MP's parties on us!
Discussion
bristolracer said:
Lotobear said:
...and am I the only one who feels the concept of a bar in a place of work is just 'not right'?
Used to be quite common in large offices, think most companies have axed them in line with 'duty of care' obligations. Lotobear said:
speaking of 'optics'....and we also subsidise their bar in the HoC where I all sorts of things can go on after a heavy session (allegedly).
...and am I the only one who feels the concept of a bar in a place of work is just 'not right'?
You won't be the only one, I'm sure, but it doesn't bother me at all....and am I the only one who feels the concept of a bar in a place of work is just 'not right'?
GranpaB said:
Doesn't that article note that the MPs are saying no to it. It's the independent watchdog saying they can....Just like the independent pay review board seems to come up with odd decisions.
Maybe it's the independent boards that are out of touch here. I wonder who's on them...
JagLover said:
I believe this is to do with MPs being technically employers of their office staff and as such might provide a year end party. It seems a bit of a kill joy measure to exclude alcohol, better to have a per head limit.
But nobody is stopping the parties happening - it's just an issue of who pays for them.The civil servants that work for them would have to pay their own costs if they worked elsewhere in the civil service. And if the people at the MPs office parties are not civil servants, they definitely shouldn't get anything on the tax payer.
I thought the amount that MPs were allowed for paying their wives and kids running their Constituency offices was fixed. If that's correct does the party money come out of the fixed allowance or is it additional?
The expenses rules for MPs are a total pisstake. They should be in line with all other aspects of the Public Sector.
The expenses rules for MPs are a total pisstake. They should be in line with all other aspects of the Public Sector.
Up until a few years ago, Tesco's head office used to have two fridges in the communal area (where the pool table lived) with BE on one and ER on the other..... open the doors and they were full of Beer!!
Nobody ever really touched it through the day, but plenty of evenings turned into Pool nights with beer!
All free!
Nobody ever really touched it through the day, but plenty of evenings turned into Pool nights with beer!
All free!
InitialDave said:
I don't find it that controversial a decision (office parties being a 'business' expense), but the optics aren't great given how tough things are for a lot of people at present.
Unless tax law has changed they are not an allowable business expense. They are a benefit in kind for the employees but I think HMRC allow a maximum up to which it will not be assessed. cc3 said:
They get their gas and electric paid by the taxpayer on their 2nd London home. !!
thats fair enough? you are a MP from devon, in order to do your job you have to rent, or buy a house near enough westminster. Why shouldnt that be a business expense the running of that property?
or just pay them properly, call it £500k a year no expenses.
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