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UK Parliament

Weddings (2023)

Request

  1. How many weddings have been held in the Palace of Westminster in the past 6 years?
  2. How many of this weddings were MPs getting married?
  3. What is the total cost to the taxpayer for these weddings, including security?
  4. Was food and alcohol at all weddings subsidised by the taxpayer?

 

 

Response

In the first instance, please note that the Palace of Westminster is occupied by the House of Commons and the House of Lords, which are two separate public authorities in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Our response only covers recorded information about weddings held in the parts of the Palace for which the House of Commons is responsible. If you wish to request information held by the House of Lords, you should contact them directly at FOILORDS@parliament.uk.

1) How many weddings have been held in the Palace of Westminster in the past 6 years?
and
2) How many of [these] weddings were MPs getting married?

This information is held by the House of Commons.

Clients are able to organise a civil marriage or civil partnership ceremony at one of the many venues located in the Palace of Westminster for which the House of Commons is responsible, and these events are dealt with through the House’s Event team. In the past 6 years, there have been 71 civil marriages or civil partnership ceremonies in our venues. Of these, four were for Members getting married.

3) What is the total cost to the taxpayer for these weddings, including security?

This information is not held by the House of Commons. Wedding costs are paid for in full by the client, and there is therefore no public cost to these events.

4) Was food and alcohol at all weddings subsidised by the taxpayer?

This information is held by the House of Commons. Any catering at weddings organised through the House (including food and alcohol) is paid for by the client, and this is therefore not subsidied by the taxpayer.