And AtW's economic news of the day are...

[AtW]

"Their housing allowances have been slashed, their first class train travel cut and their gardening expenses banned. Now MPs cannot even cry into their cheap subsidised pints.

The numerous bars and cafés in the Houses of Parliament are to start charging £3.05 for a pint of Stella – up from the previous price of £2.40 but still considerably cheaper than tariffs in most central London pubs.

A pint of Becks is to rise from £2.20 to £2.90, as will a pint of Guinness.

The move has been greeted with dismay by MPs. One senior Labour MP, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's scandalous.

"I'm stuck in London doing a public service job and now they want to raise the price of my well-deserved pint by almost 50 per cent."

The alcohol hikes follow increases in tea and coffee which have already gone up to 60p (from 35p) and 75p (40p) respectively.

The rise in the cost of meals has yet to be decided – roast rump of British beef with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish sauce currently costs £3.90.

Commons chiefs have pledged to slash overall budgets by £12 million to £219 million a year as part of government spending cuts."

Source: Beer prices on the rise for MPs - Telegraph

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WTF in a local pubs we had pints £3+ for a long time, good places charge £4.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Good choice, AtW.

Guido has been banging on about this for some time.

Now AtW, you've found the right level for yourself - stick to it.

[hyperD]

"It's scandalous. "I'm stuck in London doing a public service job and now they want to raise the price of my well-deserved pint by almost 50 per cent."

And you wonder why people wouldn't even piss on these Righteous if they were on fire...

[thunderlizard]

But don't forget that probably less than 10% of the people getting that subsidised booze and food are MPs. The vast majority are parliament staff or junior political peeps who don't get paid much (and in my case, blagging guests of the above).

[d000hg]

Also, most big companies have subsidised food for employees. And, don't forget that it's entirely normal for clubs to have a bar which is much cheaper than a pub. No reason in-house bars shouldn't be cheap.

[AtW]

The vast majority are parliament staff or junior political peeps who don't get paid much

So what - a lot of people in this country don't get paid much and AFAIK if they were to get subsidised food then it would be treated as benefit in kind, FFS - £2.20 for pint of Becks in as central London as it can possibly get.

[d000hg]

So what - a lot of people in this country don't get paid much and AFAIK if they were to get subsidised food then it would be treated as benefit in kind, FFS - £2.20 for pint of Becks in as central London as it can possibly get.

They do. Staff canteens.

[thunderlizard]

They probably attract good staff more cost-effectively by providing them with convivial dining arrangements than they could by just paying them more salary. Plus if I'm going to be represented in parliament, I'd prefer it to be by somebody who knows they've got cheap beer to thank me for.

Parliament's canteens and bars are great places where Tory junior researchers can toss around ideas with Labour junior researchers, and then ask one of the gardeners what he reckons. That will be lost if they are al sent out to queue at Pret a Manger. This is going to be another instance of making the country more rubbish, for the sake of a few symbolic pence.

[HairyArsedBloke]

if I'm going to be represented in parliament, I'd prefer it to be by somebody who knows they've got cheap beer to thank me for.

[OwlHoot]

Commons chiefs have pledged to slash overall budgets by £12 million to £219 million a year as part of government spending cuts."

and guess how much the new "Office of MPs' Expenses" (or some such name) set up by the last Government will cost annually.

I happen to remember the figure, although I can't find a link to back it up.

£12 million