Council staff given afternoon off for Christmas shopping - and taxpayers foot the bill

Staff at Leicestershire County Council say that by paying their workers while they are out shopping for festive treats it will prevent them from skiving off nearer the big day.

But the plan has met with outrage by taxpayers who are already facing spiralling mortgage bills, higher tax bills and fast-rising general living costs.

Kamal Dhutia, acting chairman of the Leicester Federation of Small Businesses,said it was totally the wrong way use the public purse.

"If these people were taking this time as unpaid leave or holiday,then fine.

"But getting paid to shop, from the public purse, is wrong."

Councillor Kevin Feltham, cabinet member for staff, defended the move, saying it was better to give workers time off than have them skive and leave offices short staffed.

"We have decided the best thing to do is allow office staff half a day off if they need to go to the shops.

"All they have to do is to speak to their manager, who will discuss when it is best for them to take the time off.

"It makes perfect sense to me that losing them for a few hours in the afternoon is better than losing them for at least one day.

"People going sick for Christmas shopping is something we would like to avoid and we also feel this way boosts moral."

A recent survey revealed that the average employee at the council is taking 13 days sick each year, compared with the national average of seven.