Regular readers will remember much fanfare from Bercow when he announced that, in these austere times, the cost of subsidised food and drink on the Parliamentary Estate would be rising, bringing it into line with “high-street” rivals. So the cheaper end of the real world.
Half a million quid will be removed from the subsidy, but what does that actually mean in practice? Guido’s man behind the bar whispered that for all the press releases and back slapping, the plan is to only put prices up by a meagre 5%. The Commons bars and terraces will still be the cheapest place to drink in town even after this small rise. The Guinness is half price by Central London standards, cheers.