As
they slip off this afternoon to face a tough
12-weeks holiday in the real world without
subsidised drink, Guido wonders how will MPs
cope?
The House of Commons Refreshment Department
operated on a subsidy of £5.5 million of
taxpayers’ money in the 2007/08 financial
year, which is equivalent to the total
annual tax receipts from 35 pubs.
The subsidy is equivalent to £8,500 per MP -
that is approximately £50 per diem on top of
the £30 per diem they voted to award
themselves every working day in cash.
The subsidy, which for some inexplicable
reason was not published in the House of
Commons’ Annual Accounts, was £693,000
higher than in 2006/07 - a 15% increase.
No belt tightening for MPs despite the
Chancellor's warnings.
It accounted for 43% of the operating costs,
meaning that the taxpayer coughs up £4.30
for every £10 spent refreshing our
politicians: even before they claim back
their outgoings without receipts through the
expenses system. These figures don't include
the multi-million pound
re-fit of the wine cellar.
MPs
are members of the best London club with a
dozen bars on the parliamentary estate,
plenty of dining rooms, brasseries and
banqueting suites all operating without a
licence and no restrictions on hours - you
can even smoke in some.
A pint in the Stranger’s Bar costs £2.10,
outside parliament in the West End you pay
£3.50 to £4.00. An 8-year-old Scotch costs
£1.35, while our politicians can enjoy a
Pimm’s on the pleasant Thames-side terrace
for just £1.65 - which is a third to a half
of prices a mile down the road.
Do you really think they need to pay
politicians more to attract people?
*Not including
all the additional expense claims for
essential new kitchens, appliances, window
cleaning, garden pergolas, plasma TVs....
[Incidentally to all PRs who send Guido press
releases - the AMLR
press release was the best Guido has seen in
years. Clever, on a relevant subject, well aimed
and timed.]