Rising demand not high tax is the UK’s big problem, says think tank
0Greater demand for public services from a rising population is the UK’s big problem – not high taxes – a think tank has claimed.
The New Local Government Network (NLGN) challenged anti-tax campaign group The Taxpayers Alliance (TPA) and its claim of money being wasted in the public sector.
In a blog post, NLGN director Adam Lent said demand from issues like an increasing older population and social illnesses such as diabetes were the real reason for increased costs for public services not poor performance by local authorities.
The think tank called for a fundamental rethink by the political parties about the way services are organised and delivered rather than attempting to cut taxes.
NLGN director Adam Lent said: “The abiding lesson of the last decade is that cuts do not reduce demand, they simply shift it elsewhere or merely delay the need for a response.”
