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...
Embargoed: 00:01 Wednesday 7 April 2021 Town Hall Rich List 2021 finds the number of officials receiving more than £100,000 went up to 2,802 by the onset of the covid pandemic. With families now facing higher council tax bills, new polling shows the overwhelming majority oppose increases by a... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Sunday 28 March 2021 Council tax has increased by 111 per cent since 2001-02, taking the highest band D bills to well over £2,200. Liverpool will have the highest council tax in the North West at £2,129. TaxPayers’ Alliance found the top 30 council tax increases in... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to data released today showing rising levels of council tax in England, Harry Fone, grassroots campaign manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “These punishing hikes will hit residents hard. “Crushing council tax bills are the last thing taxpayers need as we emerge from the coronavirus... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to measures announced on ‘Tax Day’ to cut inheritance tax red tape, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Minimising the red tape faced by grieving families is the right step. “Limiting paperwork is long overdue, but inheritance tax remains deeply unfair... Read more...
Embargoed: 00:01 Sunday 21 March 2021 Ahead of the launch of the Scottish election campaigns, the TaxPayers’ Alliance has found that an independent Scotland would need to raise the basic rate of income tax to 46 pence in the pound to pay for its current level of spending. With... Read more...
For immediate release Responding to today’s announcement in the Integrated Review that foreign aid spending will increase to 0.7 per cent of GNI, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Politicians must be on another planet if they think ratcheting back up Britain’s foreign aid bill is... Read more...
EMBARGOED 00:01 Friday 12 March 2021 Responding to research from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) showing average council tax in England now exceeds £2,000 in the North East and South West of England, Harry Fone, grassroots campaign manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Council tax... Read more...