Taxpayers shell out £4.4m to subsidize food and drink at Parliament after costs rise by £750,000 in two years

Net costs of running the prestigious venues at Parliament estate rose £300,000

Bill for taxpayer has now risen 20 per cent in two years amid anger over subsidy

Alcohol prices on the estate at Westminster are cheaper than in nearby pubs

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 09:42 BST, 25 July 2018 | UPDATED: 10:43 BST, 25 July 2018

Taxpayers shelled out £4.4million to subsidise food and drink at Parliament last year, it can be revealed.

The bill for the exclusive bars and restaurants at Westminster has risen again, and is now some £750,000 higher than in 2015-16.

The 20 per cent rise over two years will renew anger about the scale of the funding for MPs, peers and staff.

Critics said it was 'baffling' that politicians were still benefiting from artificially low prices - including on alcohol.

But the authorities at Parliament say the costs are partly down to the irregular hours that the Houses work.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5985637/Taxpayers-shell-4-4...