The government wastes more money each day than Manchester City football club spends on its entire annual wage bill, tax campaigners have claimed.

The Taxpayers Alliance (TPA) made the claim as it launched a new ‘War on Waste’ campaign to pressure government into a more frugal mindset.

It claims that £1 in every £6 of government spending was wasted during the 2012-13 tax year.

It further claims that potential savings could pay for a new kitchen or a ticket to the World Cup in Rio for every UK taxpayer.

Savings it cites include “overpaying” and “fraud” in the public sector, housing benefit, pay for doctors and benefits dished out to wealthy people who do not need them.

“Politicians and bureaucrats are still squandering our cash while families struggle with punishing levels of taxation,” said Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance.