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Labour announce credit card crackdown in war on waste

(Photo by: Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

After The Spectator’s Spaff probe brought the rather alarming extent of government waste to light, the Labour lot have hastened their crackdown on frivolous spending. The latest target? Credit cards.

Thousands of government credit cards will be cancelled in a bid to crack down on wasteful spending, the Cabinet Office has said. Whitehall departments and their associated agencies will be instructed to freeze their cards this week with ‘only a minority’ to be exempt from the cull – after figures revealed that over the last four years, credit card spending quadrupled. Sir Keir Starmer’s crowd is keen to reduce the number circulating by half as it ploughs ahead with its efficiency drive – after data showed a staggering £675 million was spent on government cards in 2024/25. Talk about sparing no expenses, eh?

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Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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