TaxPayers’ Alliance reveals £5.6 billion of government waste

For immediate release

The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) have uncovered a total of £5,577,988,036.64 of waste across government in a major new investigation with the Daily Mail.

The research, launched today on the front page of the Daily Mail, looked into all areas of public spending and comes as the chancellor prepares the Comprehensive Spending Review to get the nation’s finances under control.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP

Key Findings:

• Senior civil servants banked at least £42 million in bonuses last year.
  
  
• Taxpayers paid out £81 million for trade union representatives to take time off work known as ‘facility time’.
  
  
• The Treasury spent £23,400 on travel, including first-class flights.
  
  
• £10 million was spent across government for staff to work from home over lockdown, including the purchase of designer furniture.
  
  
• The Department for Health and Social Care spent £50,000 on takeaways from ‘Bong Bongs Manila Kanteen’ during lockdown.

• Thousands were spent on luxury restaurants, steakhouses and even on a day at the zoo.

• DCMS paid out almost £500,000 on an art collection the public never sees.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO CLIP

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:

“This investigation is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Tens of billions of pounds are still squandered each year, and if we eradicate waste it leaves the room for lower, simpler taxes, promoting economic growth and funding better public services. 

“The Chancellor must stop writing blank cheques using taxpayers' money – and wasteful bureaucrats must end the absurd claims that there are simply no more savings to be found.”

TPA spokesmen are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)

Media contact:

Danielle Boxall
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)

Notes to editors:

1. 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.
   
   
2. TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
   
   
3. The TaxPayers’ Alliance have published their landmark Save to Spend report, which recommends £43 billion of savings for the Comprehensive Spending Review.