Calls over 'abused' government credit cards

[Jog On]

BBC News - Calls over 'abused' government credit cards

A Public Accounts Committee report uncovered 99 cases of "inappropriate use" in Whitehall over the past three years, and said rules differed significantly between departments.

Some staff, it found, had used cards to pay for doughnuts, luxury hotel rooms and online iTunes purchases.

In November, the Cabinet Office set out guidelines on minimum standards for the GPC system.

But MPs said more was needed. Departments should have to check 100% of transactions, and should only extend the cards to permanent staff members, they said.

They called for a ban on buying alcohol and a reduction in five-star hotel bookings.

Mrs Hodge added that MPs were "not convinced" the cards represented "an appropriate use of public funds".

[Old Hack]

another thing for them to strike over, being unfairly picked on and all that....

[vetran]

Expenses have to meet the same tax rules as everyone else. Set the tax man on them.

If the tax man wants tax & penalties, you can withdraw the expense payment to save them the penalties. You are just being nice.

[moggy]

Expenses have to meet the same tax rules as everyone else. Set the tax man on them.

If the tax man wants tax & penalties, you can withdraw the expense payment to save them the penalties. You are just being nice.

there is a big difference to claiming expesnes against your salary to just claiming expenses that the govt pays.

But agreed with your sentiment. If we cut out all this stuff and all the other govt wastage we probably would be taking about austerity quite as much.

[vetran]

there is a big difference to claiming expesnes against your salary to just claiming expenses that the govt pays.

But agreed with your sentiment. If we cut out all this stuff and all the other govt wastage we probably would be taking about austerity quite as much.

I'm suggesting using the taxman to act as an arbiter. Its impartial and requires no ministerial involvement so no strikes.

If my employer pays for non work related expenses then I get to pay tax on the benefit and if I hid it from the taxman I pay fines. so do the civil servants.

[amcdonald]

there is a big difference to claiming expesnes against your salary to just claiming expenses that the govt pays.

Theres no difference, the only real difference is the payment mechanism. They still have to be wholly and exclusively incurred for the purposes of their employment

Just because they are in cushy non jobs does not put them above the law, plus I'm sure they'd to pay their 'fair' share of tax being public sector guardianistas