As the British government introduces sweeping changes to the country's welfare, justice, health and tax systems that slash at services for poor, comes word that the taxpayers are giving the Queen a raise of £5 Million per year, or more than A$7 Million.

The “Sovereign Grant” is being raised to £36.1m for the 2013-14 fiscal year.  That will be used for official duties, household costs, maintaining royal palaces in England, and to cover the cost of royal travel to official engagements.

At the same time, UK’s Chancellor George Osborne is promising at least 5 more years of austerity, despite the complete lack of evidence that it’s working to improve the economy.  Since the Conservatives came to power in 2010, Britain has suffered a double-dip recession.

Under the Tories’s latest plan, cuts are hacking away at Britain’s middle class:  New taxes and fees have middle class families effectively paying A$2,300 more per year, while wealthy families actually save A$1,000.

And one of the most vicious fees the Conservatives’ new “Bedroom Tax”, which reduces rent subsidies to social housing tenants if they have a spare bedroom.  If a family has a member who grows up, or dies, they will have to pay for it.