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, 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.
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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. 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.
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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.
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After a highly successful launch event in Westminster 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 pub.
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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.
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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Fair furlough?
The Daily Mail reported that the husband of TV presenter Holly Willoughby claimed from the furlough scheme 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.
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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."
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager
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