Petition · past parliament

Stop MPs from claiming expenses for meals

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

MPs currently have access to expense accounts, despite a generous salary.

Yesterday, Tory MPs voted against free school meals for vulnerable children, citing that it will create 'dependency'. This is a hypocritical viewpoint, given that MPs themselves do not pay for their own meals.
MPs currently have the privilege to claim back the cost of their meals on expense accounts, paid for by the tax payer.

The cost per day allowed for this expense far exceeds the cost to feed a vulnerable child for a week.

Why are we denying children the most basic of needs, when MPs don't think it pertinent that they do not pay for their own meals, despite generous salaries?

Is it ethical or fair that children should go hungry for the perceived choices or misfortunes of their parents?

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

The UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for setting MPs' pay. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is responsible for deciding on MPs' expenses and pay. IPSA is independent of both Parliament and Government.

You can find out more about IPSA here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/about-us/

We have published the following petition, which you might like to sign:

Increase food and drink prices for MPs in House of Commons catering venues: Increase food and drink prices for MPs in House of Commons catering venues

Timeline

22 Oct 2020 Petition opened for signatures
30 Oct 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 30 Oct 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.