This morning in an exclusive with The Sunday Telegraph, the TaxPayers' Alliance has revealed the vast size and cost of Whitehall's "wokeforce". Using freedom of information requests our research team discovered that nearly 300 government staff have terms such as "equality", "diversity" and "inclusion" (to name just a few) in their job titles.
Worse still the wage bill for these non-jobs is estimated at more than £11 million per year! This follows last week's revelations that "unconscious bias" training for Whitehall staff had totalled more than £400,000.
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However, there is good news. The government has already announced it will review spending on future training sessions. As part of our Clean up the state campaign we are urging ministers to go further and consider if the Whitehall wokeforce really is the best use of taxpayers' cash.
Echoing the thoughts of many Brits our chief executive John O’Connell told The Sunday Telegraph, "With the highest tax burden in 50 years and now public sector pay rises, hard-pressed taxpayers are crying out for someone to get a grip.” Hear! Hear!
Rest assured the TaxPayers' Alliance will continue to put ministers' feet to the fire and bring about an end to this wasteful expenditure.
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7,500 birthday presents for the BBC
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Last Sunday marked 98 years since the formation of the BBC. A lot has changed since 1922 - the presenters of the roaring twenties wouldn't believe that today's "stars" would enjoy salaries in excess of £1 million.
Nearly 7,500 people signed our petition calling on the Beeb to put an end to these sky-high pay packets. To mark the BBC's 98th birthday TPA staff visited Broadcasting House to hand in the signatures.
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This is another vital step in bringing about the end of the licence fee. There is plenty more to do though. Please ask your friends and family to sign up to the campaign and be sure to share our Axe the Tax content on social media.
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Should taxpayers fund free school meals during holidays?
Professional footballer Marcus Rashford has been making waves recently with his campaign to end child food poverty. He has called on the government to go further and fund free school meals (to those entitled) during non-term time.
Asked for his thoughts on this pressing issue our chief executive John O'Connell spoke to legendary presenter Anne Diamond (standing in on Channel Five's Jeremy Vine show). John congratulated Mr Rashford on an excellent campaign but added that Britain already has a welfare system funded to the tune of £139 billion each year.
The best way make to Brits more prosperous and end poverty is by enacting policies that will grow the economy, such as cutting taxes and slashing red tape.
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Perhaps most interestingly of all, rather than state intervention, it's been the charity of communities up and down the country that have come together to help feed children during the holidays.
It is absolutely fantastic that a footballer has inspired local businesses and residents to talk about this issue, build support networks and increase social capital - all without involving the government, which is often wasteful and inefficient.
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Holding the BBC to account
It's not just salaries for execs and stars that the BBC wastes licence fee money on - according to The Daily Telegraph, the Beeb is set to spend £800,000 over the next five years on publishing its annual accounts. This is significantly greater expenditure than many firms with similar staffing and budget levels.
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Expressing her dismay at the news, our media campaign manager Danielle Boxall told journalist Oliver Gill, "It's disappointing to see taxpayers money splurged on expensive artwork for a report most won't even read. Gimmicky graphics can't hide how ratepayers feel about the licence fee, and wasteful spending like this goes to show why it is no longer fit for purpose.
Every day, more and more people are getting behind our Axe the Tax campaign. Time is running out for the BBC, it's long overdue that they move to an opt-in subscription based model.
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Taxpayers footing the bill for costly consultants
According to The Sun NHS England hired over 200 "temporary executives" at a cost of £500 to £1,500 per day as part of efforts to rein in spending. Despite spending £18 million on consultants in 2018, NHS England claims that "Administrative costs are far lower than in other comparable countries.”
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Voicing my thoughts to Sun journalist Andy Jehring I made it clear that health bosses have to show that savings really have been made: "Taxpayers will be scratching their heads at these very generous pay packets. At a time when it's vital that health bosses get maximum value for every pound spent, it doesn't make sense to hire costly consultants."
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MPs allowed to expense poppy wreaths
Following the award of a £3,360 pay rise to MPs it has now been announced - by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) - that members will be allowed to claim the cost of Remembrance Day poppy wreaths on their expenses. Once again IPSA is out of step with the public and it's not the first time this has happened.
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Speaking to Mail on Sunday reporter Anna Mikhailova our chief executive John O'Connell served IPSA with a cold dose of reality, "Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for such ridiculous expenses claims from any public servant, let alone already well-paid politicians. No one in their right mind would ever ask their boss to pay for a Remembrance poppy or wreath."
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On the subject of MPs' pay and expenses don't forget to tell the bureaucrats in Westminster what you think. We've created a quick and easy tool so you can submit to the consultation on this very issue.
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!
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On yer bike!
Lincolnshire County Council has been forced to remove a new £2,500 bike rack from the town of Holbeach after just one day in operation. It made the embarrassing u-turn after a slew of complaints by local residents and business owners.
Over 20 racks have been erected in the area as part of a £100,000 "green travel plan". But they have been slammed by residents with many questioning their strange design. The racks are in the shape of a car and have been sprayed green (not the most obvious design for a bike rack). Not only do they look silly but they have made the much need car parking spaces even scarcer.
The local authority should have slammed the brakes on this expensive and unpopular scheme long ago. At a time when high streets are desperate for more footfall, the last thing people need is taxpayer-funded ‘eye-sores’ blocking parking spaces.
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Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager
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