bbc expenses "row"

[Ankou]

a report i read this morning seems to be trying to make a story out some expenses claimed, for travel, car parking, flowers and gifts etc by bbc ‘bossses’. now yes i think that they are already paid quite well, allegedly 46 of the top managers “earn more then the prime minister”. but is there really a story here ?

the director general claimed nearly £3,500 over a 3 month period, and included several parking tickets for (wait for it…) 70p. now some members of my team notch up over a grand a month in travel, parking and subsistence. is the dg’s really that obscene ?

another ‘top boss’ claimed £80 for flowers. were they for staff members who had a baby, loved one died, got married ? again we do this all the time here.

the only one that raised my roger moore eyebrow was a claim by another ‘top boss’ for gifts sent to celebrities who tok part in children in need.

should we be outraged and demand a public inquiry, or is this all just a bit of petty crap ?

[naomi24]

You say 'we do this all the time here', but where is 'here'? If you're talking about a private company, then that's their choice, but in this case it's public money, and as such, it should be properly accounted for, so no, it's not petty crap.

[Ankou]

public sector 'here'

[naomi24]

Well that's wrong too then.

[Ankou]

so if people in my team are required to travel long distances and stay over night, then they should pay for it themself ? we are not talking 1st class travel or 5 star hotels and dinner at claridges.

on what basis of fact are you saying "its wrong" ?

[naomi24]

I'm not saying claiming expenses for doing the job is wrong - of course it isn't - but this is what you said:

'another ‘top boss’ claimed £80 for flowers. were they for staff members who had a baby, loved one died, got married ? again we do this all the time here.'

That is wrong.

[LoftyLottie]

Surely flowers, gifts, etc. to other staff members should come from personal monies by way of a collection!! It is morally wrong for the public to have to pay. I know of someone with a senior job in the public sector who actually lost his job for using his budget monies to pay for such things (and for other fraudulent activities).

[Ankou]

admittedly we do have collections for such happy events.
but in the case of deaths and funerals, we have sent a wreath paid for from the expense account.

[naomi24]

Good. And so he should, Lottie.

[ummmm]

I think death is a bit different.

[naomi24]

I don't see why, ummmm.

[ummmm]

Happy events are usually chosen. Death isn't.

[jackthehat]

If I tried to raise money for flowers for a 'personal event' by rattling a collecting tin in your direction.........."Spare some change so I can buy the wife some flowers......?" you'd probably choose to ignore me muttering that I ought to put my hand in my own pocket to buy them.

As the TV licence is a non-negotiable tax levy, I find it irritating that I have, in very small part, paid for the flowers and sundry gifts bought without my consultation or consent.

[naomi24]

True, but the public shouldn't be expected to provide flowers.

[naomi24]

Sorry Jack (hello, by the way), cross-posted there. My post was to ummmm.

[ummmm]

Maybe not but more acceptable than leaving presents, having a baby present etc. etc.

[jake-the-peg]

Rupert Murdoch owns Sky and the Sun

The daily mail owns a hunk of ITN News

I can't imagine why the newspapers would be out hunting for BBC "Scandels" can you?

[Gromit]

After the largesse of MPs expenses, this is extremely small fry.

Many right wing politicians and right wing newspapers hate the BBC. They believe it is pro Labour and a nest for lefties. So they constantly wage a campaign to undermine the BBC. They pounce on anything, no matter how trivial and make a mountain out of a molehill.

This is a prime example.

[naomi24]

Maybe so, Jake and Gromit, but that doesn't make it right.

[jake-the-peg]

So lets compare it - show me the figures for ITV so we have something to compare it with.

If you want professional competant managers you're competing with the public sector so you have to be in the ball park you're not going to get volunteers to head up the BBC for free

[jake-the-peg]

Oh sorry you're talking about the expenses misbehaviour?

Yes - but is it a big story that sort of thing goes on everywhere - it should be dealt with in the normal manner - it's not a story.

Murdoch and Co are just trying to build a groundswell of opposition to the BBC for their own commercial benefit.

Don't get suckered into falling for it