TaxPayers’ Alliance activists in Colchester braved the cold and the rain last Wedensday to protest against energy taxes. Passers-by stopped at our stall to pick up leaflets and sign a petition for our ‘Stop the Energy Swindle’ campaign. Read more...
We've always campaigned for greater transparency about how much we all really pay in tax: far too often the taxes and duties and levies we pay are hidden and all we know is the total price that we have paid for something, inclusive of all taxes. Read more...
Local supporters gathered on a bright but cold lunchtime in the centre of Reading’s shopping district to protest at the government’s green taxes on energy and sky-high gas and electric bills. They handed out leaflets in support of our ‘Stop the Energy Swindle’ campaign. Read more...
The TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) has today challenged Culture Secretary, Maria Miller, not to waste a penny of taxpayers' money establishing a "Recognition Panel" to which a self-governing press regulator is extremely unlikely ever to submit itself. The campaign group has also demanded to know whether any taxpayers' money has already... Read more...
I know from those times I pushed my late father around in a wheelchair how important disabled access is. I also know how great everyone is when they see you trying to manoeuvre your way through. Without exception, everyone would offer a helping hand. Read more...
Students from the University of Exeter gathered to support our Cut Cider Tax campaign. Inside the atrium of its impressive new Forum centre, they collected over 260 signatures for our petition calling on a cut in the Cider Duty Escalator, which automatically adds duty of 2% above inflation to a... Read more...
The Ongar War Memorial Medical Centre has stood empty for nearly two years because doctors at a nearby surgery cannot agree on the lease terms with NHS England, due to the absence of a crucial IT system. Read more...
There's been increasing talk around certain quarters of Westminster in the last few weeks of a desire to roll back on some of the Government's expensive 'green' measures that are costing taxpayers dear. And not before time. Read more...
Despite torrential rain last Saturday in Cardiff, TPA supporters were out on the streets collecting signatures for our petition urging Cardiff City Council to abandon plans to introduce monthly bin collections. Just like the previous weekend, many shoppers were shocked to hear of the proposal and want their elected representatives... Read more...
Colchester Borough Council is considering hiking Council Tax next year, despite wasting millions of pound of taxpayers’ money on expensive vanity projects and empty warehouses. Paul Smith, councillor for business and resources said that a rise in Council Tax could be necessary in the face of reductions in the central government... Read more...
Following on from our report exposing the councils in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire who ban the public recording, blogging, and tweeting at council meetings, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced that these rights will now be enshrined in legislation. The news laws will be part of the Local Audit and Accountability... Read more...
Could Stamp Duty be contributing to unemployment rates? That was the question posed by the Head of Residential Research, Adam Challis, of property group Jones Lang LaSalle in response to a presentation at Chatham House by Professor Andrew Oswald of Warwick University about the correlation he found between levels of... Read more...
In 2010 WalesOnline highlighted the issue of councils publishing free-sheets containing everything from local events and bus timetables to the cronyism of egoistical politicians. Never do these publications provide a critical view of local authorities, such as questioning cases of overspending on nonsensical projects or the negative performance of departments within the... Read more...
Yesterday the “independent” growth taskforce (hint: it’s anything but independent) urged cities across the UK that they needed to be “HS2 ready”. This announcement by the taskforce was accompanied by a glossy document talking of a “once in a generation chance” and full of soundbites and spin, but not much else. Alas, there was no mention of the soaring... Read more...
Cornish councillors have voted against a call for an eye-watering Council Tax increase of 6 per cent. They rejected it by 79 votes to 33, with two abstentions. ‘I don't think it’s right to ask people in Cornwall to pay more than they have to,’ said Alex Folkes, cabinet member... Read more...
Folkestone Town (parish) Council has put £400,000 towards a World War One memorial arch organised by a group called Short Step. The charity has failed to raise its part of the money, so taxpayers face the prospect of being lumbered with another £19,000. It’s a worthy idea, but is it... Read more...
On Saturday we launched our campaign against Cardiff Council’s barmy proposal to introduce monthly bin collections. Local TPA supporters gathered signatures to our petition opposing the idea, and even though parts of Cardiff were flooded, the residents of Llandaff and Whitchurch turned out in force to add their support. Over 300 signatures... Read more...
It was confirmed yesterday that Daryll Stephenson, Hull City Council's part-time interim Chief Executive, is now the permanent council boss. He will work two days a week for a salary of £65,000 a year. It is also worth noting at this point that Mr Stephenson is the former Chief Executive... Read more...
In our report on the recording of council meetings in Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, published earlier this week, we revealed that Scarborough Borough Council does not record its meetings, doesn't allow members of the public to record meetings, and doesn't have a policy in place on members of the public blogging... Read more...
The TaxPayers' Alliance in Wales is today launching a campaign against Cardiff City Council's proposals for monthly bin collections. These proposals, if implemented, would mean local residents getting a much poorer service for the huge amount of Council Tax they pay. The proposals also risk damaging the environment with the... Read more...
At the Conservative Party Conference, we held a session looking at practical ways councils can reduce spending and cut Council Tax. This took place in the Freedom Zone, which was open for all to visit. Some great ideas were discussed, such as sharing services and never accepting the first offer... Read more...
An internal audit has revealed a worrying level of financial mismanagement within Bristol City Council (BCC). It presents a grim picture of taxpayers’ money being exploited both within and outside the council. Some £220,000 has been wasted in bills being paid twice. A council employee and a contractor have each... Read more...
Important update at the bottom of this post. Last week I wrote about Rochdale Council's Chief Executive, Jim Taylor, being in line for a £40,000 pay rise. The good news this morning is that, under pressure, the council leader has backed down and the pay rise will not be awarded.... Read more...
Households in the the poorest fifth of income distribution spend £1,165 a year on VAT and £1,286 on 'lifestyle taxes', according to new research from the Institute of Economic Affairs. The amount taken from the poorest fifth of households in lifestyle taxes represents 11 per cent of their disposable income.... Read more...