UK local government’s lavish spending revealed

(Daily Mail): Britain's council bosses are lavishing millions in taxpayers' cash on chauffeur-driven cars and jet-setting trips, an investigation has found. The astonishing spending includes five-star jaunts across the globe, the use of luxury chauffeured Bentleys, Jaguars and BMWs, and even private golf lessons for council staff. One local authority used their taxpayer-funded charge cards to buy pedicures. The spending was uncovered by Channel 4's Dispatches 'How Councils Waste Your Money' and comes despite cash-strapped local authorities imposing deep cuts to social care and services.

The investigation found:

More than £30million spent ferrying around town hall top brass in chauffeured cars in five years.
Almost £4million spent on trips abroad to countries including Brazil, Australia and Jamaica.
One council spent £23,000 employing a twinning ambassador to a picturesque French town.
Councillors using payment cards on luxury hotels and lavish meals at celebrity restaurants.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles slammed the high spending at a time of deepening austerity. He said: 'I can pretty much tell you now that money spent on golf lessons by local authorities, or pedicures, is not wisely spent.'

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