Theresa May's snap general election cost taxpayers £140m

Vote was called three years earlier than expected under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act

£42m was spent on delivering election literature (Getty)

Theresa May's ill-fated decision to call a snap election cost the taxpayer more than £140m, official figures have revealed.

The Prime Minister's gamble to go to the country on 8 June involved extra spending to cover the cost of running the poll and more than £42m on delivering election literature.

Ms May lost her Commons majority in the election, which was called three years earlier than expected under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.

In a statement to MPs, Constitution Minister Chris Skidmore set out the impact of the poll on the Cabinet Office budget.

He said: "The UK General Election took place on 8 June 2017, resulting in an increase in non-voted programme Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit of £140,850,000."

The figures, for England, Scotland and Wales, comprise £98,310,000 to cover fees and expenses incurred by returning officers in running the contest.

A further £42,540,000 covered the cost of delivering election mailshots to voters.

Labour's shadow cabinet office minister Jon Trickett said: "Theresa May has been left with egg on her face and the taxpayer is picking up the bill.

"The Prime Minister said there was no magic money tree to give nurses a proper pay rise.

"But she spent £140 million of taxpayers' cash on a failed bid to boost her majority that's led to a zombie government."

PA