Local Lib Dem MP Tessa Munt used her chance to ask the Prime Minister a question about highly paid public servants who avoid paying tax during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions’ session.

Tessa was shocked to discover that 2,000 Quango heads and senior civil servants had made special arrangements to avoid paying their fair share of tax and National Insurance.  

Tessa’s question was “Some 2,000 highly paid public servants have been exposed for avoiding paying their fair share of tax.  Does the Prime Minister agree that whenever someone is paid a salary using taxpayers’ money, the Government should insist that they are on the payroll and pay full pay-as-you-earn income tax and national insurance contributions?”

The Prime Minister replied: “The Hon. Lady is right to raise that and I agree with what she says.  We have been shocked by the level of this problem and the Treasury is looking at it closely, but the principle she announces – those paid by the public should pay tax properly – is absolutely spot on.”

Having researched the matter further, Tessa found that of the 2,000, one is paid an annual salary of £182,000 and 1,500 are paid more than £380 per day!

Tessa welcomed the application of new, very strict rules governing the tax arrangements for those paid from taxpayers’ money.  Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, warned that if civil servants given a salary using taxpayers’ money do not pay their full share of income tax and national insurance contributions within three months, then they would be fired.

Tessa said: “I am pleased that the Prime Minister agreed with me on this.  Officials paid high salaries from public money should be on the Government payroll, as other public servants are.  I was amazed by the scale of tax avoidance in the public sector, and look forward to Danny Alexander’s new rules coming into effect as soon as possible.  The new rules for paying a fair share of tax should also apply to all those working in local government, the NHS and our schools.”

Tessa Munt

17th May 2012

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Notes for editors:

Danny Alexander’s proposals were laid out in a letter of a fortnight ago to George Osborne MP, The Chancellor of the Exchequer.  Extracts from the letter are set out below:

“The sheer scale of off-payroll engagements across government, and the length and size of these contracts, suggests that the scope for artificial tax minimization may be greater than previously understood.”

“At least 1,600 people have been working for their departments for more than six months.  Of these, 1,200 have been working for in excess of a year. And 800 of them have been working for at least two years.”

“(it should be) a priority to put in place strict rules which ensure that the tax arrangements of the most senior public sector appointees are not open to question.”

Tessa had a quick tour and talked to the whole school about her time in Parliament before meeting the School Council. The Council meets once each half term where they discuss plans from the School Governors and propose ideas from their classmates. The Council consists of two members from each year group, except Reception, and is chaired by a Governor. Pupils on the Council had some specific areas they wanted to ask Tessa about which included questions on Government help for schools in rural areas such as their own and questions about whether local libraries would be staying open.

Tessa said: “The school has a fantastic atmosphere and is a great place to be. The School Council was very productive and interesting and it was wonderful to hear from younger children about what matters to them and their classmates, they asked brilliant questions and made great points and I’d like to come and listen to them again”.

Tessa Munt

16^th May 2012

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Notes for editors:

http://www.draycottrodneystokeschool.ik.org/

The school councillors are:

Poppy Batten

Tomas Batten

Molly Bradley

Fallon Cormack

William Febrey

Ollie-Wilbur Povey-Naylor

Katie Brueford

The purpose of the visit was to meet with Treasury Minister, David Gauke MP, to explain at first hand the impact a planned rise in VAT on static caravans would have on Somerset’s economy.

 Tessa was concerned that the Minister had underestimated the impact a 20% rise in VAT would have on the area and that HM Revenue & Customers had miscalculated when drafting its proposals for VAT.  After discussing her concerns with George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer she met the businesspeople affected by this policy locally to discuss what to do next.

Leaving Somerset early on Wednesday, a 17-strong group representing Somerset businesses joined Tessa at the Treasury, where they met the Minister and several of his officials to explain how the rise in VAT would damage their businesses.  David Gauke explained that his extension to the Government’s consultation until 18^th May, 2012 is a demonstration that he is listening.

Now that the extension to the consultation has been secured it is very important that as many people contribute to it as possible so the Government knows the views of people in Somerset and elsewhere around the country. More information on the Government’s consultation can be found at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf .

Tessa said: “I am pleased I was able to secure this meeting with David Gauke to enable many local business people to come to London and make their views clear. I do believe this VAT proposal should be rethought and I have always said that it is important for Ministers to meet and listen to those people who will be most affected by proposed decisions. Tourism is an integral part of Somerset’s economy and I look forward to seeing the result of the Government consultation. I very much hope the views of local people and businesses are taken into account.”

Tessa Munt

15^th May 2012

her other parent, the care can be taken up by the parent who is excluded, and that that is the ultimate sanction and might encourage parents to stick to the rules and ensure that their children have absolute access to both parents?

After completing his ‘consultation process’, the Cabinet Member responsible for public transport, County Councillor Harvey Siggs, confirmed the withdrawal of this service. The 490 bus stops running on 22^nd May.

The County Council suggests that those who currently use the 490 bus should get to Bristol by catching a bus from Cheddar to Wells or Weston-super-Mare and then transfer to Bristol. However using this alternative involves a round trip of six hours.

At one of her regular Cheddar surgeries, Tessa met locals who informed her that there are often more than thirty-five people on the 490 bus, several of whom go to hospital appointments in Bristol. The bus is usually full and is relied on by many to get to appointments, do their shopping, or travel to see relatives.

For many elderly and frail passengers, the 490 bus is the only cost efficient and direct route into the city. It is unfair and unreasonable to expect anyone to endure a three hour journey to attend a vital appointment less than 20 miles away – and the same coming back!

Tessa wrote to the County Council, saying local people would be happy if the bus could continue maybe once every fortnight. However, Cllr Siggs and his colleagues disregarded the pleas of local people, and were not even willing to meet them half way.

Tessa said “I am extremely disappointed that The County Council has again demonstrated that it does not understand local people’s needs. The withdrawal of funding from essential bus services is unfair and short-sighted. I am astonished that the County Council was not prepared even to offer a reduced fortnightly service on this route, which is a lifeline for many. Somerset has a budget of £1.9m to subsidise bus routes across the county but claims it is unable to fund even occasional bus travel between Cheddar and Bristol. I have written to the Chief Executive to ask her why this is the case.”

“I hope the new Conservative County Council Leader will appreciate the importance of this essential front line service for local people.”

St Mary’s holds the graves of four servicemen who died during the Great War, either from wounds received while on active service in France, or from accident or illness.

The graves which need rebuilding are those of Second Lieutenant Victor Charles Edelston Bracey, who was killed in an air crash in Hampshire in 1917, and Private William Cottrell of the 44^th Canadian Infantry Expeditionary Force, who died of his wounds in 1919.

The Wedmore War Graves Appeal has received a fantastic response to its call for funds. So far,the appeal has raised more than £1,300, so is well on the way to raising the £2,250 required to complete the renovation of the graves.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is not able to assist with repairing the Graves in Wedmore Churchyard because they are private memorials, paid for and erected by the families of the dead servicemen.

Tessa said: “I am supporting this Appeal and hope the money can soon be raised so the families of these men can renovate their memorials fully. Sometimes it is difficult for us to appreciate that the majority of a whole generation of young people lost their lives serving this country – the majority of whom were ordinary people who demonstrated an extraordinary level of sacrifice. I support any endeavour which recognises the bravery of that generation.”

www.wedmorewargraves.co.uk

Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by a problem with the immune system. Unlike Type 2, it cannot be prevented by a good diet, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. The condition can lead to weight loss, tiredness, more frequent visits to the loo and a build up of ketones which are toxic to the body and can cause stomach pain.

Tessa said, “I was blown away by Mimi’s strong, ‘can do’ spirit. She is an inspiration and a reminder of how important it is that a cure is found for this horrible disease. I would urge more people to support JDRF in their work”.

 Tessa Munt

27^th April 2012

Notes:

http://www.jdrf.org.uk/ – “JDRF is the type 1 diabetes charity, improving lives until we find the cure. We fund research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes.”