FURY erupted today as it emerged British taxpayers will pay up to £31million to fund this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The Government confirmed it will subsidise the event in Liverpool in May, with a direct £10m payment from income tax payers.
But the BBC - itself funded by the public licence fee - will contribute up to £17million while local authorities in Merseyside have also pledged a further £4m in taxpayer funding.
It is believed to be the highest public contribution in the 67-year history of the contest.
Meanwhile the other 37 national broadcasters taking part will contribute an average of just £135,000 each.
Taxpayers reacted furiously on Twitter with one posting: "I thought there was a cost of living crisis? Why are our taxes paying for this bull****?"
Another added: "That’s disgraceful. They could have used the £10m to give some families help with heating bills. What’s the matter with them?"
The UK is hosting Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, which is unable to hold the event in Kyiv because of Russia's ongoing invasion.
Last year Italy hosted Eurovision at the PalaOlimpico in Turin, without any direct contribution from the Italian government.
The extraordinary sum British taxpayers are being asked to fork out is even more stark because this is the ninth time the UK has hosted the contest, a Eurovision record and three times more than Germany, Italy or France.
Officials said the money will be spent on operational costs like security and visas, as well as making sure the event "showcases Ukrainian culture".
Around 3,000 subsidised tickets to the song contest will also be made available for Ukrainians living in the UK.
Sam Ryder finished second in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest last year
Dominic Lipinski
Ukrainians will only be charged £20 to attend the event, at the M&S Bank Arena, so they can "celebrate our country's rich culture and music", said Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it was right that British taxpayers subsidise Ukranians having a good night out.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine means the contest cannot be held where it should be.
"But we are honoured to be supporting the BBC and Liverpool in hosting it on their behalf, and are determined to make sure the Ukrainian people are at the heart of this event.
“This announcement means that thousands of tickets will be offered to those displaced by war, so that they can take part in a show honouring their homeland, their culture and their music.
"As always, we stand together with the Ukrainian people and their fight for freedom.”
Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko added: "The UK's steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion has been exemplary and this gesture is another example of that commitment.
"The £10m in funding to showcase Ukrainian culture is also greatly appreciated and will help to put on a collaborative show bringing people from around the world closer to each other."
The money will also support Liverpool City Council as well as the BBC's "partnerships with Ukrainian acts to ensure a collaborative show celebrating music and how it unites people", it said in a statement.
It is the first time the Government has confirmed all British taxpayers are making a direct financial contribution.
Lucy Frazer has defended the Eurovision 2023 funding decision
UK Government
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, who has pledged a further £4m in public cash, said: “Ukraine is at the heart of all our Eurovision host city plans.
"Working with our Ukrainian community we are shaping a thought-provoking and powerful programme that is all-encompassing and representative of modern Ukraine – inspiring, poignant, funny, beautiful and moving.
“We’re delighted with the news that displaced Ukrainians are being given the opportunity to come to the city in May – this is their Eurovision after all.
"Our team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes and we can’t wait to give them a warm Liverpool welcome and, fingers crossed, do them, the rest of the Ukraine and the UK proud.”
It comes as European broadcasters complained about Britain hosting the event due to the "additional costs of transporting equipment", due to the UK no longer being a member of the European Union.
One delegate, who didn't want to be named, said this year's contest in Liverpool "will have extra hassle".
They told the BBC: "Normally delegations have the choice to either create the props themselves and ship it to the host country, or build them in the host country."
They claimed shipments to the UK could not be guaranteed to arrive on time as there are "more forms" and complained that post-Brexit customs checks had made the situation "far worse".
The BBC's £17m contribution is a thought to be a record for a host broadcaster and comes at a time when the corporation is closing channels and axing programmes.
The BBC said further details on general release tickets would be issued in due course.
Labour declined to comment on the funding announcement.
