politics
Minister skewered as £1k blown on fake Downing Street door for No 10 North
A Cabinet minister has defended blowing £50,000 of taxpayers' money to fit out Number 10 North, including a fake Downing Street door and a cardboard cut-out of Larry the cat. Pat McFadden insisted the £1,000 replica of the famous 10 Downing Street door was needed to show people they are "still part of the heart of decision-making in the UK" despite being in Manchester.
TL;DR
- £50,000 of taxpayers' money was spent on fitting out "No 10 North" in Manchester.
- The expenditure includes a £1,000 replica of the 10 Downing Street door and a cardboard cut-out of Larry the cat.
- A Cabinet minister defended the spending, stating the replica door signifies continued central decision-making.
- Critics from the TaxPayers' Alliance labeled the setup a "vanity project" and a "gimmick".
- Other costs included £10,000 on branding and £6,000 on event equipment.
- No 10 North is intended to drive growth and work with local government, with costs covered by existing budgets.