Media Enquiries: 07795 084 113 (24hr)
Wales Online: Sickness leave at Cardiff council costs taxpayer £17m
Emma Boon, campaign director of the Taxpayer’s Alliance, said that the scale of the absences “suggests that there is a deeper problem that needs addressing.”
“Given the current pressures on the public finances it is crucial that sickness rates are reduced where possible, as every day lost costs taxpayers money,” she added.
The Oxford Times: Fresh dismay at top exec payout
Emma Boon, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers have a right to know how and why their money is being spent.
“It’s simply not good enough for hospital bosses to do the equivalent of handing a brown bag of cash to a departing chief exec with no explanation. It’s our money they are spending.
“There will be serious disappointment for taxpayers that the trust did not seek better value for his replacement, hiring a new chief exec at a massively inflated salary seems like very poor value at a time when savings need to be found.”
Sustainable Gov: Jet-setting habits of councils revealed
Matthew Sinclair, Director of the TPA, said:
“It is shocking that some council staff have been jetting around at taxpayers’ expense. These local authorities need to find millions in savings in the coming years and with modern technology like video conferencing they needn’t spend large sums of taxpayers’ money on plane tickets. It is great that 29 authorities in the Midlands were prudent and didn’t spend a penny of taxpayers’ money on flights. However, others could cut back, especially those who have been enjoying the perks of business class at taxpayers’ expense.”
Scottish Daily Express: Cash of the Day! BBC pay Alan Hansen £3,000 a minute!
Matthew Sinclair, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Bosses at the BBC are constantly saying money is tight and pushing for a higher licence fee – but that is belied by this kind of extravagant payment.
“About £40,000 for an appearance on Match Of The Day will strike people struggling with their licence fee as an outrageous amount to pay anyone.”
Daily Star: Alan Hansen on £40k every show
Matthew Sinclair, from the Tax-Payers’ Alliance, last night blasted: “It’s diabolical, to use one of Hansen’s own catchphrases.
“Licence fee payers will be stunned that he is getting such incredible rewards.”
Click here to read the full story
I’ve just read Nick Wood’s latest RightMinds post in which he makes clear just how urgent it is that David Cameron and William Hague prepare for negotiations on a new EU treaty as soon as December – and he’s absolutely right.
Daily Express: Now railings in attack by PC brigade
Emma Boon, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, added: “Equality impact assessment on anything and everything needs to stop.”
Emma Boon, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers are sick and tired of seeing public sector staff rewarded for failure.
“These health directors are overseeing an area with appalling figures for obesity, infant mortality and sexual health that hardly seems like it merits a six-figure salary.
“At a time when our healthcare system needs to work more efficiently and save money Birmingham cannot afford to pay senior execs generous sums if they aren’t delivering results.
“Reducing things like teenage pregnancy can save money so it’s hugely important that these figures are improved.”
Mail Online: Fire chief spent £26,000 of taxpayers’ cash on business class flights around the globe
The figures, which were obtained by the Taxpayers’ Alliance, revealed the council spent more than £42,000 in total on overseas flights for its officers between April 2009 and March this year.
Bristol Evening Post: Taxi sharing to replace city’s night buses
Councillor Tim Kent told the cabinet that the scheme had the support of The TaxPayers’ Alliance for its creativity.
Leicester Mercury: Leicestershire council spending thousands on flights
Matthew Sinclair, the director of the Taxpayers’ Alliance which compiled the figures, said: “These local authorities need to find millions in savings in the coming years and with modern technology like video conferencing they needn’t spend large sums of taxpayers’ money on plane tickets.”
Medway News: Public’s bill for patrols at depot
The TaxPayers’ Alliance said the extra expense was “disappointing”.
Spokesman Emma Boon said: “Taxpayers in Chatham have already made it clear they are unhappy about this project and their concerns must be listened to.
“The council could have saved taxpayers’ money by putting up signs so that it didn’t have to hire a safety patrol for the bus station.”
