Employees pocketing "£1bn per year" in false expenses claims

A new survey of 3,000 employees claims that expense "fiddling" is rife in the UK - costing companies over £1bn per year.

The headline-grabbing announcement based on research commissioned by Travelodge suggests that the typical worker pockets an extra £17.00 each month that they claim.

This means claimants make an extra £204 a year through dodgy expense claims, totalling an impressive £9,078 over a working lifetime.

According to the research, unscrupulous workers are pocketing over £1bn a year in false expenses claims, including plastic surgery, escorts, council tax, and even a diamond engagement ring.

Some of the more amusing claims uncovered by the survey included:

- A new motorbike
- Private number plate for a BMW
- Hiring a private investigator to find evidence to start divorce proceedings
- Lap dancers
- £1000 hair extensions
- A new garden shed which was converted into an office
- Charity donations
- Luxury holidays to Africa, USA and Europe
- Dancing lessons

Guy Parsons, Travelodge Chief Operating Officer commenting on one of the year's more entertaining news announcements, said:

“In today’s climate, companies cannot afford to splurge workers on ridiculous non work related expense claims which is costing bosses over £1 billion a year.

“Even tweaks on everyday claims such as taxis, mileage and the odd bottle of wine can really rack up a business bill over the year. With the new financial year fast approaching this is the ideal time for employers to adopt a low-cost culture, starting by reviewing their expenses policy first.”