Ministers criticised for £4.5m EV charger spend as small boats continue
A report claims £4.5m is being spent on electric car chargers at Home Office buildings while small boat crossings continue, prompting accusations of misplaced priorities.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The government is facing criticism over plans to spend £4.5 million on electric car chargers at Home Office buildings, according to a report in the Daily Mail. The money is earmarked for "net zero gadgets" to help staff go green, but the report comes as small boat crossings continue, with 250 migrants arriving on three boats on Monday.
The report claims that ministers and civil servants on the front line of tackling the small boats crisis are under fire over the spending. The chargers are to be installed at Home Office buildings, but critics say the money should be used to address the ongoing migrant crossings.
The story was discussed by a panel of commentators, who argued that the spending shows misplaced priorities. One presenter said: "Why don't they just put the £4.5 million towards stopping the boats?" Another said the problem is "never being solved" and that such stories "compound the problem".
No response from the government has been reported in the coverage.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | GB News |
|---|---|
| A Facebook group with a reach of over one million called for a second incursion into European territory, with a date set for 15 August. | |
| Around 250 migrants arrived on three boats on Monday. | |
| Migrants on student or visitor visas are using the UK as a transit hub to claim asylum on the continent. | |
| The government earmarked nearly £4.5 million for electric car chargers at Home Office buildings. | |
| The money should be spent on stopping small boat crossings instead. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel focused on the absurdity of spending £4.5m on electric car chargers while the small boats crisis continues, using it to criticise the government's priorities. The tone was sarcastic and critical, with the presenter and panel arguing that the money should be redirected to stopping migrant crossings. It also highlighted the arrival of 250 migrants on the same day to underline the contrast.
- “Nearly four and a half million quid has been earmarked for the net zero gadgets to be installed at the home office buildings to help staff go green.”
- “Why don't they just put the £4.5 million towards stopping the boats?”
- “You think they got the priorities all wrong, Paul? Well, of course they have.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.