Another week, another prime minister! This week all eyes in Westminster were on the new government being formed by Rishi Sunak.
As the chancellor who brought us the 73 year high tax burden, it’s fair to say there was a certain uneasiness in the TPA office as Rishi Sunak was crowned Conservative leader. At the same time, Sunak has a reputation as a spending hawk and was quick to warn of the dangers of unlimited spending when he spoke to our chief executive at Think Tent 2021.
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As we gathered round the TV to hear the new PM make his first address to the nation, having already ruled out meaningful tax cuts, we could only hope for some sense on spending. Sunak’s emphasis on fiscal stability to tackle profound economic challenges certainly struck a welcome chord with our team.
As our chief executive John O’Connell was quick to comment: “Rishi Sunak’s commitment to fiscal responsibility strikes the right tone for anxious taxpayers… In order to balance the books, Sunak’s first priority must be to rein in unnecessary spending.”
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Under current plans, total managed expenditure is forecast to be over £1.1 trillion this year! The new government must get a grip on the cost of government crisis. As the voice of taxpayers, we will never let up in our fight for responsible spending and the low tax economy we so desperately need. Click here to support our campaign!
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As if there wasn’t enough going on this week, our offices that we share on Tufton Street were targeted by the Just Stop Oil brigade. As you can see from the image below, the eco-loons certainly have a colourful way of expressing themselves.
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This kind of misguided action underlines just why we protect the identities of you, our supporters. Many people choose not to broadcast their political opinions and we will always respect and defend the right to privacy for those who choose to support us!
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Tax band travesty
This week, it emerged that three million workers could be pulled into higher tax brackets as a result of the government freezing the bands.
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Having long spoken out about the dangers of fiscal drag, John made our view loud and clear in The Daily Telegraph, warning that: “by wanting to freeze the thresholds at a time of high inflation, the chancellor risks balancing the books on the backs of the poorest.”
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Motoring madness
Plans are afoot to start imposing fines of £130 to anyone caught speeding. The pilot scheme in Wandsworth could be rolled out across London if deemed ‘successful’...
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With fears that road users are quickly becoming cash-cows for councils, TPA digital campaign manager Joe Ventre slammed the proposals in the Daily Mail, pointing out: “Drivers will be rightly concerned that speeding fines will be more about filling council coffers than keeping roads safe.”
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Inflation inequality
Hot on the heels of his blockbuster debut blog, TPA researcher Dr Mike Jones took to the pages of the Daily Express to hammer his message home.
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In a number-heavy op-ed, Mike made clear the importance of fairness in the benefits available to private and public sector employees, especially in the face of inflation-driven increased government borrowing costs! Dr Jones rightly declared that it was high time public sector benefits were “brought in line with those people in the private sector can get.”
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SNP spin spending
We were outraged this week when news reached us that the Scottish government had spent the shocking sum of £3.7 million on spin! Since the SNP came to office, the cost of communication staff has doubled.
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John railed against the extraordinary amounts in The Herald, blasting: “there is little need for a constantly ballooning budget to pay for public relations and media management.”
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Public bodies in bed with transgender lobby groups
With the trans charity Mermaids making headlines recently, TPA researcher Tom Ryan took a look at what kind of funding they’ve received from the taxpayer.
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In the blog, he exposes multiple groups receiving taxpayer cash whilst engaging in lobbying and political campaigns, something the TPA has sought to put an end to. As Tom says: “There is no reason for taxpayer-funded lobbying, and it simply has to stop.”
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This week, we took a look at the goings on at Uttlesford district council, where the authority has just had to payout over £2 million to Stansted Airport!
After local bosses rejected a plan for the airport to increase the number of passengers it handled, they lost an appeal and have now been landed with a compensation payment which will hammer their reserves.
Town hall chiefs need to get a grip and remember their duty of looking after taxpayer’ cash.
Let me know if your council is wasting money in your area. |
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Benjamin Elks
Fundraising, Operations, and Events assistant
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