TAXPAYERS facing a cost-of-living crisis forked out £9.1million last year on subsidising MPs’ posh dishes such as steak and salmon.
Most restaurants, cafés and bars in Parliament ran at a loss while MPs on a basic £84,144 salary chowed down on meals many families can no longer afford.
The Sun compared prices at the wood-panelled Members’ Dining Room with popular eatery chains.
Rib-eye steak with all the trimmings has just gone up to £13.90 for MPs and Lords — while voters pay £17.99 at Harvester.
Pan-seared salmon costs MPs just £9.50 while at a Harvester grilled salmon sets you back £15.99.
Meanwhile in the plush Members’ Tea Room a beef curry is a snip at £3.95 — compared to £7.15 in Wetherspoon pubs.
It is the same with drinks. A latte coffee costs MPs £1.35 compared to £3.35 in Costa Coffee.
Last night campaigners at the TaxPayers’ Alliance called for subsidies to be scrapped during the crisis.
Chief Executive John O’Connell said: “Families tightening their belts will be shocked to see they are picking up the tab for politicians to get cut-price fare.
“When things are so tough for taxpayers, it’s only right that these generous subsidies come to an end.”
A petition to abolish subsidies was rejected by the Government in 2020.
It said: “Customers of the House of Commons Catering Services include some of the 650 MPs but also around 14,500 other pass-holders, many of whom are staff on lower wages that work irregular hours.
“In addition, members of the public and non-pass holding visitors to Parliament also have access to these services.
“The irregular hours and the unpredictability of Parliamentary business contribute to increasing the net cost of providing a catering service.”
Source: The Sun
