View this email in your browser ([link removed])
Boris must scrap HS2
The future of HS2 looks more uncertain than ever after the release of two damning reports. A leaked copy of the the Oakervee review ([link removed]) acknowledged that the cost of the high speed vanity project will be £106 billion. A subsequent report by the National Audit Office ([link removed]) highlighted that the project will never be completed on time or on budget, putting the blame squarely on the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd.

The TPA was quick to issue press releases in response to the reports and our comments were picked by The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, The Daily Mail, The Times, Daily Express CityAM and TalkRadio among others.
Stop HS2
Additionally we have been working with a number of MPs to make the case for transport projects in their constituencies instead of HS2. Andrew Bridgen ([link removed]) , Victoria Prentis ([link removed]) (chair of the HS2 Review Group), Rob Butler ([link removed]) and Craig Tracey ([link removed]) all recorded videos for social media which received tens of thousands of views. More are planned so please keep an eye out on Twitter ([link removed]) and Facebook ([link removed]) .

The facts are overwhelming, HS2 is a disaster! The prime minister must make the obvious decision and scrap HS2. There are many alternative projects ([link removed]) on the table that will benefit the whole country.
What do you make of this week's HS2 reports? (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Boris%20must%20scrap%20HS2)
Grassroots news
Many supporters have got in touch to voice their anger at council tax rises and I'm pleased to report the first of our action days will take place in Herefordshire on Saturday 8th February. The council is planning a 4 per cent rise and our research suggests there is plenty of wasteful spending that could be eradicated.

If you live in the area and want to campaign with us please email me (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Herefordshire%20action%20day) for more details.
TaxPayers' Alliance in the news
Nice work if you can get it

This week we learned that 518 public sector employees (excluding local government) were paid over £150,000 per year ([link removed]) . In total the cost to taxpayers was £94 million, a 6 per cent rise on 2018. Topping the list of high earners was Mark Thurston, chief executive of HS2 who was paid a staggering £625,000. An incredible salary when you consider the project will be at least 7 years late and more than 3 times over budget.
Commenting on the revelations for The Times our chief executive John O'Connell said, “Taxpayers want their hard-earned money spent on world-leading public services not gold-plated salaries for well-heeled bureaucrats.”
Three tasks for Boris

Writing for ConservativeHome ([link removed]) our research director Duncan Simpson called on prime minister Boris Johnson to cull quangos, end taxpayer-funded lobbying and reform appointments.
On taxpayer funded lobbying he writes, "The TaxPayers’ Alliance first exposed in 2009 ([link removed]) that more than £37 million (almost £50 million in today’s money) was spent on taxpayer-funded lobbying by public sector bodies and campaigning groups in just one year. That’s nearly as much as the £40.1 million that Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dem combined spent through their central campaigns at the 2005 election." Click here to read more. ([link removed])
Blog of the week
Does Davos mean "summit"?

This week saw politicians, economists, climate change activists and even royalty gather in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Writing for the blog this week our volunteer Islay May Aitchison questioned the merit of the summit ([link removed]) .
She writes, "agreements by elites in these circumstances don’t tend to benefit regular people. There’s no accountability at Davos, where democratic processes can be conveniently circumvented and fateful discussions happen behind closed doors." Click here to read more. ([link removed])
What are your thoughts on the World Economic Forum? (mailto:[email protected]?subject=World%20Economic%20Forum)
War on waste
Despite many councils proposing inflation busting rises in council tax there are a select few that buck the trend. For example, Copeland council is poised to deliver its fifth consecutive “no cuts” budget ([link removed]) as part of its financial strategy to keep increases below inflation. The council performs well in our Town Hall Rich List ([link removed]) , only employing one person with a remuneration above £100,000 per year.

Basildon Council has gone one step further, they plan to freeze council tax ([link removed]) . They have been able to do so through increased private sector revenue. Council leader Gavin Callaghan says the council will continue to fund public services through investment in commercial property. Whilst the freeze in council tax is welcome there are concerns about the risk of these investments. Click here ([link removed]) to watch a recent TPA panel discussion on the topic.
Are you happy with councils investing in commercial property if it keeps council tax down? (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Council%20investment%20in%20commercial%20property)

Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign Manager

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** [link removed] ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020 The TaxPayers' Alliance, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in to receiving our updates, or we have a legitimate interest to contact you about our work.



TaxPayers' Alliance is a trading name of The TaxPayers' Alliance Limited, a company incorporated in England & Wales under company registration no. 04873888 and whose registered office is at 55 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL.



You can read our privacy notice here: [link removed]
Our mailing address is:
The TaxPayers' Alliance
55 Tufton Street
London, SW1P 3QL
United Kingdom
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.