51 replies to this topic

[tieclubbyestate]

Am I the only one that finds it sickening that this wedding cost over 6 billion pounds of tax payers money whilst in the middle of a recession people loosing there homes petrol prices hitting £1.40 and all we do is sit back and take it ... Is this ment to make me proud to be British? old peoples day centers, students EMA volunteer work, disabled day centers the list goes on and all this work has been cut for what so people like the royal family can spend 6 billion on a wedding!


It makes on sense

[Globule]

As much as I think it it pointless and overrated, there clearly are many thousands who feel otherwise, and are willing to travel from all over the world to witness it, so clearly there is some benefit in the whole ordeal.

Having said that, bearing in mind that one day they will be our king and queen, it is fair enough to see what they are doing with regards to public support/adoration etc etc

*plus, I get an extra day off work so *

Edited by Globule, 29 April 2011 - 12:33 PM.

[Juju]

Much as I am confused by the true role of a monarchy within a democracy, and much as I loathe ceremony & flag-waving, it is obvious that this event has attracted huge amounts of money to this country.

Hundreds and thousands of journalists & tourists spending their loot in UK businesses is nothing but a good thing at the mo. Plus, there'll be a few charities benefitting from it (hopefully).

[Ste_Jones]

On the up side I wonder how much money has the country taken over this past week

[Chris_R]

£6 billion of taxpayers money! Are you absolutely sure about that? Figures I've heard are more like £70 million, the bulk of which goes on security, and the Queen and prince Charles are making considerable contributions to the cost from their own money (which I know is essentially from tax payers money, but it's money they have in the bank nonetheless).

It's an historic event, has brought massive publicity to the country and will no doubt boost both tourism and national pride at a time when both are desperately needed, and in many many parts of the nation will be an event that brings communities together in celebration, which is only a good thing.

tieclubbyestate, do you like humbugs? lol (joke, no offense intended)

[wardyxxx]

It isn't £6 Billion. Wrong again.

[rwerry]

£6 billion of taxpayers money! Are you absolutely sure about that? Figures I've heard are more like £70 million, the bulk of which goes on security, and the Queen and prince Charles are making considerable contributions to the cost from their own money (which I know is essentially from tax payers money, but it's money they have in the bank nonetheless).

It's an historic event, has brought massive publicity to the country and will no doubt boost both tourism and national pride at a time when both are desperately needed, and in many many parts of the nation will be an event that brings communities together in celebration, which is only a good thing.

tieclubbyestate, do you like humbugs? lol (joke, no offense intended)

Well said!

[AVV IT]

It's an historic event, has brought massive publicity to the country and will no doubt boost both tourism and national pride at a time when both are desperately needed, and in many many parts of the nation will be an event that brings communities together in celebration, which is only a good thing.

Here Here!!

[Robbie]

It's an historic event, has brought massive publicity to the country and will no doubt boost both tourism and national pride at a time when both are desperately needed, and in many many parts of the nation will be an event that brings communities together in celebration, which is only a good thing.

Here Here!!

Here here here!!

[TfcIan]

£6 billion of taxpayers money! Are you absolutely sure about that? Figures I've heard are more like £70 million, the bulk of which goes on security, and the Queen and prince Charles are making considerable contributions to the cost from their own money (which I know is essentially from tax payers money, but it's money they have in the bank nonetheless).

It's an historic event, has brought massive publicity to the country and will no doubt boost both tourism and national pride at a time when both are desperately needed, and in many many parts of the nation will be an event that brings communities together in celebration, which is only a good thing.

tieclubbyestate, do you like humbugs? lol (joke, no offense intended)

Thanks for saying that, saves me a load of typing I didn't watch most of it, I saw a bit in the Abbey when I went downstairs for breakfast and stopped as I was passing through the house from working on the Mini around the balcony part. It was nice to see most people behaving sensibly, I haven't seen a crowd that size be so sensible (I say most people, I didn't think anybody was causing problems until somebody on the news said they pushed the barriers aside to charge to Buckingham Palace...). It's good to see so many people getting along and it certainly seems to have shown that people do have a bit of national pride. While it may have cost tax payers and the public holiday may affect businesses, tourism and merchandise industries will surely be thriving at the moment. I'm sure a low key wedding would have been great for the country

[Dan]

What a ridiculous idea that his could cost anywhere near even one billion. Grow up and stop reading trash, or at least read it properly. The cost is about £20 million I believe (but the above £70m could be right), most of which has been paid for by the Queen and Prince Charles and to contradict the above their money is not mainly tax payer's money. The Royal Family just happen to be a rich family, whether we pay them or not. Prince Charles for example has a huge income from owning rather a lot of Cornwall. The Civil List is not their only income and not where most of their money comes from. Not all royal families are wealthy, the money doesn't come with the job. There is a clear distinction between what is owned by them as a family and what is owned by the country for their use. The press reports about costs in the billions are referring to the supposed losses incurred as a result of getting an extra bank holiday, not the price of the wedding, and are grossly over stated anyway. Many published losses are not actually losses at all, but simply less profit than anticipated. It's accountancy nonsense for tax avoision purposes. The supposed loss to the economy doesn't take account of the tourist and celebration income from all of this. Still, if you would rather have gone to work today to do the country a favour then you could always volunteer to go in anyway.

All it's really cost the taxpayer is a few hundred hours of Police overtime, some extra cleanup and general tarting up of London (which doesn't go amiss anyway), and the cost of transporting all these guests and VIPs about and putting them up. A few million, which isn't really all that much in terms of the nation's finances and it seems to have entertained an awful lot of people for the day and got everyone a day off. Quite cheap for all that really.

[Dolly 89]

I actually have alot less national pride right now, a weddinig is when family and friends of the bride and groom get together and celebrate the love of the 2 getting married which undoubtedly has happened, but all the strangers that are there that dont even know them is just a load of rubbish, and all the tv coverage of the wedding is just a joke, I mean let the 2 get married in peice, a wedding day is nervous enough without having tv camaras all over you, I would have loved to have seen what would have happened if they had said they wanted a small doe.

[tieclubbyestate]

I actually have alot less national pride right now, a weddinig is when family and friends of the bride and groom get together and celebrate the love of the 2 getting married which undoubtedly has happened, but all the strangers that are there that dont even know them is just a load of rubbish, and all the tv coverage of the wedding is just a joke, I mean let the 2 get married in peice, a wedding day is nervous enough without having tv camaras all over you, I would have loved to have seen what would have happened if they had said they wanted a small doe.

exactly each to there own

[AVV IT]

What a ridiculous idea that his could cost anywhere near even one billion. Grow up and stop reading trash, or at least read it properly. The cost is about £20 million I believe (but the above £70m could be right), most of which has been paid for by the Queen and Prince Charles and to contradict the above their money is not mainly tax payer's money. The Royal Family just happen to be a rich family, whether we pay them or not. Prince Charles for example has a huge income from owning rather a lot of Cornwall. The Civil List is not their only income and not where most of their money comes from. Not all royal families are wealthy, the money doesn't come with the job. There is a clear distinction between what is owned by them as a family and what is owned by the country for their use. The press reports about costs in the billions are referring to the supposed losses incurred as a result of getting an extra bank holiday, not the price of the wedding, and are grossly over stated anyway. Many published losses are not actually losses at all, but simply less profit than anticipated. It's accountancy nonsense for tax avoision purposes. The supposed loss to the economy doesn't take account of the tourist and celebration income from all of this. Still, if you would rather have gone to work today to do the country a favour then you could always volunteer to go in anyway.

All it's really cost the taxpayer is a few hundred hours of Police overtime, some extra cleanup and general tarting up of London (which doesn't go amiss anyway), and the cost of transporting all these guests and VIPs about and putting them up. A few million, which isn't really all that much in terms of the nation's finances and it seems to have entertained an awful lot of people for the day and got everyone a day off. Quite cheap for all that really.

As usual "Dan" sweeps in and cuts any argument dead, with his informed & no-nonsense perspective on everything mini related or otherwise!! .......he's my hero

[Down&Out]

Its been pretty well said so far, but i'll add my bit.

They have to cater for the majority, and seeing as more people want to celebrate than don't, then they have to make these arrangements to make sure those who want to see it, can. Just because we're in the recession doesn't mean we have to have no fun whatsoever.

Whether 20 or 70 million, we pay more to the government to be used on unemployment benefit, for example (several billion i believe) so this probably barely makes a mark in comparison.

Personally I wanted to watch the entire thing live, because its a part of history etc., but i couldn't do that because i was in A&E having my hand catered to and plastered thanks to a bike crash last week. Thought it certainly seemed to be entertaining the doctors and the waiting room.

Dan has put this into words well really, millions enjoyed it and it hasnt cost as much as you might think, not that it matters too much, so i dont see the problem. I certainly enjoyed it.