Perk for Civil Servants
The cost of high street vouchers used to reward Home Office staff has more than doubled in a year to £14.5 million. Civil servants receive these vouchers as a perk for good work, which can be used at popular outlets such as Pizza Hut, Nando’s, Waitrose, and Selfridges.
Home Office staff have been given £14.5 million worth of restaurant vouchers
Concerns over Taxpayer Money
The Home Office, responsible for stopping Channel migrant crossings, has faced criticism for its increased spending on non-cash payments. The department's expenditure on vouchers rose from £6.6 million to £14.5 million. This has led to accusations of the department's lavish spending while many Brits struggle with the cost of living crisis.
Rising Spending Across Government Departments
The overall spending on non-cash payments across all 14 major departments has also increased. With many staff still working from home, the spending rose from £29.6 million to £40.94 million. Before the Covid pandemic, it stood at £18.8 million. Critics argue that the increase in spending does not align with the performance of these departments.
Calls to End Costly Retail Rewards
The rising cost of these retail rewards has prompted calls for government departments to reconsider their use. A Westminster source questioned the logic behind increasing rewards while department performance declines. John O’Connell from the Taxpayers’ Alliance expressed the need for government departments to end these costly schemes.
Incentives for Productivity
The Home Office defended the use of these schemes, stating that they are designed to incentivize productivity and reward high performers. However, critics argue that the increasing expenditure raises concerns about the effectiveness of these rewards.
Push for a Four-Day Week
Amid concerns about long working hours and low pay, civil servants at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are campaigning for a four-day week. They claim that current working conditions are pushing people to the brink.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/keir-starmer-faces-backlash-over-changing-stance-on-small-boat-issue/
