BBC gets in hot water over £83k bill for TEA

BBC gets in hot water over £83k bill for TEA: Corporation slammed over massive annual spending on hot drinks for staff

  • BBC has spent £51,683 on coffee and £31,892 on tea bags in the past year 
  • Critics say TV licence holders shouldn’t have to fund free drinks for its staff
  • The BBC revoked free TV licences for most over-75s in August

The BBC was yesterday accused of frittering money away after it was revealed it spent £83,575 on teas and coffees in a year.

It means major stars on lucrative contracts as well as ordinary staff are enjoying hot drinks on the licence fee payer.

The corporation spent £51,683 on instant coffee and £31,892 on tea bags between November last year and this October.

BBC has spent £51,683 on instant coffee and £31,892 on tea bags in the past year (stock)

The figures emerged after a Freedom of Information request. Those for other hot drinks such a fruit teas or fresh coffee were not revealed.

The BBC said it strives to find value for money.

But critics say TV licence holders – who pay £157.50 a year – shouldn’t have to fund free drinks for its well-paid staff.    

Jeremy Hutton of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: ‘The BBC has landed itself in hot water with licence fee payers.

‘Many staff in the public sector pay for their own hot drinks – there is no reason why the Beeb should get special treatment.

‘It’s high time the corporation stopped frittering money away and expecting taxpayers to bail them out.’

The BBC revoked free TV licences for most over-75s in August, blaming ministers for not providing enough funding.

Critics say TV licence holders shouldn’t have to fund free drinks for its well-paid staff (stock)

Critics say TV licence holders shouldn’t have to fund free drinks for its well-paid staff (stock)

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We always work to ensure value for money.

‘These costs are part of a wider catering contract which covers all of our UK staff.’

Top earners Lineker and Ball bank £1,350,000 and £1,364,999, respectively, while Radio 1 presenter Greg James earns between £275,000 and £279,999.

This comes after it was revealed in October that the Beeb splashed £125,000 on booze over the past four years, including £74,000 on wine and £34,000 on beer and cider.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk