Storm in a teacup over free tea

We never had free tea and coffee when I was in the civil service. There were two coffee machines in the two board rooms, used only when they were hired, so the costs were covered, but if you had visitors, you had to provide your own drinks.

I don't really see the problem, but i think, as you are expected to provide refreshments when people come to visit or for a meeting then there should be some kind of assistance. It did on occasions become quite expensive.

More investigation into spending is needed. In my home town, the council were planning to buy each councillor a personalised umberella and shopping bag. Only when it leaked to the papers did they stop. I've also found myself in the situation where I have been confronted with what is left of the annual budget and been told to think of a way to spend it. One year, my depatment happily spent thousands of pounds on a ridiculous dinner for everyone, as if it wasn't spent they didn't get it next year, which I thought was disgusting.

So much money can be saved if the government realised that they can survive on less than they have been accustomed to. There is no trust anymore, and everyone seems to be out for what they can get!