MP's Meal Allowance

We are a micro-business Frank and bluebell and I tend to treat our people the way I would like to be treat myself. A small business like ours is like a family. We are all close and as the only woman in the company I am the nominated "mother".

I think that if someone is working away from home then they have every right to be subsidised. I would not expect anyone to stay in a hotel that I wouldn't stay in myself and always give them enough to cover lunch and a decent evening meal if they are staying overnight. If they choose to get a packet of chips and pocket the rest why should I care?

Perhaps they should work a normal working week - 8.00 till 16.00 or 9.00-17.00 then they could pay for their own meals. Why is the tax payer funding these people on above average salaries when they are impoverishing some sectors of the population, who are close to the bread-line or below the bread line already. I think it's about time some of these freebies were removed.

Things like subsistence allowances really depend on the type of organisation you're working for. Bigger organisations tend to have more extensive policies and provisions for overtime, subsistence allowances, etc.

I've worked in both the public and private sector, but mostly in the private sector.

In small private organisations, (like estate agents, printing firms, manufacturing companies, solicitors, etc.) there weren't many "perks", though a few gave bonuses based on profit, paid-for staff outings and meals, etc. All provided free hot drinks.

In the public services I worked in (like hospitals, local councils, adult education, etc., etc.) there were next to no "perks". Hot drinks had to be paid for, staff Christmas meals, etc., were at our own expense.

In large private organisations (like solicitors, accountants, etc.) there were a great deal of perks - free hot and cold drinks all day long, subsidised restaurants, May Ball, Christmas meals, private health care, yearly health checks, subsistence allowances, interest-free season ticket loans, etc., etc.

My first thought was why can't they take sandwiches, but I suppose that as the majority of MP's are men it might be a bit too difficult for the poor dears.

Gillybob - what a lovely sentiment. You must be a really nice employer - I hope your staff appreciate you!