Ahead of the chancellor unveiling his Budget on Wednesday, we’ve released our latest piece of in depth research looking at the long-term challenges facing the tax system. TPA research fellow Rory Meakin has analysed ten tax areas that are at particular risk of failing to keep up with a changing world.Â
With Sir Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal and General, saying “a combination of regulation and policy” has made it difficult to invest more in the UK, it’s clear many parts of our tax system are not fit for purpose and are holding Britain back.
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From the archaic stamp duty, business rates, and national insurance, to alcohol and tobacco duties and the TV tax, Rory takes us through the issues, examines the answers others have put forward and gives our analysis of the best solutions.Â
Launching the report, our chief executive John O’Connell explained: “As the way people live, work and shop changes, our tax system has become not just over-complicated, but out of date too. Failing to reform taxes means lost productivity and growth.”Â
Rory’s research caught the attention of newsrooms too, with LBC News and Times Radio publicising the paper to the nation.
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In the first of a series of videos looking at each tax area, executive director of the Adam Smith Institute, Duncan Simpson, joins us to discuss how stamp duty stands in the way of people looking to move, especially in a post-pandemic world where working habits have changed considerably, and what can be done about it. You can view the video here.
This kind of agenda-setting research is only made possible by the generosity of our supporters. You can back the TPA today and help us continue producing these landmark papers by clicking here to donate.
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Council tax hikes aren’t inevitable
Whilst most councils have chosen to hike council tax this year, a few have managed to buck the trend. We sat down with Russell Perrin, leader of Harlow council, who have managed to freeze their tax this year, and plan to do so all the way to 2026!
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As Russell outlines: “We saw better ways to either be more efficient or raise income. We feel like we don’t have to earn that money, the people that pay it do. And so if we don’t need to take even a pound off them, we shouldn’t.”Â
If you’re sick of your town hall bosses constantly dipping into the pockets of residents, sign our petition!
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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
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Empty offices
A TPA investigation has revealed that more than half of local authority desks remain empty as staff continue shunning the office to work from home. As reported in the Mail on Sunday, occupancy rates were 40 per cent in September, October, and November last year, but it was as low as 7.37 per cent in Stoke-on-Trent.
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Our investigations manager, Elliot Keck, slammed the shocking situation, saying: “The surge in home working is leaving valuable office space deserted. Councils should raise funds by selling off unused assets, or get workers back at their desks sharpish.”
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Delays on the line
With the construction of sections of HS2 pushed back yet again due to spiralling costs, our digital campaign manager, Joe Ventre, gave a damning assessment of the situation with an op-ed in the Daily Express.
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Joe slammed the ballooning budget and failing business case, blasting: “It’s about time politicians stopped throwing good money after bad. There’s no need to delay - it’s time to bring the curtain down on the sorry mess that is HS2.” Quite right!
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War on Waste - February update
In his latest blog, Elliot brings us his War on Waste update for February. From bumper bonuses, to B&Bs, to borough of culture bids, there seemed no end to nonsense spending.
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With the country struggling under the 70 year high tax burden, this kind of waste can’t be allowed to continue.
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Costly consultants
Southend council find themselves in the TPA sin bin this week, as it emerged they’ve managed to spend a whopping ÂŁ16 million on consultants and temporary staff. These costs have got so out of control that one person was reportedly earning almost ÂŁ1,000 a day!Â
Having managed to spend £80,000 on consultants to tell them how to save money, local bosses are hiking tax by the maximum 4.99 per cent. That money was clearly not well spent! Local authorities must get a grip on their budgets and treat taxpayers’ money with the respect it deserves.
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Benjamin Elks
Operations Manager
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