I have made similar observations on recent LGW security threads regarding the apparent misuse of the Security Surcharge introduced after Sept. 11th.;
In the industry this was justified by the government in conjunction with airport operators as 'to be used to provide extra security, staff, equipment and training...'
Well as with LGW this is becoming a farce - the airport operators and it appears MAN included are absorbing this 'windfall' as additional revenue and there is little or no apparent use of it being made at the 'sharp end'. If there was we shouldn't be seeing unmanned security x-ray machines, lack of staffing and associated queues at the gates!
Do the sums - Security Surcharge x number of outgoing pax at MAN - it's a lot of money each year!!
'Bout time I think this was pursued/investigated publically and accounted for at government level!!!