The campaign to end subsidised food and alcohol in Parliament has been reignited after MPs voted down a motion to see the free school meal scheme extended over the school holidays.
According to the latest figures taxpayers stump up £57,000 a week to subsidise food and drink for politicians across both houses.
In the House of Commons the public had to find £1.7 million to fund MPs, their staff and guests in bars, canteens and restaurants.
The Terrace Cafeteria received a £646,000 subsidy, while the Peers’ Dining Room in the House of Lords was propped up by some £779,257 – leading to Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tyler to describe it as the “best day care centre for the elderly in London”.
But after food vouchers for kids – costing a paltry £15 a week – were snubbed, the campaign to end subsidised meals for MPs has picked up momentum again.
A petition on 38degrees has seen several thousand new signatures since the motion was denied, with one person saying they were “disgusted” that politicians voted not to provide free meals for vulnerable children despite their own meals being subsidised.
Another said: “MPs have had a pay rise, and they have subsidised food. They have voted against the NHS nurses and the poorest of us from getting these things too. They are utterly shameless in denying children food during this very difficult time, yet continue to benefit from the privileges of their office.”
While Maria H said: “The fact that fat cats could be taking money that could be used to feed hungry kids. This government has no moral compass!!!!!!!!!”
This morning’s Daily Star, which has become an unlikely hero of the pandemic, also raised the issue, questioning how MPs who have sirloin steak subsidised have the mettle to vote down free meals for hungry children.
There was a groundswell of opinion elsewhere too. We’ve picked out some of the best:
Related: Tory trustee for Feeding Britain votes against feeding Britain
