For immediate release
Campaigners from the TaxPayers’ Alliance have visited Gravesend, where the local council, Gravesham, has failed to publish accounts for each of the last four years.
TPA campaigners protested outside the council’s offices holding a banner that read “What are they hiding?”
New analysis by the TPA shows that almost 100 councils have failed to publish any statement of accounts for the latest financial year. In total, over the four financial years since 2018/19, there are 658 overdue audited statements of accounts, leading to what the TPA has called a “transparency crisis” in local government.
Gravesham borough council was one of two councils, along with Copeland, who failed to publish any accounts for four years running.
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Elliot Keck, head of campaigns of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Local taxpayers in Gravesend and beyond are wondering what the council has to hide.
“Residents who are being asked to fork out for council tax rises expect to be given clarity on what the council is spending their money on.
“Town hall bosses need to treat taxpayers with respect and urgently clear this transparency backlog.”
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Conor Holohan
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
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Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
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TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
- Photo: Elliot Keck and Penny Hampden-Turner of the TaxPayers’ Alliance