BBC Trust spending large on hospitality

LORD Patten and members of the BBC Trust shelled out more than £5,600 on hiring boxes at the BBC Proms for their guests, figures have revealed.

The cost was up almost £1,000 on the previous year, at a time when the corporation itself is shaving millions of pounds off its budget and shedding jobs.

Trust chairman Lord Patten, who took up the role last year, hired boxes on three occasions at the Royal Albert Hall during the classical concert series at a total cost of £3,529.

One was hired jointly with fellow trustee Diane Coyle, who also took a box in her own right. Three other members of the trust took boxes during the season. Newly-released figures for expenses show Lord Patten ran up £8,559 in hospitality provision during his first few months in the role.