Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the daily cost to the Exchequer of the continued occupation of the Foreign Secretary's residence at Carlton Gardens by former Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson.

There is no additional cost to the Exchequer and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is able to use the residence for official engagements as normal. Former Ministers are expected to leave official residences as quickly as practicable at the end of their tenure, taking into account their personal circumstances and family requirements. The former Foreign Secretary did so on 31 July. Until then, he continued to be responsible for paying the running costs of the private living area in the residence, for example council tax and utilities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office pays the annual rent on the property under a lease arrangement with the Crown Estate. Other costs, such as maintenance, would be incurred whether or not the residence was occupied.