Peers under fire over afternoon tea costs

Peers have been accused of “Lording it up” after it emerged they consumed thousands of traditional afternoon teas in the past year.

The SNP said unelected Lords also enjoyed hundreds of bottles of Champagne, as well as strawberry and cream at their “heavily subsidised” bars and restaurants.

The £17 a head cost of Traditional Afternoon Tea includes Indian tea served with a selection of cucumber, tomato, egg and cress, and poached salmon and mayonnaise sandwiches, followed by scones with jam and cream and assorted cakes and pastries. A similar order in nearby restaurants costs £60. SNP MSP Tom Arthur said: “It’s clear that the only thing these unelected peers are interested in doing is lording it up in the heavily subsidised Westminster bars and restaurants.”

However, a Lords spokesman said subsidies have reduced by a third since 2007.

He said: “The unpredictable nature of sittings of the House, and periods where the House doesn’t sit and so revenue is not generated, make avoiding a catering subsidy difficult.

“We also pay all staff at least the London Living Wage. We are proud to do so but it means our costs are higher than some commercial restaurants.”