For immediate release Responding to the National Infrastructure Commission report suggesting that bills could rise by £400 a year to cover the cost of net zero, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The net zero target must not see working taxpayers landed with the bill. “With... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Sunday 25 July 2021 Responding to the Public Accounts Committee’s reports on spending during the pandemic, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The simple truth is that the pandemic has left taxpayers on the hook for billions. “Of course the government had to react... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to a proposed one percentage point rise in national insurance to fund social care, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Funding social care requires a more sustainable solution than simply whacking up taxes on working people and businesses. “What’s more, when politicians... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Thursday 15 July 2021 Henry Dimbleby's National Food Strategy has proposed sugar and salt taxes on everyday staples that may see every household forking out an extra £172 per year to the taxman. Dimbleby predicts the tax would cost households between £2.9 and £3.4 billion per year,... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the news of a compromise on overseas aid spending, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “This is another arbitrary aid target taxpayers don’t want. “It will lock in wasteful foreign aid projects and ensure the British public are stuck with the... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Saturday 10 July 2021 With England supporters ready to enjoy a pint watching the Euro 2020 final tomorrow, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has revealed that fans are paying around £64,884 per minute in taxes on beer. Using estimates from England’s semi-final game against Denmark, the campaign group... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the news that BBC star and executive pay packets have reduced, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "The Beeb is now taking baby steps in tackling top salaries. "But these BBC pay packets are picked from the pockets of pensioners and... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest fiscal risks report released today, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “These numbers are a wake-up call of the fiscal pressures facing us as we emerge from the pandemic. “It’s clear the economy has been... Read more...
For immediate release Amid calls for the furlough scheme not to be tapered off, analysis of HMRC data released today has found continuing the full scheme would cost taxpayers an extra £9 billion, or up to £18 billion if the scheme was extended to the end of the year.... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to today’s GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The devastating effects of the covid crisis on British hospitality are plain to see. “Pubs, clubs and restaurants have struggled to face down this pandemic, and... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Wednesday 30 June 2021 Responding to the Public Accounts Committee’s embargoed report on fraud, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Abuse of the covid schemes will appal hard-working taxpayers, who will ultimately have to foot the bill. “Support had to be deployed quickly without... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the culture secretary's announcement of a consultation on the sale of Channel 4, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “It’s crystal clear that Channel 4 should not still be taxpayer-owned in 2021. “In the age of streaming, it’s ridiculous that we... Read more...
For immediate release As reported on GB News this morning, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) has today released a council-by-council breakdown showing that some less affluent areas face a higher council tax burden than wealthy metropolitan London boroughs. Blackpool has the lowest average earnings in the UK at £19,808 but... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Monday 14 June 2021 With the ongoing departure of government departments and universities from Stonewall’s Diversity Champions scheme, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has revealed that the charity received at least £2,616,102 in government grants between 2015-16 and 2018-19. This was money received over and above amounts given... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the £1 billion Transport for London emergency funding deal, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Even before covid, TfL’s finances were already going down the tubes. “While some support on lost fares is understandable, this means yet another billion pound bailout... Read more...
For immediate release Fresh analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today shows that the poorest households now pay almost 57 per cent of their income in tax, the highest proportion of any group. The ONS data shows that for the lowest income households, total tax as... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Saturday 22 May 2021 With international travel now resuming, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) have found that government departments spent £1,267,954 on first and business class flights before the covid-19 lockdowns began. Across government departments, business class flights came to a total of £1,256,561 in 2019-20, making the... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Friday 21 May 2021 As the 10p plastic bag charge comes into effect today, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) has calculated the increased rate will cost consumers £1.03 billion over the next decade. As well as the 10p levy itself, shoppers face hidden costs like the increased use... Read more...
Responding to the culture secretary's suggestion that Channel 4 could be privatised, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “There’s no reason Channel 4 should still be taxpayer-owned in 2021. “In the age of streaming, it’s ridiculous that we have two publicly-owned broadcasters. “It’s about time Channel... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Wednesday 12th May 2021 Research by the TaxPayers’ Alliance has confirmed that councils across the UK have made significant savings on printing in the last year. Local authorities spent £41.6 million on printing between April 2020 and February 2021 - a decline of nearly £32 million (43... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Monday 3 May 2021 As Brits enjoy the Bank Holiday with a drink outside, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) is calling on the chancellor to extend the current five per cent reduced rate of VAT and include alcohol. Doing this until April 2023 could generate at least £15.7... Read more...
For immediate release With High Speed 2 (HS2) closing applications for a new chair in 3 weeks, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) are putting forward a candidate to represent taxpayers’ interests. If offered the position, TPA candidate Harry Fone would cut down waste and then scrap the project, after Freedom... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the news Danielle Boxall, media campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance said: “Slashing foreign aid to China is long overdue.“Previous projects, like helping the Chinese produce rice, saw wanton waste of taxpayers’ cash.“This should be a stepping stone to a proper and permanent cut... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to today’s employment figures from the Office for National Statistics, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Taxpayers have been left doing the heavy lifting off the back of the covid crisis. “Public sector job growth and the ongoing furlough scheme are no... Read more...