Question
To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost has been to the taxpayer of the unlawful prorogation of Parliament.
Answered on
30 September 2019
The full financial cost to the House of Commons Service is not yet known as some costs such as those relating to cancelled leave will take time to confirm. In-House Services and Participation are the teams anticipated to be the most impacted in financial terms. Current estimated costs from these two teams are as follows:
In-House Services
An estimated £173k in lost banqueting sales (gross), resulting in £102k off the catering services bottom-line. This includes staff recall costs.
Participation
Estimated lost revenue of up to £50k (£44k lost ticket sales and up to £6k if the Jubilee shop remains closed or there are fewer visitors) due to the expectation that the Palace of Westminster would be closed on Saturday 12 October to prepare for State Opening.
Total costs to the taxpayer will include other costs that fall outside of the House of Commons Service, including costs for the House of Lords and IPSA (in relation to costs for MPs returning to Westminster).