Britannia Radio

 

 

TPA Bulletin - 20th August 2010

 

 

Audit Commission Scrapped

 

Well, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) certainly aren't hanging around. The department have already gone to work on stripping out layers of bureaucracy and abolishing costly schemes. Last week they published all of their spending over £500 (covered in this rolling blog) and we think all government departments should match it. Not everything they have done is necessarily fantastic – such as plans for exorbitant tariffs on homes that do not meet sustainability codes – but you have to admire the speed at which they've gotten to grips with the cumbersome structure of the department.

Late last Friday, we heard that DCLG are to scrap the Audit Commission. Having already scrapped Comprehensive Area Assessments – where the Audit Commission would grade councils based on top-down targets – getting rid of the entire quango came as something of a shock to many people. In our book How to cut public spending we recommended getting rid of the assessment element of the job and leaving the Audit Commission to...well...audit, so we were among the surprised on hearing the news. But the move is a welcome one; the Commission have never been seen as equally robust as the National Audit Office (the other public sector auditor) and there will also be significant savings. As well as the cost of the body itself, local authority staff estimate that millions will be saved as employees can focus on their jobs rather than satisfying the Audit Commission.

 

Additionally, the idea that councils pick who audits their accounts – based on competitive contracts and value for money – is appealing to those of us who want to see less top-down central government control. Spending transparency will help ease any fears too, as the publication of council spending over £500 becomes ever more common. That way we can all act as auditors to our local authority’s accounts.

Media coverage included: 

 

BBC News Channel: Emma Boon said scrapping the Audit Commission would save taxpayers' money (clips from Emma’s interview were played across the BBC’s radio Stations over the weekend)

LBC Radio: Matthew Elliott praised the coalition's decision to abolish the Audit Commission

 

 

EU Tax - a Cover for 'Lesser' Concessions? 

 

Over the past couple of weeks, journalists and commentators have been starting to look with real worry at proposals for a new EU-level tax. It’s worth stressing the word ‘new’ – the complex system of how countries ‘contribute’ to the EU budget already currently includes a quasi-contributory element through the VAT system. But the schemes being mooted would apply in parallel across all the countries, and for the first time there would be a very visible and very direct way of funding the EU.

 

But when the EU’s revenues are being reviewed in a few months time, a common taxation system will only be one of the areas up for discussion and we must keep our eyes peeled for any other nasties that could fall under the radar as we campaign hard against an EU tax. The same is true with the British Rebate. The CAP countries are already targeting it as part of their negotiating tactics.  What we are witnessing is an attempt – and historically a successful one – by certain foreign governments on the one hand, and supporters of ever-closer union on the other, to rub away at the red lines so that the British taxpayer is spared total disaster in return for Whitehall consenting to ‘lesser’ defeats. We have been here before, time and time again, thanks to diplomats repeatedly failing the national interest and ministers signing up for short term cover. It's time to be aggressive and radical. British taxpayers pay too much to the EU, and deserve their money back.

 

TPA Branches 

 

As many of you will know, the TPA have local, activist-run branches throughout the country who dig out public sector waste, blog on our website, monitor government spending in their area, deliver TPA leaflets to recruit new supporters and – when there's good cause to – petition and protest on local issues. We're currently looking for more campaigners to join their ranks, so if you're in one of our areas do get in touch and we'll give you more information on how to get involved. At the moment we're looking to hear from supporters in Aberdeenshire, Islington, Surrey (particularly those with an interest in Surrey County Council), Bath (a new branch!), Hull & East Riding, and West Yorkshire. 

Also, just a reminder to those of you in the area – and those who fancy a day trip! – that this Saturday, 21st August the West Midlands branch of the TPA will be teaming up with the Drivers' Alliance and hitting Bridgnorth in Shropshire to campaign against new on-street parking charges and hikes to car park prices. An advert has appeared in the Brignorth Journal so we're expecting a good crowd along. We'll be meeting at 10am by the Old Town Hall to give out our leaflets to shoppers and posters to traders, calling on the council to 'Axe the Bridgnorth Parking Tax'! It's not too late to confirm your attendance so do get in touch at fiona.mcevoy@taxpayersalliance.com!
  

 

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