Graham Smith told Express.co.uk the UK could employ a further 15,000 nurses or police officers with the amount used to fund the Royal Family. During a brutal attack on the royals, the Republic CEO branded the cash spent of the Firm was “nothing short of a disgrace”. Republic is an organisation that campaigns for Queen Elizabeth II to be replaced by a democratic, elected head of state and the monarchy to be abolished.
Mr Smith said: “The royals feel their status requires a palatial home.
“They take it for granted that we owe them that.
“It is up to us to explain that this is not how the world works anymore.
“The total cost to the taxpayer of the monarchy is somewhere in the region of £345 million.
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“It has probably gone up since we last calculated it but that is very expensive for an institution that is there to give us one person to do one job.”
He continued: “For that kind of figure, you can get around 15,000 new nurses or police officers, the sort of public servants we are in desperate need of at the moment.
“Instead of doing that we are giving £345 million to one very wealthy family so they can live a luxurious lifestyle.
“That is nothing short of a disgrace.”
“Given the effects of the pandemic it was announced that though there would be less income, any shortfall is intended to be met by economies and other income such as lettings and not by the taxpayer.
“The value of the monarchy to Britain is huge, Brand Finance has called it ‘Britain’s greatest treasure’ and Republic, as always, ignore the monarchy’s benefit for royal tours abroad, charity and tourism.
“Every country contributes to the expenses of its head of state.
“How could you put a price on the boost to the nation’s morale of the three historic broadcasts, including her Christmas message, which the Queen has made during the pandemic?”
