The government’s future spending choices risk putting taxpayers onto an even more unsustainable footing. 

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
Covid bill stands at £372 billion
Recent reports from the Public Accounts Committee have revealed the jaw-dropping cost of the pandemic and the procurement of PPE. Expenditure associated with covid is expected to cost taxpayers' £372 billion. Of that £92 billion worth of commercial loans were guaranteed by the Treasury but £26 billion might not be paid back.

The committee has also shed light on the procuring PPE and identified waste levels as being “unacceptably high”, with £2.1 billion worth of items being unsuitable for medical settings. As our chief executive John O'Connell explained on LBC's Cross Question with Iain Dale ([link removed]) , quick decisions were crucial at the beginning of the crisis, but bad decisions leave taxpayers shortchanged. It is only right that those decisions are properly scrutinised with a swift and decisive investigation.
[link removed]
With a mix of an enormous covid bill, rapidly increasing national debt, quantitative easing, potential inflation risks and enormous spending commitments, the government’s future spending choices risk putting taxpayers onto an even more unsustainable footing.

As our research director Duncan Simpson laid out in an article for ConservativeHome,the government must be upfront about the trade-offs in its policy programme. ([link removed]) It should also be responsible. An infrastructure spending programme may well be a good idea but the British public needs to hear more about where the money will be saved to pay for it.
The simple truth is that the pandemic has left taxpayers on the hook for billions. The government must adopt pro-growth policies and make savings instead of endlessly raiding taxpayers’ pockets for more cash when the tax burden is already at a 70-year high.

Ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review in November we'll be pointing out some simple savings the government can make to get things back on track.
Let me know your thoughts on the £372 billion covid bill and how we pay for it. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=%C2%A3372%20billion%20covid%20bill)
Grassroots news
After ahighly successful launch event in Westminster ([link removed]) we're branching out across the UK to promote our Quids Inn beer mats calling for cheaper pints. Our first grassroots event will be held in the scenic surroundings of Herefordshire at The Stagg Inn ([link removed]) pub.
So come along on Monday 9th August at 7pm to support our campaign calling on the government to extend the 5 per cent VAT reduction until April 2023, and include alcoholic drinks. Click here for more details. ([link removed])
Please email me if you'd like to hold a Quids Inn event in your area. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Quids%20Inn%20Campaign)
TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
The cost of 'net-zero'

A new report by the National Infrastructure Commission has said that the richest households' bills could rise by £400 a year to pay for the government's ambitious carbon reduction policies. The poorest ten per cent of families will see their bills rise by £80 on average.

Speaking to GB News ([link removed]) our research director was adamant that net-zero policies will be "ruinous" for the poorest households especially when it comes to food expenditure. Adding that by 2050 the costs to deal with climate will be vast.
[link removed]
The net zero target must not see working taxpayers landed with the bill. With the highest tax levels in 70 years, family finances are already strained and they cannot be expected to pay more for food, goods and travel. The TPA is calling on ministers to protect hard-working families and households from any 'green' cost hikes.
Click here to watch Duncan's interview on GB News. ([link removed])
Headhunters cost taxpayers £12 million

Investigations by the Daily Telegraph have revealed that taxpayers stumped up £12 million last year for recruitment consultants. In total 34 contracts with recruiters were issued across central and local government plus other public-sector bodies, including three that each cost more than £1 million.
Giving her analysis of these enormous sums our media campaign manager Danielle Boxall said, “This reckless spending demonstrates a culture of waste at the heart of government. It is remarkable that officials believe spending millions on recruitment consultants is good value for money, especially when some of that was used only to find people who were working down the corridor.”
Fair furlough?

The Daily Mail reported that the husband of TV presenter Holly Willoughby claimed from the furlough scheme ([link removed]) despite his company having "£1.7 million in the bank". Dan Baldwin is alleged to have claimed up to £10,000 despite his most recent filings with Companies House showing an abundance of cash.
This is the latest in a long line of wealthy people claiming funds that they likely did not need. Asked for comment the TaxPayers' Alliance stressed the need for money to be paid back where possible, "Some businesses have repaid the support. They should serve as an example for firms that have come through the past year in rude health."
Blog of the week
How to save our high streets

The Build Back Better High Streets paper, launched during the Prime Minister's much anticipated Levelling Up speech this month, sets out the government's vision to revitalise high streets and town centres throughout the UK, backed by £10 billion of taxpayers’ money.

As TPA researcher Scott Simmonds explores ([link removed]) while the strategy does contain gimmicks such as a 'National High Streets Day', it also contains some welcome regulatory stimulus to help businesses by cutting red tape.
Some of the measures in the Build Back Better High Streets plan show that this government is capable of innovative regulatory ideas that are a net positive for the taxpayer. Like freeports, these policies can be the foundation for the PM’s aims of helping to develop provincial towns and cities. So this should be their focus, rather than more unnecessary and unaffordable spending promises. Click here to read more. ([link removed])
War on Waste
According to The Sun, unpaid hospital bills from "health tourists" have cost the taxpayer a staggering £40 million. Despite a Conservative manifesto pledge to put an end to foreign travellers abusing the system, some Kings College and St Barts hospitals are owed some £18.6 million and £17.3 million respectively.
John O'Connell was adamant that overhaul of the current system is badly needed, telling The Sun's Ryan Sabey, "Many Brits feel the health service is used and abused by overseas visitors. Specialist treatments are expensive and people come from all over the world to access them. Some NHS trusts are becoming soft touches with taxpayers' cash. Health bosses must make sure they are only treating eligible patients, and properly chasing down unpaid bills.”
Please send me your examples of wasteful public spending. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=War%20on%20Waste)

Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager

Make a donation to the TaxPayers' Alliance ([link removed])

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** [link removed] ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 The TaxPayers' Alliance, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in to receiving our updates, or we have a legitimate interest to contact you about our work.



TaxPayers' Alliance is a trading name of The TaxPayers' Alliance Limited, a company incorporated in England & Wales under company registration no. 04873888 and whose registered office is at 55 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL.



You can read our privacy notice here: [link removed]
Our mailing address is:
The TaxPayers' Alliance
55 Tufton Street
London, London SW1P 3QL
United Kingdom
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.