On Expenses

With society collapsing all around us Social Worker Clare Barker is appalled to be stuck indoors bean counting. But as Clare discovers anomalies in the Sparrowhawk Family Centre's expense claims will friendship and loyalty win over professional integrity?

Sally Phillips stars as Clare Barker the social worker who has all the right jargon but never a practical solution.

A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. Clare is in her thirties, white, middle class and heterosexual, all of which are occasional causes of discomfort to her.

Each week we join Clare in her continued struggle to control both her professional and private life. In her private life Clare is struggling to come to terms with Brian's infidelity. Will their relationship survive?

In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare.

Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden.

Clare ...... Sally Phillips
Brian ...... Alex Lowe
Nali ...... Nina Conti
Ray ...... Richard Lumsden
Helen ...... Liza Tarbuck
Simon ...... Andrew Wincott
Libby ..... Sarah Kendall
Paul ...... Ben Crowe
Mrs Manjula ...... Bharti Patel

Producer: Katie Tyrrell

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2013.