Britannia Radio

TaxPayers' Alliance Bulletin - 22nd April 2011 How to save £1 million Police authorities spent over £1 million on printing and distributing publications like magazines and leaflets last year, we revealed in a report. They have to publish a Local Policing Summary every year by law, to communicate their performance to the public. But crucially, the legislation does not say how it should be published. Our brand new research showed that some authorities just put their summary straight online, while others spend thousands of pounds each printing out a glossy publication and delivering it to every house in the area. On top of this the report, by Simon Cook, found that some authorities publish additional documents at further cost to taxpayers. The police should engage with the public but if they simply put these documents straight online, they could save £1 million straight away – or the cost of employing 22 police officers. Of course, those without internet access should be able to request a paper copy. However, the number of council, police and NHS glossy leaflets that fill recycling bins every week suggests that not many requests will actually be made. Savings like these are easy ones that public sector bodies should be making straight away so that they can prioritise services that taxpayers actually value. In response to our report the Thames Valley police authority today yesterday admitted that their £95,470 bill could be cut to just a few thousand by putting information online and producing hard copies when requested. It's brilliant when savings can be identified and it's encouraging that this police authority took these findings on board and had an open approach. The Government should say NO to a bigger EU budget Families across the UK on tighter budgets have had to make some tough choices over the last couple of years. Spending reductions have to be made by the Government too, to mend the public finances. So the last thing we all need is for the EU to demand even more of our cash. But the shameless Commission in Brussels, in its typically predatory manner, wants taxpayers to fork out for a budget increase of nearly 5 per cent – costing Britain £682 million. This is an insult to taxpayers playing their part in trying to restore some fiscal sanity to the UK. The last time the Commission raided Britain's coffers, the Government argued just limiting the rise was an achievement. But that isn't good enough – our politicians should simply refuse to pay and protect British taxpayers' interests. In response to this fresh demand for more taxpayers' money our Director Matthew Sinclair, said: "It is utterly infuriating that the EU are making such unreasonable demands. While the UK works to get spending down to sustainable levels the EU keeps demanding more money for its at best wasteful, at worst outright ridiculous, programmes. There is plenty of fat to cut. The British government should refuse to hand over more of our cash or they will be putting making friends in Brussels above defending the interests of British taxpayers. " Big changes to the benefits system are long overdue New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions have revealed that more than 80,000 people in Britain claim incapacity benefit because they are alcoholics, drug addicts or obese. What's more, 12,800 alcoholics and 9,200 drug addicts have been claiming the benefit for more than a decade. The welfare system should be there to support those in genuine need, but if there is one sure-fire way to ensure that someone remains an addict, it's keeping them dependent on benefits for more than ten years. Our past research on welfare revealed that there are over 50 different types of benefits, which means the system is horribly complex (as explained in this video) and doesn't incentivise work. Incapacity benefit is clearly keeping vulnerable people trapped in dependency and it's time to overhaul and simplify the system so that those who need help get it, and that those who can return to work do so. Happy Easter from all at the TPA The team at the TPA would like to wish all of our supporters a Happy Easter. We hope you all have a sunny and relaxing weekend. As ever, we are grateful for your support and encouragement and we will continue to work hard exposing waste and fighting for lower taxes. With the shorter week and Royal Wedding, we won't be sending out a bulletin next week, but rest assured we will return with a bumper edition the week after! Best of the Blogs Grassroots: Non-job of the week - How many tourist boards does Surrey need? 2020 Tax Commission: Cut Corporation Tax to 18% to restore competitiveness, says CBI -"We need a stronger, resilient economic recovery urgently and that means a simpler tax system with lower rates" European Union: Expressive dance is an EU luxury we can do without - So where does the EU spend its 11-figure international aid budget? asks Rory Meakin Campaign: Councils should stop taking taxpayers for a ride with mileage rates - Councils 'have been taking taxpayers for a ride', says Guy Bates Grassroots: Humberside Police will spend £60 million on new divisional HQ - while facing a £30 million shortfall Grassroots: Bath's road to nowhere - Bath Council really like building bus lanes, explains Tim Newark