Christmas Day is just around the corner and we're all hoping for a decidedly merrier one than last year. But have you stopped to consider how big your festive tax bill could be?
New research by the TaxPayers' Alliance has revealed the squeeze on families’ pockets this December. We've calculated that taxpayers will pay over £5.2 billion in taxes on their festive spending.
Over the Christmas period, the average household will pay an extra £191.75 in taxes! That's the same as buying 23 Tesco Finest 800g Christmas puddings, enough to serve 184 people.
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After almost two years of coronavirus restrictions, Brits have moved to online shopping. This year, shoppers will each spend £287 online on average – 67 per cent of their Christmas shopping. Our analysis shows that the proposed two per cent online sales tax would add an additional £57 million to the Christmas tax bill.
With rising inflation and the tax burden set to reach a 73 year high, many families are struggling with the cost of living. As our digital campaign manager Joe Ventre made clear on prime time radio, "taxpayers are absolutely stretched to their limits!"
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Despite families already forking out a fortune this festive season, the taxman has clearly decided ‘tis not the season to be jolly. After a cancelled Christmas last year taxpayers deserve a break, but HMRC’s litany of levies leave a big hole in their finances. We're calling on the taxman to stop being a grinch and leave us a bit more cash in our Christmas stockings!
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Politics with conviction - TPA Talks with Ann Widdecombe
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We've got something of an early Christmas present for you, as we had the immense pleasure of Ann Widdecombe's company for our latest edition of TPA Talks.
Drawing upon her unique journey from the House of Commons to the small screen to the European Parliament, Ann pulls no punches on everything from the BBC, the government, social media, parliamentary sleaze, the House of Lords, and the NHS - and tells us what it means to be a conviction politician!
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Her comments on the current government are noteworthy, to say the least. Ann was in disbelief that we have a Conservative administration "that is going for high tax, high spend!" Adding, "a Conservative government should promote liberty, low levels of state confiscation, good growth and enterprise." This is a must see episode!
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode of TPA Talks. If you prefer audio-only, TPA Talks is available as a podcast on several outlets:
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Big bill for health tourism
Investigations by The Sun have shone more light on the cost of "health tourism" to the British taxpayer. The term is used to describe women who travel to the UK to give birth and then leave without paying their medical bills.
In the last year alone the cost to the NHS has been a jaw-dropping £6.3 million, with 1,369 unpaid maternity invoices. According to the paper, "The biggest single unpaid bill was £86,000 at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, London.
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Health tourism has been happening for several years now. The government and health chiefs have had plenty of time to get their house in order and put a stop to it. As our chief executive John O'Connell told The Sun, “Soft-touch trusts are leaving hardworking Brits to pick up the bill.”
The TPA says enough is enough. We're telling ministers to sort this mess out once and for all.
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Welcome Back Fund used for wasteful spending
The Welcome Back Fund has seen the government allocate £56 million to local authorities as part of efforts to entice Brits back to high streets and town centres post covid. After trawling through hundreds of publicly available contracts I've discovered that many councils are spending the money in highly questionable ways.
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As I wrote for ConservativeHome this week, £100,000 for a "pop-up beach" in Stoke-on-Trent doesn't seem like the best value for money. Nor does £30,000 on a Lego art trail in Rugby.
Of course, not all councils are guilty of this questionable use of public money. Some have used the cash to make long term improvements. Installing new bins, seating, lighting, and planting can bring clear and immediate benefits to local communities. This should serve as a lesson to councillors and council bosses to steer clear of wishy-washy ideas with minimal short term benefits. Click here to read the full story.
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Prison payouts cost the taxpayer £140 million
Freedom of information requests have revealed the scale of compensation claims for incidents in prisons in the last five years. In total, almost £140 million has been spent to cover claims such as damage by inmates, injuries to prison officers and even payouts to prisoners who served longer in prison than they should have done.
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Speaking to journalist Matthew Davis, our media campaign manager Danielle Boxall demanded change, "Criminals are cashing in on failings in the justice regime. Ministers must do more to stop lags laying claim to millions." Hear! Hear!
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Want to radically reform Whitehall? - Franchise it out
Building on his significant experience in the rail industry, former MEP David Campbell Bannerman has laid out his vision for how franchising could radically reform Whitehall "groupthink". Writing for the TaxPayers' Alliance this week he argues, "...the mechanism of government isn’t working. There is substantial waste, ineptitude and arrogance."
As he explains franchising could bring about change. It's not just about managing things cheaper - it injects its own way of doing things. It offers culture change: new branding, experience, support networks, funders, and above all special ethos.
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For Whitehall, it means the opportunity to review all government’s activities from top to bottom, to challenge what it does, and either consolidate or close down what’s not necessary. Governments should direct, but not manage.
There aren’t just benefits for service delivery, but the taxpayer too. Consider what franchising can do for headcounts. On the railways, despite massive traffic increases, higher standards and better pay, core employees per mile of track was 7 before privatisation and 5 after.
Franchising could bring a true revolution and fundamental reform of the management, innovation, standards and cost-effectiveness of government services. This is a reform with real bite. Click here to read more.
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Sumptuous and subsidised - Christmas dinners for MPs
The Metro has discovered that MPs are being served, "sumptuous Christmas dinners including roast partridge and quails’ eggs for a fraction of the price that the public will pay eating out this year." Another dish which is described at the high end of the menu is priced at just £13.76.
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There are a number of eateries and bars in the Houses of Parliament and when they make losses the taxpayer picks up the tab.
We wouldn't dream of denying MPs a Christmas dinner but the costs shouldn't be propped up by the public purse. Given recent economic hardship, it's hard for taxpayers to stomach their cash subsidising politicians' food and drink. It's time to spread some cheer and axe these out-of-date subsidies.
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Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager
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