ThinkTent – a joint venture between the Institute of Economic Affairs and the TaxPayers’ Alliance – returned live and in-person to the fringe scene of this year's Conservative Party Conference. We hosted a range of politicians, journalists, academics, and business leaders to discuss the key issues facing the country; including... Read more...
Streaming live via Zoom webinar, and available to replay on YouTube. After the (possible!) 21st June unlocking, will pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes be able to come back fighting from the pandemic? Our panel of leading industry voices includes: Founder of Punch Taverns, Hugh Osmond Editor of Chef &... Read more...
Watch grassroots campaign manager, Harry Fone, in conversation with panellists James Frayne of Public First, Andrew Dixon of Fairer Share and journalist and former councillor Harry Phibbs discussing town halls: How we pay for them and what should change. Read more...
In this briefing, Development Director Georgiana Bristol, Grassroots Campaign Manager Harry Fone and Researcher Scott Simmonds discuss the results of the 2021 THRL. They discuss why the THRL is still so important, some of the worst offenders and best performers, and what positive results come from the THRL's publication. ... Read more...
In partnership with ConservativeHome, the TaxPayers' Alliance are delighted to host a panel discussion at the Conservative Party Spring Forum on how to reform business rates and support business. Fringe Date: Friday 26th March 2021Fringe Time: 3.00 – 4.00pm Speakers: Henry Hill, News Editor, ConservativeHome (chair) Paul... Read more...
How worried should we be about the national debt? Join TPA Chairman, Mike Denham, a former Treasury economist, in conversation with economist, Telegraph columnist and Capital Economics Chairman, Roger Bootle. They’ll be taking a look at the bigger macroeconomic picture, with plenty of time to take your questions too. Diary details: ... Read more...
We’ll be joined by Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon Stephen Barclay. Steve will be giving his insights into the Budget and taking questions. An MP since 2010, Steve has held roles including Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of State for... Read more...
John Penrose is the Prime Minister’s Anti-Corruption Champion and has been officially asked to recommend changes to the UK’s post-Brexit Competition and Consumer Regime - published this week. This report, ‘Power To The People: Stronger Consumer Choice And Competition So Markets Work For People, Not The Other Way Round’ will form... Read more...
Watch our expert analysis of the budget featuring John O'Connell (TPA Chief Executive), Mike Denham (TPA Chairman), Andrea Leadsom MP and Georgie Frost (broadcaster and journalist). Read more...
We were joined by Homes Under the Hammer & MoneyMagpie's Jasmine Birtles, MP Marco Longhi and journalist and author Ross Clarke to discuss the effects of the chancellor's stamp duty holiday on the housing market and the reforms needed to improve the process for both buyers and sellers. Read more...
Watch our special episode of TPA Talks here - a review of the Spending Review. Read more...
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...
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...