Alex Salmond has warned the monarchy’s reputation is being damaged by the Government’s “let them eat cake” attitude of spending millions of pounds on rebuilding palaces.
The former first minister of Scotland said funding for Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster is being prioritised while “the people are struggling for bread”.
SNP MP Mr Salmond suggested the critically acclaimed film I, Daniel Blake should be screened before decisions over funding palace repairs are made in Parliament.
He said this would remind politicians about those people being “unjustly sanctioned” and those with disabilities who are losing £30 a week from their benefits payments.
A major 10-year revamp of Buckingham Palace was announced last week, with the works estimated to cost £369 million.
The money will come from a 66% increase in the Sovereign Grant – the funding formula for the monarchy’s official duties.
Officials say the essential work is needed to avoid the risk of “catastrophic building failure” at the Queen’s main residence.
Commons Leader David Lidington told Mr Salmond that the spending on the repairs is “perfectly justifiable”.
More than 100,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the royals to pay for the refurbishment rather than taxpayers.
Billions of pounds are also expected to be needed to restore the Palace of Westminster, another name for the Houses of Parliament, in the coming years.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Salmond told Mr Lidington: “I don’t care about the reputation of this Government.
“But as a member of Her Majesty’s privy council I can’t think of anything more damaging to the cause of constitutional monarchy than a ‘Let them eat cake’ attitude which prioritises the rebuilding of royal palaces while the people are struggling for bread.”
Mr Lidington replied: “I do think that you are in danger of going over the top here, not for the first time.
“Buckingham Palace is a public building that is used by the monarch to exercise her state functions as head of state.
“It is also a place which thousands of tourists visit and enjoy each year.
“The reason that the royal household is facing the sort of bill which shocks you is that these decisions have been put off and a backlog of repairs has been allowed to accumulate.
“So I think what was decided and announced a few days ago is perfectly justifiable.”
Mr Lidington added he believes that fewer than 4% of people who receive jobseeker’s allowance and fewer than 1% of those who receive employment and support allowance have faced any sort of sanctions.
He added: “There can sometimes be mistakes by officials, yes. But I think we need to recognise that the proportions involved are very small.”
