THE Government has splurged £1.3million on a sculpture for the PM’s garden — sparking a cost of living row.
The Henry Moore bronze titled Working Model for Seated Woman was sent to No10 as families struggle.
The abstract 1980 sculpture is believed to have been sold at a Christie’s auction for just over £1.3million at last month.
It was bought by the taxpayer-funded Government Art Collection.
An expert said: “It is a fine piece and an important example of Moore’s collection of seated women sculptures.
“However, it may be considered an extravagant use of public funds, particularly given the economic climate.”
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Downing Street said no politicians were involved in the decision to buy.
The partially covered sculpture was seen being wheeled into No10 on Thursday.
It “conveys a strong sense of maternity and pregnancy”, according to Christie’s website.
It lauds “the gentle watchfulness of the woman’s face and her guarded posture to the protective nature of her arms and the architectural shelter she offers between her lap and shoulders”.
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There has been a Moore piece in the No10 garden for the past 40 years, with works regularly rotated at the request of the late sculptor’s charitable foundation.
The Government Art Collection owns more than 14,000 pieces in buildings at Whitehall and around the world.
It comes three months after PM Rishi Sunak spent £400,000 on a new swimming pool complex at his Grade-II listed manor house in North Yorkshire.
