First things first, happy new year! It certainly seems like 2024 will be a big year for taxpayers, with a budget in March, a general election due at some point, and a certain very special anniversary too - but more on that laterâŠ
It was a busy Christmas period for the TPA team with two new pieces of research released. Kicking things off with a festive twist, our researchers took a look at what nannying public health officials think of the great Christmas dinner.Â
|
|
|
Unsurprisingly, NHS guidelines donât leave you with much on the table; even after stuffing, mulled wine, and gingerbread all fail to make the cut. Click here to read more.
Away from the festivities, TPA wonks were digging into the various charges councils levy on their residents. From birth and death registrations to parking and waste collections, fees for council services have rocketed in recent years.
|
|
Despite rising revenues from many charges, residents across the country regularly have complaints about failing services. On street parking revenues have increased by 26.9 per cent in real terms while waste collection income went up by 74 per cent.Â
As quoted in the Daily Express our latest findings show that âtaxpayers have seen huge increases in sales, fees and charges for some services but little evidence of increasing service quality in these areas." With surging charges and seemingly ever increasing council tax bills, residents deserve better!
As we enter 2024, the TPA team remains as committed as ever to exposing waste and campaigning for the lower, simpler taxes we so desperately need. All the more so as weâll also be celebrating 20 years of the TaxPayersâ Alliance. Naturally, weâve got some big things planned, so watch this space.
Â
|
|
|
TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
|
|
|
Quango staff working from the beach
When a TPA investigation revealed that staff at various quangos spent almost 10,000 days working abroad, it certainly made waves. Splashing the front page of the Mail on Sunday, we found that 37 quangos had given 1,076 approvals for staff to do their work from the sun lounger.
|
|
|
Elliot Keck, our head of campaigns, blasted the revelations telling Mail readers: âTaxpayers are sick of the laid back, easy-going attitude that has taken over the public sector. Basic services are inaccessible, yet quangocrats are happy to go the extra mile to top up their tan, but not to deliver for households.â Hear, hear!
|
|
Ghost patients
The NHS may not be famed for its data management but even we were shocked to learn that the number of ghost patients (those who have died or moved to other surgeries but whose records have not been updated) on GP lists has soared by more than 2 million since 2018.
|
|
|
This means that GPs may have been paid ÂŁ995 million for patients that they donât treat. As our policy analyst, Tom Ryan, said in comments that were syndicated to hundreds of media outlets: âWhen it comes to GP patients, the numbers simply donât add up⊠Unless these missing patients can be found, funding for GP practices should be amended accordingly.â
|
|
Troubles on the tube
With TFL having just been awarded its seventh bailout, Londoners are now braced for a week of disruption with no tube service at all for four days, as RMT workers walk out yet again.
|
|
|
Slamming the latest round of strike action, TPA research director, Darwin Friend, spoke up for taxpayers: âWith TfL overseeing an already bloated pay-bill, hard-pressed taxpayers are bound to wonder how unions can justify this strike. Transport bosses must stand up to unions and deliver a transit system that works, not one that constantly walks out.â Quite right!
|
|
Could innovations in the health service mean a happy new year for taxpayers?
Our first blog of the year comes to us courtesy of TPA chairman, Mike Denham. Following successful efforts at Guys and St Thomasâ hospital in London to slash waiting lists, Mike asks whether this tactic could be a blueprint for improvements across the NHS?
|
|
Using âhigh intensity theatreâ (HIT), Guys and St Thomas have achieved some remarkable results such as conducting three monthsâ worth of breast cancer operations in just five days. Given that there are additional costs that come with running HIT sessions, Mike observes: âThe bottom line is that HIT sounds encouraging. But taxpayers should always be wary of public sector schemes involving extra spending today against vaguely defined promises of efficiency improvements tomorrow. The record is poor.â
Â
|
|
With councils consistently claiming to be cash strapped, you might think they would be making every effort to keep spending under control. Sadly, it seems you would be mistaken.
A TPA investigation has revealed that councils splashed out almost ÂŁ350,000 sending staff to the MJ awards (glitzy award dinners for councils) since 2019. Town hall bosses must focus taxpayersâ money on the services their residents pay for!
 |
|
Benjamin Elks
Operations Manager
|
|
|
|
|
