I imagine that the lines were glowing today. Why EH didn't step in is curious.
For £50,000 pa though? There are two schools of thought here; those who suggest that if you look after the pennies the pounds will look after themselves and those who suggest penny wise, pound foolish. It's a cliche, but it seems that the third option wins out - this is about knowing the price of something and not the value of it.
Anna had her hand forced and as a result of that, due to the original thought processes at work, we have a shocking result. I agree, trusting this to a small local company, whatever the motivation or however benevolent the intent, is a shocker. But Soubry, can she now backtrack? Saying sorry or conceding she got it wrong isn't her style.