Palaces cost taxpayer pounds 20m a year

MAINTAINING the royal palaces in England costs taxpayers pounds 20m a year, according to a report published today, writes Chris Blackhurst.

The report from the National Audit Office, the public spending watchdog, discloses that the Department of National Heritage will spend pounds 19.8m this year on the upkeep of Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House, Windsor Castle and parts of Kensington Palace and Hampton Court. Not covered are Sandringham, the Tower of London and the main body of Hampton Court.

Seventy per cent of the money will go on improving and maintaining the buildings, the remainder mainly on staff and fire protection.