Rachel Reeves's plans torn apart as Chancellor receives letter demanding Royal Family action
Rachel Reeves's plans torn apart as Chancellor receives letter demanding Royal Family action
PA
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has received a letter from anti-monarchy group Republic demanding that she cut royal spending instead of public services in her upcoming Budget.
The letter outlines the organisation's concerns about public service and welfare cuts, while they believe the cost of the monarchy will continue to rise.
The anti-monarchy group also believes that MPs have a "woeful lack of understanding" of royal funding.
Republic CEO Graham Smith said: "It is difficult to have a serious debate about the out-of-control costs of the royals when MPs are so poorly informed."
Racheal Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will deliver Labour's first budget in 14 years on October 30.
PARepublic recently published a report claiming the monarchy costs the country more than half a billion pounds annually.
The group urged the Chancellor to consider scrapping the Sovereign Grant used by the Royal Family to pay for expenses related to their official duties.
Members of the Royal Family carried out 2,700 engagements across the UK and abroad during the year.
The organisation says that the crown estate does not fund any of the monarchy's costs, however the Sovereign Grant is funded from a percentage of the Crown Estate's revenue profits, initially set at 15 per cent, and is reviewed by the government every five years.
The letter, addressed to Downing Street and signed by Republic CEO Graham Smith, was posted by the organisation on X at 8 o'clock this morning.
X-RepublicStaff
Smith said: "How can half a billion pounds for Britain's head of state be justified?"
"If the government is considering cuts to vital public services, there is no justification for the royals being handed half a billion pounds per year."
"If painful decisions are required, as you have said, shouldn't those cuts start at the top?"
He also asked the Chancellor to establish an annual salary for members of the Royal Family.
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Members of the Royal Family carried out 2,700 engagements across the UK and abroad during the year.
PAThe letter, addressed to Downing Street and signed by Republic CEO Graham Smith, was posted by the organisation on X at 8 o'clock this morning.
Smith wrote that an inquiry should be launched to review the status of the Duchies of Lancaster, a private estate of land owned by King Charles, and The Duchy of Cornwall, a private estate provided to earn an income for the Prince of Wales and his family.
Prince William voluntarily pays income tax on all revenue £21 million a year earned from the estate.
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will deliver Labour's first Budget in 14 years on October 30.
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