I'm pleased to announce we have launched our Axe The Tax campaign as part of our efforts to end the BBC licence fee. The BBC has drifted far from it's original remit. It competes in the commercial market using taxpayers’ money, it has helped to kill off local media outlets with its dominant regional stations and worst of all it wastes tremendous amounts of money. It has lost the confidence of taxpayers. The BBC's current funding model simply isn't fit for purpose, even their highest paid presenter Gary Lineker thinks so!
The TPA is calling for the BBC to move to a subscription based service, you shouldn't have to pay the licence fee simply for owning a television, especially in the 21st century. Our landmark polling last year found that 68 per cent of working-class voters want to scrap this TV tax.
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Our campaign is already off to a flying start as the new government has started the process of removing criminal penalties for non-payment of the licence fee. Currently around 10 per cent of magistrate hearings in England and Wales are for such cases.
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On Thursday we published analysis revealing that public appointees continue to be remarkably unrepresentative, with Labour and other left-of-centre parties’ supporters dwarfing the number of Conservatives, and southerners significantly outnumbering northerners.
Key findings
- In 2018-19 there were 1,844 public appointments and reappointments to quangos and NHS bodies in England and Wales.
- 8.6 per cent of all appointees and reappointees in 2018-19 declared significant political activity. Of these, 47.4 per cent were Labour party supporters, 31.6 per cent declared an affiliation to the Conservatives, 10.5 per cent to the Liberal Democrats and 10.5 per cent supported other parties.
- The most and least popular areas where UK government appointees and reappointees had their principal residence was the South East (16.3 per cent), compared to 2.2 per cent in the North East.
Having a majority of political quangocrats actively opposed to the elected government undermines democratic accountability and still leaves taxpayers footing the bill for bureaucratic policy crusades. Existing quotas and guidelines focus on the diversity of identity, not diversity of opinion. Making appointments more representative must mean a balance of views from those in public life.
The popular ConservativeHome website publishes regular updates of all such available appointments. We encourage all TaxPayers' Alliance supporters who have the time, energy and relevant skills to apply for positions. Click here to find out more.
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Just a reminder that we will be in Herefordshire on Saturday 8th February to campaign against planned council tax rises of 4 per cent. Our research suggests there is plenty of wasteful spending that could be eradicated.
If you live in the area and want to campaign with us please email me for more details.
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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HS2 and the BBC
Our fearless chief executive was a guest on Julia Hartley-Brewer's talkRadio show not once but twice this week to discuss HS2 and the BBC respectively.
In a surprise turn of events, Gary Lineker (paid £1.75 million by the BBC) said the licence fee should be voluntary. Picking up on this John pointed out that 37,000 fewer households bought a BBC TV last year and that perhaps we're starting to see a change that the BBC can't necessarily fight against. Click here to listen to a clip.
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On HS2 John argued that many better alternative transport projects exist that could be completed for a fraction of the cost of HS2. These would be bring far greater benefits to the country than HS2 ever will. Click here to listen to a clip.
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Inheritance tax
Our research director Duncan Simpson was a guest on Kelvin MacKenzie's LoveSport radio show to discuss the perils of inheritance tax, in light of a new parliamentary report calling for a simplification of the tax and reduction of rates.
Duncan said that in spite of relatively few estates paying it, many are affected by the unintended consequences of being forced into transferring assets earlier than they might like. Even if you increase the threshold so that only millionaires pay it, the Treasury could still rake in £4 billion next financial year.
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Far too taxing
Friday saw many taxpayers scramble to beat the deadline for submitting their tax returns. Writing for the blog this week our researcher Darwin Friend argues given the complexities of the tax code that it's time to simplify self-assessment. He writes:
"How can any small business, often dependent on a single person (if that) dealing with all administrative and financial matters, be expected to fully understand such a bewildering system? With fines the result if you fail to meet HMRC’s requirements, the tax system as it stands offers succour to tax advisors and lawyers versus head-scratching, expensive concerns for ordinary people."
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At next month's budget the chancellor should take action and reform the tax system to make it drastically simpler for small businesses.
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Another council non-job
Brighton and Hove Council has reportedly hired a Brexit Communication Officer to the tune of £35,000 per year. Duties include ensuring EU nationals ‘feel welcome and supported’. Whilst everyone should feel safe in Britain, this position is nothing more than virtue-signalling and it's hard-pressed taxpayers who are footing the bill for this needless position.
Commenting on the poor use of taxpayers' cash our research director Duncan Simpson said, “All local authorities should stop advertising for non-jobs such as these and focus on delivering their statutory responsibilities.”
Funding redundant positions like this means that front line services suffer. For £35,000 the council have funded two teaching assistants instead.
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Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager
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