MPs can put the price of foods and drinks at their employees Christmas events on bills for the primary time.
It means taxpayers can pay for the festivities – however alcohol can’t be included within the “hospitality” declare, in accordance with steering from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa).
The recommendation from the bills watchdog got here in response to continuously requested questions on how MPs and their employees can have a good time Christmas.
It stated “MPs can claim the costs of food and refreshments for an office festive” of their parliamentary or constituency places of work.
Lights, tinsel, and a tree can be expensed as a result of “festive decorations” are coated by the steering.
However, MPs have been advised to be aware of the price of residing disaster and any claims “should represent value for money, especially in the current economic climate”.
The transfer has been criticised by some, with the TaxPayers’ Alliance saying that MPs “already get a plum deal without taxpayer-funded office jollies”.
The organisation’s John O’Connell advised MailOnline: “While businesses and households in their constituencies pay for parties out of their own pockets, politicians get to dip into the public purse.
“MPs who need Christmas bashes ought to foot the invoice themselves.”
Source: information.sky.com”