After the expenses scandal of the previous summer, many MPs decided against standing for re-election. Others were voted out at the election. This research note details how departing MPs are receiving a one-off Resettlement Grant of 50-100 percent of their annual salary, dependent on their age and length of service. ... Read more...
This research note explores how the European Union budget is being used to fund a wide range of orchestras, concerts and music festivals, and whether there is a clear policy of using these orchestras to promote the political objectives of the EU, in particular ever closer political union. Read more...
This new research looks at the evidence that higher spending leads to lower economic growth, and suggests that the increase in spending over the last decade is already seriously depressing trend growth. Read more...
In this research note, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reveals a list of JHA areas, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, in which the British Government has surrendered its opt out in Brussels. Read more...
Many workers in the public and private sectors expect pay freezes or cuts with resources scarce following the recession and a crisis in the public finances. Read more...
Our report ACA-YJB: A Guide to the UK Semi-Autonomous Public Bodies showed there are 1,148 national arms length bodies in Britain, costing over £90 billion. Read more...
This new book, edited by Matthew Sinclair, presents the most thorough investigation yet of this vital issue and a plan to turn things around. Read more...
For your convenience: Here is a list of our EU research papers Read more...
This new research note shows that public sector staff are striking fifteen times more than those in the private sector, a far greater ratio than ten years ago. Read more...
The news of a pay rise for MPs, while so many people in the public and private sectors are facing a freeze at best, will shock taxpayers. MPs are already well paid, as we set out in a recent TPA research note: "In the general context of UK earnings, individual... Read more...
Against a background of dire problems in the public finances, the overly generous Local Government Pension Scheme is placing an unsustainable burden on taxpayers and on council budgets. The report warns of the severe costs which will be incurred if the Scheme continues unreformed. Read more...
In 2009 the Government asked local authorities to comment on its proposals for increased transparency in executive pay. This research note surmises their responses, and considers what impact resistance has had on the final plans. Read more...
Are the Government’s efforts to increase “awareness” of climate change a legitimate use of public funds? This research note examines some of the projects paid for by DEFRA’s £8.5 million ‘Climate Challenge Fund’. Read more...
The rising cost of fuel is imposing a substantial burden on many families. New research finds that UK drivers are paying almost £18 billion a year in excessive motoring taxes. Read more...
The TaxPayers' Alliance will hold any government to account and represent taxpayers' interests. We will keep fighting for lower taxes and better value in public services. Read more...
The report exposes the hypocrisy of the Environment Agency in calling for ordinary people to avoid short haul flights while it regularly flies within the UK or to destinations that can be reached by Eurostar. Read more...
The report investigates the political activity, remuneration and careers of a large sample of quango board members in 2007-8. Read more...
The recent TaxPayers’ Alliance report Ending the Green Rip-Off: Reforming climate change policy to reduce the burden on families showed that existing climate change policy is imposing an excessive and inefficient burden on families and businesses. The report cited Citigroup analysis which suggests climate change policy is already heading for... Read more...
The report sets out how Brown's sale of gold reserves at the bottom of the market, moving the money to interest-earning foreign currency assets, has cost taxpayers £5 billion. Read more...
Green taxes and regulations are excessive and ineffective. The cost of energy could be dramatically lower with more realistic climate change policy. Read more...
The latest edition of the Public Sector Rich List presents the 805 public sector staff who now earn more than £150,000. Read more...
The report provides a guide to the different policies that the parties have proposed, and analysts think they might put forward, to address the fiscal crisis. Read more...
Gordon Brown's offer to cut Britain's carbon dioxide emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 could mean needing to cut the size of the economy 30 per cent from its expected level that year. Read more...
The report sets out how councils raise £328 million a year through parking fines. Read more...