Menu
28/05/2004
Taxpayers pay heavy price for Blair's 'indecision'
Taxpayers are paying a heavy price for Downing Street's botched and rudderless plans regarding the occupation of Iraq, according to the Lib Dems.
Yesterday's announcement that an extra 370 troops will be sent to Iraq could cost British taxpayers over £65 million extra a year, the anti-war party's shadow chancellor Vince Cable said.
This £65 million will be in addition to the £1.5 billion a year already being spent to keep British forces in Iraq, he said. Thirteen years ago, the 1991 Gulf conflict cost £2.3 billion – however, in 1991 friendly Arab countries repaid 80% of the costs of that war, while the price of this conflict is being borne fully by British taxpayers.
Dr Cable added: "This need for extra troops is a direct result of a lack of proper planning about what might and should have happened in Iraq after any conflict.
"British taxpayers are paying a heavy price for Tony Blair and George Bush’s hastily conceived war, with no planned exit strategy for UK forces.
"Because we went to war unilaterally with the United States, this time it is British taxpayers who are alone suffering the huge financial burden of war. The eventual cost to us - UK taxpayers - could be as much as £6 or £7 billion.
"The simple fact is there is no such thing as a free war. However, if Britain and America had followed the UN route, rather than insist on going it alone, much of this cost could have been shared with other countries, as happened in 1991."
Dr Cable said that the ultimate considerations must be for the safety of British troops and an exit route the "mess" Iraq is in currently.
Finding a credible UN solution, and a proper exit strategy is of the utmost urgency now, he said.
(gmcg)
Yesterday's announcement that an extra 370 troops will be sent to Iraq could cost British taxpayers over £65 million extra a year, the anti-war party's shadow chancellor Vince Cable said.
This £65 million will be in addition to the £1.5 billion a year already being spent to keep British forces in Iraq, he said. Thirteen years ago, the 1991 Gulf conflict cost £2.3 billion – however, in 1991 friendly Arab countries repaid 80% of the costs of that war, while the price of this conflict is being borne fully by British taxpayers.
Dr Cable added: "This need for extra troops is a direct result of a lack of proper planning about what might and should have happened in Iraq after any conflict.
"British taxpayers are paying a heavy price for Tony Blair and George Bush’s hastily conceived war, with no planned exit strategy for UK forces.
"Because we went to war unilaterally with the United States, this time it is British taxpayers who are alone suffering the huge financial burden of war. The eventual cost to us - UK taxpayers - could be as much as £6 or £7 billion.
"The simple fact is there is no such thing as a free war. However, if Britain and America had followed the UN route, rather than insist on going it alone, much of this cost could have been shared with other countries, as happened in 1991."
Dr Cable said that the ultimate considerations must be for the safety of British troops and an exit route the "mess" Iraq is in currently.
Finding a credible UN solution, and a proper exit strategy is of the utmost urgency now, he said.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 May 2004
Government urged to come clean on cost of Iraq conflict
The Lib Dems have called on the government to come clean over the financial costs of Britain's involvement in the Iraq war – the bill for which, the party has estimated, may strip taxpayers of around £7 billion.
Government urged to come clean on cost of Iraq conflict
The Lib Dems have called on the government to come clean over the financial costs of Britain's involvement in the Iraq war – the bill for which, the party has estimated, may strip taxpayers of around £7 billion.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
29 October 2010
Twelve Countries Back UK Budget Push
The Prime Minister has announced the backing of twelve countries in the push for a smaller rise in the EU budget. During a press conference in Brussels, David Cameron welcomed the support to stop the 5.9% increase. He also expressed confidence in next year's EU budget rise being limited to 2.
Twelve Countries Back UK Budget Push
The Prime Minister has announced the backing of twelve countries in the push for a smaller rise in the EU budget. During a press conference in Brussels, David Cameron welcomed the support to stop the 5.9% increase. He also expressed confidence in next year's EU budget rise being limited to 2.
21 June 2004
Three British navy boats seized by Iran, reports claim
Three British navy vessels, manned by eight sailors, have been seized by Iran after entering its territorial waters, it has been reported today. An Iranian military source, quoted by Reuters, said that the boats were held and the sailors arrested after an incident in the Shatt Al Arab channel which divides Iraq and Iran.
Three British navy boats seized by Iran, reports claim
Three British navy vessels, manned by eight sailors, have been seized by Iran after entering its territorial waters, it has been reported today. An Iranian military source, quoted by Reuters, said that the boats were held and the sailors arrested after an incident in the Shatt Al Arab channel which divides Iraq and Iran.
22 June 2005
Royal family cost taxpayers £37m-a-year
The latest figures on expenditure from Buckingham Palace has revealed that the taxpayer contributes £36.7 million to the running of the British monarchy. A decease, in real terms, this is equivalent to around 61 pence-per-person each year, as Buckingham Palace announced the publication of its annual report of Royal finances.
Royal family cost taxpayers £37m-a-year
The latest figures on expenditure from Buckingham Palace has revealed that the taxpayer contributes £36.7 million to the running of the British monarchy. A decease, in real terms, this is equivalent to around 61 pence-per-person each year, as Buckingham Palace announced the publication of its annual report of Royal finances.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
