Newly released government papers show the planned hand-over of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius could cost taxpayers almost £35 billion, more than ten times the £3.4 billion figure previously quoted by ministers, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The detailed breakdown, obtained through Freedom of Information requests and first reported by the Daily Telegraph, revises upward earlier estimates that had been calculated using discounted "net present value" methodology rarely employed in official costings. The documents outline headline liabilities of about £34.7 billion in nominal terms, including compensation, infrastructure removal, and relocation expenses, before additional inflation and social-discounting adjustments. Reform UK leader Richard Tice said the revelations indicate the true bill could reach £52 billion under some inflation scenarios and demanded that Starmer "correct the parliamentary record" for having understated the burden. Critics across the political spectrum accused the government of obscuring the fiscal impact of ceding the strategically located archipelago. Conservative MPs said the higher price tag will tighten already stretched public finances, while campaigners who support the withdrawal argued the United Kingdom must honour its international commitments. Downing Street has not yet responded publicly to the revised figures.