The Labour Court recommended that Calor Gas retain half of a storage and entertainment allowance paid to 13 sales staff and buy out the other half for twice its annual loss. The recommendation was signed on 11 March 2011. Calor Gas said the allowance’s original purposes had passed and it needed to cut costs. Unite and Mandate said the allowance was protected by a 2005 agreement that preserved existing staff pay and conditions. The Court recommended keeping the agreement’s protection while recognising that the allowance’s purpose had changed.