Ex-expenses

Transparency seems to be driving down executive expenses at the BBC. Newly released figures for the end of last year show a number with no claims at all, e.g. Andy Parfitt. So smaller amounts now stick out. Mark Thompson and Mark Byford stayed for two nights for the RTS Conference in Cambridge, for £280 each; Tim Davie stayed one night, in the more frugal surroundings of Selwyn College for £66; Jana Bennett did it in a day trip, with taxis either end.

There are other snippets to be found. Peter Salmon, King of the North, had no expenses, but the claim for Dominic Coles, COO for Journalism, reveals Pete and Dominic enjoyed a trip to Salford, entertaining one Greg Dyke. Helen Boaden, in News, entertained somebody called Allan about future projects, for £99. Allan Little ? Erik Huggers still likes hiring cars with drivers - this time a four-day car in Seoul for a total £646.79.