Civil Service travel rates for attending conferences etc.

BrianD3

The civil service travel rates are increasing next month, for example the 1501-5500km rate for engine capacity greater than 1500 cc goes from 83.53 cent per km to 90.63 cent per km. The reduced rates also increase. The reduced rate for an engine size greater than 1500 cc increases from 18.97 to 25.96 cent per km.

But in relation to the reduced rates, I found it interesting that there is an explanatory note in the new circular that did not appear in the old one.

"Reduced mileage rates apply for journeys associated with an official’s job but not solely related to the performance of those duties. Examples include necessary travel in relation to:-  attendance at confined promotion competitions  attendance at approved courses of education / conferences"

When I worked in the PS, staff claimed the full travel rate for attending conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings etc. This was a bone of contention as generous travel rates were milked by people who regularly found reasons to escape the office to spend all day at some "thing" or other. Usually there would be "free food" too. Staff would regularly claim (or try to claim) 5 hour subs despite having meals provided which afaik was against the rules although I'm not sure where I read that. Should staff also have been claiming reduced travel rates since at least 2017? How will this be managed/enforced now given that there is an explicit statement in the new circular.

2017 circular.pdf

2022 circular.pdf

Emma2019

Where I work in CS travel and subsistence is monitored closely enough. Never heard of anyone taking the piss.

As with all controls it comes down to the person monitoring the. Some managers will be bad at it and others will be good and therefore there will be variances across (and within) departments.