Expenses

Andy_L

KiKi wrote: »

There's no way it's acceptable for the tax payer to pay for someone's cinema trip, drinks out etc. If you choose to go out, then you pay - just as you would at home. If you'd usually stay in at home and watch TV, then you can do then in the hotel.

Although, if I'm at home I can have a bottle of beer/g&t/glass of wine or 3 at supermarket prices rather than hotel/pub prices whilst watching the TV

comeandgo

Andy_L wrote: »

Although, if I'm at home I can have a bottle of beer/g&t/glass of wine or 3 at supermarket prices rather than hotel/pub prices whilst watching the TV

I buy a bottle of wine from supermarket, bring my own glass, order room service for meal and watch tv. No extra cost.

Pennywise

lazer-zxr wrote: »

So this covers everything. Unlimited drinks, unlimited food, even night club fees and taxis , toiletries if needed, etc.

Your employer is therefore very generous. Most employers, public and private, wouldn't allow more than the bare necessities, i.e. basic meals and travel between the hotel and the client's premises, and yes, many private sector employers use the same "scale" rate allowances for meals, incidentals etc., which are published on HMRC's website. I've certainly never worked in or on behalf of any employer who's been as generous as yours.

Pennywise

comeandgo wrote: »

Public finances and expenses are heavily scrutinised, evening meal with soft drink is what we get, no alcohol.

Just like most private sector employees too!

Pennywise

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

But presumably you take those toiletries home and use them up at home, so why are they a business expense??? You pay for them yourself, and don't have to buy more with the supermarket shopping for a bit longer.

Surely any hotel slightly better than the cheapest, nastiest, ones, will provide toiletries free of charge to those who've forgotten to pack everything? On the rare occasion I've forgotten anything, (maybe once in 2 or 3 years) reception have freely given me it, including toothpaste and a razor.

GlasweJen

marliepanda wrote: »

Public sector workers can't even get a half decent pension without cries of 'misuse of public funds' 'we're paying your wages!!!!!!' From irate 'council tax payers'

You really think they'd get away with charging them for nightclub fees? Yeah...

We've had people complain because nurses have been seen having a tea break, going to the loo and going for their lunch so god knows the reaction if it came out that they were clubbing on tax payers money while away at conferences.

takman

Andy_L wrote: »

Although, if I'm at home I can have a bottle of beer/g&t/glass of wine or 3 at supermarket prices rather than hotel/pub prices whilst watching the TV

So why can't you do that when your working away???? Just take some drink with you or get it from a supermarket local to where your working and take it back to the hotel?

FredG

Private sector here and I get a standard £25 allowance for an evening meal with one alcoholic drink. I only work away very infrequently and for me that's a perfectly fair amount.


I wouldn't expect anyone to pay for my drinks or entertainment. It's my choice to have an extra couple of pints or go the the cinema if I fancy it, same as it would be at home.

lazer-zxr

SuzieSue wrote: »

What kind of company do you work for? Is it in the City?

I work for a large company, but not in a city.

SuzieSue

lazer-zxr wrote: »

I work for a large company, but not in a city.

Well, I hope that they are declaring all the expenses which aren't "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" incurred in the performance of your job to HMRC as either you or they should be paying tax on them.

I very much doubt that HMRC would agree that unlimited drinks and night clubs were allowable for tax.