Expenses A-J

I sure there'll soon be an overview of the latest BBC senior managers' quarterly expenses, which will demonstrate a continuing fall in overall claims. (1145 update: They're actually up 16% compared with the same quarter in 2013). However, there's still fun to be had with the swings and roundabouts within those figures.

Former Director of World Service, Peter Horrocks, who announced his impending departure from the BBC on 1st September 2104, managed to clock up £8,474.04 in foreign travel bookings and £1,029.50 in associated expenses over his final three months. That compares with a total of £24.70, home and abroad, for the previous quarter.

Director of Television Danny Cohen racked up £1086.47 in taxi fares.

Peter Johnson's PA still dutifully names the restaurants he uses when in London from his base in Northern Ireland. This time it's the Golden Dragon, Bam Bou, Giraffe, DeMartino, Thai Square, Pizza Express, and Shikara (twice). He'll have to find a new curry house from now on - Shikara, in Great Titchfield Street, W1, has closed.

Is a new meetings culture driving up expenses ?  Is it possible for a BBC exec to have a discussion without catering ? In News, Keith Blackmore, James Harding's number 2 and old Times chum, stepped up a gear with £552.57 for internal and external hospitality. Helen Boaden, Director of Radio managed £772.68. Cassian Harrison, controller-in-all-but-name of BBC4 claimed £657.90. Cassian also had to buy some operational kit (which, of course, you should normally do through central procurement) but has entertaining reasons for three items totalling £95.98 - "Charger required in office same day", "Item not available on buy, book, order", and "purchased to avoid delivery charges".

Meanwhile, Lord Hall steers an exemplary path as he continues to meet and greet staff. Three hotel nights over the quarter - £57.50, £66.25 and £65.00. One recommended by Lenny Henry.