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AIBU?

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Original poster

That MPs can afford their own IPads.

81 replies

Springtulip · 29/03/2015 12:07

A free IPad for every single member of parliament, isn't it good when we can give ourselves freebies like this. I wouldn't mind but they'll more than likely already have one.

OP posts:
Indomitable · 29/03/2015 12:09

Work equipment for work, personal equipment for personal stuff. No different to any other industry.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 29/03/2015 12:14

You do realise they're not for fun/personal use... The information kept on them means that it would be incredibly irresponsible to have the same one for work and home.

5 years ago they would have been given diaries or notebooks and pens..which no one would have batted an eye at...now its a heck of alot more practical to keep with the moving times and have ipads.

ilovesooty · 29/03/2015 12:23

As other posters have said they're for work use. Presumably they also hold sensitive data and are appropriately encrypted. Whether they can afford their own is utterly irrelevant.

ljwales · 29/03/2015 12:25

I think they should of got tesco huddles. 3 times cheaper. Just paying for a brand and supporting an american company.

WayfaringStranger · 29/03/2015 12:26

They're trialing iPads for social care workers in local authorities to stream line some of our long laborious processes. I have my own personal one, should I not be entitled to a work one?

ilovesooty · 29/03/2015 12:29

I wouldn't want a contract like that going to Tesco who support workfare.
In any case there seems no reason why MPs shouldn't use decent equipment for work. The actual money involved is a drop in the ocean in the context of other expenses.

Indomitable · 29/03/2015 12:30

The apps/software for iPad vastly outstrips that for other tablet types. They could have bought cheaper ones, but they wouldn't be fit for purpose.

OrlandoWoolf · 29/03/2015 12:31

Presumably they also hold sensitive data and are appropriately encrypted

You'd like to think so, wouldn't you Grin

OrlandoWoolf · 29/03/2015 12:31

I hope they get a decent discount.

ljwales · 29/03/2015 12:34

Your evidence that android tablets are not fit for purpose?

Have you seen how apple treat their workers in China?

Mrscog · 29/03/2015 12:36

I don't have to buy my work iPad, so I don't see why they should have to either.

Saladspork · 29/03/2015 12:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovesooty · 29/03/2015 12:43

Well the equivalent to Apple would presumably be top range Samsung and I doubt if their working conditions are any better.
I get a laptop for work and a work mobile phone (basic-the managers get Internet phones). Most people don't have to buy their own equipment for work so I don't see why MPs should.

Original poster
Springtulip · 29/03/2015 13:16

Apparently they're getting an IPad Air 2 and a lap top to celebrate the general election. Costing over £1million. They'll be good for gaming and listening to I Tunes. I think the last iPads were issued to them about 4 years ago.

OP posts:
YoSaffBridge · 29/03/2015 13:22

As opposed to the lawyers and consultants who get paid £700,000 a year and get given a mobile phone, tablet and Blackberry for work...

Oh, no, wait.

You do realise that MPs are doing a job? Whether you agree with how well they are doing, they are still working, and thousands of people get given tablets and laptops and iPads and Blackberries for work.

YoSaffBridge · 29/03/2015 13:22

Also, companies/departments generally have to pick one (Apple, Blackberry, Windows etc) so that they can manage the security settings for all.

RedButtonhole · 29/03/2015 13:29

I don't have a problem with this, for work use.

I object to them putting stuff on expenses that has no relevance to their work at all. I think they should be paid a higher wage and have to live within their means on it, instead of being able to do what they like and let someone else foot the bill.

ilovesooty · 29/03/2015 13:30

Could you give a source for the information OP?
I really don't see the issue with this in the wider context of the work of MPs.

IAmNotDarling · 29/03/2015 13:35

I'd rather that the UK Parliament purchased IT equipment in bulk and got a discount than each MP purchasing separately and reclaiming.

I wish I had a tablet for work so I could read papers on the go rather than having to print or power up a laptop. My work network is secure and own device use is not permitted.

And no, this isn't to 'celebrate' the election - it's an IT refresh - read the telegraph story.

IAmNotDarling · 29/03/2015 13:39

Also, not all MPs are wealthy aristocrats.

ljwales · 29/03/2015 13:41

They probably paid well over rrp for them and the person who signed it off didn't give a toss about saving money as it wasn't their money. The cc who signed it off probably knew very little about it.

I've worked for an it consultancy and its shocking the money that is wasted on ill thought out it plans.

Think the met paid about 4k a BlackBerry with the custom software that was never really used.

OP posts:
Littlemonstersrule · 29/03/2015 13:46

Presumably they are used for work, so it's a works expense. No different to self employed people claiming for tools or gas/electric as they work from home.

TheBlackRider · 29/03/2015 13:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheWhiteRoad · 29/03/2015 13:49

I have no problem with this. Many companies as well as the public sector issue their employees with iPads, smart phones or Blackberries. A couple of my teacher friends were given iPads for work use.