Excessive cost of Thatcher's funeral and tributes
It is being reported that the funeral of Lady Thatcher will cost the taxpayer £10m, mainly for security.
Sky News is reporting that the last recall of parliament during a recess cost £44,000. There will probably be a similar cost when MPs and peers pay tribute to her.
Surely at a time of cuts in everyday services the public uses and needs, this huge amount of money should not be spent commemorating the life of Lady Thatcher.
A far more sensible solution would have been for her family to have a private funeral, followed some time later by a public service of commemoration. This would have elimated the military parade and the consequent massive costs.
Even now, politicians do not seem to understand that they, too, should spend public money with caution.
Sky News is reporting that the last recall of parliament during a recess cost £44,000. There will probably be a similar cost when MPs and peers pay tribute to her.
Surely at a time of cuts in everyday services the public uses and needs, this huge amount of money should not be spent commemorating the life of Lady Thatcher.
A far more sensible solution would have been for her family to have a private funeral, followed some time later by a public service of commemoration. This would have elimated the military parade and the consequent massive costs.
Even now, politicians do not seem to understand that they, too, should spend public money with caution.
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Comments
So no deficit then or just a smaller one, a deficit nonetheless.
I don't support state funerals or other costs associated with demise, or for that matter weddings, for anyone whatsover, especially in these financial circumstances.
I also think private funerals are as a rule more dignified.
It stops nobody who wants to paying their respects, even remotely via books of condolance, sending messages etc.
Complain to your MP - they may be one of those who supported the arrangements.
Be you for or against those measures the money saved could be better used elsewhere IMO.
Good news indeed.
I like to see inventive ways to save money.
Changes long overdue.
Small change!!!
How about you tell that to the actual real disabled people having to undergo shameful tests which could result in many of them losing their benefits!
The legacy of Brown, not Thatcher.
You are entitled to that opinion.
That's nice.
People will do that anyway.
As the Queen will be attending, and maybe other heads of state as well, it's got to be a big occasion. As to the cost, £10 million is probably not much more than the Foreign Office paper clip budget,.
Will cost alot more than £44,000 if there are a few of them overseas.
I was being slightly facetious (hope you got that). Of course taxpayers money could always be spent better but that argument applies to every single penny on every single line in every single department in Government and local Government - it doesn't just apply to this.
How would you describe the difference between £75 billion and £10 million???:rolleyes:
So people should received benefits without being tested? Let's just hand out tax payers money to anyone then :rolleyes:
Why does it matter whose legacy it is when we are in the situation now and need to save money now? You don't say that about other aspects of cuts.
And if people will do that anyway (pay their respects) then does that not prove my point that there does not need to be a public procession?
What are the opportunity costs to business of closing the streets?
NB this applies to all such state occasions IMO
Very interesting. Next....:yawn:
I did get that, and I agree with you.
Besides, the funeral will be broadcast all around the world. Without an Olympics, Jubilee or Royal Wedding this year it's a chance to show off London again to the world.
You brought it up, so only you can answer that.
It is a mark of respect by the state for someone who ensured that invasion of British territory was repelled and brought a sense of national worth and pride back to this country. Perhaps you are too young to remember it.
No idea.
£10 million is 10 million. Its not small change. No wonder the Tories waste so much and they have the cheek to call Labour out. How many U Turns has Hague and his pals done? all wasted money. One thing I will say about Thatcher is at least she made a decision and stuck to it. This current lot aren't fit to lick her boots.
You miss the entire point of this benefit shake up and the genuine concern real disabled people are now having. My cousin's friend is going to lose half his benefit because he is able to walk 20 yards. Yet he lost both arms, suffers fits and so unable to hold a job because of the lasting effects having meningitis in the 90s caused. You think that's acceptable? I suppose the extra £40 a week he stands to lose is just 50p to you if you just view 10 million as small change.
Can we not spend it on the poor instead and let Thatcher's wealthy family pay for her funeral?
Here we go with the usual "I don't agree with this so I'm going to call it a Tory party stunt despite the fact nearly half the country approve of Thatcher and leaders from all over the world will be flying in for it"..... crap.
She paid her share of tax over the years and her estate will be paying into the system so as a former prime minister of many years a state funeral is appropriate. Maybe they could deduct it from the benefits paid to some of the terrorists we support. That would never have been tolerated under her government.