Question

To ask The Senior Deputy Speaker what has been the average cost to the House for sitting on a Friday in this session of Parliament.

Average attendance for a sitting Friday in the 2024-26 Parliamentary Session to date is 267 Members, with an average cost in members’ allowances claims for those dates of £84,248.00.

Outside of Members’ allowance claims, the approximate net cost of catering services on a sitting Friday estimated to rise at 3pm are approximately £2,530. This is to provide the additional catering services required, (that would normally be closed on a non-sitting Friday), namely; Peers Dining Room, Peers Guest Room and Peers Long Room. There are additionally approximately £4,500 in police overtime costs.