Civil Service spent £33k on luxury hotel leadership retreat

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 16:35 · Archive

The Government spent £33,168.45 on a four-day Civil Service leadership programme at a luxury hotel near Aylesbury.

The Government spent £33,168.45 on a four-day Civil Service retreat at Hartwell House, a four-star country house hotel near Aylesbury, between 28 April and 1 May. The bill covered overnight stays, meals and teaching sessions for thirty senior public sector leaders attending the event.

The gathering was part of a 12-month Public Leaders Programme designed to improve the leadership skills of chief executive-level figures responsible for major public sector organisations. Hartwell House is surrounded by 90 acres of parkland and features a swimming pool, spa and tennis courts.

Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith criticised the spending, saying it showed a 'staggering lack of judgement' at a time when families were watching every penny. He said: 'And to then have the brass neck to call it a bargain is frankly insulting. Of course, it's a bargain when someone else is picking up the bill!' Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Mike Wood also criticised the cost of the retreat.

How it is being reported

• £33k luxury hotel retreat branded 'staggering lack of judgement'Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith has hit out after more than £33,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent on a Civil Service retreat at Hartwell House.Reading Chronicle · 29 Oct, 16:00
• £33k luxury hotel retreat branded 'staggering lack of judgement'Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith has hit out after more than £33,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent on a Civil Service retreat at Hartwell House.Bracknell News · 29 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Greg Smith · Mike Wood · Hartwell House · Aylesbury · Buckinghamshire

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