For immediate release
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The amount the UK government spends on global quangos could cover a 1p cut to the basic rate of income tax.
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The Global Quangos Uncovered Factbook released today by the TaxPayers' Alliance has revealed that global quangos received £85 billion from the UK government between 2009 to 2021, with a further £7.5 billion per year set to be spent from 2022 to 2027.
- A global quango is a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation which operates in multiple countries with a strong influence over national governments.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has revealed that the amount of money the UK government spends on global quangos is equal to a 1p cut in the basic rate of income tax.
Global Quangos Uncovered, a new factbook from the TPA documents the increasing influence of large multinational organisations over domestic politics and the enormous cost for taxpayers, with UK funding standing at £85 billion between 2009 to 2021. A further £7.5 billion per year is set to be spent from 2022 to 2027.
A global quango is a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation which operates in multiple countries with a strong influence over national governments through shaping policy agendas, international law and development aid. Global quangos depend on taxpayer funding but their leaders are not elected like national political leaders.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL FACTBOOK
Key findings:
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The UK spent £85 billion on global quangos from 2009 to 2021. From 2022 to 2027, the UK government is set to spend further £7.5 billion per year on global quangos.
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That could more than cover reducing the basic rate of income tax by 1p or 200,000 nurses’ salaries per year.
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The World Bank receives £1.5 billion from UK taxpayers in a typical year. The World Bank bill to the UK from 2012 to 2021 was £15.5 billion.
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The International Monetary Fund has cost UK taxpayers £2.1 billion from 2012 to 2021.
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The UK spent £41,329,462 between 2012 to 2021 on the OECD, making it the fourth highest contributor to the OECD’s primary budget.
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The UK was the third highest voluntary contributor to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2022. The WHO in March 2023 warned seven million people could die of excessive salt consumption before 2030 if governments do not pass restrictions.
- Global quangos are increasingly involving themselves in culture war issues. The IMF published a “Strategy toward Mainstreaming Gender” in 2022.
- Of 28 forecasts for the UK economy issued by the IMF between 2016 and 2022, 25 were overly pessimistic when compared to actual growth rates.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL FACTBOOK
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said
"Ministers have for too long hidden the growing influence of global quangos.
“Whitehall has handed ever more powers over to unelected international bodies, and has been sneaking the bill into the pockets of taxpayers.
“It’s high time the government looks again at our relationship with some of these organisations.”
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Conor Holohan
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
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Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
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TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
- The TPA is running the Global Quangos Uncovered campaign.