Opening of Parliament: Costs
(asked on 12th May 2022) - View Source
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost to the House administration has been in (a) preparing and conducting the State Opening of Parliament and (b) providing officials with ceremonial garments for the State Opening of Parliament in each of the last five years.
The main costs incurred for State Opening relate to maintenance works to support areas such as broadcasting and digital, as well as the installation works for the Royal Gallery, Robing Room, House of Lords Chamber and other areas. Costs are incurred for labour, both directly employed and specialist contractors, as well as transportation for items held in storage off site and the works required to the security barriers around St Stephens entrance.
Costs are split between the House of Commons, who pay 60%, and the House of Lords, who pay 40%. The table shows the House of Commons share for the last five years. Data for May 2022 is not yet available. In 2018 and 2020 there was no State Opening, while there were two in 2019.
£, House of Commons share | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Staff salaries | 25,216 | 0 | 33,516 | 0 | 18,740 |
Other staff costs | 224 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 309 |
Direct works | 125,545 | 4,374 | 320,090 | -594 | 107,628 |
Other | 10,341 | 11,050 | 0 | 10,622 | 10,710 |
Total (House of Commons) | 161,326 | 15,424 | 353,606 | 10,028 | 137,387 |
Other minor identifiable costs for the House of Commons not related to maintenance for State Opening in 2022 are shown in the table below.
Security pass provision (Commons share of 70%): £2,500 |
British Sign Language provision and audio description: £1,400 |
Ceremonial dress is purchased for roles in the House of Commons when needed during the year or when postholders change. Data on ceremonial uniform costs cannot be separated from other uniform spending.
Chamber related teams, including Clerks, the Speaker and their office, the Serjeant and their team of doorkeepers, require uniform supplies throughout the year. Total uniform expenditure for these functions over the last five years is shown below. Most of this spend relates to uniform for day to day use during the normal business of the House as well as supporting events and work outside the Chamber.
| 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 |
Uniform expenditure (Clerks, Speaker team, Serjeant team) | £17,824 | £13,403 | £25,607 | £25,197 | £23,285 |
This answer does not represent the full cost of State Opening, or costs directly incurred by the House of Lords. Costs will also have been incurred by other bodies, which may include Westminster City Council, the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Household.