CAMPAIGN group Republic has said the UK Government has “lost the plot” after an £8 million scheme was unveiled offering public authorities the chance to claim a free portrait of the King.
Councils, courts, schools, police and fire and rescue services will be among the UK institutions that will be offered a new official portrait photograph.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said he was certain that the portraits “will take pride of place in public buildings across the land”.
Further details of the scheme, which is set to launch later this year, including which institutions are eligible, are yet to be announced.
The Cabinet Office said the move follows a tradition in which many displayed official portraits of Queen Elizabeth.
However, Graham Smith of Republic said: “This is a shameful waste of money. At a time when a majority of local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much.
“The Government has lost the plot if they think people want their money spent on pictures of Charles. They need to scrap this scheme and direct the money where it’s really needed.
“The coronation is estimated to cost anything from £50-100 million- and we can see why. This waste is absolutely scandalous.”
The scheme will allow any organisation which wishes to participate to claim one free, framed portrait.
Dowden said portraits will “serve as a visible reminder in buildings up and down the country of the nation’s ultimate public servant”.
He added: “They will help us turn a page in our history and pay a fitting tribute to our new sovereign.”
Elsewhere, chief secretary to the Treasury John Glen said: “This scheme will allow thousands of public institutions across the UK to mark this defining moment in our nation’s history with pride.
“The coronation of His Majesty the King is an opportunity for the whole country to unite, and these new portraits continue a very British tradition to celebrate this momentous occasion.”
