Friday, October 28, 2011
A rewarding life after politics
There is a much used internet acronymn that sums up my reaction when I first saw this story about former Prime Ministers being paid huge sums of money for continuing their political activities after retirement. However, as this is a family orientated blog I will not repeat it.
I am sure that many people will have a similar reaction to the news that Margaret Thatcher has claimed £535,000 of taxpayers' money over the last five years in return for making rare public appearances, all from the public duties cost allowance available to ex-PMs.
John Major has received £490,000 in the last five years, and Tony Blair got £169,076 in 2008-09, more than he was paid when he was in Downing Street.
What is not clear is what they did for this money, at what rate they were paid for each duty, whether duties are ranked in value according to their importance and what justification is in place for these payments. Until I saw this article I did not know that the public duties cost allowance even existed.
Perhaps we could have a bit more information so we can all form a more objective assessment as to whether we are getting value for money.
I am sure that many people will have a similar reaction to the news that Margaret Thatcher has claimed £535,000 of taxpayers' money over the last five years in return for making rare public appearances, all from the public duties cost allowance available to ex-PMs.
John Major has received £490,000 in the last five years, and Tony Blair got £169,076 in 2008-09, more than he was paid when he was in Downing Street.
What is not clear is what they did for this money, at what rate they were paid for each duty, whether duties are ranked in value according to their importance and what justification is in place for these payments. Until I saw this article I did not know that the public duties cost allowance even existed.
Perhaps we could have a bit more information so we can all form a more objective assessment as to whether we are getting value for money.
Comments:
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Transparency goes a long way. I echo your calls for further information to be published or this could very soon turn into a Telegraph style expenses scandal.
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