Taxpayer to fund 45% pay rise for royals despite cost of living crisis
The Guardian|July 21, 2023
King Charles in line to receive huge pay rise from taxpayers, Treasury report says
David Pegg,Rob Evans,Severin Carrell
Taxpayer to fund 45% pay rise for royals despite cost of living crisis

King Charles III is to receive a huge pay rise from the UK taxpayer, according to government plans to boost public funding of the monarchy by 45% from 2025.

Details of the rise, against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis, were contained published in a review of royal funding by the Treasury yesterday. It reveals the royal family's grant is due to increase from £86m to £125m.

The monarchy's annual budget, known as the sovereign grant, is pegged against the profits from a national property portfolio called the crown estate.

The review of the royal funding settlement was heavily spun by the Treasury to give the impression that the king would be taking a pay cut so crown estate funds could instead be spent on public services. In fact, the report reveals the monarchy is due to receive a huge pay increase, although the rise will not kick in for two years.

Next year, the sovereign grant will remain at £86.3m. However, in 2025, the king's public funding will increase by a projected £38.5m, giving the monarchy an annual stipend of £124.8m. In 2026, it will be £126m.

Contacted by the Guardian, Buckingham Palace and the Treasury did not dispute that the sovereign grant was expected to significantly increase in the coming years.

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