Post by Teddy Bear on Oct 8, 2008 20:43:19 GMT
The BBC justifies charging 25p for a 'splash of milk' so as to have more money for programming, to give the appearance that frugality to achieve quality is their real concern. Yet they seem to have no problem spending money in a completely wasteful manner as evidenced here, which shows their true intent and disregard for their remit.
BBC spent £80,000 entertaining guests at Wimbledon
The BBC spent more than £80,000 of licence fee payers' money on entertaining guests at Wimbledon this year.
By Nicole Martin, Digital and Media Correspondent
Last Updated: 3:24PM BST 08 Oct 2008
A total of 170 people were taken to the championships by the corporation at a cost of £81,454 - almost £500 per head.
That included the cost of providing centre court tickets for the men's final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for 14 guests of the BBC Trust.
In total, the BBC spent £53,528 on a "marquee and associated costs" and £18,281 on hospitality, including food and drink.
In addition, a total of £9,645 was spent on items such as match tickets, car parking, programmes and invitations, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Matthew Elliott, the chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "It is absolutely outrageous that the BBC is using the hard-earned money of ordinary British families to treat broadcasting bigwigs to expensive meals and tickets to the Wimbledon final."
The BBC said in statement: "Wimbledon is a major event in the international sporting calendar and one at which the BBC as host broadcaster is especially associated.
"We are careful about ensuring these events provide value for money and in recent years we have decreased the amount of corporate hospitality we offer significantly."
The BBC spent more than £80,000 of licence fee payers' money on entertaining guests at Wimbledon this year.
By Nicole Martin, Digital and Media Correspondent
Last Updated: 3:24PM BST 08 Oct 2008
A total of 170 people were taken to the championships by the corporation at a cost of £81,454 - almost £500 per head.
That included the cost of providing centre court tickets for the men's final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for 14 guests of the BBC Trust.
In total, the BBC spent £53,528 on a "marquee and associated costs" and £18,281 on hospitality, including food and drink.
In addition, a total of £9,645 was spent on items such as match tickets, car parking, programmes and invitations, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Matthew Elliott, the chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "It is absolutely outrageous that the BBC is using the hard-earned money of ordinary British families to treat broadcasting bigwigs to expensive meals and tickets to the Wimbledon final."
The BBC said in statement: "Wimbledon is a major event in the international sporting calendar and one at which the BBC as host broadcaster is especially associated.
"We are careful about ensuring these events provide value for money and in recent years we have decreased the amount of corporate hospitality we offer significantly."