New HMRC rules on expenses.

[ollie]

I am a teacher and the school has revised its staff expenses for trips/training days. The allowance for lunch is now £5 and dinner £5 (before 8pm). We have been told that any expense above that is now taxable - so the school will not pay it (!!) In future, we have been instructed to include the cost of meals for a trip in the charge made to parents. I have just returned from a 10 day residential trip abroad with students and the potential extra costs begin to mount. I - and a number of colleagues in the Common Room - have two questions. 1. Can the school negotiate higher limits for expenses with HMRC? 2. If parents are charged for the total cost of meals, will these expenses above the £5 limit be liable for tax and NI?
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.