Unusual perks of being PM – no driving, snazzy ties and people homes

While it may be one of the toughest jobs in the world, being the Prime Minister does have its perks.

From having two salaries and being given the keys to the official Downing Street flat as well as a huge countryside mansion with an indoor pool and hundreds of acres of land, it seems that prime ministers have it pretty good.

The average salary of an MP is £ £91,346, but for a PM, they are entitled to this, as well as another salary for leading the government of £75,440, making the combined salary allowance for being Prime Minister a comfortable £166,786 a year.

The PM is given use of the private Downing Street flat as well as the luxury countryside Chequers mansion. Downing Street is in the heart of London, in Westminster, right next to the Thames and St James’ Park, and the PM can live there rent-free. It also comes with a furry resident – Larry the cat, who is arguably the most important perk.

The same goes for the country home Chequers – a 16th-century wood-panelled manor house in Buckinghamshire set in a large and heavily guarded grounds. It can serve as somewhere for the prime minister to relax, as well as entertain guests, and features an indoor swimming pool, orangery and 1,500-acre lawns.

When David Cameron was elected as leader of the Conservative government, it was reported that he received an array of lavish gifts including ties from former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, a bottle of whisky from Status Quo singer Francis Rossi, an iPad from the Mayor of New York and a rug from the manager of the Taj Mahal hotel in New Delhi.

Like his predecessors, new PM Keir Starmer will also be able to claim allowances on the costs of running an office, staff fees and maintaining a constituency residence or a residence in London. They are also granted £9,000 a year to cover the cost of post and stationary supplies, and can also earn an additional salary for paid appointments or additional duties.

Interestingly, prime ministers aren’t allowed to drive for “security reasons” but that’s not to say they don’t travel in style. Prime ministerial cars are armoured, custom-built supercharged 5.0 litre Range Rovers and armoured Audi A8L models. All of these are managed by the Government Car Service, and stored at 10 Downing Street.

The cars are driven by officers from the Metropolitan Police Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch, these drivers are all skilled in protection convoy, anti-hijack and evasive driving skills. They are then always escorted by three or four unmarked Range Rovers or Ford Galaxy cars and at least nine to ten police officers too. PM’s are always given security at all times, whether it be on the road outside Downing Street or while they’re at their homes elsewhere.

Workwise, the PM has overall control of the civil service and the people and the departments that will carry out the government’s decisions – HMRC, Education, Home Office, Transport and many more. The PM will also have a private weekly meeting with the King to brief him on government matters too.

The prime minister also makes decisions about the UK’s security and defence, and have the power if they wish to send the armed forces into action. They are also responsible for the decisions on whether to shoot down aircrafts in UK airspace, and can authorise the use of the UK’s nuclear weapons.

There are also a number of duties and events the PM will attend, such as state visits with the King, Royal parties, weddings and funerals, as well as lavish ceremonies, openings, shows and high-profile events. They are also required to visit other world leaders, and participate in world political events and meetings.

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