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| Cameron would axe MPs' cheap food | Cameron would axe MPs' cheap food |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron has pledged to end MPs' subsidised alcohol and food and reduce ministerial salaries if the Tories win power at the next election. | David Cameron has pledged to end MPs' subsidised alcohol and food and reduce ministerial salaries if the Tories win power at the next election. |
| He also said the number of MPs and ministerial cars would be cut. | He also said the number of MPs and ministerial cars would be cut. |
| The Tory leader conceded the £120m-a-year saving made would be only a "pinprick" in the amount needed to balance the deficit. | The Tory leader conceded the £120m-a-year saving made would be only a "pinprick" in the amount needed to balance the deficit. |
| But he said politicians had to take a lead and everyone had to play a part in bearing the "burden". | But he said politicians had to take a lead and everyone had to play a part in bearing the "burden". |
| In his first major speech since the summer political break, Mr Cameron restated plans to reduce the number of MPs in the House of Commons - currently 645 - to 585, which he said would save £15.5m. | In his first major speech since the summer political break, Mr Cameron restated plans to reduce the number of MPs in the House of Commons - currently 645 - to 585, which he said would save £15.5m. |
| Salaries frozen | Salaries frozen |
| Of the 169 government ministerial posts and three opposition party posts which get extra money on top of their MPs' salaries, their pay would be cut by an immediate 5% he said. | Of the 169 government ministerial posts and three opposition party posts which get extra money on top of their MPs' salaries, their pay would be cut by an immediate 5% he said. |
| It would mean the prime minister would have their pay cut by £6,500 and cabinet ministers would get £4,000 each less. Salaries would also be frozen for the whole of the next Parliament, he said, saving more than £250,000 a year. | It would mean the prime minister would have their pay cut by £6,500 and cabinet ministers would get £4,000 each less. Salaries would also be frozen for the whole of the next Parliament, he said, saving more than £250,000 a year. |
| We won't flinch from the difficult decisions that will be necessary, and we will always act guided by our core values of fairness and responsibility Alistair Darling, chancellor We'll have to cut costs - Darling | |
| And on food and drink, which is subsidised in the Houses of Parliament, he said the cost would be raised to "match the prices normal people pay in cafes, restaurants and bars around the country" - which Mr Cameron said would save up to £5.5m. | And on food and drink, which is subsidised in the Houses of Parliament, he said the cost would be raised to "match the prices normal people pay in cafes, restaurants and bars around the country" - which Mr Cameron said would save up to £5.5m. |
| He said MPs could get a salad for £1.70 and a pint of Fosters for £2.10 - "a little over half as much as in a normal London pub". | He said MPs could get a salad for £1.70 and a pint of Fosters for £2.10 - "a little over half as much as in a normal London pub". |
| "We all have to eat, we all sometimes want a drink, there's nothing about this job that forces us to eat or drink any more than if we did something else," he said. | "We all have to eat, we all sometimes want a drink, there's nothing about this job that forces us to eat or drink any more than if we did something else," he said. |
| He also went over plans to decentralise power, review quangos, publish all government spending over £25,000 online and axe MPs' Communications Allowance. | He also went over plans to decentralise power, review quangos, publish all government spending over £25,000 online and axe MPs' Communications Allowance. |
| 'Candour' | 'Candour' |
| The Conservative leader said only his party was being "straight" with people about dealing with the "deficit crisis". | The Conservative leader said only his party was being "straight" with people about dealing with the "deficit crisis". |
| "Unlike any previous politicians in opposition... we've taken the bold step of saying to the British public very clearly, with a Conservative government, public spending will be cut. Not reduced in growth, not frozen, but cut. | "Unlike any previous politicians in opposition... we've taken the bold step of saying to the British public very clearly, with a Conservative government, public spending will be cut. Not reduced in growth, not frozen, but cut. |
| "That candour is a world away from the current Labour government," he said. | "That candour is a world away from the current Labour government," he said. |
| The Liberal Democrats have proposed not renewing Trident. David Cameron wants to increase the price of salads. Danny Alexander, Lib Dems | The Liberal Democrats have proposed not renewing Trident. David Cameron wants to increase the price of salads. Danny Alexander, Lib Dems |
| Cutting the cost of politics was only a "pinprick" in the total amount of savings needed, he said. | Cutting the cost of politics was only a "pinprick" in the total amount of savings needed, he said. |
| "Tough decisions" would be needed in the years ahead as well as a "wholesale change of culture" in public spending - and everyone would have to show "real thrift and responsibility". | "Tough decisions" would be needed in the years ahead as well as a "wholesale change of culture" in public spending - and everyone would have to show "real thrift and responsibility". |
| "That will only happen if people feel there is genuine leadership from the top and that the burden is being shared fairly - especially by those who can bear it best," he said. | "That will only happen if people feel there is genuine leadership from the top and that the burden is being shared fairly - especially by those who can bear it best," he said. |
| "Under a Conservative government, far from politicians being exempt from the age of austerity, they must show leadership." | "Under a Conservative government, far from politicians being exempt from the age of austerity, they must show leadership." |
| Meanwhile, Chancellor Alistair Darling has said the government must start "cutting costs" as it deals with the effects of the recession. | Meanwhile, Chancellor Alistair Darling has said the government must start "cutting costs" as it deals with the effects of the recession. |
| Ministers would "not flinch" from "hard choices" on spending but must still commit to "fairness," he said. | Ministers would "not flinch" from "hard choices" on spending but must still commit to "fairness," he said. |
| 'Dodging questions' | 'Dodging questions' |
| In April's Budget, Mr Darling forecast that public borrowing this year would reach £175bn. | In April's Budget, Mr Darling forecast that public borrowing this year would reach £175bn. |
| The Liberal Democrats' chief of staff, Danny Alexander, said: "There is a good argument to be made for cutting the cost of politics. | The Liberal Democrats' chief of staff, Danny Alexander, said: "There is a good argument to be made for cutting the cost of politics. |
| "The Liberal Democrats have proposed reducing the number of MPs by 150, but if the Conservatives seriously hope to convince people they are fit to govern it is time they stopped dodging the tough questions. | "The Liberal Democrats have proposed reducing the number of MPs by 150, but if the Conservatives seriously hope to convince people they are fit to govern it is time they stopped dodging the tough questions. |
| "The Liberal Democrats have proposed not renewing Trident. David Cameron wants to increase the price of salads. | "The Liberal Democrats have proposed not renewing Trident. David Cameron wants to increase the price of salads. |
| "While it's nice to finally have some concrete proposals from the Conservatives, at this rate it would take them several centuries to balance the books." | "While it's nice to finally have some concrete proposals from the Conservatives, at this rate it would take them several centuries to balance the books." |