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TaxPayers' Alliance Bulletin - 2nd March 2012 - Why are we supporting aid to Argentina? - Tell Parliament it's time to cut prices at the pumps - Union funding debated in Parliament - Government should think again on empty property rates - Grassroots - Best of the Blogs Why are we supporting aid to Argentina? Argentina continues to do all it can to threaten the Falklands and inflame diplomatic relations with Britain. Most recently an Argentine minister suggested banning British imports while our ships have been prevented from docking in two Argentine ports and the Union Jack has been burned on the streets of Buenos Aires. So why are British taxpayers supporting aid for Argentina? Our Director Matthew Sinclair raised questions about this topic last year. With the prospect of the USA voting against fresh loans for Argentina because of how poorly the country treats its creditors, Britain should do the same when that country is threatening the people of the Falkland Islands and refusing to accept their clear right to remain British. You can find out more here but we would urge you towrite to your MP and tell them taxpayers’ money shouldn’t be spent paying for projects in Argentina when it questions the Islands' and Britain’s sovereignty. Tell Parliament it's time to cut prices at the pumps Next Wednesday a mass lobby of Parliament will take place as part of National Fair Fuel day. The TPA team will be there and we need your help to persuade the Government to cut Fuel Duty on petrol and diesel. We've previouslyrevealed the excessive motoring taxes that drivers are facing across the UK and Wednesday is your chance to make your voice heard about the cost of motoring. The Fair Fuel UK campaign has a great track record. Last year they saw off rises that would have put another 9p per litre on the cost of every litre of petrol and diesel. But with petrol and diesel remaining far too expensive, Fair Fuel UK are arguing a 2.5p cut would be a great way to ease the pressure on hard-pressed motorists. Please join us to stop future rises and demand a cut. If you are coming to Westminster to lobby your MP, then let them know in advance as it will increase your chance of seeing them. What: National Fair Fuel Day - mass lobby of Parliament Where: Old Palace Yard, House of Commons When: Around 1pm on Wednesday 7th March 2012 If you want to join in please visit the Fair Fuel website and complete the online form: http://www.fairfueluk.com/nationalfairfuelday.html Union funding debated in Parliament Our campaign to end taxpayer funding of trade unions took another decisive step forwards on Wednesday as Cabinet Office Minister Nick Hurd MP confirmed that the Government consultation into the matter will “start imminently”. Previously Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles, has said that he would end the practice of “employing publicly funded full-time trade union officials in local government”. Fiona Bruce MP spoke to a busy Westminster Hall in an hour and a half debate that she had secured and our research was quoted from by several of the MPs in the debate. A TPA-commissioned YouGov poll shows that more than half of the public want to see an end to the practice of using taxpayers’ cash to pay trade union representatives in the public sector. Unions should bear the cost of the staff working for them, not expect taxpayers to pick up the tab. Wednesday's debate was a move in the right direction but there is still much more to do and we will keep up the pressure on the Government on this issue. You can watch the full video of the debate here. Government should think again on empty property rates The Government now charges owners of commercial property that has recently become empty full business rates after just three months, more quickly than before. This means that many owners are simply choosing to demolish their properties, as they are squeezed by the taxman while they try to find a suitable tenant. We produced research onthis last year but the Government plan to continue with this damaging policy. We think that the policy should be fully reversed as it hits small businesses hard. Also many pensioners are affected as they have small business units as a means of retirement income. There is an e-petition online calling to exempt smaller properties from the punitive tax, which you can sign here. We hope you can not only sign the petition but also share it with your friends, family and work colleagues. Grassroots In the past two weeks we have held action days campaigning against Council Tax rises inRichmondshire and Redcar (pictured) The overwhelming opinion from local residents was against any hikes, with signatures flying on to the pages of our petitions. Local people were grateful to us for looking after their interests and were pleased we were willing to stand up against their local authorities about the rises. We have also kept up the pressure on councils throughout the country which were considering rises. Thanks to our Council Tax campaign, taxpayers in Brighton & Hove won't face a hike. Scarborough Borough Council backed down under the pressure and voted for a freeze, as did Taunton Deane, Chesterfield and North Dorset. Those councils which have voted for increases will now face closer scrutiny. We will do all we can to ensure council taxpayers get value for money. If you would like us to come to your area and build up more support for low taxes and campaign against waste, please get in touch. We will make all the arrangements. All we ask from you is a couple of hours of your time to help recruit new supporters and let more people know about our work. If this interests you, please contact National Grassroots Coordinator, Andrew Allison. Best of the Blogs Burning our money: Non-job of the week - From one of the councils which are hiking Council Tax in the North East - Fancy being a "Local Motion Travel Advisor" ? Right Minds: Can we trust Ken Livingstone if he's two-faced on taxes?- Our Chief Executive regularly writes for the Daily Mail's Right Minds, and this week Ken Livingstone's tax arrangements come under scrutiny Grassroots: Avon's hot air - The Fire Authority which is hiking council tax but can afford a hot air balloon Campaign: Councils in the North West wrong to hike Council Tax -Continuing our campaign against Council Tax rises, we turn our attention to Town Halls proposing hikes in the North West Grassroots: Stockton on Tees Council raises council tax by 3.5 per cent - Another council in the North East hikes rates but dodges giving residents a say over the rise