The BBC's on-off-on again relocation of large departments from London to Manchester is in the news, with the Daily Mail taking a characteristically outraged tone over details of the home relocation process. They're being forced by the current climate to dig deep into the organisation's coffers to find a way to shift employees north. The Mail makes a big deal over the decision to award hefty one-off "decoration" payments, and help with solicitors' fees, HIPs and other moving expenses. More interesting, though, is the home-sale process. Employees' homes will be valued by at least two surveyors. 95% of the average valuation will be guaranteed, and a company called "Cactus" (new to the Rat and Mouse) will purchase the homes on the BBC's behalf, freeing up quick cash for the London expat. The homes will then appear in estate agents' windows (no details, as yet, as to which agents), and the BBC will swallow any negative price differential between that 95% figure and the actual real market sale price. Hmm... a license for estate agents to create a bit of quick turnover? More here.

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