PM additionally spent £4,440 on three sofas, £990 on six kitchen chairs and £1,207.50 on two eating tables within the months after the 2024 Normal Election
Keir Starmer visits John Lewis in the course of the pandemic and Boris Johnson’s premiership (Picture: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer spent £1,600 on a bathe display screen door as a part of a £30,000 renovation of his Downing Avenue flat, it has emerged. The Prime Minister spent tens of 1000’s of kilos of taxpayers’ cash on his grace-and-favour residence in Westminster.
His refurb included a £1,400 mattress, a £1,395 “TV unit” and a £1,630 bathe display screen, in line with GB Information, which obtained the information below Freedom of Info Act guidelines.
Alex Burghart MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster, mentioned: “Labour ministers refused to inform Parliament how practically £30,000 was spent refurbishing the Prime Minister’s flat, just for these particulars to be launched below a Freedom of Info request.
“They had been pleased to maintain MPs at midnight about sofas, furnishings and refurbishment prices funded by taxpayers, till FOI pressured the data into the open. Scrutiny is vital and pushes the federal government to make higher selections – daylight is the very best disinfectant.
“Parliament exists to carry ministers to account, however again and again this Authorities has proven a transparent disregard for that scrutiny.”
Officers performing for Sir Keir and Woman Starmer additionally spent £4,440 on three sofas, in addition to £990 on six kitchen chairs and £1,207.50 on two eating tables within the months after the 2024 Normal Election, once they moved into the spacious flat above No 11.
Sir Keir is entitled to spend £30,000 a 12 months as a part of a contribution in direction of sustaining and furnishing the four-bedroom flat within the coronary heart of Westminster. But it surely might result in criticism amid a cost-of-living disaster.
Added to the taxpayers’ invoice below “refurbishment” had been “portray works” value £9,164, “storage all through” costing £2,803 and blinds value £721.94.
No 10 refused to say if Sir Keir and Woman Starmer had been consulted on among the objects bought, however a supply instructed the Prime Minister and his spouse might have been.
An insider mentioned: “It’s commonplace for the PM’s household to be consulted on sure components of the refurbishment, however wouldn’t have the small print.”
The Prime Minister beforehand took goal at Boris Johnson and his now-wife Carrie Symonds once they determined to redecorate their 11 Downing Avenue flat after inheriting a “John Lewis furnishings nightmare” from Theresa Might.
Mr Johnson was accused of utilizing £58,000 of Tory funds for a lavish refurbishment of his Downing Avenue flat.
Ms Symonds employed upmarket inside designer, Lulu Lytle, whose Soane Britain firm sells “Yellow Gold” and “Previous Gold” wallpaper.
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A Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned: “The flat was empty when the PM entered workplace, so the Cupboard Workplace furnished it as per long-standing steering throughout successive administrations.
“The refurbishment got here below the allotted price range, and not one of the objects belong to the Prime Minister. They’ll stay the property of the Authorities for future use.”
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