Feminist coding and Armenian fashion week – my findings from Spaff

The Spectator Project Against Frivolous Funding, or Spaff, has been launched this week to shine a light on government waste. To help track down examples of frivolous spending, The Spectator has created a search engine that allows anyone to look at government transactions, foreign aid projects and procurement contracts all in one place for the first time.

If you’re like me, and your eyes light up at the idea of rooting out government profligacy, the search engine is a treat. Here’s what I’ve found so far:

Let’s start with the Arts Council, which has burnt through a tremendous amount of taxpayer cash. Particular funding highlights are a feminist creative coding camp for £5,000, a production of ‘Islamajam’ for £29,000 and a £90,000 bung to a group aiming to ‘decolonise’ pole dancing.

On the weirder end of the spectrum, the Arts Council has been funding a show in Thanet named ‘Daddy Issues’ (£30,000), and productions such as ‘Vagina Cake’ and ‘Where’s My Vagina’ (£12,500 and £22,934, respectively).