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  1. Published on: 18/11/2016 01:12 PMReported by: roving-eye
    Buckingham Palace will undergo a 10 year overhaul to protect one of Britain’s most prestigious buildings and one of the country’s most popular attractions.



    The government has today (18 November 2016) given the go-ahead for essential works that include replacing electrical wiring, water pipes and the heating system, which were installed in the aftermath of the Second World War.

    More than half a million people visit during its summer opening and millions of tourists flock to its gates every year to see the Changing of the Guard. This is estimated to deliver a multi-billion-pound boost to the economy.

    In addition, the Palace hosts more than 90,000 people every year, for a range of official events from small receptions to state visits and garden parties. In the last year alone this has included Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic champions, Sir David Attenborough and Oscar-nominee Salma Hayek.

    The project seeks to prevent a serious risk of fire, flood and damage to both the building and the priceless Royal Collection of art belonging to the nation. Windsor Castle suffered a fire in 1992, which raged for 9 hours and caused devastation to large parts of the building. The restoration took more than 5 years, and it is estimated that similar damage to Buckingham Palace could cost up to £250 million for a single wing.

    The overhaul will also help to significantly improve visitor access, especially to schools, to help open up the Palace and its treasures even further to the public.

    These works will be funded through a temporary increase in the Sovereign Grant from 15% to 25% of the Crown Estate’s profits for the duration of the 10 year works, the Royal Trustees said in a report published today. Parliament will hold the Royal Household to account throughout the process to ensure maximum value for taxpayers’ money.

    Built in the 17th Century, Buckingham Palace is a working building where the Queen carries out most of her official ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties as Head of State and the Commonwealth.

    Ministers are clear: significant national events, such as the Changing of the Guard, Trooping of the Colour and Garden Parties must continue throughout this period and the Palace should remain open to visitors.

    The phased programme will be sequenced wing-by-wing to enable the Palace to remain occupied and fully operational, and allow the Queen to carry on with her official duties for the country.

    The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, said:

    Tourists are drawn to this country because of our culture, heritage and royal legacy, and when they visit they spend billions of pounds and support thousands of jobs.

    We must ensure that the special architectural and historic nature of some of our greatest buildings are protected for future generations, therefore it is only right we ensure Buckingham Palace is fit for purpose.

    These urgent works have been properly costed and will ensure the Palace can continue its centuries-long tradition of being the working house of our Monarch. We will ensure every penny spent achieves the greatest value for money.

    Sir Alan Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said:

    I am grateful to my fellow Trustees for conducting this first joint review of the new Sovereign Grant arrangements. I welcome the government’s commitment, through the Sovereign Grant, to provide additional resources for the reservicing of Buckingham Palace.

    The Occupied Royal Palaces are a vital part of our shared national heritage, and this investment will help preserve a landmark building for future generations. We firmly believe that our chosen option for delivering the programme offers the best value for money and reduces the risk of a more costly, catastrophic building failure in the years to come.

    Next steps
    The Sovereign Grant is calculated as a percentage of the Crown Estate’s profits, which are paid to the Treasury every year. In 2015-16, £304.1 million was paid to the Treasury.

    As the Royal Trustees have concluded the percentage of Crown Estates revenue should be changed, the Sovereign Grant Act 2011 requires HM Treasury to lay an order to amend this. This will be done in time for the works to start in April 2017.

    The increase in resources is only required temporarily, for the duration of the works themselves, therefore it is the intention of the government to bring forward legislation to reset the level of the Sovereign Grant to appropriate levels (15% of the Crown Estate revenues) once they have been completed (expected to be in 2026-27).

    The Royal Trustees report clearly sets out the increased grant is for the repair works, and the Government will have a representative on the programme board as part of the scrutiny arrangements. In addition, the NAO audit them and the PAC will also hold them to account.

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    Your Comments:


  3. tonyhey says:18/11/2016 01:45 PM
    According to the Government, this is to be funded by a "Treasury Grant".......so that'll be you, me and all the other British Taxpayers. Scandalous!!!

  4. Alikado says:18/11/2016 03:59 PM
    Use it for housing the homeless or flog it fto Travellodge.

  5. paulollie says:18/11/2016 06:16 PM
    Love them or hate them and probably in today's world a little out dated but you can't disagree or maybe you will on the load of money they bring in to the country and the people kept in employment because of them.

    And as for "Harping" on about Taxpayers money, give me strength does anybody really know where and how our "Taxpayers" money is spent..... NO is the simple answer. And does anybody personally feel the loss.... NO. The cost to you and me per year lets say a quid!!

    The money spent on the restoration is a minuscule drop in the ocean, bugger all really.

    Oh it could fund another hospital they say No it wouldn't!!! get real folks it doesn't work like that.

  6. clegg says:18/11/2016 06:35 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by paulollie View Post
    Love them or hate them and probably in today's world a little out dated but you can't disagree or maybe you will on the load of money they bring in to the country and the people kept in employment because of them.

    And as for "Harping" on about Taxpayers money, give me strength does anybody really know where and how our "Taxpayers" money is spent..... NO is the simple answer. And does anybody personally feel the loss.... NO. The cost to you and me per year lets say a quid!!

    The money spent on the restoration is a minuscule drop in the ocean, bugger all really.

    Oh it could fund another hospital they say No it wouldn't!!! get real folks it doesn't work like that.
    Agree 100%

  7. myrtle says:18/11/2016 07:55 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by clegg View Post
    Agree 100%
    Also agree 100%. Th Royal family are the biggest attraction this country has, long may it last.

  8. gazaprop says:19/11/2016 08:25 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by myrtle View Post
    Also agree 100%. Th Royal family are the biggest attraction this country has, long may it last.
    Absolutely- this is an investment that will be recouped many times over. If it hadn't been allocated you could bet your life the health and safety executive would have had everyone wandering around the palace in safety boots, hard hats, goggles, hi viz, life jackets and harnesses.
    Then tthey'd shut it down.

  9. abbeyroad says:19/11/2016 05:13 PM
    I think the cost of this restoration work needs to be set against the amount of money that Buckingham Palace and the Royal family itself brings in to the country. There are literally thousands of foreign tourists outside that particular building every single day and that's just one of many attractions associated with the monarchy. I understand the argument of those opposed to the Royals but I have yet to hear from anyone with Republican sentiments what they would replace them with. If it's a President you want then let's hear some names that would not be a laughing stock on the international stage.

  10. local says:19/11/2016 05:23 PM
    Its an extraordinarily large amount of money for a re-furb whoever lives there.

    Perhaps if the quotes were published people might see some value for money that at present seems elusive.

    The Queen does have some alternative accommodation nearby.

    Our present Queen does an excellent job her son and his wife won't get the support she enjoys.

  11. paulollie says:19/11/2016 10:22 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by local View Post
    Its an extraordinarily large amount of money for a re-furb whoever lives there.

    Perhaps if the quotes were published people might see some value for money that at present seems elusive.

    The Queen does have some alternative accommodation nearby.

    Our present Queen does an excellent job her son and his wife won't get the support she enjoys.

    "Its an extraordinarily large amount of money"
    God knows what electrical and pipework needs to be replaced just do basic sums!!!! Try a entire rewire on your own house,say £2K done properly that is, you have evidently no appreciation of costs nowadays, Viewpoint..... Laughable.

    As for popularity well a lot of folks certainly flood the Mall whenever!!

  12. local says:20/11/2016 11:17 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by paulollie View Post

    "Its an extraordinarily large amount of money"
    God knows what electrical and pipework needs to be replaced just do basic sums!!!! Try a entire rewire on your own house,say £2K done properly that is, you have evidently no appreciation of costs nowadays, Viewpoint..... Laughable.

    As for popularity well a lot of folks certainly flood the Mall whenever!!
    Your post makes little sense and your example of £2,000 to rewire a house is low.

    Please give an example of the sums ??

  13. paulollie says:20/11/2016 02:01 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by local View Post
    Your post makes little sense and your example of £2,000 to rewire a house is low.

    Please give an example of the sums ??
    £4K to wire a house then, just a ball park figure nothing financially accurate.

    The point was somebody posting that £400 million to sort Buck Palace out was an extortionate amount of money.

    So as for sums, well go on then how much to do all that work in today's financial climate????

  14. Ormskirk Guru says:20/11/2016 05:32 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by paulollie View Post
    £4K to wire a house then, just a ball park figure nothing financially accurate.

    The point was somebody posting that £400 million to sort Buck Palace out was an extortionate amount of money.

    So as for sums, well go on then how much to do all that work in today's financial climate????
    It costs between 4-6K just to rewire a 4 bedroomed house depending on a number of factors , this doesn't include central heating and replacement of pipes . I cannot see on this site anyone mentioning the figure of £400 million . It may well be it will cost this much , who knows . I think you need to calm down paulollie . I think it will be money worth spent on Buckingham Palace , that brings in millions of visitors .

  15. paulollie says:20/11/2016 08:06 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Ormskirk Guru View Post
    It costs between 4-6K just to rewire a 4 bedroomed house depending on a number of factors , this doesn't include central heating and replacement of pipes . I cannot see on this site anyone mentioning the figure of £400 million . It may well be it will cost this much , who knows . I think you need to calm down paulollie . I think it will be money worth spent on Buckingham Palace , that brings in millions of visitors .
    Thanks for telling me £4-6 K for a rewire, got mine done for a £300!!!

    I think yet again you are missing my point or "Failing to read between the lines" of my post. I am all in favour of the upgrade to Buck Palace it can run to £600m for all I care, as I won't feel the pinch in my pocket one bit.

    As for "calming down" just drinking a couple of glasses of Cannonau from Sardinia couldn't be more "Calm", or better still try just read the posts from the beginning!!!
    Last edited by paulollie; 20/11/2016 at 10:07 PM.


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