In this special episode of TPA Talks, we host a roundtable of experts to discuss the TPA’s latest research paper evaluating the UK health system (pre-coronavirus) in comparison to that of other developed nations. This bold and important conversation will be of great interest to those looking for a... Read more...
Already before the coronavirus, the public were losing faith in our state broadcasters. Now, with streaming services booming and multiple BBC bungles, public broadcasters are fighting for their lives. Can and should the BBC and Channel 4 survive in 21st century Britain, and what changes do they need to make?... Read more...
Many people deny the existence of cancel culture, but when people can be hounded from jobs for expressing certain views, a proper debate is needed on the future of free speech. ThinkTent, together with the Free Speech Union, hosts a discussion about the rise of intolerance for differing viewpoints, how... Read more...
Taxpayer support packages have put a burden on the public finances and the full economic damage of lockdown measures will not be clear for months. But none thing we do know is the UK finds its public finances in dire straits. Do we have to accept tax rises post-covid, or... Read more...
A carbon tax has long been a point of contention for many who support free markets. Could it be freedom’s answer to climate change, or are its costs too onerous on consumers and businesses? This panel debated whether such a tax could be implemented, and the likely changes that would... Read more...
Local authorities in England have spent billions on commercial property since 2015. Changes in work-from-home patterns due to coronavirus could see rents from retail and office property fall - putting councils and therefore taxpayers at huge financial risk. We were joined by councillors Gerald Vernon-Jackson (leader of Portsmouth City Council) and Ferris Cowper (former leader of East Hampshire District Council) to discuss councils investing in commercial property. Both panellists are passionate... Read more...
The future of the BBC licence fee:Mark Wallace in conversation with Sir Robbie Gibb The TaxPayers’ Alliance would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who attended a most enjoyable conversation with Sir Robbie Gibb and Mark Wallace. The venue was packed, showing that the licence fee... Read more...
The TPA visited Herefordshire to campaign against a planned 4 per cent rise in council tax. Supporters in the area notified us about the inflation-busting rise and following conversations with local councillors we realised it would pass unchallenged unless we acted.The grassroots and research teams sprung into action and we soon... Read more...
The TPA attended the biggest business exhibition in the south west. With nearly 4,000 people in attendance our stand was a hive of activity. It was great to meet so many people who were familiar with our work and were eager to lend their support to future campaigns. Read more...
TPA CEO John O'Connell, Kieran Neild and Harry Fone promoted the work of the TaxPayers' Alliance at the North East Expo in Newcastle. It was a great opportunity to chat to business owners about the numerous tax and regulatory challenges they face. Many were angered that excessive taxation limited how... Read more...
Grassroots Campaign Manager Harry Fone and Grassroots Assistant Kieran Neild-Ali visited the Basildon Business Expo to promote the work of the TaxPayers' Alliance. Specifically, they were there to highlight The Bumper Book of Burdens on Business which exposes just a handful of taxes and regulations that hinder British entrepreneurs.The response... Read more...
We joined forces with TPA supporters in Ashfield and Mansfield to hold their local councils to account. Our research showed that councillors' allowances in Ashfield and Mansfield were sky high when compared to other Nottinghamshire councils. Despite having the smallest population out of all Notts councils, over the last three... Read more...
Grassroots Campaign Manager Harry Fone spoke to speak to students at Durham University about our Stand Against Socialism campaign. At the Durham Union Society, he was joined by writer Dr Ben Irvine and lecturer Dr Nikos Sotirakopoulos to discuss why socialism is becoming popular again and what we as free... Read more...
Following the release of the University Rich List, the TPA team visited the Durham University Freshers' Fair to speak to students about the report. All were shocked to learn that the vice-chancellor of Durham, Stuart Corbridge, was paid £301,431 in 2017-18. They were even more surprised when they discovered that... Read more...
On Monday, 23rd September, we were joined by entrepreneur and living legend Barry Hearn to celebrate the launch of our latest report, The Bumper Book of Burdens on Business. The report outlines the bureaucratic regulations and taxes such as VAT, business rates, fuel duty and corporation tax which are stifling innovation, productivity,... Read more...
Our team visited Bristol to campaign against the introduction of a workplace parking levy (WPL). Nottingham introduced one in 2012, charging businesses with 11 or more staff parking spaces, £415 per space, per year! We firmly oppose another stealth tax being introduced in Bristol and our Lose The Levy campaign... Read more...
As part of the Burdens on Business Tour, we spoke to business owners about why the TPA wants taxes and regulation reduced. Read more...
Once again we joined forces with keen local campaigners to expose local council waste. Many people we spoke to are absolutely fed up of council bosses being paid six-figure salaries yet in return residents receive poor quality services. Read more...
The TPA visited Bath as part of the Rich List Roadshow tour to highlight the very large remuneration paid to its council bosses. Data from our Town Hall Rich List shows the Strategic Director for Resources was paid £424,250 in 2017/18. The bulk of the pay is made up of... Read more...
The TPA team ventured to the north east of England and specifically Sunderland to join forces with local campaign group Sunderland for Transparency. Together we have unearthed numerous examples of the local council wasting taxpayers' money. Grassroots Campaign Manager Harry Fone spoke at their annual social event about the work... Read more...
Do we need alternatives to HS2, and what should they be? Panellists: Shaun Bailey – Member of the London Assembly and Conservative candidate for the 2020 London mayoral electionMichael Byng – Great British Transport Competition judge, transport infrastructure consultant and quantity surveyorKelvin Hopkins - Member of Parliament for Luton North... Read more...
It was a pleasure to be out campaigning again with the Croydon Constitutionalists. We had a fascinating day speaking to residents of Addiscombe about everything for high salaries for council bosses to local vanity projects. Read more...
TPA staff and supporters travelled to Royal Tunbridge Wells to campaign against proposals to build new council offices and a theatre at a cost of £90 million to local ratepayers. This despite the fact they already have reasonably good infrastructure that a simple refurbishment would bring up to modern standards.Many... Read more...
The TPA team descend on Oxford to speak to local residents about the obscene amounts of money paid to Oxfordshire council bosses. Remarkably the chief executive was paid £216,722 (in 2017/18) and worse still employed an assistant chief executive who received nearly £140,000! One of the most interesting moments of... Read more...