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TPA exposes taxpayer funded lobbying
On Wednesday we revealed that prominent political campaign groups have received nearly £40 million of taxpayers' cash from the government ([link removed]) . These organisations then use these funds to lobby against that same government, in effect creating a political merry-go-round.

This is without doubt an unacceptable use of taxpayers' money. Money which could and should be focused on priorities such as providing world-leading public services.

Our research shows:
* The New Economics Foundation, Bright Blue, Demos, the Fabian Society, the Institute for Government and the Institute for Public Policy Research received £518,215 between 2017-18 and 2018-19.

* Rosa, which was given a £978,000 grant in 2017-18, in late 2019 accused the government of “actively selling off our NHS to the US.”

* Alcohol Change UK, a leading nanny state group which lobbies for tightened alcohol control policies, such as minimum unit pricing, received a total of £185,759 from the Welsh government in 2018-19. Of this total, £40,593 was earmarked for ‘policy and influencing’ and £64,940 was for ‘profile, communications, campaigns and events’.

The government shouldn't be awarding funds to such groups. Elected politicians have a duty to ask if these organisations merit the money. The government must act now and put an end to this egregious use of taxpayers' money.
What do you make of our findings? (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Taxpayer%20funded%20lobbying)
Grassroots news
In 2020 the TPA will once again be attending a number of business exhibitions to highlight the significant financial and regulatory burdens on companies and entrepreneurs ([link removed]) .

In April we will be visiting Preston, cradle of the industrial revolution, to attend the Lancashire Business Exhibition. The month of May sees us in Maidstone for Kent's Business Vision Live expo. Both events are free to attend so come and join us! More details below:

Lancashire Business Exhibition
When: Friday 3rd April, 9am to 3pm
Where: Preston Guild Hall (map ([link removed]) )
Click here for more details. ([link removed])

Kent - Business Vision Live Exhibition
When: Wednesday 13th May, 10am to 4pm
Where: Kent Event Centre (map ([link removed]) )
Click here for more details. ([link removed])
TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
The BBC licence fee

Following revelations in the Sunday Times that the government are keen to scrap the TV licence fee ([link removed]) I spoke to talkRadio's Mike Graham on Monday morning to explain why the TaxPayers' Alliance would welcome this move.
As we have laid out in our Axe the Tax campaign ([link removed]) , the current funding model is no longer fit for purpose. There have been drastic technological changes in recent years and a charge of £157.50 per year ([link removed]) doesn't represent good value to many households. Click here to listen to a clip. ([link removed])
Please support our campaign to Axe the Tax ([link removed]) .
Sitting comfortably?

On Tuesday we learned that nearly £28,000 of taxpayers' cash has been spent on comfy chairs ([link removed]) for Portcullis House, a government building used to provide offices for MPs and their staff.

According to the Daily Express, "The furniture bill amounted to £27,766, excluding VAT. Eight armchairs worth more than £1,000 each from UK manufacturer Orangebox are among the new pieces of furniture."
Asked for comment our research director Duncan Simpson explained, "If Parliament is sitting on this kind of cash then it shouldn't be splashing it on sofas just so that MPs can sit and slope in slightly greater comfort. Given the expensive refurbishment already under way, Commons authorities ought to be saving every penny of taxpayer cash possible, not piling it into comfortable armchairs and stylish settees."
Do you think this spending was justified? (mailto:[email protected]?subject=%C2%A328%2C000%20of%20taxpayers'%20money%20spent%20on%20comfy%20chairs%20)
Blog of the week
Back to Budget basics: preaching the case for prudence

At the last Budget in October 2018, the then chancellor Philip Hammond triumphantly declared that austerity was over. With the deficit cut, it was job done and he suggested that now was the time to turn the taps on and increase public spending.

As TPA researcher Darwin Friend writes this week, it seems that the taps are well and truly open ([link removed]) . Borrowing, debt and tax receipts are all on the rise. Darwin warns the government that it should not ignore national debt (currently £1,798 billion) as eventually the consequences will soon materialise:

"Countries who fail to control rising levels of debt, like a football team in the relegation zone, are no longer in control of their own fate and become susceptible to fluctuations in the business cycle as was seen in 2007 financial crash."
[link removed]
With chancellor Rishi Sunak due to deliver his first budget next month he needs to remember that every pound he offers in additional spending is paid for by someone. The best way to deliver the electorate's priorities may be to let taxpayers keep their own money and spend it as they see fit.
Do you agree with Darwin? (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Back%20to%20Budget%20basics)
War on waste
That really takes the biscuit

Following a freedom of information request, councils in Norfolk have been forced to spill the beans on their spending for tea, coffee and biscuits ([link removed]) over the last two years. The differences in spending are stark to say the least.

Broadland District Council spent £6,404.22 on tea and coffee - making it the biggest spender in Norfolk. However, similarly sized Breckland council spent just £284 for meetings.
The TPA doesn't begrudge council staff having a cuppa but clearly something is wrong when the amounts spent by councils are so different. We commend Breckland council for their thrifty expenditure and urge Broadland council to think about taxpayers next time they put the kettle on.
Let me know if your council is wasting money (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Councils%20wasting%20money) .

Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager

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