"What a waste", and I do mind

How many people are the Labour government expecting the UK taxpayer to pay for to attend the Beijing Olympics? Let's see, Gordon Brown and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, I suppose Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Andy Burnham as well. Maybe a couple of PPSs as well; say eight people in all.

The actual figure is nearer 50 and that's just those we know about. In addition to the three named above the following will also be attending on our behalf (!):

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe
Trade Minister Lord Jones

The above five will indeed be backed up by at least one private secretary and "press office support", although the Prime Minister's team will be much larger - I presume whoever is Prime Minister will make no difference to this.


That's not the end of it though, here are some more freeloaders:

Six "observers"
17 staff from the Olympic Delivery Authority
a "small number" of officials to forge trade links and represent UK interests (and to watch the sport and enjoy the banquets)
The chief executive of Sport England
The director of property for Sport England
Eight people from UK Sport


Seems reasonable? Actually, no it doesn't but snouts in the trough need regular feeding.