Lords and Parliament workers sink 15,000 pints of San Miguel lager – at low cost

Peers and Parliament workers sank nearly 15,000 pints of subsidised San Miguel final yr, new figures present.

Bars and cafes across the Palace of Westminster serve low cost drinks, meals and snacks to these working within the constructing. Pints of lager value between £4.35 and £4.70 – dramatically cheaper than close by pubs the place related drinks can value as much as £7 a pint.

San Miguel was essentially the most served particular person beverage within the prime 100 record launched beneath Freedom of Information legal guidelines, intently adopted by the 14,615 lattes served throughout the services run by the higher chamber.

However when taken collectively, the completely different servings of conventional tea was essentially the most bought drink. Large cups and enormous and small pots of tea have been bought a mixed 22,179 instances throughout the House.

Herbal tea was in third place with 13,535 cups bought, adopted by Estrella lager (12,218), Espresso (12,180) and Gordon’s Gin (11,049). Last yr we revealed MPs had moaned to Commons officers after being requested to pay extra for meals, regardless of dishes being subsidised by taxpayers – and nonetheless at cut price costs compared with excessive road charges.

For instance, a bowl of soup has risen from 94p to £1.05 and lamb-topped jacket potatoes from £2.79 to £3.30. In comparability, a typical soup at Pret a Manger prices £3.50 and a cheese jacket in a Tesco cafe is £4.95. The meal moans emerged in a listing of parliament complaints however officers spared the whingers – on primary salaries of £84,000 – embarrassment by not together with their names.

A Commons spokesman mentioned on the time: “Our venues serve thousands every week, including visitors, MPs and journalists, as well as the staff who keep Parliament running.”