World Cup pain for boozing MPs as pint prices soar by 12% and a glass of wine is up 29% in Commons bar - with managers scrambling to curb eye-watering £5.8m taxpayer subsidy

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 09:55, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 09:58, 15 July 2026 MPs wishing to enjoy a few drinks while watching England's World Cup semi-final this evening are facing their own cost of living squeeze. The price of a pint of lager has increased by 12 per cent and the price of a glass of white wine is up by 29 per cent in Parliament's popular Strangers' Bar. Meanwhile, a bottle of House of Commons Champagne Brut has increased by 7 per cent from last year, while a dram of Speaker Hoyle's Select single malt whisky is up 9.5 per cent. Newly-published price lists for the exclusive bars, cafes and restaurants across the parliamentary estate have revealed the eye-watering rises for food and booze.  In the Adjournment restaurant in Parliament's Portcullis House, a Pimm's Cup is 18.6 per cent more expensive than it was 12 months ago. Non-drinkers have also not been spared as a cappuccino in the same restaurant is up by 4.2 per cent. However, boozing MPs still appear to be enjoying cheaper prices than if they ventured off the parliamentary estate to one of Westminster's nearby pubs. A pint of Camden Hells lager at the Marquis of Granby, which is less than a third of a mile from the Commons, is £8.05 - compared to just £6.50 in Strangers' Bar. Newly-published price lists for exclusive bars, cafes and restaurants across the parliamentary estate have revealed the eye-watering rises for food and booze The price of a pint of Estrella Damm lager is now £6.50 in Parliament's Strangers' Bar - up from £5.80 last year Although the Commons insists it benchmarks prices against comparable venues, the catering operation at the House runs a huge deficit. Last year, the taxpayer propped it up with nearly £5.8million, according to the Commons annual report and accounts for the 2025/26 financial year. This was down from £7.4million in 2024/25. Many of the price increases across Parliament have outstripped the 5 per cent pay rise that MPs enjoyed in April, which took their annual salary to £98,599. This year's price increase represented an 8 per cent average rise across all catering items, including an average 12 per cent increase for alcoholic drinks.   A Commons spokesperson said: 'Our catering venues serve over a million customers every year - including journalists, Members of both Houses and visitors - as well as the thousands of staff who keep Parliament running 24 hours a day. 'All items are sold above cost price and we continuously seek to reduce costs. 'Prices in our venues are benchmarked against those in the immediate area, increasing most recently in June 2026 – this included an 8 per cent average across all catering items, with an average 12 per cent increase in alcohol, and is forecast to deliver a saving of £201,000 per annum to the taxpayer. 'We have already delivered more than £2million in savings across our catering function with a further £1.8million forecast for the next financial year. 'This has helped ensure our venues continue to provide value for money while supporting those working on the parliamentary estate.'