Royal funding has been slammed as a scandal this morning, as activists unveil a banner in front of Buckingham Palace reading 'Cut the Half Billion Royal Budget'.
 
The action comes in the light of a new report by anti-monarchy group Republic, which sets out why the Sovereign Grant is dishonest and a 'scandal in plain sight'.
 
MPs voted unanimously to raise the grant by around £50 million this week, in a move that adds a further cost to the estimated £500+ million the royals cost the public purse each year.
 
Republic has reacted to the parliamentary debate, saying "there are lies, damned lies and statistics. And then there is the Sovereign Grant."
 
Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said:
 
"During a cost-of-living crisis the royals are being given a massive £50m increase in their core grant."
 
"Ten years ago the palace and the government said the grant would fall back to previous levels once the palace refurbishment was complete. That rings hollow in 2026."
 
"The cost of living continues to rise, public spending is under pressure and yet again the royals are immune to these concerns. MPs wave through a massive jump in core funding with barely a whisper of complaint."
 
"MPs didn't stand against this on Monday, so activists are responding today with a promise of renewed campaigning to slash the royal budget end royal corruption."
 
"There are lies, damned lies and statistics. And then there is the Sovereign Grant. The Sovereign Grant is a con, a scandal in plain sight."
 
"This is an abuse of public money signed off by MPs too scared of blowback to offer up any scrutiny."
 
"You can have deference, or you can have accountability. You cannot have both. MPs need to step up, the public deserves better."
 
"The monarchy is expensive because it's secretive and corrupt. It's time to scrap the grant. It's time to abolish the monarchy."
 

Photos and videos of the stunt are available here.
 
'A Scandal in Plain Sight: A report on the Sovereign Grant' is published by Republic and is available here.