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SHAMELESS Treasury bosses are laying on another taxpayer-funded breakfast hours before George Osborne delivers today’s Budget, the Morning Star can reveal.
Aides who helped the Tory Chancellor prepare the document will be treated to hundreds of pounds-worth of free food at the department on Horse Guards Parade.
The Morning Star first uncovered the Chancellor’s breakfast club in November using freedom of information (FOI) powers that the Tories tried to scrap.
We revealed that the Treasury spent £972 on the complimentary pig-out on June 8 2015.
It was the day of the first totally Tory Budget in nearly two decades, during which Mr Osborne announced cuts to tax credits that were subsequently scuppered in the Lords.
Now our follow-up FOI request has found that £777 worth of food was ordered on November 25 last year — the day of the Autumn Statement which included savage cuts to welfare and local council-run services.
And the Star discovered last night that the Treasury is planning a similar shindig to coincide with today’s Budget, which will include £4 billion-worth of cuts to public spending.
“There always is [a big breakfast] for these occasions. It’s not a state secret,” said a spokesman.
“It’s not for the whole of the Treasury, but selected members who come in extra early.”
The Treasury played down the costs, claiming exactly 169 staff enjoyed the last meal in November — £4.60 a head.
But People’s Assembly national secretary Sam Fairbairn said: “While millionaires in the Cabinet use taxpayers’ money to pay for their meals, millions of people are struggling to put food on the table to feed their families or are forced to use foodbanks.
“Osborne has already announced more cuts to come, hitting disabled people hard and tax breaks for high earners. It’s one rule for the rich and another for everyone else.”