Whilst taxpayers have certainly had a tough time of it this year, for one group of public sector employees, it’s been very prosperous indeed - equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) managers. The TPA team have been doing some digging into just how much these woke pen pushers are costing hard-pressed Brits.
Our latest investigation, shared exclusively with the Daily Telegraph, revealed that over £13.5 million is being spent on 336 diversity roles at 111 NHS trusts across the country. But the madness doesn’t stop there. NHS England recently announced plans to create three new departments and hire over 200 additional EDI staff. This is all despite the then health secretary, Steve Barclay, demanding funds be redirected to the front line.
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With NHS bureaucrats seemingly deaf to the pleas of elected ministers, our team headed to Leeds, home of NHS England. Protesting outside the offices of the apparent decision makers, we made it clear what taxpayers expect health bosses to do: Put patients first and ditch the diversity managers! As our chief executive, John O’Connell, made clear in the Telegraph: “Taxpayers have had enough of public services funnelling money into the grievance industry.”
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In a video recorded on the ground, I explained just why cracking down on this nonsense is so important. As Brits struggle to see their GP and patients languish on lengthy waiting lists, there can be no excuse for continuing to syphon precious resources away from front line services. With NHS England’s budget accounting for 14.6 per cent of all government spending, taxpayers’ deserve better!
We need your help. If you agree with us, be sure to sign our petition and share it with your friends and family. The more voices that speak up, the better chance we have!
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Council tax misery
With council tax bills already hitting new highs earlier this year, it looks like the pain is set to continue for households across the country. Rates could be set to soar by a whopping £120 for some Band D properties next year!
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Speaking to the Telegraph, our media campaign manager, Conor Holohan, blasted: “On top of the tax burden already reaching a 70-year high, taxpayers are now staring down the barrel of inflation-busting local rate rises. Town hall bosses should slash local waste and stop council tax rises.”
You can sign our petition calling for an end to council tax rises here
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Parliamentary expenses
Ahead of the latest round of MPs expenses data being released, our digital campaign manager, Joe Ventre, took to the airwaves and spoke to Lisa Aziz on LBC News. From duck houses to airpods, there have certainly been some shocking claims in the past.
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As Joe explained to listeners: “There’s a cost of living crisis, a 70 year high tax burden, so I do think there’s a massive onus on MPs now to be responsible with the money that they’re granted.” Quite right!
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The Scottish siesta
With four day weeks and working from the beach, it’s hard to be shocked by public sector extravagances. But when we heard about Scottish civil servants enjoying a “wellbeing hour” at a cost of £7 million to taxpayers, it’s fair to say we were less than impressed.
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As John told readers of the Scottish Sun: “While ministers squeeze ever more tax out of pay packets, bureaucrats are being granted a siesta. The Scottish Government should put a stop to this pilot.”
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Counting the costs of Labour’s private school VAT plans
With an election due next year and all the polls pointing to a Labour victory, in this week’s blog, TPA intern Penny Hampden-Turner has taken a look at one of their key pledges - charging private schools VAT.
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As Penny explains: “While private schools do, by their nature, create a two-tier system and, in many people’s eyes, perpetuate elitism; forcing them to pay VAT will not help remedy this issue. In fact, it may make them even more elite.”
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Safe streets and visible policing are close to the hearts of most taxpayers, but the latest innovation from Sussex police seems unlikely to fill many with confidence.
The force has shelled out £24,000 on two ‘ PC pods’ (6ft by 8ft sheds) which can’t even be used to lock up lags. Taxpayers expect police to be catching criminals not splashing the cash on pointless gimmicks.
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Benjamin Elks
Operations Manager
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