Blair office costs spark 'megalomania' charge

Costs of running 10 Downing Street office have soared under Tony Blair

New figures showing spending on Tony Blair's Downing Street office leapt by £3.5m in three years show the prime minister is guilty of "megalomania", according to his opponents.

The 50% rise was "another burden" on taxpayers, said the Conservatives. Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker said spending at No 10 was "spiralling out of control".

The attacks came after Mr Blair revealed that the cost of running his office spiralled from £6.9m in 1997-1998 to £10.4m in 1999-2000.

News of the rise of more than £1m a year came in a Commons written answer on Friday as MPs were leaving Westminster at the end of the Parliamentary week.

Ever since becoming prime minister Mr Blair has faced accusations of adopting a presidential style of government with power concentrated around No 10 and his own close circle of advisers.

The prime minister defended the increase in costs, saying extra staff were required to take care of his postbag.

"Before coming to office the government clearly set out its aims to have a strategic centre of government," Mr Blair said.

"Since May 1997 some of the administrative burdens on my office have greatly increased.

"For example, extra staff have had to be employed to deal with over 500,000 items of correspondence received by my office in the last year - an 84% increase over the previous year.

"This compares with an estimated 25,000 items received annually five years ago."

'Costs more, delivers less'

Lewes MP Mr Baker said: "The costs of No 10 are spiralling out of control."

The prime minister "clearly needs buckets more spin doctors and advisers to explain to pensioners why they are only getting a 75p increase this year".

Mr Baker added: "Instead of making himself the centre of the universe he should shave down No 10 and show a little more humility.

"At the moment it looks like New Labour, New Megalomania."

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Andrew Lansley said: "This is yet another burden on the taxpayer, and yet another example of increased government spending. Tony Blair's government costs more and delivers less.

"Is the massive increase in prime ministerial correspondence due to the ever growing number of complaints about this failing Labour government?"