Britain | The Public Duty Cost Allowance

The cost of Britain’s cast of ex-prime ministers is mounting

Soon the number of possible claimants will almost certainly be eight

Former British Prime Ministers John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
Photograph: Alamy
Chart: The Economist

Explore more

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “The premier premium”

From the June 29th 2024 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Britain

Crew members during the commissioning of HMS Prince of Wales

Has the Royal Navy become too timid?

A new paper examines how its culture has changed

A pedestrian walks across the town square in Stevenage

A plan to reorganise local government in England runs into opposition

Turkeys vote against Christmas


David Lammy, Britain’s foreign secretary

David Lammy’s plan to shake up Britain’s Foreign Office

Diplomats will be tasked with growing the economy and cutting migration


Britain’s government has spooked markets and riled businesses

Tax rises were inevitable. Such a shaky start was not

Labour’s credibility trap

Who can believe Rachel Reeves?