House of Commons Canteen

These people are rich, by most ordinary people's standards. Even if they have only an MP's salary, surely they do not need subsidised food and drink.

Here's an idea: the Crown Estate to purchase a couple of tower blocks within walking distance of the HoP; do them up to, say, John Lewis standard; MPs living outside a sensible agreed travelling time of the HoP would be required to use these apartments on a 'hot desk' basis when in London. To avoid subletting, no MP would actually own a flat.

No more outlandish MPs expenses. Job done!

I think I posted that idea ages ago about apartment blocks near the HoP being available to MPs, Blinko, it seems sensible at first.

The problem is that many live in London most of the time, their children go to school in London and they only visit their constituencies at weekends - where they also require a home.
That gave rise to the 'flipping' scandals.

And these cretons vote against Free School Meals for the poorer kids!! I want to slap them

Perhaps post Brexit we could have a clear out of these lazy over educated bassoons we refer to as politicians and select real people who understand what it's like to live with constant money worries, mortgages, families to feed, etc. I think they have all been on the gravy train too long. Time to jump off, or get pushed off, if this country is ever to be Great Britain again. Of course they should not have subsidised food and drink. On their earnings they should be charged double.

It is a disgraceful mess. Eton, I note has a lot to answer for. That too is a registered charity getting subsidies for the poor charity cases that attend. We are being taken for mugs and unfortunately I predict it will get worse when the headlines on my morning paper today states’Johnson primed and ready for No10’. What a sorry state we are in.

The main issue here is the subsidy by taxpayers, not how much anyone does or does not earn. I also think that any MP who lives in what would be described as a commuter constituency should be expected to commute, exactly like their constituents do. Maybe have a hotel/rooms available for those times when the house debates over run. Obviously those MPs representing constituencies outside this limit should have homes in or near London so they can spend the majority of the working week with their families. My MP represents a commuting constituency, yet his family home is in South London. Fair enough, but he stings the taxpayer for rent of a large farmhouse just outside his constituency, a large farmhouse which just happens to be owned by his sister in law who now lives overseas. Are you happy with that Gabriella? I most certainly am not.

over educated bassoons love it, Nannypiano continuing the musical theme.

Hi Jalima, yes, I think I've mentioned the block of flats idea before, too. It does seem that these people can't lose, moneywise, at least

All of the eateries and bars in the House of Commons are subsidized by the taxpayer.

Last year it cost taxpayers over £4 million for MPs to enjoy cheap food and drinks

well I am sure we can all think of better ways of spending that £4m Cold. Maybe for a start, it could be put towards the massive potential costs of preserving and refurbishing the Palace of Westminster? It is in their benefit, their place of work, so only right that they lose their subsidised food and drink to pay for it.

I agree wholeheartedly Gill

Pigs at the trough.

How can we ever be expected to have any respect for these unprincipled greedy human beings.

HootyMcOwlface
??? had a mental image of them all in rows snouts in their Eton mess ?

Ive been to one of those cafes in HOP. Was mostly visitors/public using it not MPs. You can tour the HOP there are a LOT of people in there not just MPs

I cannot for the life of me understand why we subsidise the meals and drinks of our very well paid MPs.

It's an old tradition which should be stopped. Given the political fiasco the HOC has created, these self-serving, self-centred, career politicians (not a drop of altruism amongst them it would seem!) ought not have this perk. They can afford to pay full price. Most workers have to.

Sandwiches, tea and biscuits made available for late night sittings - and that's their lot!

Very few people, if any, have a workplace canteen so cheap

Free school meals in Scotland for P.1 to P.3.

Ive been to one of those cafes in HOP. Was mostly visitors/public using it not MPs. You can tour the HOP there are a LOT of people in there not just MPs

Ooh, I've had an idea notanan - could we have an enormous Gransnet meetup in one of their eateries? We could all take grandchildren, great-grandchildren and take over the place!
There's a nursery as well, isn't there - is that subsidised? We could put the little ones in the nursery along with the MPs and put any children aged 8 or over plus their grannies in charge of the country.

No money for schools or NHS but money for there grub . I hope they choke on it . I bet there waste go in the bin and not to charity , for those who cannot afford to eat . Greedy gits i hope there a shamed of them self's .

I wholeheartedly agree with everyone on this thread who has said that this is a disgrace. I also agree with those who mooted the idea that MPs should have flats to stay in, a bit like hotel rooms, where they can stay overnight if needed. There would be little need then for MPs to buy two houses. Being an MP is a job, and it should be treated as such, and there should be no other perks than they would receive in any other similar job. As for being ‘over educated’ I beg to differ. Whilst many MPs have professional qualifications such as barrister, doctor , teacher, and so on, many do not! Many work their way up from being interns, which is an unpaid worker for political parties, or parliament. In actuality many have never had a ‘proper’ job, they are ‘professional’ politicians. Nice work if you can get it!

How can anyone be ‘overeducated?’ Undereducated, yes. Tbere’s plenty of that about.

It's appalling how much subsidy seems to be applied to H of C meals. There are plenty organisations that do subsidise workers' meals but the standard would be not so high end and probably cost more for workers. Recently had occasion to eat in a hospital dining room subsidised for staff but not the public. It cost me over £6.00 for a small amount of steak pie, green beans and potatoes and an apple. The next day was more expensive as I included a cup of tea. Even patients aren't allowed subsidy. Perhaps the organisers at H of C could show other establishments how to produce quality meals at such low cost.

Surely not everyone can just pop in and use these? Wouldn't you have to have a reason/permit to go in? Pretty sure security would be too tight to just let people go in and out at will.

Two things you might consider doing - go to see your MP and ask to be invited to the House by him for a meal, or stand yourselves to be MPs and then see what it is all about and whether it is worth it.

Surely not everyone can just pop in and use these? Wouldn't you have to have a reason/permit to go in? Pretty sure security would be too tight to just let people go in and out at will.
Oh, what a pity Nonnie! There was me thinking that Gransnetters could take over the canteens in the H of C. We could then write reviews on here and TripAdviser about the food.

I'd worry about the calories. Eton mess must be 500/600 calories at least and that will be on top on a cooked dinner at perhaps another 1000 calories. Then the calorific value of the alcohol is on top on that. Phew! That could be a day's worth of calories in one lunch. I bet they do not go without dinner either.

No wonder they blow up like balloons when they become M.P.s.