Royal Family branded ‘not worth for cash’ as members ‘do not do actual work’
Peers say it is time for a ‘root-and-branch review’ of funding because the Royals use private jets and choppers on short trips ‘to the races’ while talking about climate change
Jet setting Royals not value for money, say Lords(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The Royal Family are not providing value for money or doing ‘real work’, according to a bunch of Lords. Peers agreed to pass a £99.9m grant to cover official duties.
But Labour Lord Foulkes of Cumnock said the monarchy was not giving value for money and called for the Public Accounts Committee to ‘conduct a full root-and-branch review of all royal funding and finances’. He criticised the Royals’ use of private jets and helicopters for short domestic trips while speaking out about climate change and insisted many were not doing ‘real work’.
Lord Foulkes said: “When we ask the public to fund an institution to the tune of about £100m-a-year through the sovereign grant at a time where sadly we know many of the people in this country face severe pressure on their household budgets we here have a duty to ask two fundamental questions.
Lord George Foulkes blasted the amount of cash handed over to the Royal Family
“First of all, are we getting value for money? And secondly, do the actions of the institution match the value that it preaches? I would argue that in both cases the answer is no. We hear various royal pronouncements on climate change yet official reports reveal hundreds of private jet and helicopter flights for short domestic trips – one recently to the races where the royals concerned could have easily gone by car.
“And the taxpayer has funded two new helicopters for the Royal Family whereas mountain rescue – for their helicopters – have to raise money through charitable efforts. Now is that right in the 21st Century?”
The former MP added: “While European neighbours have streamlined their royal houses we continue to fund a sprawling network of so-called working royals. These ribbon-cutting duties…that is not real work. Not like a teacher who worked five days a week or a nurse in a geriatric hospital who might be working a 12-hour shift. It’s not real work that they do.”
King Charles(Image: AP)
Foulkes said Princess Anne was a ‘notable exception’ but added it was ‘interesting that all her offspring have given up their royal titles and work for a living’. He added: “Perhaps that’s an example that other members of the royal family might think about?”
Fellow Labour peer Lord Sikka called for ‘major reforms’ to both the calculation of the sovereign grant and transparency around Royal finances.
He said ‘many households’ were ‘struggling to make ends meet’ while the Royals’ ‘core funding’ had rocketed 97% from £51.8m in 2025.
Royals don’t do ‘real work’ like geriatric nurses, say Lords(Image: Getty Images)
“I’m not aware of any ordinary household that has secured an increase of this magnitude in its income to discharge its essential duties,” he said. “Major reforms are needed on transparency, accountability, calculation and the grant of the sovereign grant. The Royals frequently say that they wish to be treated as normal people. I urge the minister and the Government to fulfil that particular wish.”
Treasury minister Lord Pitt-Watson said next year’s grant was high due to a maintenance backlog for Royal residences which was disrupted by the pandemic. He said: “There is a need to address maintenance backlog, to address aging systems, to strengthen cyber resilience, to improve energy efficiencies. These funding requirements have been assessed through a detailed bottom-up assessment of the Royal household’s costs.”
The luxury jet and chopper claims came days after travellers were left gobsmacked when The Princess of Wales and 11-year-old Princess Charlotte were seen enjoying a journey on the Tube. Kate and her daughter were spotted on the Elizabeth line during a trip in central London.
Onlookers described it as ‘surreal’ and noted Charlotte appeared fascinated while taking in the train compartment as Kate clasped her hand. While they travelled under the radar plainclothes Royalty and Specialist Protection officers were positioned close by.
Princess Kate has consistently strived to provide her youngsters with ordinary experiences beyond palace formalities, mirroring Princess Diana who famously accompanied William and Harry on public transport and to theme parks.
The Elizabeth line, which launched in 2022 and bears the late Queen Elizabeth II’s name, is recognised for being efficient, spotless, and a swift way of crossing the capital. King Charles and Prince William have been known to use it.
Ironically the House Of Lords has faced calls for its abolishment with the Electoral Reform Society arguing its £144m annual cost to taxpayers does not provide value for money. Peers can claim a daily allowance of £371, £125-per-night accommodation expenses if they live outside Greater London, and 45p-a-mile travel costs.
According to the Electoral Reform Society: “For far too many of its members the second chamber of our parliament is a cosy club for the privileged few. We’re basically alone in Europe for having a fully-unelected revising chamber. And no other country in the democratic world has a second chamber bigger than ours. Globally only Communist China has a bigger body and they merely meet to rubber stamp government policies. It’s time to abolish the bloated House of Lords and create a new chamber to revise our legislation – one where the public picks the members and can hold them accountable.”
