Isn't there living space in the Embassy?

There is a sumptuous ensuite just waiting for us, Blinko, we just have to keep smiling and shaking hands with people we would rather not meet whilst doing trade deals at the same time.

So as it's UK taxpayers money, I expect that means we can all stay there when in NY? Thought not.

What d'you want the UK ambassador to do ....rent a mobile home?
Precisely - that would really make us look down and out and on our uppers post-Brexit!
At least some would be satisfied though - the UK is 'finished'!

It's £12m and quite unacceptable.

What dyou want the UK ambassador to do ....rent a mobile home. For goodness sake if we can afford that load of free -loaders called the royal family we can afford a decent residence for an ambassador. Get real...£12,000,000 in NY..... !!!

I AM SHOCKED TOO!!! But if it is an investment it may be cheap in NY.

My husband has worked for the UK FCO on its properties in New York and has seen this residence. It is for the main residence for the Consular General and it will be used for entertaining and business as well as a residence. He told me that the Australian government also has an apartment in that building.
And apparently $16m is not expensive for properties in NY ...

Totally agree a waste of money. Agree he has to have a place fitting his position as he has to 'look the part' BUT why the need for such a large place plus the cost of the staff required to maintain such an extravagance. Surely any business entertaining could be done at the embassy or some other suitable place

It will remain the property of the UK government, won't it? In which case, it could be looked on as an investment.
Yes, of course it will.

I stand corrected mcem it’s a long time since we went to Florida - I just did the conversion in my head.

That's well over £12 million not "about 8"!

Is this for a UK diplomat in New York? If so it might not be all that expensive comparatively speaking. Also, it will only be the diplomat's residence while he or she is the diplomat. It will remain the property of the UK government, won't it? In which case, it could be looked on as an investment.

So about £8mn ?
Just less than what the government spent then on all those Remain leaflets delivered to every household in the U.K. back in 2016.
It seems a government always finds money down the back of a sofa when it needs to ...

I saw that paddyann and I think it's disgusting.

They can't justify it AllatSea and won't even try.

Couldn't agree more - completely outrageous! It's our money too, -from our taxes, from our hard earned money ((and now, minuscule pension (taxed again too as just outside non taxable allowance)). Why oh why isn't that money being put towards the needs of the less fortunate in this country, the homeless, legal aid, the NHS, etc, etc etc. How can they justify such self indulgence?