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Citizens allocated almost £20,000 for furnishingsRachel Reeves‘ Downing Streetflat following the disappearance of the original government furniture – and no one in Whitehall can determine its whereabouts.

The apartment was vacant when Chancellor Ms Reeves moved in following the July 2024 election, as four government departments could not locate the original tables, chairs, and sofas.

The Cabinet Office, Treasury, Government Property Agency, and Downing Street’s Facilities Team all did not provide an explanation for the missing items or confirm whether they were stored elsewhere or in use.

The £19,759.61 expenditure—unveiled this week following a written parliamentary inquiry—covered £5,000 for nine tables, £3,450 for two sofas, £850 for a television unit, £695 for a chair, and £475 for a chest of drawers.

Taxpayers also paid a £750 installation and handling fee along with a £300 shipping charge.

Rishi Sunakand wife Akshata spent a lot of money to renovate the No 10 flat when he became Chancellor in 2020, investing in velvet sofas and luxurious curtains while removing the previous furniture.

Following his resignation as Chancellor in July 2022, the Sunaks returned to No 10 in October when he took on the role of prime minister.

However, they removed their furnishings when he lost the election in 2024, resulting in Ms Reeves, the subsequent resident, finding an empty apartment.

All four government departments were required to explain the missing items – however, none could confirm if the original furnishings were in storage, had been transferred to another governmental building, or had been discarded.

Chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, John O’Connell, stated: ‘The chance that functional furniture has remained in storage for years makes the entire Reeves furniture situation appear even more extravagant.’

The parliamentary query was submitted by Mike Wood, the Shadow Minister responsible for the Cabinet Office.

Exchequer Secretary Dan Tomlinson stated that the items acquired were ‘permanently kept by the government’ and the expenditure was ‘supported by HMT budgets for 2024-25’.

Chancellors and prime ministers could utilize as much as £30,000 in public money to furnish the residences at Downing Street.

Boris Johnson faced an inquiry following a Conservative Party donor’s payment of £112,000 for the renovation of his residence, managed by designer Lulu Lytle, when he relocated there as Prime Minister in 2019.

He had to return the money using his personal resources.

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