House of Lords spent nearly £2million on alcohol over the last five years including almost £1m on wine and £266,000 on beer, figures show
- Chamber spent £1.73m on booze for lords, plus their staff and guests, since 2015
- Over this period, the Lords forked out £957,443 on wine and £266,029 on beer
- House of Commons spent £1.07m on drinks between 2017 to 2020, figures show
- The House of Lords noted purchased food and drink is ‘resold above cost price’
The House of Lords has spent nearly £2million on alcohol over the last five years including almost £1million on wine and £266,000 on beer, figures have shown.
Since 2015, Parliament’s second chamber has spent a whopping £1,734,347 on booze for lords, plus their staff and guests.
Over this period, the Lords has forked out £510,872 on sparkling wines, also spending £957,443 on wine and £266,029 on beer.
A total of £126,374 was spent on alcohol as of October this financial year with MPs also benefitting from large booze orders.
Since 2015, Parliament’s second chamber, pictured, has spent a whopping £1,734,347 on booze for lords, plus their staff and guests, including £510,872 on sparkling wines (file photo)
Figures show the House of Commons spent £1,073,724 on drinks between 2017 to 2020, including £145,471 on sparkling wine, £179,228 on beer, and £749,025 on wine.
But from April to August this financial year, the House of Commons says it only spent £205 on booze, all of which went on beer.
National Obesity Forum chairman Tam Fry – who’s also an expert advisory team member for Action on Sugar – said: ‘The Palace of Westminster should be alcohol free.
‘It is frightening that liquor is so readily available when the people we send to work there need a clear head for the jobs they have to do.
‘If your average commuter has to pop out for a drink at lunchtime and, maybe, pick up another one on the way home, why should his representative not have to, too?
‘There are bars a’plenty within easy reach of the building.
A total of £126,374 was spent on alcohol as of October this financial year with MPs also benefitting from large booze orders (file photo)
‘The Government tells us that 14 units of alcohol should be any adult’s weekly limit. It should reinforce that message by ensuring its headquarters is dry.’
Taxpayers reportedly pay £57,000 a week to subsidise food and drink for politicians across both houses.
The public is also understood to have stumped up £1.7million to subsidise bars, canteens and restaurants in the House of Commons last year.
A House of Lords spokesperson said: ‘Please note that all food and drink purchased by the House of Lords Catering and Retail Service is resold above cost price to members of the House of Lords, House Administration staff, other passholders, events guests and other visitors to the Parliamentary Estate.’