Survey reveals no government department cancelled their Christmas party

08/01/2009

Government departments spent almost £90,000 on their Christmas parties in 2008, according to research by the Daily Telegraph, which found that no departments they contacted had cancelled Christmas parties due to the downturn in the economy.

Christmas 2008 spelled limited celebration for many private sector firms who cancelled Christmas parties due to a tightening of the purse strings. However, 12 government departments and publically-funded bodies enthusiastically planned their expensive celebrations.

The Audit Commission was the greatest spendthrift, throwing a £60,000 yuletide celebration.
Communication regulator Ofcom spent £12,000 and nine other publically funded organizations spent over £9,000 on their celebrations.

Stakeholders enjoyed several parties thrown by government departments, while the Department of Health insisted public money should not be spent on social gathering and any ‘parties’ should benefit business. It spent £1,079 on a party for journalists, while the Department for Business spent £2,800 on a gathering to celebrate staff’s ‘special achievements.’

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport hosted a private party at the Wallace Collection, for 120 contacts in the industry, while the Treasury held a canapé and wine party for 300 specially invited guests.