New research conducted by the TaxPayers’ Alliance suggests public bodies are providing trade union representatives with office space in taxpayer-funded buildings at knock-down rates Government guidance says “restrictions should be placed on use of office facilities” but many bodies are ignoring that advice. Analysis demonstrates subsidised union activity in the... Read more...
New analysis by the TaxPayers’ Alliance demonstrates that British foreign aid spending has little to no bearing on the freedom experienced in receiving countries. The research, which uses a series of well-respected indices to deliver an overall “freedom score”, plots that score against the amount of foreign aid a country... Read more...
The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) today reveals that trade unions received at least £108 million in subsidies from taxpayers in 2012-13, just £5 million less than in 2011-12. Our comprehensive survey shows shows that trade unions received an estimated £85 million in paid staff time (facility time) plus £23 million in direct payments in 2012-13. The research also demonstrates... Read more...
The Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) budget for 2014-15 is £38 billion, one of the largest on Whitehall. It accounts for more than 5 per cent of this year’s Total Managed Expenditure (TME) of £732 billion and consequently is under scrutiny. Read more...
Emergency services in Wales are facing significant pressure on their finances. With that in mind, they should be examining ways to cut overall expenditure in areas that have the least impact on their ability to provide a good service. Previous TaxPayers’ Alliance research has shown that millions of pounds are... Read more...
For the eighth consecutive year, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) has compiled the most comprehensive list of council employees in the UK whose total annual remuneration exceeds £100,000. This year’s Town Hall Rich List covers the 2011-12 and 2012-13 financial years, the most recent full years for which data is available. Read more...
Public sector debt is forecast by the Office for Budgetary Responsibility to exceed £1.3 trillion in 2014-15.1 However, as explained by previous TaxPayers’ Alliance research, this number does not include a range of expensive commitments such as unfunded pension liabilities. Read more...
In advance of the Comprehensive Spending Review, we can reveal how the Government could cut vast swathes of wasteful and unnecessary spending. A new online edition of theBumper Book of Government Waste, published today, identifies potential savings to the tune of nearly £120 billion, a figure almost exactly equal to... Read more...
As a country our tax legislation is vast, complicated and growing; with each successive government the size of the UK tax code grows. A simpler, clearer and lighter tax system which is more understandable would close loopholes, encourage business growth and be easier to implement. Read more...
When Stamp Duty was first introduced there was only one rate of 1% paid on properties over £60,000 which was more than above the current average house price. Now we have 5 rates and more than two thirds of families pay it when they move. Read more...
Between 2002-3 and 2012-13, the NHS budget increased from £57 billion to more than £105 billion. With the budget now so large and no longer growing so quickly, it’s more important than ever that the NHS delivers value for money. Read more...
The Coalition judges itself partly on its progress on reducing the annual deficit to stop the total accumulated debt from spiralling out of control. But the official National Debt is not the only liability the Government is storing up for future taxpayers. Unfunded pension promises for public sector employees are not included in... Read more...