Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
APPLE GRUMBLE OVER MPS’ GRUB
As cost of your food shopping soars, politicians get cheaper meals
BY STEPHEN HAYWARD SUBSIDISED meals for pampered MPs are getting even cheaper – while ordinary folk face soaring food bills.
In 2016 chargrilled rib-eye steak and chips at the House of Commons’ Adjournment restaurant cost a modest £12.50.
But the meal – including roasted shallots, mushrooms and grilled tomato – is now priced 10% lower at £11.26.
Soup of the day was £3.75 in 2016 but is now £3.35.
A cappuccino is £1.63, down 7p, while mineral water has been down from £2.05 to £1.35.
A fruit juice is down from £1.80 to £1.67. At Bellamy’s selfservice restaurant, apple and cinnamon crumble with custard or cream has been cut from £1.05 in 2016 to 98p.
It means a threecourse meal with drinks that cost £21.05 in 2016 is now just £18.57.
MPs, paid £81,932, are set for a £2,000 rise in April – yet benefit from taxpayersubsidised meals.
Last year, when Covid hit takings, it cost taxpayers £9.1million. In 2019-20 the figure was £4.5million. And while some prices have increased, they are far still lower than in many eateries outside Westminster.
Marc Gander, of the Consumer Action Group, said: “It’s grossly unfair that MPs are insulating themselves against pains and stresses of price increases that everybody else has to suffer.
“Why are they getting such an incredibly good deal when the rest of us are struggling? We are funding their lavish lifestyle.”
Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says looming hikes on food, gas and electricity bills – plus council tax rises – will leave the average household at least £1,405 a year worse off.
A House of Commons spokesman said: “VAT on food was higher in 2016 than now.
“Pricing reflects that. Our venues are accessible to all passholders, including staff, contractors, visitors and journalists.”
He added: “Increases were planned for 2020-21 and 202122, but were put on hold due to the pandemic.”
s.hayward@sundaymirror.co.uk
Why are they getting such good deals when the rest of us struggle? MARC GANDER FROM THE CONSUMER ACTION GROUP