This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33250274

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Queen 'faces Buckingham Palace move to allow for repairs' Queen 'faces Buckingham Palace move to allow for repairs'
(35 minutes later)
The Queen may have to move out of Buckingham Palace to allow maintenance work costing £150m to be carried out.The Queen may have to move out of Buckingham Palace to allow maintenance work costing £150m to be carried out.
It is one option being considered by the royal household, which says the upkeep of the London palace is now a "significant financial challenge".It is one option being considered by the royal household, which says the upkeep of the London palace is now a "significant financial challenge".
It needs new plumbing and wiring and has not been decorated since 1952, the year the Queen ascended the throne.It needs new plumbing and wiring and has not been decorated since 1952, the year the Queen ascended the throne.
The news comes as royal accounts show that the monarchy cost the taxpayer £35.7m for the second year running.The news comes as royal accounts show that the monarchy cost the taxpayer £35.7m for the second year running.
The figure, for the 2014/15 financial year, is the equivalent of 56p for each person in the country.The figure, for the 2014/15 financial year, is the equivalent of 56p for each person in the country.
'Fundamental re-service'
The accounts show that almost half of the annual sovereign grant - the system of finance given from the public purse to support the official duties of the monarchy - was spent on payroll costs.The accounts show that almost half of the annual sovereign grant - the system of finance given from the public purse to support the official duties of the monarchy - was spent on payroll costs.
Property maintenance dipped from £13.3m in 2013/14 to £11.7m, with a surplus of £2.2m transferred to reserves to help meet the future cost of work on Buckingham Palace.Property maintenance dipped from £13.3m in 2013/14 to £11.7m, with a surplus of £2.2m transferred to reserves to help meet the future cost of work on Buckingham Palace.
The Queen, who is 89, spends a third of the year hosting events at what is her official London home.The Queen, who is 89, spends a third of the year hosting events at what is her official London home.
Sir Alan Reid, keeper of the Privy Purse, said: "Over the coming years, the maintenance of the estate and in particular Buckingham Palace, will present a significant financial challenge.Sir Alan Reid, keeper of the Privy Purse, said: "Over the coming years, the maintenance of the estate and in particular Buckingham Palace, will present a significant financial challenge.
"We will continue to work closely with the trustees to ensure that the funding for the royal household reflects that challenge.""We will continue to work closely with the trustees to ensure that the funding for the royal household reflects that challenge."
Royal sources told reporters that significant amounts of asbestos needed to be removed from Buckingham Palace in a project described as a fundamental "re-service".Royal sources told reporters that significant amounts of asbestos needed to be removed from Buckingham Palace in a project described as a fundamental "re-service".
"One option is for the palace to be vacated. The initial estimate for the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace looks like £150m," a source said."One option is for the palace to be vacated. The initial estimate for the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace looks like £150m," a source said.
"That depends on how you go about refurbishment, whether you do it in parts or the whole thing (at once).""That depends on how you go about refurbishment, whether you do it in parts or the whole thing (at once)."
Scottish fundingScottish funding
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Scotland's contribution to royal funding could be reduced by more than £1.5m if plans for further devolution go ahead.Meanwhile, it has been reported that Scotland's contribution to royal funding could be reduced by more than £1.5m if plans for further devolution go ahead.
A royal source quoted by the Press Association said there could be a cut if profits from the Crown Estate in Scotland are retained by the Scottish Parliament rather than the UK Parliament in a year's time.A royal source quoted by the Press Association said there could be a cut if profits from the Crown Estate in Scotland are retained by the Scottish Parliament rather than the UK Parliament in a year's time.
But both the Scottish and UK governments said they did not expect devolution to have any negative impact on Scotland's contribution to funding the monarchy.But both the Scottish and UK governments said they did not expect devolution to have any negative impact on Scotland's contribution to funding the monarchy.
A UK Treasury spokesman said the sovereign grant would not be "adversely affected" by devolution.A UK Treasury spokesman said the sovereign grant would not be "adversely affected" by devolution.
And a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Scotland will continue to make the same financial contribution to the monarchy as at present - there will be no reduction in the sovereign grant as a result of devolution of the Crown Estate."And a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Scotland will continue to make the same financial contribution to the monarchy as at present - there will be no reduction in the sovereign grant as a result of devolution of the Crown Estate."
Other details to emerge from the annual accounts for 2014/15 include:Other details to emerge from the annual accounts for 2014/15 include:
AnalysisAnalysis
By Daniela Relph, BBC News royal correspondentBy Daniela Relph, BBC News royal correspondent
The publication of the royal accounts can be an uncomfortable time for palace officials. Under scrutiny is the way the Royal Family spends public funds. Are they value for money?The publication of the royal accounts can be an uncomfortable time for palace officials. Under scrutiny is the way the Royal Family spends public funds. Are they value for money?
The palace puts the cost of funding the royals at 56p per person in the UK. It's a figure Sir Alan Reid, the keeper of the Privy Purse, unsurprisingly described as excellent value for money.The palace puts the cost of funding the royals at 56p per person in the UK. It's a figure Sir Alan Reid, the keeper of the Privy Purse, unsurprisingly described as excellent value for money.
As he explained the detail of what the Royal Family spent, he spoke of expenditure bring "contained" and of day-to-day spending being "very much under control".As he explained the detail of what the Royal Family spent, he spoke of expenditure bring "contained" and of day-to-day spending being "very much under control".
The costs of royal travel often grab headlines. The latest figures show the Prince of Wales to be the most regular user of private jets for official duties, including an eight-day tour costing £446,159.The costs of royal travel often grab headlines. The latest figures show the Prince of Wales to be the most regular user of private jets for official duties, including an eight-day tour costing £446,159.
The palace stressed that these visits are undertaken at the request of the government and staff consider cost, security, disruption and the environment when deciding how to travel.The palace stressed that these visits are undertaken at the request of the government and staff consider cost, security, disruption and the environment when deciding how to travel.
The accounts also showed a reduction in sick days for palace staff - that was put down to providing lots of sporting activities for those who work at the palace, as well as having doctors and nurses on site.The accounts also showed a reduction in sick days for palace staff - that was put down to providing lots of sporting activities for those who work at the palace, as well as having doctors and nurses on site.
An official also said that with the "top job" already gone, staff could just focus on doing the best they could to serve the Queen.An official also said that with the "top job" already gone, staff could just focus on doing the best they could to serve the Queen.