As the effects of the ongoing cost of living crisis and sluggish growth mount, households up and down the country are feeling the strain. Whilst ministers talk of getting a grip on inflation and easing the pressure, almost no effort seems to be put on getting the cost of government crisis under control or tackling one of the biggest strains on families and businesses alike - their tax bill.Â
Recent hikes to corporation tax and freezes to income tax thresholds are hammering Brits when they can least afford it and adding to the already 70 year high tax burden. But with the latest figures released this week showing ministers borrowing less than expected in July, we were quick to point out the opportunity to ease the burden on taxpayers. Â
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In comments carried by some of the UK’s most read papers including the Daily Mail, Sun, and Express, our chief executive, John O’Connell, didn’t mince his words: “Families and businesses are struggling with falling living standards and a 70-year high tax burden, and they need to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The government should clamp down on wasteful spending to leave the room for growth-boosting tax cuts.”
Households and businesses are crying out for relief from these high levels of tax. It’s time ministers focussed on reducing the tax burden and giving Brits the break they need!
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Wifi-ing from home
As well as continuing to allow staff to work from home, a TPA investigation has revealed that almost ÂŁ700,000 has been dished out by councils to cover the home internet costs of their absentee workers.
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Sharing our findings with the Mail on Sunday, TPA media campaign manager, Conor Holohan, blasted: “Taxpayers will be furious that they're subsidising these costs. Home internet access is an essential element of modern life and like any other basic living expenses, should be paid for by the person themselves.” Hear, hear!
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Princely payouts for departing parliamentarians
Like much of the nation, the jaws of TPA staff dropped when we heard that the payments to MPs who stand down or lose their seats will double to more than ÂŁ17,000. The rule change from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) means hundreds of thousands of pounds will be added to the bill for taxpayers at the next election.
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As John told Telegraph readers: “Doubling golden goodbyes for MPs is a kick in the teeth for taxpayers. Hard-pressed Britons are already funding generous salaries, perks and pensions for elected officials. Ipsa should be mindful of that when recommending more taxpayers’ money for politicians.”
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Full pay for idle staff
With the ongoing migrant boat crisis and millions being spent on a daily basis to cover accommodation, you might be forgiven for thinking that scarce resources were watched closely and funds spent in the best way to give value for taxpayers. Unfortunately, it turns out that over 100 security staff are sitting idle on full pay whilst waiting for the home office to complete security checks.
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As our policy analyst, Tom Ryan, told the Guardian: “Hard-pressed taxpayers don’t expect to be paying for staff that aren’t working. While it’s important that guards are properly vetted, the process is clearly too slow.” Full pay should only be given to those actually doing the job!
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Why voters need a right to recall
In this week’s blog, Conor has taken a look at the need for a proper recall mechanism so misbehaving MPs can be properly held to account by their constituents, without having to wait until the next election.
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As Conor says, with plenty of recent controversies (such as Nadine Dories’ absenteeism which was finally resolved on Saturday), a proper recall mechanism “would leave the decision about MPs’ conduct in the hands of the ultimate arbiter: their electorate.”
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Government procurement card (GPC) spending has long provided plenty of examples of wasteful spending. GPC spending by the Scottish government and civil servants, totaling over ÂŁ14 million, has amongst other things been lavished on yoga classes, nail polish, a driving theory test, and access to VIP travel lounges.
Taxpayers’ cash should be treated with the respect it deserves, not splashed on luxuries for public servants.
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Benjamin Elks
Operations Manager
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