are never going to stop either profession drugs or prostitution -

[Kizzy]

How would there be less sex trafficking if it was legalised? I don't understand how it would combat exploitation in any way.

[Toy Soldier]

How would there be less sex trafficking if it was legalised? I don't understand how it would combat exploitation in any way.
Legitimising and regulating any industry reduces the need for, and ability of, criminal entities to operate within that industry. Whilst it wouldn't end it - some "clients" inevitably get off on the exploitation itself - a large number would move to the legal "competition" reducing the profitability of the illegal activity. At the end of the day, the people who engage in and organise human trafficking are motivated by profit. Anything that reduces their ability to profit will reduce their activity.

[Kizzy]

Legitimising and regulating any industry reduces the need for, and ability of, criminal entities to operate within that industry. Whilst it wouldn't end it - some "clients" inevitably get off on the exploitation itself - a large number would move to the legal "competition" reducing the profitability of the illegal activity. At the end of the day, the people who engage in and organise human trafficking are motivated by profit. Anything that reduces their ability to profit will reduce their activity.

How would it... there would still be a significant element of organised crime maybe more in the rush to 'undercut' the legit working girls.

[smudgie]

Legalise the lot and tax it all.

Prostitution should have been legalised years ago, take it off the streets and open the brothels.
Keep the girls safe and offer the punters protection as well.

[Toy Soldier]

How would it... there would still be a significant element of organised crime maybe more in the rush to 'undercut' the legit working girls.

There would be more organised crime in the wake of something being legalised? I suppose it's "possible", but it would go against ... every precident in history. Prohibition leads to a surge in organised crime gangs, legitimisation does the opposite. This is what has happened when the law has been changed in literally every instance of prohibition.

[waterhog]

you make some good points toy - i am behind you. if you run for PM i will vote for you.

you never no maybe i do a poem on you one day toy ?