EDINBURGH, Scotland, May 20 (UPI) -- The cost of hosting this summer's G8 summit in Scotland is spiraling towards $200 million -- five times the anticipated cost.
Basic policing costs at the three-day summit between July 6 and 8 are set to reach $100 million, with a further $18 million to be spent on travel, catering and accommodation, The Time of London newspaper reported Friday.
A further undisclosed sum, thought to be scores of millions of dollars, has been set aside for additional security arrangements and contingency plans. And in all, the three-day summit itself is expected to cost more than $60 million a day, the newspaper said.
As well as the threat from terrorists, there are fears of violence and mayhem with up to 30,000 protesters expected at the summit. Scottish media reported Thursday that a U.S. aircraft carrier will be stationed off the west coast of Scotland during the summit and fighter jets at an Royal Air Force base near St Andrews, Fife, will be on standby.
