The point is why should any MP's be allowed to travel business class. No matter which Political Party they belong to it is still a waste of tax payers money IMO.
Certainly for short haul flights. Personally, I'd allow them to do it for long-haul (i.e. over four hour flight time) flights - but I'm probably in a minority.
Certainly for short haul flights. Personally, I'd allow them to do it for long-haul (i.e. over four hour flight time) flights - but I'm probably in a minority.
I agree with regards to long-haul flights but reading what Matthew Sinclair says it appears the report is referring to short haul flights.
There is absolutely no justification for MPs travelling business class, especially when their own constituents are making the same journeys every day in economy.
Certainly for short haul flights. Personally, I'd allow them to do it for long-haul (i.e. over four hour flight time) flights - but I'm probably in a minority.
I agree. It shouldn't be the norm but there are cases where business class is justifiable - but it has to be on a case by case basis. When I travel on business it is almost always in Economy but there have been times when I have had a good reason to fly business or use First Class on the train.
When ministers fly to far flung parts of the world for important negotiations they are representing this country. I'd rather they got there in a fit state and able to get to work straight away rather than spending several days recovering from the flight.
I agree with regards to long-haul flights but reading what Matthew Sinclair says it appears the report is referring to short haul flights.
Exactly. It shouldn't be allowed for short-haul flights.
I'm struggling to find examples of how this scam works. Easyjet don't have different classes and it wouldn't work on BA (can we assume they're flying the flag?). If I booked a business class flight 6 months from now, the cost would still be £100 higher than if I turned up at the airport today.
Exactly. It shouldn't be allowed for short-haul flights.
I'm struggling to find examples of how this scam works. Easyjet don't have different classes and it wouldn't work on BA (can we assume they're flying the flag?). If I booked a business class flight 6 months from now, the cost would still be £100 higher than if I turned up at the airport today.
That also ignores the savings if you booked the regular seat 6 months in advance.
As ever, I think the reasoning is just nonsense waffle to excuse the behaviour after the fact.
I agree with regards to long-haul flights but reading what Matthew Sinclair says it appears the report is referring to short haul flights.
I'd love to be able to see what Matthew Sinclair claims for. As the Taxpayers Alliance seem to survive on picking holes in the workings of other organisations because they give out such information, I think it only fair that the TA do the same to level out the playing field.
I'd love to be able to see what Matthew Sinclair claims for. As the Taxpayers Alliance seem to survive on picking holes in the workings of other organisations because they give out such information, I think it only fair that the TA do the same to level out the playing field.
I'd love to see the names of all MP's who are taking advantage of this expenses loophole.
I would certainly not want to deny someone a cup of tea and a biscuit at work, so I assumed that this as another tabloid stirring it again with exaggerated stories. I mean, they must be talking about the entire department, with nurses meeting with hospital managers and having a warm drink and a digestive. But, it appears it was very, very different from that.
‘The department’s policy is not to provide refreshments for internal meetings,’ he said.
These costs include the provision of refreshments for external meetings and visitors hosted in the department’s buildings
So, all this money is being spent on the ministers' cronies from the outside. Seeing as those cronies consist of the very health care firms, who are bidding for the take over of the National Health Service, it starts to get a bit sinister. One hundred thousand pounds, just for "tea and coffee?" Either they are having far too many meetings, or it is a lot more than just tea and coffee.
You have to laugh at the press getting all high and mighty about a few quid on tea & biscuits...I wonder what their organisations spend on "hospitality", loosening tongues with booze and buying the latest "my diet/drugs/boob job hell" story form some z lister (or in the case of the broadsheets some data stealing whistle blower/social inadequate in a security service)
Certainly for short haul flights. Personally, I'd allow them to do it for long-haul (i.e. over four hour flight time) flights - but I'm probably in a minority.
I would certainly not want to deny someone a cup of tea and a biscuit at work, so I assumed that this as another tabloid stirring it again with exaggerated stories. I mean, they must be talking about the entire department, with nurses meeting with hospital managers and having a warm drink and a digestive. But, it appears it was very, very different from that.
At least in my area of the NHS we provide our own and have done ever since I started almost 10 years ago.
You have to laugh at the press getting all high and mighty about a few quid on tea & biscuits...I wonder what their organisations spend on "hospitality", loosening tongues with booze and buying the latest "my diet/drugs/boob job hell" story form some z lister (or in the case of the broadsheets some data stealing whistle blower/social inadequate in a security service)
The point being that we only want to blame the Tories on this issue?
The point being that the Tories have been on an anti public sector crusade since 2010 suggesting that public sector organisations can save millions through the reduction of waste.
They cannot really be surprised if there is an expectation that they will take their own medicine.
And of course this sort of expenditure happened in the past - and it was less of an issue because we didn't have the same climate of austerity.
For the record though I've always felt it was wrong for anyone to spend public money on food and drink for staff and politicians - Labour, Tory, the colour of the government has no real bearing on the principle involved.
The point being that the Tories have been on an anti public sector crusade since 2010 suggesting that public sector organisations can save millions through the reduction of waste.
They cannot really be surprised if there is an expectation that they will take their own medicine.
And of course this sort of expenditure happened in the past - and it was less of an issue because we didn't have the same climate of austerity.
For the record though I've always felt it was wrong for anyone to spend public money on food and drink for staff and politicians - Labour, Tory, the colour of the government has no real bearing on the principle involved.
Fair point. But equally, there are those that can and should point the finger, and those who might do better to reflect on the glass house that surrounds them.
Fair point. But equally, there are those that can and should point the finger, and those who might do better to reflect on the glass house that surrounds them.
It's the nature of being in opposition - naive to expect anything else really.
Hypocrisy is the one quality that seems universal among politicians whatever the colour.
Why cant they do what i've had to do in some of the places i work? take turns buying the teabags/milk/coffee and if you want biscuits bring your bloody own.
The £100,000 figure is meaningless without details (typical newspaper headline figure). What is the overall budget for the department? For how many people is it for? I think it does say it's over six months.
Do the people involved consume signifcantly more tea, coffee and biscuits than anyone else? If not, and the figure is still higher than might be expected, then perhaps the procurement procedures need to be reviewed. But I'd imagine that there are staff involved in providing their refreshments, and their wages are included or some contract supplier is involved.
You can't compare the cost of providing these things in a working environment, with how much it might cost you in your own home, where 90% of what is involved is not costed.
The point being that the Tories have been on an anti public sector crusade since 2010 suggesting that public sector organisations can save millions through the reduction of waste.
They cannot really be surprised if there is an expectation that they will take their own medicine.
And of course this sort of expenditure happened in the past - and it was less of an issue because we didn't have the same climate of austerity.
For the record though I've always felt it was wrong for anyone to spend public money on food and drink for staff and politicians - Labour, Tory, the colour of the government has no real bearing on the principle involved.
Sorry Judge Metal, but I have to disagree, I have no problem with staff getting fed and watered whilst at work. I "grew up" at a time when staff canteens were commonpalce, they were often free or subsidised and it offered employees a chance to mix and relax away from thier places of work. It was a centre of focus for socialising and added to the dynamics of inter-departmental relationships. In many cases, especially for the lower paid, it can be the only source of a properly cooked meal for the whole day.
Comments
Certainly for short haul flights. Personally, I'd allow them to do it for long-haul (i.e. over four hour flight time) flights - but I'm probably in a minority.
I agree with regards to long-haul flights but reading what Matthew Sinclair says it appears the report is referring to short haul flights.
I agree. It shouldn't be the norm but there are cases where business class is justifiable - but it has to be on a case by case basis. When I travel on business it is almost always in Economy but there have been times when I have had a good reason to fly business or use First Class on the train.
When ministers fly to far flung parts of the world for important negotiations they are representing this country. I'd rather they got there in a fit state and able to get to work straight away rather than spending several days recovering from the flight.
Exactly. It shouldn't be allowed for short-haul flights.
I'm struggling to find examples of how this scam works. Easyjet don't have different classes and it wouldn't work on BA (can we assume they're flying the flag?). If I booked a business class flight 6 months from now, the cost would still be £100 higher than if I turned up at the airport today.
That also ignores the savings if you booked the regular seat 6 months in advance.
As ever, I think the reasoning is just nonsense waffle to excuse the behaviour after the fact.
I'd love to be able to see what Matthew Sinclair claims for. As the Taxpayers Alliance seem to survive on picking holes in the workings of other organisations because they give out such information, I think it only fair that the TA do the same to level out the playing field.
Sorry - didn't explain myself correctly. That's what I meant. If today I booked a business class flight 6 months from now...
Don't exaggerate, one tea bag is worth less than 2p.
I'd love to see the names of all MP's who are taking advantage of this expenses loophole.
So, all this money is being spent on the ministers' cronies from the outside. Seeing as those cronies consist of the very health care firms, who are bidding for the take over of the National Health Service, it starts to get a bit sinister. One hundred thousand pounds, just for "tea and coffee?" Either they are having far too many meetings, or it is a lot more than just tea and coffee.
Does she drink a lot of tea then?
Biscuits. Hobnobs I believe by the thousand. Over 50% of the budget goes to Labour.
Well, I agree with you.
(If that's any comfort!
And there it is! The obligatory side stepping of the point.
At least in my area of the NHS we provide our own and have done ever since I started almost 10 years ago.
The point being that we only want to blame the Tories on this issue?
Except that's not public money.
The point being that the Tories have been on an anti public sector crusade since 2010 suggesting that public sector organisations can save millions through the reduction of waste.
They cannot really be surprised if there is an expectation that they will take their own medicine.
And of course this sort of expenditure happened in the past - and it was less of an issue because we didn't have the same climate of austerity.
For the record though I've always felt it was wrong for anyone to spend public money on food and drink for staff and politicians - Labour, Tory, the colour of the government has no real bearing on the principle involved.
Fair point. But equally, there are those that can and should point the finger, and those who might do better to reflect on the glass house that surrounds them.
It's the nature of being in opposition - naive to expect anything else really.
Hypocrisy is the one quality that seems universal among politicians whatever the colour.
Naivety and I are regular bedfellows.
The £100,000 figure is meaningless without details (typical newspaper headline figure). What is the overall budget for the department? For how many people is it for? I think it does say it's over six months.
Do the people involved consume signifcantly more tea, coffee and biscuits than anyone else? If not, and the figure is still higher than might be expected, then perhaps the procurement procedures need to be reviewed. But I'd imagine that there are staff involved in providing their refreshments, and their wages are included or some contract supplier is involved.
You can't compare the cost of providing these things in a working environment, with how much it might cost you in your own home, where 90% of what is involved is not costed.
Sorry Judge Metal, but I have to disagree, I have no problem with staff getting fed and watered whilst at work. I "grew up" at a time when staff canteens were commonpalce, they were often free or subsidised and it offered employees a chance to mix and relax away from thier places of work. It was a centre of focus for socialising and added to the dynamics of inter-departmental relationships. In many cases, especially for the lower paid, it can be the only source of a properly cooked meal for the whole day.