A RAFT of new Reform UK peers would cost the taxpayer around £22 million if Nigel Farage became prime minister and wanted to secure a majority in Westminster’s second chamber, The National can reveal.
Farage’s party has had a consistent polling lead over Labour since the beginning of the year and hopes to form Britain’s next government – but could face difficulties in steering his agenda through the unelected upper house.
Reform UK currently have no members in the House of Lords so would need to create hundreds of new peers if they wished to command a majority in the second chamber.
It is not necessary for a party to have a majority in the House of Lords; Labour are currently vastly outnumbered by opposition peers and crossbenchers who have no party affiliation.
But Farage earlier this month was asked about the possibility of running into difficulties with the Lords and ruled out abolishing it, adding: “We might, if we face that problem, just have to appoint a few more peers.”
From a start of zero, Farage would need to appoint 828 to give his party a majority.
Analysis shows that this would cost the taxpayer just over £22m a year based on the most recent expenses data for the unelected second chamber.
Peers are not paid but are allowed to claim an attendance allowance and travel expenses.
The House of Lords costs the taxpayer £144m per year, according to the most recent figures including the costs of paying the attendance allowance, paying staff and catering.
SNP MP Pete Wishart told The National: “Reform like to pretend they’re anti-establishment, but the truth is they’re filled with ex-Tories that can’t wait to take up their seats in the House of Lords.
“Farage’s plan to fill the Lords with Reform peers proves Reform is just another Westminster establishment party.
“Not only is that bad for democracy, it’ll be costly too – to flip the Lords into a Reform majority could cost taxpayers up to £22 million a year – Farage should come clean on what his plan for the Lords actually is.
“The House of Lords doesn’t need Reform – it needs to be scrapped altogether.”
Reform UK were approached for comment.
