The TPA identifies 325 taxpayer-funded public health employees. Combined with Public Health England’s budget of around £3.6 billion, this is an expensive and powerful lobby.
Steve Double called for one on this site yesterday, but available evidence suggests it would be deeply regressive and would not work.
A 58 per cent rise in the tax over the last two decades should serve as a warning against further hikes.
This misguided policy is a hangover from Nick Clegg’s time in power – it should be dropped.
The salient point is that it is government intervention that raises the cost of living.