Whip round

As pleased-as-Punch Lord Patten prepares to wave his Olympic Gold Card at security guards and soldiers, before retreating to a summer sojourn in the Aveyron, spare a thought for those left toiling behind on a thorny problem: The Mark Thompson Festival of Leaving Events and How to Fund Them Without Falling Foul of the Expenses Policy for Senior Managers, para 31.

Leaving parties - The BBC will only contribute to leaving parties/drinks when someone leaves the BBC after a period of service of at least five years and then only with the prior approval of the appropriate Divisional Finance Director. The BBC's total contribution (including VAT and service) to such events should be modest and never exceed £200 where the length of service was between five and 10 years and for over 10 years service the maximum contribution is £500. Where a number of people are leaving in one department consideration should be given to holding a single event to minimise the total cost to the BBC. A tax liability arises on all staff attendees where leaving events are arranged on non-BBC premises; the BBC will not meet this tax liability nor pay for transport to or from the event.