Embargoed: 00:01 Saturday 17 October 2020 The government plans to scrap VAT-free sales in airports for items such as electronics, food and clothing for passengers travelling outside the EU. A new briefing note shows that the change could cost UK residents who fly to non-EU countries an extra £12.1 million... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to Boris Johnson’s speech to Conservative Party conference, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Many will welcome the Prime Minister’s rallying cry that taxpayers can’t be expected to foot the bill for evermore state spending. “But paying lip service to ‘Uncle Sugar’... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Tuesday 6 October 2020 New research from the TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed that the annual cost of quango board members was almost £124 million, with some collecting multiple pay packets by sitting on different boards. Analysis of 2018-19 figures - the most recent year for which full... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the chancellor’s winter economy plan, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: “Rishi is right to take a more sustainable path in our recovery from the covid crisis. “These measures are a better alternative to full furlough, lightening the load on hard-pressed... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to Keir Starmer’s speech to the Labour Party conference, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The opposition leader is absolutely right to call out wasted millions, but announcing further spending promises will only create more of the same. “The last thing families... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the shadow chancellor’s speech to the Labour Party conference, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “It’s refreshing to hear the shadow chancellor take a stand on cavalier government spending splurges. “Endless treasury schemes and failed PPE contracts have cost hard-pressed taxpayers... Read more...
For immediate release BBC stars and executives are both receiving mega-salaries, with senior executives costing a total of £37.5 million each year, and enjoying perks including drivers and four star spa hotels. Analysis shows the median salary of a BBC employee is 83 per cent higher than the median... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the publication of BBC star salaries, John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: “BBC salary surges for loaded luvvies fly in the face of ratepayers facing economic ruin. “These bumper Beeb pay packets are picked from the pockets of pensioners and poor... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Monday 14 September 2020 As the TUC Congress begins today, the TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed that the average remuneration of the top 29 public sector union bosses was £153,935 in 2019.Education union bosses topped this year’s annual Public Sector Trade Union Rich List, with six senior staff sharing £1,296,869 between them.Sally Hunt, former general secretary of... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Friday 11 September 2020 English councils have invested heavily in commercial property since 2015. Analysis of a sample of local authorities showed millions being lost, with yields well below forecasts. The uncertainty caused by covid-19 confirms the need for new measures to restrict and monitor these investment... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to reports that Harry and Meghan have paid back the money for Frogmore Cottage, Joe Ventre, digital campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “At long last the California couple have coughed up the cash. “This was a hard-fought win for taxpayers, who were furious... Read more...
For immediate release Commenting on reports that the chancellor is planning a tax raid to pay for the coronavirus response, John O’Connell chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“Punishing tax hikes are the exact opposite of what Britain needs, and Rishi must rule them out.“After the monumental national effort to... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the announcement by Matt Hancock that Public Health England will be scrapped, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “This is very welcome news for taxpayers, who for too long have propped up a nannying quango more interested in dictating diets than... Read more...
For immediate release Commenting on today’s announcement from the ONS that the UK has officially fallen into recession, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "While this news won’t come as a surprise, taxpayers will want to hear how the government plans to tackle this unprecedented economic... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Wednesday 29 July 2020 TaxPayers’ Alliance research finds costs of reported online sales tax. It would hit the poorest and most vulnerable hardest, with deliveries being a lifeline for millions. The campaign group opposes the chancellor’s constant war on shoppers. New analysis from the TaxPayers’ Alliance reveals... Read more...
Embargoed 00:01 Monday 27 July Responding to the new government obesity strategy, John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “This new strategy leaves slim pickings for struggling families who rely on affordable meals to put food on the table. "Outright ad bans on ordinary foods and ending... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to reports of new government obesity measures such as banning in-store promotions, John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Hard-pressed hungry shoppers don’t need Boris piling on the pounds to their weekly food bill. "Ministers are telling taxpayers to 'eat out to help... Read more...
EMBARGOED 22:30 THURSDAY 16 JULY Responding to the report by the International Development Committee on "Effectiveness of UK aid: potential impact of FCO/DFID merger findings", James Roberts, political director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "If MPs think streamlining foreign aid will undermine Britain's place in the world, they must... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the confirmation that the BBC will end free TV licences for over 75s, James Roberts, political director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "This announcement shows the Beeb would rather fleece pensioners than cut its wasteful diversity budgets and top star salaries. "The TV tax is a... Read more...
For immediate release Analysis from the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) reveals that the chancellor’s raising of the stamp duty land tax threshold to £500,000 could unlock 216,000 house moves, equivalent to the total housing stock of Wiltshire, Bradford or the city of Manchester. Click here to read the analysis Modelling... Read more...
For immediate release Commenting on the chancellor’s economic statement, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The chancellor announced a ‘plan for jobs’ but it’s tomorrow’s taxpayers who will have to work hard to pay for it all. “While the jobs retention bonus will help ensure that... Read more...
For immediate release Commenting on the further funding package for local councils announced by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, Harry Fone, grassroots campaign manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “This endless flow of uncontrolled cash to cack-handed councils is likely to see millions more... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the prime minister’s speech on re-building the economy post pandemic, John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Boris the Builder is promising to fix it, but jobs and investment won’t come from spending splurges alone. “The PM’s promises on planning reform and... Read more...
Embargoed for 22:00, Wednesday 24th June Campaign group recommends a score of regulatory reforms to help us recover from the sharpest economic contraction in history. Red tape could be slashed to allow new terraced homes, pub takeaways, work from home apps, approval for new medicines and sick pay for the... Read more...