‘Excessive’ mileage rates cost councils thousands

At a time when authorities are cutting services and axing jobs, many were paying employees 65p a mile if they were a casual user or 50.5p a mile, together with a £1,239 lump sum, for essential users during the last financial year. The Government’s recommended mileage rate is 40p.

Under the Freedom of Information Act the Yorkshire Post has learnt that the region’s town halls paid out almost £25m in mileage expenses in 2010-11 to employees who used their own car for work. Figures were not available for the entire financial year, so that amount is likely to rise.

Councils in Yorkshire, faced with major cuts in their budgets, have slashed spending by over £1bn – and they will have to dig deep to find more savings in the coming years. Towns and cities have seen protests in recent months as people battled to save services they hold dear.

There are vast differences in what is paid. An employee of Leeds or Hull councils can receive up to 65p per mile if they have a vehicle over 1200cc and are a casual user, while those working for Sheffield are given the recommended 40p. For every 250 miles driven, this would make an employee in Leeds or Hull £62.50 better off before tax.

More in Saturday’s Yorkshire Post