Why do MPs get subsidised food?

[IShotTheDeputyItWasMe]

Ok, if they are travelling, they should not be out of pocket. Like many workers, they should be able to claim reasonable expenses depending how long they are away on work trips etc.

However, I've never known any pubpic sector workplace put alcohol on expenses as standard. I've also never known any workplace to pay for their workers lunches when they are in their normal place of work.

Some companies may run a subsidised canteen but that will come put of the company profits, not the public purse.

Basically, why do we pay to subsidise food and then pay again to cover unreasonable food costs?

I saw that on BBC breakfast but I couldn't work out what she was doing it didn't make sense to me ?

Itll be hard to change for many reasons ranging from it being part of their salaries to their still working rather than having a lunch break. Not worth the effort of getting angry about tbh.

OK I've read up on it, her landlord charged extra for her dog and she claimed her expenses for her rent,

How can a landlord justify charging this extortionate amount? Surely there will be a deposit payable out, in case of any damage though IMO humans typically cause more damage than dogs. Or the landlord could perhaps have included a “deep clean” paid by tenant on departure. This is landlord profiteering and I would love them to be interviewed about it.

Is wine, beer and other alcohol part of this? I’ve also eaten in loads of workplaces and absolutely none served alcohol, drinking at work mainly is zero tolerance these days. If we have pizza at work the most we can request is a soft drink.

Every place I’ve ever worked has had office drinks at 4ish on a friday, at my last place our drink order was delivered to us by the MD while we finished up to thank us for our week.
Alcohol is regularly expensed while working away even for solo non client entertaining dinners.

Some people clearly have a very limited experience of the workplace.

@Sofiewoo I see the 4pm drinks Friday as being different than your day to day lunch and wot not. Ive noticed a shift over the years as in the late 70s and eighties the culture generally in workplaces was different. At one time I could expense alcohol freely, now I can’t. As part of my job I’ve visited dozens of different companies, including secondments into client offices, and the majority of policies were zero tolerant on alcohol at work (meaning while working). Probably certain industries are different of course! I remember also a lot of drinking in some jobs as the lines were quite blurry in terms of social and work, today I look back and know it wouldnt be the same today, or at least if I were “on duty” I’d be absolutely sober.

I honestly don't know it seems a bit of a con really .

Fantastic! We're all in agreement that MPs' free lunches/dinner/booze is not OK.

So what can we do about it?

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Exactly. Nothing. We know it's wrong, they know it's wrong but there is nothing you, nor I or anyone can do about it. And MPs know it. They're laughing at us.

This is what is wrong with politics and why people are so disengaged. Can hardly blame them.

They can claim utilities as it's not their main residence. I've had to live away from home for work a few times, and work have always paid accomodation and utility costs, or I'd be paying twice. They can't claim it for their home address.

The whole system is outdated. Why do MPs need to physically be in the house of commons to debate? Why can't it be done on a forum such as this one or on Zoom or teams etc?

What do you mean by “it”? Do you really think that all of what MPs do in Parliament could be done online?

You think parliament should be on teams?

Yes, of course it could.

Yes, or another application similar to teams. Why not?

They are what I would call benefit scroungers!

I’m not sure you understand what MPs do.

Because parliament is a constitution you can't expect parliament to run on zoom!

What do they do that couldn't be done remotely via technology? Apart from gorge themselves on subsidised food and guzzle down subsidised booze?

Trying to imagine the utter shitshow a full house parliamentary debate would be on Teams. 😬