For immediate release Responding to Rachel Reeves’ first speech as chancellor of the exchequer, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“Taxpayers will welcome the chancellor’s commitment to delivering growth and her genuine grasp of the problems with the planning system. “But with Reeves frequently reaching for the same tired... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to Sir Keir Starmer’s first speech as prime minister, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“Labour enters office with a record high tax burden pumping hundreds of billions into the exchequer for Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers to deliver the services that... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the release of Reform UK’s ‘contract’, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“Reform’s package of tax cuts, spending controls, and reducing regulation has the potential to offer real relief to Brits struggling under a record high tax burden and give a boost to... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01, Saturday 15th June 2024 An estimated £180 million of beer duty will be paid to the Treasury during the Euros. UK has the second-highest beer duty compared to EU member states; British drinkers will pay the highest beer duty of any EU country represented at the European... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the Labour Party manifesto launch, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“Taxpayers hoping for change from an ever-rising tax burden will be bitterly disappointed by a Labour manifesto that may rule out major tax rises, but leaves the door open to alternative ways... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the launch of the Conservative Party manifesto, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“With the tax burden on course to hit an 80 year high, Brits of all ages are looking for concrete measures to get runaway spending under control and fundamentally reform... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the Liberal Democrat election manifesto, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“The Lib Dem manifesto offers warm words on balancing the books and bringing down personal taxes, but beneath the headlines, there’s little to cheer for taxpayers. “Reforms to IR35 rules offer a glimmer... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01, Monday 27th May 2024 Cash strapped councils have built up a collection of almost two million pieces of art worth billions of pounds yet largely hidden from view by the public, it has been revealed today. The research, conducted by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, has found that town halls now own almost... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to reports that the government is going to scrap the generational smoking ban as a result of the general election, Benjamin Elks, grassroots development manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The decision to scrap the bonkers generational smoking ban is good news, but taxpayers will... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01, Monday 20th May 2024 *NOTE: This press release has been updated to make clear that the Conservative Party estimates are based on HM Treasury figures* Revenue raised from imposing VAT on private school fees could almost entirely be lost as a result of the increased cost to the... Read more...
*Embargoed: 00:01 Wednesday 15th May 2024* Responding to the National Audit Office report criticising HMRC performance, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “This scathing report from the NAO will come as no surprise to taxpayers who have tried and tried again to contact HMRC.“While civil servants... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to reports that diversity roles in the civil service are set to be scrapped, Joanna Marchong, investigations campaigns manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Taxpayers will be thrilled that ministers are injecting some much needed common sense into Whitehall.“Creating whole teams devoted to EDI initiatives has... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to GDP figures showing the UK has officially emerged from a recession, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“The return to growth is a rare piece of good news for taxpayers, who have had little to smile about recently.“But while commentators talk of a... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01, Monday 6th May 2024 Tax burden set to reach 80-year high of 37.1 per cent in 2028-29 Current parliament will be biggest tax raising parliament since 1950 TaxPayers’ Alliance calling for tax cuts to change trajectory of ever growing tax burden Analysis by the TaxPayers’ Alliance of... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development’s downgraded UK growth forecasts, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “This downgrade should come as no surprise to ministers who have been warned time and time again about their damaging economic policies. “Runaway spending and... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to reports that the prime minister is set to announce an increase in defence spending, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “In a time of escalating global threats, taxpayers will appreciate the need for a boost to the UK’s military... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to Rishi Sunak’s call to end the “sick note culture” in Britain, Darwin Friend, head of research of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The prime minister is right to call for an end to the ‘sick note culture’ that has contributed to the poor health of... Read more...
CORRECTION: In the regional breakdown the financial year listed is 2021-22. This has been amended to 2022-23, which is the correct year. CORRECTION: The first edition of this press release had Ards and North Down's chief executive as the highest remunerated official in Northern Ireland. This has now been... Read more...
For immediate release New data released today has revealed that average council tax bills have increased by £106 for band D taxpayers in England, the largest increase in council tax bills since 2003-04 when rates went up by £126. It is the second largest increase in cash terms since council... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01, Monday 18th March 2024 1,146 employees of city hall and its subsidiaries received over £100,000 in 2022-23 Transport for London alone accounted for 772 employees receiving over £100,000 while the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime saw its numbers increase from 80 to 301 The Mayoral precept has increased by 57 per cent since Sadiq Khan came... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the announcement of a 5.5 per cent pay rise for MPs, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“Taxpayers will be aghast at this inflation-busting pay rise for politicians.“While households struggle to stay above water due to frozen thresholds, MPs are set to... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Friday 8th March 2024 The UK’s real national debt is much higher than suggested by Wednesday’s budget figures, at £12.1 trillion in 2024-25. This is over £180,000 per person The total debt, which includes PFI and pension liabilities, is more than four times the size of the... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to Pembrokeshire county council passing an amended council tax rise of 12.5 per cent after a TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign, Benjamin Elks, grassroots development manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Local residents will be giving a sigh of relief that this record rate rise, the highest... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to the spring budget, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:“Alongside some wins for motorists, pub-goers and workers it was encouraging to hear the chancellor talk about a simpler tax system, given much of the pressure on taxpayers comes from complexity.“That said, taxes overall... Read more...