It is amazing but true that Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have generally learnt a basic lesson. In most areas they cannot get money for expenses without providing receipts. Sadly it appears that the European Parliament's civil servants have learnt no such lesson. Or at least that is the lesson we learn from this missive sent out by SGPOE (Syndicat Général du Personnel des Organisations Européennes), one of the half dozen staff unions that clog up the internal emails with their vapourings.

If we ever get back to Strasbourg, many of our colleagues will find they receive a few hundred euros less mission expenses than before (idem for missions between Luxembourg and Brussels).

This will probably come as a nasty shock to many of us because DG PERS has failed to communicate or explain this change of policy properly (except for a discreet e-mail when most of us were on holiday).

Up to now, the EP enjoyed a special opt-out from the staff regulations — something the previous SGPOE-led staff committee fought hard to achieve — so EP colleagues benefited from a flat-rate (forfaitaire) system. Better for us all and less unnecessary paperwork for the administration.

Now DG PERS has decided — we don't know why — that we have to justify the first and last nights of our missions with a hotel bill.

Of course many civil servants stay with friends on mission, and therefore pick up a great wad of cash meant for hotels. Over the twelve Strasbourg sessions a year a functionary can pocket thousands in expenses unspent. The Unions obviously think that this is a good and fair use of taxpayers money.

Instead it is the whining scream of a fat cat having a little less cream in his bowl.