MPs Enjoying Affordable Gourmet Meals Amidst Soaring Food Prices
Members of Parliament (MPs) are indulging in inexpensive gourmet meals while the general public grapples with rising food and drink expenses. Despite a 14.9% increase in the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages for regular families over the past year, MPs, who earn a basic salary of £86,584, have only faced a modest 6% price hike for their meals.
In the Members’ Dining Room, a savory steak with mushrooms and chips is priced at £13.90, a significant difference from the £19.49 that a similar meal costs at a Harvester restaurant. Additionally, a serving of cod, chips, and peas is available for £8.05 within the parliamentary premises, while the same dish at a local fish and chip shop costs £9, reflecting a nine percent increase in local prices.
While coffee lovers across the nation are witnessing an 11% surge in hot beverage costs, MPs are experiencing a mere three percent uptick. At coffee shops, a cappuccino or latte is priced at £1.10 for MPs, a stark contrast to the £4.10 charged at Costa cafes.
Critics, such as John O’Connell, head of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, have raised concerns about the glaring difference in meal expenses. O’Connell emphasized that while the public tightens their budgets, parliamentarians are benefiting from reduced meal costs. He called for an end to this advantageous arrangement.
In response, a Parliament spokesperson highlighted that catering expenses have decreased by £1.1 million over the past year. The spokesperson clarified that although services are not directly subsidized, they inevitably come with associated costs.
As households face the challenges posed by inflation, the stark distinction in meal prices for MPs and the public has ignited a conversation about fairness and equitable access to affordable meals.