Stop the clock off

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Stop the clock off
In truly dramatic news on Friday, the Daily Mail revealed ([link removed]) that ministers had joined the us in demanding an end to the council clock-off in South Cambridgeshire. Local government minister Lee Rowley didn’t mince his words, writing in a letter that removing up to 20 per cent of capacity “is not something which should be acceptable for a council seeking to demonstrate value for money for its taxpayers and residents.” He even included a shout out to the TPA in his Tweet. ([link removed])

Our spokespeople were quick out of the blocks to praise the move, with our investigation campaign manager Elliot Kecktelling ([link removed]) The Telegraph ([link removed]) that “Local taxpayers will be delighted to see the government joining us in opposing the council clock-off.” Elliot has previously explained our opposition to the trial here ([link removed]) .

We’ve been at the forefront of the campaign against a part-time public sector. From the moment this trial was announced we feared it would be little more than an excuse to give staff a day off, with no regard for residents.

And the risk was that other councils ([link removed]) and public bodies would use this as cover to start their own trials. With ministers now promising clear guidance against such trials, we’re on the brink of securing a major win for taxpayers.

None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our backers.

Help us fight our next battle by clicking here to donate ([link removed])
TPA talks with… Christopher Snowdon

In the wake of the release of the latest edition of the Nanny State Index ([link removed]) , the author and head of lifestyle economics for the IEA, Christopher Snowdon, joined us for a special episode of TPA Talks. The index, which ranks European countries based on excessive regulation of food, drinks, vaping, tobacco, and alcohol, makes for particularly grim reading this year, with the UK becoming the second-worst country for food and soft drink!
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In this sobering conversation, Snowdon explains how Britain’s increasingly bloated public health bureaucracy is simultaneously driving up prices while failing to improve health outcomes. “I don’t think there are any countries that have the kind of food advertising restrictions that the government is looking to bring in next year” Snowdon warns. “We’re doing stuff that is unprecedented, and actually exceptionally draconian!”

Click to see the full episode ([link removed])
TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
Swimming in Cash

With Thames Water on the brink of collapse, Brits are rightly asking where water regulator Ofwat has been ([link removed]) while the south eastern supplier was racking up billions in debts and paying bumper dividends to shareholders.

This week the TPA revealed that nine Ofwat fat-cats raked in a combined total of more than £1.4million in 2021/22. Our researcher Jonathan Eida spoke for furious bill-payers when he told GB News ([link removed]) : “Households will be shocked by these sky-high salaries. And with taxpayers now facing the possibility of picking up the tab for Thames Water’s enormous debts, questions will be raised about the regulator’s role in this sorry situation.”
More money for the NHS

On Friday the prime minister announced yet another massive cash injection for the beleaguered NHS ([link removed]) . Naturally, our spokespeople were asked what taxpayers would make of the latest round of spending.
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Speaking to LBC News, our digital campaign manager, Joe Ventre, explained that taxpayers would be sceptical of the plan ([link removed]) : “Taxpayers will treat another multi-billion pound package going towards the NHS with suspicion after years and years of more and more investment and frankly that investment being swallowed up in bureaucracy.”
The return of the green levy

With a lower energy price cap coming into effect in July, Brits might have been looking forward to some kind of reprieve. Unfortunately, after some sleight-of-hand from ministers ([link removed]) , hard-working households will now have to cough-up for green levies ([link removed]) again, contributing £170 a year to bills.

Speaking to The Telegraph, TPA policy analyst, Tom Ryan, slammed the latest set-back ([link removed]) for struggling Brits: “Not only are these levies contributing to the 70-year high tax burden, they’re also artificially inflating prices for consumers!”
Blog of the week
Can the UK escape the global minimum rate?

In this week’s blog, Tom examines the likely impact of the incoming global minimum corporation tax rate. While it certainly looks set to stifle competition and efficiency, it also has big implications for reforming our domestic tax regime.

As Tom points out: “The minimum would frustrate attempts to lower the tax burden, and it may keep our most damaging tax in place.” Click here to read Tom’s fascinating analysis in full. ([link removed])
War on Waste

This week’s waste story comes to us courtesy of Hounslow council ([link removed]) who spent nearly £50,000 of ratepayers’ money on a rainbow crossing. Having just hiked council tax by 5 per cent, local residents will be dismayed at this shocking spending.

Supposedly ‘cash strapped’ town halls must focus precious funds on delivering frontline services and put a stop to these pointless paint jobs.

You can send me your examples of wasteful public sector spending by clicking here (mailto:[email protected])

Benjamin Elks
Operations Manager

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