HARDPRESSED

taxpayers have been told they must foot the £369 million bill for repairs to Buckingham Palace, but the Queen is keeping a tight hold on the purse strings when it comes to her own outgoings.

The Royal Household is advertising for an experienced gardener who will be paid £17,000 per year — which works out at £8.72 an hour for a standard 37andahalfhour week. However, the successful applicant will, in fact, be paid less because they will be obliged to live in, the cost of which will be docked from their salary.