THE cost of the Prime Minister’s luxury renovations to his Downing Street flat could buy whole houses in many parts of the country, Labour analysis revealed yesterday.

Research from the House of Commons Library commissioned by Labour shows that for the cost of the full refurbishment — estimated to be up to £200,000 — you could buy an average terrace house in Britain.

For the amount paid for by taxpayers — about £30,000 — you could afford a 10 per cent deposit for an average detached house, the party said.

Boris Johnson’s refurbishment bill is about a third of the cost of an average London flat, but the average price of a flat in the south-east of England stands at about £202,000, while in the east Midlands, the average price of a semi-detached house is £195,000.

Labour’s shadow cabinet office minister Rachel Reeves said: “Many will find it absurd that the rumoured costs of Boris Johnson’s luxury Downing Street flat refurbishment could buy most a new home.

“And it’s only made more shocking that the government appears to be hiding where those funds actually came from. 

“It’s been nine months since we’ve seen the List of Ministers’ Interests and, with growing concern about the cost and origin of the Prime Minister’s luxury refurbishment, as well as the unfolding sleaze scandal consuming the Conservative government, it’s absolutely crucial they publish the financial interests.”

Ms Reeves also called for the newly created office of the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests to be able to start its own investigations without needing the PM’s permission first.

Labour has repeatedly called for Mr Johnson and his government to be held to account over the recent scandals.

In response to Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross’s comments that Mr Johnson should resign if he has broken ministerial codes, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday: “It’s very good to see senior Conservatives recognising the seriousness of the situation that the Prime Minister could be in and the implications of breaching ministerial code.

“Over the last week or so, some people have said holding the government, holding the Prime Minister, to account is somehow ‘party politics.’

“This demonstrates that it isn’t: there’s a shared, cross-party need to uphold standards in public office, and I think other senior Conservatives should follow suit now.”