THE article on page 33 of last week's Times shows how money in the hands of government can move around a circle with the most important people in that circle getting little or no mention or credit for their fundamental part in the process and may, for some, leave the illusion that the government has created money out of thin air.
Part of the article said '£1.8 million has come from Europe...' Why not say it has come from European taxpayers (or, more precisely, British taxpayers, as Britain is a net contributor)? Especially as without taxpayers none of LEAF's objectives would have been possible!
Another quote: 'With all potential projects projects needing to find a certain level of match funding, from either the private sector or other public funding, this will boost the economy of the area by almost £4-million.'
This and other information given was supposed to support the statement that the £1.8 million is a boost to the economy of the area. Well, even if it is distributed locally by LEAF it isn't a boost (and the money is then in different pockets). Had the money not been taken in taxes the local economy would have been better off.
Roughly speaking, that £1.8 million started as about £1.9 million in the pockets of Devon taxpayers and loses the difference in bureaucrats' handling costs by the time Britain, Europe and finally LEAF get to allocate it. So, rather than the economy of the area being boosted by the claimed £2 million, it has lost perhaps £100,000 by the cost of three sets of bureaucrats.
LEAF's logic on matched 'public funding' and 'private sector funding' could both also be questioned.
Employees of LEAF may feel that they are doing a good and necessary job, but in talking about LEAF's work their neglect of giving credit to the taxpayers' crucial contribution also leads to huge numeric inaccuracies in what they say.
C Webber
45 Crocken Tor Road
Okehampton