MPs £5.5m booze subsidy

As the government ponders stricter regulations to combat problem drinking, it has been revealed that taxpayers subsidise the House of Commons bars to the tune of £5.5m. This total represents an increase of 15% since last year, and means that we are picking up the tab for 43% of every drink that our elected leaders enjoy.

The figures have been revealed by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) which managed to uncover the extent of the subsidy even though it is not published in the House of Commons’ Annual Accounts. The MPs bars are also able to open for business at any time – not subject to normal licensing restrictions.

ALMR chief executive Nick Bish is campaigning tirelessly against legislation that further threatens the commercial viability of struggling pubs and bars. He has urged all MPs to visit pubs in their constituencies during the 12-week summer break, in order to appreciate how important they are to local communities.

“Maybe then, when they return to the cheap and abundant drink of the Westminster village, they will think again about the relentless regulation and rapidly increasing costs hitting the Great British Pub, and revisit the crippling alcohol duty escalator.”

Ben Grant 23/07/08