Petition · past parliament
The public demands the immediate cessation of food expenses for all MPs
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
The total number of children living in relative poverty – classed as on or below 60% of the UK average household income after housing costs have been paid – was 4.2 million in 2018-19, up from 4.1 million the previous year, equating to roughly 30% of all children.
Public money is spent on maintaining subsidised bars and restaurants in Parliament which currently run at a loss in order to keep them open. £25 per night can be claimed by an MP in food expenses when staying away from home.
The British public demands an immediate stop to the reimbursement of all costs via taxpayers money at bars/restaurants in Parliament and the cessation to all food expenses claims by all MPs until child poverty within the United Kingdom is at 0%.
The British public demands an immediate stop to the reimbursement of all costs via taxpayers money at bars/restaurants in Parliament and the cessation to all food expenses claims by all MPs until child poverty within the United Kingdom is at 0%.
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 or expenses. 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/
MPs may claim for the cost of purchasing food and non-alcoholic drinks where they have stayed overnight outside the London Area and their constituency. This is limited to £25 for each night they have stayed, but the claims can be for purchases made during the day.
We have published the following petitions, 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
Fund free school meals over school holidays until April 2021: Fund free school meals over school holidays until April 2021
Provide the free school meal entitlement throughout the year: Provide the free school meal entitlement throughout the year.
End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry: End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry
You can find out more about IPSA here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/about-us/
MPs may claim for the cost of purchasing food and non-alcoholic drinks where they have stayed overnight outside the London Area and their constituency. This is limited to £25 for each night they have stayed, but the claims can be for purchases made during the day.
We have published the following petitions, 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
Fund free school meals over school holidays until April 2021: Fund free school meals over school holidays until April 2021
Provide the free school meal entitlement throughout the year: Provide the free school meal entitlement throughout the year.
End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry: End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry
Timeline
| 26 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.