[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15486792

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has claimed £535,000 of taxpayers' money over the last five years, government records have shown.

Baroness Thatcher, 86, who makes rare public appearances and suffers poor health, was paid from the public duties cost allowance available to ex-PMs.

Others to benefit have been her successor John Major, paid £490,000 in the last five years, and Tony Blair.

In 2008-9, Mr Blair claimed £169,076 - more than his Downing Street salary.

Since leaving office, Mr Blair, who ran the country for a decade from 1997, has claimed just under £273,000.

The system was set up by John Major in 1991, after one year in office, to reward former prime ministers for work including answering letters and attending public events.

In the past five years, the three former number 10 incumbents have cost the taxpayer in total more than £1.7m in public duty allowances.

"public duties", my posterior - money for old rope .....

[Niall]

I hate that woman.

[joeysteele]

I doubt I would have been a supporter of Margaret Thatcher had I been around when she was PM but she was a strong leader and a long serving PM, if these monies are set up to be claimed then she has every right to them.

[Shaun]

fair enough, she's a timeless fierce bitch

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Niall

I hate that woman.

Yeah, me too, with a passion .....

[Shaun]

oh look Niall, Omah agrees, you must be right

[billy123]

Wont be long now.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Shaun

oh look Niall, Omah agrees, you must be right

Of course he is .....

[letmein]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I doubt I would have been a supporter of Margaret Thatcher had I been around when she was PM but she was a strong leader and a long serving PM, if these monies are set up to be claimed then she has every right to them.

She cost the country how much? Uh, I think she should actually owe money.

[Judas]

I think it's unreasonable to expect ex-PM's to recieve no money for attending state/public functions; but I do think it's ridiculous that they are paid so much, especially considering it's from the public sector

... and I'd have thought that following the whole 2009 scandal ex-PM's would have wanted to keep away from any tax payer money to save abit of face.