Lib Dem hypocrisy on Freedom of Information
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: The Liberal Democrats are supposed to believe in Freedom of Information but, as with many policy areas, their actions tell a different story to their words.
View ArticleCameron has talked about 'moral capitalism' but now he needs to act
The PM understands that there is public concern about excessive bankers’ bonuses, but he hasn’t done enough about the massive rewards for failure at banks where the taxpayer is the main shareholder.
View ArticleMigrants on benefits study: Come here to work, not to claim
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: Chris Grayling (pictured) announced the results of a study today which looked at the nationality of benefit claimants when they first applied for a National Insurance number.
View ArticleMansion tax: the Lib Dems should learn the lessons of the 1970s
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: A Mansion Tax might appear fair and just at first sight, but under closer examination quickly reveals itself to be economically illiterate.
View ArticleSpending cuts at the Ministry of Justice
MATTHEW ELLIOT: Osborne has set the Cabinet some pretty tough spending reduction targets. There's an argument that they should go further, but there is no denying that they are pretty tough.
View ArticlePoliticians' £400,000 fig trees are a monument to what must change in...
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: Stories of waste are often so ridiculous they would be funny if they weren’t true. The tale of the trees in Portcullis House is just one of those cases.
View ArticleCan we trust Ken Livingstone if he's two-faced on taxes?
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: It has always been a little ironic that Ken Livingstone - that great scourge of the capitalists - is a millionaire and actually got on pretty well with the City.
View ArticleFalkland Islands: Why should British taxpayers' money be spent on Argentina?
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: This aid is an insult to brave veterans like Simon Weston (pictured), who fought to protect the Falklands, and the families of the 255 servicemen who lost their lives in the Falklands...
View ArticleMansion Tax: Politicians must articulate the benefits of a low-tax economy...
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: A 'mansion' tax will be extremely damaging in the long term and will raise little or no revenue. It is an arbitrary levy that will hit ordinary taxpayers on low incomes.
View ArticleNumber 10 is right: Whitehall should be scaled back
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: Today we’ve learnt that David Cameron’s blue skies thinker-in-chief, Steve Hilton, has asked government departments to draw up plans for how they could function with only a third of...
View ArticleWill forcing all MPs to reveal their tax and income details restore...
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: In the light of the ongoing London mayoral spat, increasing numbers of voters and even politicians are saying that the tax affairs of candidates for high office should be laid open to...
View ArticleUncollected taxes shows the need for radical tax simplification
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: At more than 11,500 pages, the UK has one of the longest tax codes in the world – almost 10 times longer than War and Peace. Tweaking at the edges has created a hideously complex...
View ArticleIt's time to stop British funding to Argentina
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: Despite the country's disgraceful behaviour, British taxpayers' money is still being used for loans to Argentina. It’s time we did something about it.
View ArticleHow to ensure Jimmy Carr and Ken Livingstone pay their fair share
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: If the Government allows a system to remain in place which is so riddled with loopholes, then people are naturally going to use them if they feel it is worth their while.
View ArticleBritain's pay and pension apartheid
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: The British economy is skewed in favour of the state sector, while the rest of the economy bleeds to death.
View ArticleThe latest BBC tax scandal shows how desperately we need to mend Britain's...
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: First it was Ken Livingstone, then Jimmy Carr. Now the nation's broadcasters are at it. The loopholes they use are symptoms of a broken tax system that needs a complete overhaul.
View ArticleCongratulations for saving £5.5billion in Whitehall, but please don't waste...
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: It isn’t just our Olympic athletes who are doing a good job, there are some officials and politicians who have genuinely managed to save money and deliver public services more...
View ArticleTaxpayers should fund the democratic process, not Party HQs and spin doctors
MATTHEW ELLIOT: There are rumours that David Cameron might reduce the number of MPs in the House of Commons by offering Nick Clegg a sweetener on party funding.
View ArticleFree flights for American magicians? Council tax is still being wasted
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: South Tyneside Council's spending on overseas travel included free flights for American magicians to attend their International Magic Convention. Their profligacy is by no means unique.
View ArticleThe Government must keep fighting the Big Brother state - starting with a...
MATTHEW ELLIOTT: The Coalition parties made surveillance a key issue before the election. Now they are running out of time to finish the reforming work they have started - and protect our privacy.
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