Catering price increases (2017)
Request
A full breakdown of the Commons catering price rises that are due to come into effect this month.
Response
Please note, prices are benchmarked against appropriate external comparators in line with standard prices ensuring gross profit targets are achieved. The House of Commons always seeks to provide value for money to the taxpayer, which is why these price increases have been agreed. We source food and drink from a range of suppliers whose prices frequently fluctuate. As such, it is important for us to respond to these changes and minimise the risk of an increase in the costs of providing a catering service.
Overall catering costs have more than halved from £6m in 2010/11 to £2.5m in 2015/16, due to the roll-out of a number of cost reduction initiatives and the successful expansion of our venue hire operation. The House's catering facilities serve over 15,000 parliamentary pass-holders (MPs, Peers, their staff and staff of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, civil servants, external contractors, and journalists), as well as over 1 million members of the public who visit Parliament each year.