It's Jubilee weekend and Leeds is busier than ever with many seen heading out to enjoy celebrations while boasting a union jack crown or flag in honour of the Queen.
The monarch has been on the throne for 70 years. To celebrate the anniversary, Brits have been handed a four-day national Bank Holiday.
And while many have shared their excitement for the momentous occasion, there's no doubt that many have concerns about the expenditure on the celebrations. While funding for the event comes from multiple revenue streams, a large sum of money has been set aside from the UK taxpayers.
Read more: Leeds homeless wish the Queen 'good luck' for Platinum Jubilee
According to the government’s March 2021 budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has set aside £28m for the four-day event. The government has said the spend is worth it, as it will be a "once-in-a-generation show", with several events taking place.
The celebration comes at a time when the UK is experiencing a cost of living crisis, propelled by the war in Ukraine, with gas, energy bills and inflation higher than ever before. Leeds folk have shared their mixed opinions on the spending during difficult times.
Many noted that while it is a lot of money to spend on Jubilee celebrations, they believe the government needs to reassess their bold spending regardless of the weekend accolading Her Majesty.
'The Queen is worth way more than a price tag'
Leeds shop vendor Katafat said: "The Jubilee is a good thing it's nice to bring people together. You don't often get this in life and we need to enjoy it with our families and friends. You can't put a cost on fun although it is a lot of money being spent."
Kevin who was finishing up his shift in Leeds city centre on Thursday (June 2) ahead of starting his Jubilee celebrations said: "I will be celebrating when I finish working tonight. I think its good to celebrate the Jubilee it brings more into the city of Leeds, and more culture."
Do you think £28m is too much to spend on the Jubilee? Have your say in the comments.
While resident Ekaette is passionate about the Royal Family and said we should "celebrate the Queen for the woman that she is." "The Jubilee is sacrificial, the Queen is worth way more than a price tag. It should be about the celebration, it's a blessing is the Jubilee."
'I will be hibernating away during Jubilee celebrations'
While Maureen Willis said she will be "hibernating" for the entire Jubilee weekend to avoid those celebrating. She said: "I don't think they [the Royal Family] offer anything.
"I bet millions has been spent, and I'm not happy about it. I'm not into the Jubilee."
'You can't blame the Jubilee for the government's bad spending'
Robin said: "Because my parents emigrated here I have found in my family that they don't really have an opinion on the Royal Family and that's what I've grown up around so I don't really think about them.
"But to me I don't feel like it is a great use of money, the UK is far from being perfect. At the same time, I don't have the answers to help solve the problem of the government's spending."
Katie, 18, said: "I feel like people aren't really having parties for it, that I know, it seems more toned down and chill here. I'm not going to any events myself.
"The tax payers' money used for it is a lot. I do feel in between about the money thing it is once in a lifetime thing it's not going to happen again. At the same time in the current crisis that is a lot of money to be using."
While Gemma Head said: "It doesn't affect me, history is my thing and the Jubilee is good for history." Speaking about the £28 million of tax payers' money used to pay for the celebrations, she added: "There are other things the government should be thinking about to make the cost of living better, there are other things they shouldn't be spending their money on.
"You can't blame the Jubilee for their bad spending."
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