It has been a torrid week for the prime minister after shocking details emerged of yet more parties in No. 10 Downing Street. The public is rightly angry and demanding answers.
The scandal shows how vital it is that politicians and civil servants are held accountable to taxpayers - after all, we pay their salaries and follow the laws they set. Those that make the rules must not break the rules.Â
|
|
We want to make it clear to public officials that they are not above the law, nor should they be treated differently to anyone else. They ultimately must answer to the taxpayer.
We're calling on politicians and bureaucrats to practice what they preach. Brits deserve better!
Â
|
|
|
Fighting back against council tax rises
|
|
|
Once again the TaxPayers' Alliance is leading the charge against council tax rises. This year, households are set for more big increases in their bills. All the while councils managed to increase their cash reserves during covid.
Council tax rises in England should be less severe this year owing to the government lowering the cap on increases. North of the border Scotland could see bills soar as there will be no upper limit on rises. But whether hikes are 1 per cent or 10 per cent it's still money going out of the pockets of hard-working taxpayers.
|
|
|
In my ConservativeHome column this week, I came up with five simple New Year's resolutions that councils should adopt to keep tax rises to an absolute minimum. Everything from getting gold plated pay packets under control to more rigorous auditing are sure-fire ways to achieve this. But it's amazing how many authorities can't even get the basics right!
|
|
That's why the TaxPayers' Alliance is taking a stand. We're more determined than ever to fight back against local authority excess and profligacy. We want to know what's happening in your area. For example, how much is your council increasing tax by? What does your local council waste money on? Where could it make savings?
We want to show local authorities that tax hikes are not the answer. The TPA will be campaigning across the country to make sure that councils hear our message loud and clear.
|
|
|
TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
|
|
|
Public sector procurement in the spotlight again!
Earlier in the week, the High Court ruled that the government had acted unlawfully by giving politically connected suppliers preferential treatment for PPE contracts. Known as the "VIP lane" the court ruled this was "in breach of the obligation of equal treatment under the PCR (public contract regulations)..."
|
|
Speaking about the ruling on GBNews, our media campaign manager Danielle Boxall told viewers that the government must show more respect for taxpayers' money.
Though the government understandably had to act quickly during the covid crisis, billions of pounds are at stake when it comes to public sector procurement. Ministers and civil servants must ensure the system is fair and transparent. Click here to watch the interview.
|
|
A windfall tax on energy companies won't solve anything
As the TPA examined last week the cost of energy is soaring. With electricity and gas bills set to rise sharply, there have been calls from some quarters for a windfall tax on energy producers that are to set benefit. At face value this may seem like a good idea. But dig a little deeper and it soon starts to unravel.
|
|
|
As we made clear in our comments to The Telegraph, "A windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas would only punish firms for problems that are not of their own making and increase our dependence on unreliable imports."
|
|
|
Expanding on this argument, TPA researcher Tom Ryan wrote an excellent piece for CapX. He explained that it is understandable that politicians want to help those struggling with high energy prices and the soaring cost of living. However, if political parties really want to help they should call to reduce the burden of regulations and taxes that push up the price of energy instead of taking symbolic shots at companies.
|
|
Threshold freeze means more will pay higher rate of tax
New research argues that more than one in six taxpayers will fall into the higher rate income tax bracket by the middle of the decade. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates the total number of people paying the 40 per cent rate will rise by 1.3 million by 2025-26. It comes after the chancellor froze the income tax threshold in the Budget.
|
|
Asked to comment on the findings for The Telegraph, Danielle urged the chancellor to act, "The economic disaster brought about by the pandemic means that now is a terrible time for any tax rise, including freezing thresholds. With inflation rising, the Chancellor's income tax freeze is effectively a stealth tax on unsuspecting taxpayers already facing the highest tax burden in 70 years."
We're calling on the Treasury to link income tax thresholds with inflation or wage growth to avoid fiscal drag and ensure a better deal for millions.
|
|
Taxpayers musn’t be made to fund greenwashing
The farmlands of Wales are world-renowned and have long been a staple of the Welsh economy. Big business has become increasingly keen to lap up this land - but not for the reasons you might think. Companies often boast of carbon neutrality. This is a desirable public relations move and although it may sound like an arduous task, it can be achieved (at least on paper) through the planting of trees to reduce carbon footprint.
As our digital campaign manager Joe Ventre explores, some may see this as a bit of a loophole, it would be hard to object to companies planting forests when it’s their own money and land on the line. In Wales, however, the Glastir Woodland Creation (GWC) fund has made this venture far more cost-effective - unless you’re a taxpayer.Â
|
|
Administered by the Welsh Government, this fund forms part of a national initiative to plant 86 million trees by 2030; offering initial grants of up to £4,500 per hectare of trees to successful applicants. For context, that’s 29,452 trees a day
There are many upsides of moving towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment. If big companies want to seek praise for helping with these efforts, then more power to them - but why should the taxpayer have to pay them for it? Click here to read the full story.
|
|
Scottish councillors call for more cash
Despite households facing a record high tax burden and a cost of living crisis, councillors in Scotland are demanding an increase in their allowances. According to the Scottish Daily Mail, "Leaders at Cosla [the umbrella organisation for local authorities in Scotland] have said the amount councillors are paid should be brought in line with the Real Living Wage." The current basic allowance for a councillor is £18,604.
But as our chief executive John O'Connell was quick to point out in his comments to the Mail, "Scotland actually has the most generous councillor allowances in the UK. The level of pay is the same for every Scottish council, but do councillors in Glasgow have the same demands on their time as those in the Orkney Islands? The Scottish Government should consider allowing councillors to set their own level of allowances to make them truly accountable for how much they take from taxpayers each year."
We all want more money in our pay packets. But publicly elected officials need to remember it's taxpayers that pay their allowances before demanding more cash.
Â
|
|
Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager
|
|
|
|
|
