Friday, August 24, 2012
The Blair effect
Today's Telegraph reports that former Labour Leader, Tony Blair's public duties since leaving office have cost the taxpayer £400,000 a year.
They say that the former Prime Minister, who has become a Middle East envoy, continues to draw money from the public purse after leaving Downing Street five years ago:
The bill to the public includes his maximum Prime Ministerial pension, which is worth around £70,000.
He also receives £115,000 allowance to carry out his public work while his security team – including round-the-clock police protection – is believed to cost at least £250,000 a year, according to the Daily Mail.
Since leaving Number 10, Mr Blair, 59, has reportedly amassed a fortune of £30 million through a range of interests including speeches and consultancy work.
Apparently, former Prime Ministers can claim a pension that is "one half of salary at the time of leaving office" regardless of the length of time served. This has been declined by Gordon Brown but not Blair.
They say that the former Prime Minister, who has become a Middle East envoy, continues to draw money from the public purse after leaving Downing Street five years ago:
The bill to the public includes his maximum Prime Ministerial pension, which is worth around £70,000.
He also receives £115,000 allowance to carry out his public work while his security team – including round-the-clock police protection – is believed to cost at least £250,000 a year, according to the Daily Mail.
Since leaving Number 10, Mr Blair, 59, has reportedly amassed a fortune of £30 million through a range of interests including speeches and consultancy work.
Apparently, former Prime Ministers can claim a pension that is "one half of salary at the time of leaving office" regardless of the length of time served. This has been declined by Gordon Brown but not Blair.
