BBC staff to sign own expenses

Staff at the BBC are to get the ultimate perk that will make them the envy of millions of workers in Britain - they are to sign off their own expenses.

The concession, which only applies to claims not exceeding £100, is part of an attempt to streamline the complicated expenses system following complaints from staff.

However, there are fears that the policy could lead to fiddled expense claims and waste licence payers' money when it is introduced later this year.

Alison Woodhams, group financial controller, defended the move, saying that while 60 per cent of claims were for under £100, they represented only 20 per cent of the total value. She added: "Self authorisation is about empowering and trusting people and making this a better place to work."

But an industry insider said last night: "To be able to sign your own expenses has always been a luxury enjoyed by bosses, but not by ordinary workers.

"However, there must be temptation to fiddle the system if you know no one is watching."