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£1m bill for Downing Street decoration
The Blairs' new baby could mean more spending |
Tony Blair is under fire from opposition MPs for his spending on No 10 Downing Street, according to a newspaper.
Parliamentary answers show that almost a million pounds has been spent modernising and redecorating the building since Labour came to power.
Norman Baker MP: Criticised spending |
The Daily Telegraph says Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who put down the questions, said Mr Blair appeared "to have given himself a blank cheque signed by the taxpayer".
And the Conservative's John Redwood tells the paper: "They obviously want a glitzy backdrop for their showbiz parties, but I can think of other spending priorities."
John Redwood MP: "Other priorities" |
The answers estimate spending on wallpaper at approximately £1,200.
Mr Blair's close colleague, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, was widely criticised for spending £650,000 upgrading his official residence last year.
Among the items singled out by critics was hand-crafted wallpaper for £59,000.
Room must be found for new baby
Mr Blair and his wife and family do not live in the flat above No 10, but in the bigger apartment over Nos 11 and 12 Downing Street.
The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, uses the flat over No 10.
The recent announcement that Cherie Blair was expecting the couple's fourth child in May led to speculation more work would have to be done on the family flat.
According to Mr Blair's parliamentary answers, plans for future expenditure have not yet been agreed.
They also point out that in 1996-1997, £1,486,775 was spent on Nos 10-12 Downing Street
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