a nation of taxpayers

Duncan Barkes
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A podcast from the Taxpayers' Alliance. Talking politics and highlighting waste in all forms of government and the public sector. Presented by Duncan Barkes with guests from the Taxpayers' Alliance and from across the world of politics. On X, follow the TaxPayers' Alliance @the_tpa More links and info here: https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/

  1. The Case for Mass Migration Has Collapsed

    1d ago

    The Case for Mass Migration Has Collapsed

    For years, politicians and so-called experts insisted that mass migration was an economic necessity, dismissing concerns about pressure on public services, housing, wages and social cohesion. Now, with migration at historic levels and the consequences becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, that consensus is beginning to collapse. The question is no longer whether Britain's migration system has failed, but how the country can regain control and repair the damage. Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by Shadow Home Office Minister Katie Lam MP and the TPA's John O'Connell to discuss why the expert consensus on mass migration was so badly wrong, what a credible plan to reduce migration should look like and why politicians must continue to confront the grooming-gangs scandal.

    31 min
  2. Is Britain Heading For an IMF Bailout?

    Jun 11

    Is Britain Heading For an IMF Bailout?

    Britain's borrowing is spiralling, debt interest costs remain painfully high and warnings about the state of the public finances are growing louder. With the government struggling to balance the books and taxpayers facing the prospect of higher taxes and more borrowing, some are asking an uncomfortable question: could Britain be heading towards another IMF bailout? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Darwin Friend and William Yarwood to discuss the UK's worsening fiscal outlook, the risks posed by mounting debt and deficits and what politicians need to say and do to get this under control.

    36 min
  3. Anti-Terror Scheme With No Taxpayer scrutiny

    Jun 4

    Anti-Terror Scheme With No Taxpayer scrutiny

    Prevent spends £36 million a year, but the TaxPayers' Alliance's latest research raises serious questions about whether taxpayers can properly see where that money goes. Freedom of information requests that once exposed detailed Prevent spending are now routinely blocked, with councils and the Home Office citing national security and other exemptions even for basic financial breakdowns. Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Anne Strickland and John O'Connell to discuss Prevent's growing transparency problem, why independent reviews have raised concerns about oversight and value for money, and whether a programme designed to stop terrorism has drifted into a wider safeguarding system.

    30 min
  4. Reeves Wants to Tax Your Family Holiday

    May 28

    Reeves Wants to Tax Your Family Holiday

    Labour-backed holiday taxes could leave families paying hundreds of pounds more for a UK break, piling yet another burden onto households already squeezed by the cost of living. And after Rachel Reeves' tax raids on pubs, hotels and hospitality businesses, many are asking: why does Labour seem so determined to hammer Britain's hospitality and tourism industries? Podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TPA's Benjamin Elks and UKHospitality chief executive Allen Simpson to discuss how a holiday tax could damage staycations, hit local economies and pile pressure onto an industry already under strain. They also explore Labour's wider war on hospitality and what businesses and holidaymakers can do to fight back.

    32 min
  5. The Real Reason for Recessions

    May 21

    The Real Reason for Recessions

    What actually causes recessions? Are economic downturns inevitable, or are they the result of political mistakes and bad policy decisions? And when one economy starts to shrink, how quickly can the rest of the world follow? In this episode, podcast host Duncan Barkes is joined by the TaxPayers' Alliance's John O'Connell and former Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers and current ExxonMobil chief economist, Dr Tyler Goodspeed, to discuss his new book Recession: The Real Reasons Economies Shrink and What to Do about It. Together, they explore what really drives recessions, whether governments help or hinder recovery, and what today's economic warning signs could mean for Britain and the wider global economy.

    30 min
  6. Is This The Death Of The Uniparty?

    May 14

    Is This The Death Of The Uniparty?

    With the local election results fully in, podcast host Duncan Barkes sat down with the TPA's William Yarwood and The Critic's Political Editor to ask one question: is the uniparty dead? The trio go through some of the results, what they mean for the political landscape in the coming years and whether there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the decline of the two main political parties.

    43 min
  7. Are Unions Crippling Britain?

    May 7

    Are Unions Crippling Britain?

    Are trade unions holding Britain back? Why are taxpayers funding trade union facility time? Should workers in critical public services be allowed to strike? Podcast host Duncan Barkes sat down with policy analyst Shimeon Lee and campaigns director William Yarwood to unpack the growing power of Britain's trade unions, the cost of strikes to taxpayers, and what it all means for public services and the wider economy.

    31 min
  8. When Will Borrowing Break Britain?

    Apr 30

    When Will Borrowing Break Britain?

    Is Britain addicted to borrowing? Why is the national debt continuing to climb despite record tax levels? What can actually be done to solve it? Podcast host Duncan Barkes was joined by trade adviser, economist and media commentator Catherine McBride OBE and research director Darwin Friend to unpack the UK's mounting debt crisis, explore what's driving government borrowing, and discuss what needs to change before the bill becomes impossible to pay.

    31 min
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About

A podcast from the Taxpayers' Alliance. Talking politics and highlighting waste in all forms of government and the public sector. Presented by Duncan Barkes with guests from the Taxpayers' Alliance and from across the world of politics. On X, follow the TaxPayers' Alliance @the_tpa More links and info here: https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Duncan Barkes
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    a nation of taxpayers

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