Food Wasteminster

House of Commons throws out 1,000 tonnes of meals in 5 years

WASTEFUL MPs have ditched nearly 1,000 tonnes of food in just five years, figures show.

In the last year alone, the House of Commons threw out 282,133kg, or 282 tonnes, more than double the amount two years ago.

This could have provided 671,442 meals, food-waste chari- ties said. Overall the Commons has dumped 990,642kg of taxpayer-subsidised food since 2013.

Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, who uncovered the official figures through written parliamentary questions, said: “It is damning there has been a 116% increase in food waste in just three years. The Commons authorities really must make sure that good surplus food is donated to charities.”

In 2015/16, 130 tonnes of food cooked in the Commons, sold in Westminster’s cafes, was ditched. Charity FareShare calculates one tonne could provide 2,381 meals.

The Commons said its catering waste is sent to facilities which convert it to fertiliser and energy, adding: “Our waste from prepared dishes is well below the national average for the catering industry.”

The UK food industry wastes 1.9 million tonnes of food a year, according to charity Wrap.