Referendum cost £130m

BRITAIN’S EU referendum cost taxpayers almost £130million, a report from electoral chiefs said yesterday.

Data published by the Electoral Commission showed the 2017 poll cost £129.1million.

The total included £94.5million on administration, including running polling stations, and a further £1.2million on “grants” to rival campaigns Britain Stronger in Europe and Vote Leave.

Almost £25.4million was spent on delivering mailshots from the two campaigns to voters across the UK, a legal obligation.

And £6million went on a nationwide publicity blitz undertaken by the Electoral Commission “to raise awareness of the poll and provide information on how to take part”.

A spokeswoman for Theresa May said: “The decision to hold the referendum was taken by the previous government and what is important now is we are focused on delivering the result.”