Alongside her constant meetings with trade union chiefs after coming into office Bridget Phillipson held a little-publicised “stakeholder event” at the DfE for trade unionists and other figures “across education, business and civil society in working with government to break the link between a child’s background and their future success.“ Bridget’s no stranger to a paid-for schmooze session – this time the taxpayer was on the hook…
The event on 11 July, just six days after Phillipson entered office, featured “light refreshments” and wine and cost the taxpayer £7,625. In thanks the National Education Union is rolling up its sleeves ahead of potential strike action…
The department insists the “event was modest in style and format for an event of this size.” For the cash you could buy:
Taxpayers may have a view on which should be prioritised. Bridget may not be in the position to host boozy events ahead of a reshuffle…
Kemi Badenoch at the 1922-ConHome bash last night:
“I did praise [Burnham] for his stamina, it was amazing. All I had to do was sit back and lie there. I didn’t have to do anything at all…”