It’s not a good look: Brits question spending money on glitzy coronation during cost of living crisis

As the United Kingdom faces a severe cost of living crisis, with millions of Brits on the brink of poverty, the government is getting ready to spend tens of millions of taxpayer money on King Charles III’s coronation – an event that showcases the enormous wealth accumulated by the British monarchy over the centuries. This has left many people, particularly those from economically deprived areas, questioning the government’s priorities.

The impact of the cost of living crisis

Areas like Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, have never quite recovered from the industrial decline and mine closures of the 1980s and 90s, and the current cost of living crisis is hitting them hard. Many people, including those who work full time, are struggling to afford basic necessities like food and household items. The Given Freely Freely Given food bank at St. John the Evangelist Church helps those in need by offering free food, clothes, and other necessities.

Teachers like Laura Billington are also feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis. Her bills have gone up, but her salary has not risen in line with inflation. This has led to a 3% fall in real wages including bonuses in the three months to February, according to the Office for National Statistics. As school budgets are stretched, teachers are facing increasingly unmanageable workloads. This has led to large waves of strikes in recent months among nurses, junior doctors, midwives, healthcare workers, and other professions.

The glitzy coronation

The coronation of King Charles III will showcase some of the enormous wealth accumulated by the British monarchy over the centuries. There will be golden carriages, priceless jewels, and custom-made designer outfits that cost more than most people make in months. The government has refused to put a figure on the cost of the coronation, with estimates by British media ranging from £50 million to more than £100 million ($63 million to $125 million).

Many people, including those who like the royal family, feel that the government has not read the room when it comes to the glitzy coronation. As Laura Billington says, “A lot of it should have come from their own pocket rather than the taxpayer. And I think it should have been toned down a little bit.”

Related Facts

• The UK government is preparing to cut £20 from the £60 Universal Credit uplift, which was introduced during the pandemic to help struggling families. This will leave affected households £1,040 worse off per year.
• Inflation in the UK hit 3.2% in August, the highest it has been in a decade.
• The number of people using food banks in the UK has increased by 33% in the past two years.

Key Takeaway

The cost of living crisis in the UK is causing many people, particularly those from economically deprived areas, to question the government’s priorities. With millions of Brits on the brink of poverty, spending tens of millions of taxpayers’ money on a glitzy coronation for King Charles III does not sit well with many people who are struggling to afford basic necessities like food and household items.

Conclusion

The cost of living crisis in the UK is hitting many people hard, particularly those from economically deprived areas. With inflation at a decade high and real wages falling, the government’s decision to spend tens of millions of taxpayers’ money on a glitzy coronation for King Charles III is not sitting well with many people who are struggling to afford basic necessities. It’s not a good look for the government and highlights the need for a more equitable distribution of resources in the UK.