From police forces promoting “equality and diversity” to NHS Trusts training staff in critical race theory, there exists a vast web of state officials engaged in unnecessary activism. Our report, which examined the various job titles across different organisations, reveals plenty of roles that will be hard to justify to hard-pressed taxpayers who expect their money to be focussed on front line services.

Universities offered roles such as ‘Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisor’ and ‘Pro Vice Chancellor of Culture, Equality and Inclusion’ while jobs at NHS trusts included a ‘Race Matters Project Midwife’ and a ‘Community Nurse for Ethnicity and Culture’. Every police force also reported at least one equality, diversity and inclusion role. Flick through the report and take a look at some of the non-jobs that we found!

Our video podcast series TPA Talks returned this week for an interview with Shaun Bailey AM, London Assembly member and former mayoral candidate. In this wide-ranging conversation, media campaign manager Conor Holohan delves into Shaun's political roots, his views on the recent Budget and the ULEZ expansion, and they talk about how he would reform the Metropolitan Police.

While giving a balanced assessment of the chancellor’s Spring Budget, Bailey was unflinching in his concern over the rising tax burden, saying: “If you’re at the bottom of our system, and you do the right thing - you work hard, you move up - the tax [system] penalises you. I would look for a Budget that gave people back more of their own money.” Well said!

Click to watch or listen to the full interview

In a bombshell exclusive with the Daily Mail, we revealed that 239 London ambulances have been delayed from reaching callouts since 2020 by new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs). In response to our freedom of information requests, officials laid out the number of delays due to these controversial schemes, with 69 callouts held up in Southwark alone. 

These LTNs are becoming a menace to drivers and emergency services alike, the brainchild of deluded Tory ministers and greedy Labour councils. Once again, the TPA is taking a stand for common sense! As Elliot Keck, our investigations campaign manager, put it: “These schemes aren’t just making cash cows out of motorists, they are also potentially endangering lives.” 

Far too often, money from the public purse ends up going to campaigning groups which lecture and lobby. Our research, shared exclusively with the Daily Express, revealed that the government handed out £3 million to nine groups which publicly campaigned against the Rwanda scheme. 

Taxpayers have had enough of being taxed to the hilt while the government hands their cash to activists. TPA chief executive John O’Connell - who ensures that the TPA doesn’t receive a penny of taxpayers’ money - wants to see an end to this practice. He told the Express: “Government needs to stop spending hard-pressed households’ cash on the lobbying merry-go-round.”

Following our heavyweight research paper on the complexity of the tax system, Elliot joined Michael Portillo on GB News for an in depth discussion on the nature of VAT. Riddled with complexity around how products are categorised, value added tax remains one of Britain’s most inconsistent levies. (If you don’t believe me, try your hand at our online VAT quiz!)  

Outlining one example in the studio, Elliot explained: “If you’re a charity bookshop and you buy a new bookcase, you have to pay VAT on that. But the products you sell from that bookcase, you’re not not allowed to add VAT. That opens up the Pandora’s box of problems with VAT exemptions.” 

Following news of the introduction of a tourism tax in Manchester proud Welshman Conor has taken a look at proposals for a similar levy in Wales, in this week’s blog.

Conor has gone through with a fine-tooth comb the issues the proposed tax will cause for Welsh tourism businesses, employees and prospective visitors. Using figures from the Welsh government’s own consultation, he dismantles the case for this visitor levy! Click here to read this bumper blog.