Members of Parliament are facing increased costs for beverages in the House of Commons bars, with a pint of lager now costing 12% more and a glass of white wine up by 29%. These price hikes, effective from June 2026, come as the parliamentary catering operation continues to be supported by a significant taxpayer subsidy.
The price of a bottle of House of Commons Champagne Brut has increased by 7% compared to last year, and a dram of Speaker Hoyle's Select single malt whisky is up by 9.5%. In the Adjournment restaurant in Portcullis House, a Pimm's Cup is 18.6% more expensive, while a cappuccino has seen a 4.2% increase.
Despite these increases, prices within Parliament remain lower than in some nearby establishments. A pint of Camden Hells lager at a local pub, the Marquis of Granby, costs £8.05, compared to £6.50 in Parliament's Strangers' Bar. Similarly, a pint of Estrella Damm lager is £6.50 in Strangers' Bar, up from £5.80 last year.
These price adjustments are part of an effort to reduce the deficit in the House of Commons' catering services. Last year, the operation received nearly £5.8 million in taxpayer support, a decrease from £7.4 million in the previous financial year. The recent price increases represent an average of 8% across all catering items, with an average 12% increase for alcoholic drinks. This measure is forecast to save the taxpayer £201,000 annually.
A spokesperson for the House of Commons stated that catering venues serve over a million customers annually, including Members, journalists, visitors, and staff. They emphasized that all items are sold above cost price, and efforts are continuously made to reduce expenses. Prices are benchmarked against comparable venues in the immediate area. The catering function has already achieved over £2 million in savings, with a further £1.8 million projected for the next financial year, aiming to provide value for money while supporting those on the parliamentary estate. The pay rise MPs received in April, which brought their annual salary to £98,599, was a 5% increase.