This week we were staggered to discover that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to pocket a reported £100 million from a new Netflix deal. This mega-deal will see them make films and children's shows for the streaming giant.
Consequently, we are calling on the Sussexes to repay in full the £2.4 million owed on taxpayer-funded renovations to their former residence of Frogmore Cottage. Currently, they pay £18,000 per month towards the costs but this will take nearly 11 years to pay back!
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Help us win another taxpayer battle! We will deliver this petition to Buckingham Palace so please sign today. Harry and Meghan should pay taxpayers back in full immediately!
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Leading the charge against tax rises and wasteful spending
Taxes and wasteful spending are once again coming to the forefront of political debate in Britain. It's great to see that the TPA's efforts are paying off. Following on from chief exec John O'Connell's incredibly popular piece in The Sunday Telegraph, he was invited onto Julia Hartley-Brewer's talkRadio show to discuss why tax hikes will be economically damaging.
For example, John explained that a rise in corporation tax will hit all of us in our pockets either by lower wages for staff or higher prices for consumers. He also pointed out that while the private sector is on its knees the government should be looking at ways to promote growth, jobs and investment. Raising taxes suffocates economic growth - Boris and Rishi should go back to the drawing board!
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On Thursday I joined talkRadio presenter Cristo Foufas to discuss the many ways councils across the land are wasting taxpayers' cash. He was particularly outraged by Lambeth council and their many virtue-signalling causes - notably an advertising campaign telling residents to say "hello" to their neighbours.
I noted this worrying trend is becoming more popular among local authorities. Many are eager to throw millions of pounds to boast about their green or inclusive credentials whilst simultaneously neglecting their core duties. Councils should focus on eradicating waste in order to provide the best services possible and keep council tax low.
The TPA will continue to stand up for taxpayers and make sure local and national government get the message. Politicians and bureaucrats waste billions every year. Putting a stop to that should be their first port of call - not punishing tax hikes.
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Foreign aid spending
Talking of wasting money, overseas aid continues to be a bugbear of taxpayers. In an exclusive video for The Sun's YouTube channel (which has over 1 million followers), John took the opportunity to explain why the current spending target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income should be scrapped. Ring-fenced spending only encourages mandarins to spend as much money as possible without considering where it goes or how effective it will be. Click here to watch the video.
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We are calling on the government to scrap the 0.7 per cent target, put the money into front-line services, or better still, deliver Britons some much needed tax cuts. Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing stopping them and taxpayers would thank them for it.
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BBC signing its own death warrant
Not content with leading the way on foreign aid, taxes and wasteful spending we kept fighting for taxpayers. This time taking aim at the BBC licence fee. Writing for the popular Express comment section, TPA digital campaign manager Joe Ventre rightly called "the BBC a dinosaur in the modern media world" adding "the corporation must move with the times".
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He writes, "BBC bosses insist on the right to be funded by anyone who owns a television. Nevertheless, they want to enjoy the same creative freedom and commercial heft of their competitors. The BBC can’t have it both ways. It occupies this unique position, but has long since lost the Reithian principles upon which it was founded." Hear! Hear!
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Lost for words
On Monday The Daily Telegraph reported "Government officials have spent £450,000 a week on language experts to provide translation services to foreign-speaking criminals and people caught up in the UK’s legal system." This works out at £23.4 million per year!
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Asked for comment, our political director James Roberts didn't hold back, "Taxpayers will be lost for words to hear the bill for translations has once again gone up. There will always be some cases where a translator is needed to give everyone a fair shot at justice, but those who live in Britain should learn to speak English so that they are not a continuing burden on taxpayers."
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Keeping track: independent oversight of HS2 is badly needed
Construction work officially began on High Speed 2 this week. Since it was first imagined the TaxPayers’ Alliance has doggedly campaigned against this monstrosity of a transportation project - it should be scrapped.
Unfortunately the government ignored common sense and gave notice to proceed. We must now focus efforts on stopping the runaway budget soaring past the current estimate of £106 billion. As I write for the TPA blog this week, independent oversight is the best way to save taxpayers billions.
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Left unchecked the final bill could skyrocket to £150 billion. Gold plated salaries and bonuses for HS2 bosses have done little to boost public confidence in Europe's largest infrastructure project. That’s why we believe an independent commission is so important. By putting these measures in place there might finally be light at the end of the tunnel.
A commissioner with a mandate for independent investigation would offer the best chance to save taxpayers' cash. Without a mechanism like this, that train may have already left the station. Read our proposal to save billions.
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County council clanger
Norfolk County Council has caused outrage by committing to splurge almost £3 million on revamping their headquarters. The renovation comes at a time when the authority is sinking deep into the red. The current administration faces a budget black hole of £130 million.
Despite the abysmal financial situation, the authority is steaming ahead with plans to spruce up their offices at the expense of hard-working taxpayers. Councillors and bureaucrats are clearly out of touch with reality.
Residents and business owners are struggling to keep their heads above water post-lockdown. We urge the council to abandon this self-aggrandising spending spree and start putting ratepayers first. It's time to stop the revamp and balance the books!
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Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager
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