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Have your say on MPs' pay
Last week I brought you shocking news that members of parliament are to receive a £3,360 pay rise ([link removed]) - taking total pay to nearly £85,000. This week the TaxPayers' Alliance is fighting back!

Millions of taxpayers are struggling to pay their bills and many supporters wrote to me expressing their anger at this very generous wage hike. To be fair to MPs their pay is set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) but this doesn't make it right!

Thankfully, IPSA has launched a consultation ([link removed]) on this very issue. Once again the TPA is standing up for taxpayers - we are calling for fundamental reform of the current system.
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Instead of automatic rises, politicians should get performance related pay based on the prosperity of the whole nation - meaning if we get poorer their pay goes down, and no more golden goodbyes.

We have made an easy-to-use online ([link removed]) tool ([link removed]) so that you can submit to the consultation in a matter of seconds! Our campaign is already making waves in Westminster - popular political blogger Guido Fawkes has given it his full backing. ([link removed])
So don't delay, give MPs a piece of your mind today! ([link removed])
TPA Talks: Special Edition
On Wednesday we hosted a special edition of TPA Talks ([link removed]) with a panel of expert guests to discuss our latest research paper. Written by policy analyst Darwin Friend his paper is a timely examination of health expenditure and financing across Europe. ([link removed])

Healthcare spending in the UK is only going up with every budget and the NHS is an untouchable national treasure - but is it due for some much needed reforms?
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Alongside Darwin and TPA media campaign manager Danielle Boxall, the panel included Kristian Niemitz from the Institute of Economic Affairs and Matthew Lesh of the Adam Smith Institute. Tackling this heavyweight issue they discussed how well the UK performs compared to other countries and what reforms are needed to improve the NHS.

You can watch the full episode here ([link removed]) - but if that's not enough economics for you be sure to read Darwin's excellent CapX article ([link removed]) on the subject.
TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
Nice work if you can get it

The test and trace scheme continues to face more criticism after The Sun revealed ([link removed]) that employees are "carrying out other jobs while waiting for work". Well paid staff apparently have so little to do that they undertake additional paid work while they are earning a salary for supposedly being on hand to aid the government's tracing efforts.
Speaking to report Isaac Crowson, our chief executive John O'Connell told ministers to get a grip on this complete disaster, “Sitting around at taxpayers’ expense whilst pretending to do their job is totally unacceptable. The test and trace system has been a complete disaster zone up to now, with spreadsheet setbacks and bureaucratic bungling. Ministers need to get a grip and stop the slack and waste.”
Duty not so free

The government is to scrap VAT-free sales in airports for items such as electronics, food and clothing for passengers travelling outside the EU. Microscopic analysis by the TPA has revealed that British holidaymakers would have to stump up an extra £12 million ([link removed]) on airport shopping each year as a result.

Our research was backed by prominent MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown who said it is the "worst possible time to be hiking taxes on the Brits who may venture abroad next year".

Our research was covered by radio station LBC in addition to numerous national newspapers. As Duncan Simpson told Martyn Brown of the Daily Express ([link removed]) this tax hike could have a disastrous impact on the economy, particularly firms that have struggled profoundly during the pandemic:

“Some of these VAT changes will heap more misery on embattled holidaymakers and a struggling sector. Hiking holiday prices at the same time as making the UK a less competitive place for international shoppers could cost thousands of jobs and damage growth, with the travel industry already on its knees from the coronavirus crisis."

The TPA is calling on ministers to get their heads out of the clouds and pause these changes before it’s too late.
Council cash cow

The Daily Telegraph reported that "Grant Shapps’ green transport revolution is being used by councils as a 'cash cow' ([link removed]) after one borough issued more than £600,000 in fines to motorists who drove into a newly closed road."

By closing roads local authorities hope to improve air quality but many critics argue all they do is shift the problem elsewhere. Worst of all the response times of the emergency services can be significantly increased.
Fighting the corner of over-taxed motorists, our media campaign manager Danielle Boxall told reporter Steve Bird, "It is appalling that road closures are being used as little more than cash cows to top up the council’s coffers. The council's original intentions may have been good, but the huge income from this road closure should be proof enough that residents are being harmfully affected."

Councillors should heed the concerns of locals and review the suitability of road closures immediately.
Securing a recovery from coronavirus

Following the prime minister's speech to the virtual Conservative Conference last week, I was invited onto talkRadio to discuss whether Boris' plans are good news for taxpayers.

Speaking to presenter and SNP MP John Nicholson I noted that the PM had made encouraging remarks that taxpayers can’t be expected to foot the bill for evermore state spending.
However, the government must first get a grip on wasteful spending - massive investments in green energy may leave Britain’s bank balance in the red. Second, it must enact taxpayer-friended policies otherwise the country will never get out of this mess.
Read our tax reforms to secure a recovery from coronavirus. ([link removed])
Blogs of the week
We have two fantastic blogs for you to sink your teeth into this week. First up our friends at the Croydon Constitutionalists have penned an in-depth analysis explaining why Croydon Council is on the brink of bankruptcy. ([link removed])

As Michael Swadling writes, "Whilst covid has no doubt hindered Croydon Council, it’s clear the financial challenges predate the crisis. Too much money has been squandered on schemes that have not paid off. Anyone can see that too little value has been provided for the people of Croydon." Click here to read the fully story. ([link removed])

Examples like this perfectly illustrate exactly why the TPA campaigns for councils to get their finances in order. It isn't fair that taxpayers are left footing the bill for the incompetence of local authority bosses.
From the south of England we move to the north where grassroots assistant Kieran Neild has been examining the effects that restrictions on pub closing times are having on the industry. In a must-read blog ([link removed]) he speaks to Lancashire landlord John Mainland:

"The coronavirus restrictions have left his pub, and many others in the town, on the rocks. Talking about the covid restrictions, John simply said the government measures are 'murdering pubs left, right and centre'. Not only has John lost his busiest hours, he has been forced to take on more staff to offer table service to his customers - adding another financial burden to a struggling business."

For the sake of the pubs up and down the country, we need a low tax, no red tape alternative to keep the local open. Pubs are part of our national identity and we cannot let the ‘new normal’ call time at the bar forever.
War on Waste
Ministers spent £400,000 on 'woke' anti-bias training

In an exclusive with The Sunday Telegraph we revealed that Conservative ministers spent £416,644 on so-called "unconscious bias" training ([link removed]) . Numerous government departments each splashed tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on these compulsory courses for staff.

One notable example included a presentation, condemning "the portrayal of ‘Peter Pan’ character Captain Hook, who has a severed hand, as ‘sinister’ in its ‘messages on disability’." It's no wonder one anonymous MP described the "woke training" as "a little bit stupid".

Asked for his views, our political director James Roberts perfectly summed up the feelings of many, "Taxpayers’ money should be focused on high quality services, not wasted on woke causes. There are extensive laws in place to prevent discrimination in the workplace, and mega training programmes like this should not be required."

When ministers begin the hard work of getting the public finances under control, they should start with stripping back on these controversial courses.

Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager

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