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NPIA comments on credit card statements
Reports in the mainstream media highlight purchases that include designer lingerie and flowers.
NPIA Chief Executive Nick Gargan’s statement reads:
“Tax payers have an absolute right to require public servants to use public money efficiently and in a way that ensures value for money.
“We are a national organisation with an operating budget of over £300m and we work at the very heart of British policing. We operate overseas, across the United Kingdom in ten different locations including the management of a 500-acre national heritage site, which we are obliged to maintain.
“It is legitimate and necessary in some cases for our staff to use government procurement cards (GPC) to purchase items connected to their work
“However, the tough fiscal climate the country is facing today means some spending habits of the past look questionable and done today would be out of touch with public opinion. The NPIA is not unique in this regard.
“So I accept that in some areas, our spending did show poor consideration for value for money.
“In a few areas, though within guidelines, our spending was plainly wasteful.
“We’ve been learning the lessons of 2008-2010 by bearing down on our GPC spend, already reducing expenditure by over a third in the last year.
“But I want the NPIA to do more, which is why I have already launched an internal review into historic use of GPCs to ensure we spend wisely in future and that we have the tightest possible monitoring in place today. Although our processes have been passed by Home Office auditors, it is clear that the court of public opinion may judge us differently.
“The NPIA has an important role to play in national and international policing over the next 18 months. I need to ensure our staff, colleagues in police forces and Government and the public have confidence in our ability to deliver vital national services efficiently
Media coverage
According to various media reports (click here), the NPIA’s spending on its credit card included:
- Designer lingerie (£51.60)
- Interflora flowers (£943)
- karaoke mic (£55.36)
- golf kit (£205.30)
- water-skiing and drum workshops (£5,411.89)
- beehives (£1,841.69)
- lawnmower (£1,248)
- judo kit (£828)
