Business department civil servants had away-days almost every week last year, costing more than £100,000 She said: "It's staggering that the same government which is asking all of us to tighten our belts continues to shell out on corporate away-days." In the past year, the department's staff trips have cost £107,696, contributing to a total of £137,000 spent on 64 away-days since May 2010. A spokesman for the department said: "Training, planning, and performance improvement are essential for the long term success of any organisation, and government is no different. A change of environment can help teams to focus on the objectives of the day, to ensure they are successful. Officials at all levels of the department make every effort to ensure that all such spending is clearly value for money for the taxpayer. In June 2010, the department was criticised for sending 50 civil servants to a chocolate workshop, to create and market their own sweets, at a cost of £4,700. In comparison, the Department for Energy and Climate Change has spent £72,801 on 42 away-days for staff since May 2010. The Cabinet Office has spent £10,000.