UK Parliament could save £216,000 with switch to plant proteins, report finds

LONDON – The UK Parliament could save an estimated £216,000 a year in ingredient costs by replacing 30% of the meat, fish and shellfish it buys with plant proteins such as beans, lentils, tofu and nuts, according to new economic analysis based on data released under Freedom of Information (FOI), commissioned by Humane World for Animals UK (formerly called Humane Society International UK). 

The report, Could increasing plant-based catering in the Houses of Parliament save money? by economists Griffin Carpenter and Artūrs Kaņepājs, is being launched today (21 October 2026) at an event in the House of Commons. FOI data reveals that more than 92% of protein-rich food procured was from animal sources, including meat and fish, with less than 8% supplied by whole food plant proteins and minimally processed proteins such as beans, tofu and tempeh.  

Campaigners from Humane World for Animals say the findings make a strong case for Parliament to follow the example set by other public bodies and proactively increase the proportion of plant proteins served. 

This is the first analysis to model the cost savings of changing menus in the Palace of Westminster. Using list prices collected between July and October 2026, the analysis estimates that a modest 30% shift from animal proteins to whole food plant proteins would deliver annual ingredient savings of about £78,000 in the House of Lords and £138,000 in the House of Commons.  

The change would put the Palace of Westminster on course to act in accordance with Climate Change Committee recommendations for a 25% reduction in total meat consumption by 2040, and also with the 2021 National Food Strategy’s recommended 30% reduction in meat consumption by 2032. The 30% reduction could cut emissions associated with Parliament’s animal protein purchases by about a quarter, around 650 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. 

The findings come as Parliament faces pressure to rein in catering costs. House of Commons catering recorded a £7.4 million loss in 2024-25, and the House of Commons Finance Committee has recommended that it reach zero net cost by the end of this Parliament. House of Lords catering had a net cost of about £2.8 million in the same year. 

Claire Bass, senior director, campaigns and public affairs at Humane World for Animals UK said: “Parliament’s meat-heavy menus have a significant cost, to the public purse, our climate, and to animals suffering in factory farms. This report highlights the opportunity for Parliament to lead by example by putting better-value climate and animal-friendly plant-based food at the heart of its menus. Replacing 30% of the animal proteins Parliament buys with beans, lentils, tofu and nuts could save more than £200,000 a year. We know that there’s already appetite among many MPs to have more plants on plates; this is a clear opportunity for the Government to drive that shift across central government catering and save money, cut greenhouse gases and spare animals from suffering.”  

Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport and sponsor of the event said: “Parliament’s chefs, across the House of Commons and House of Lords catering departments, produce some excellent plant-based options, we simply need more of them because plant-based dishes can and should be enjoyed by all. This new report shows that a relatively small shift towards plant proteins could save money, and help stimulate market demand for British-grown beans and pulses. Updates to the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services could create a positive mandate for central government catering to show leadership in protein diversification.” 

Griffin Carpenter, co-author of the report, said: “While some manufactured substitutes are approaching price parity with processed meat, plant protein staples such as beans, lentils and tofu already offer ingredient-cost savings. Reformulating menus around these staples could reduce catering costs in both Houses and contribute to the Commons’ objective of operating without a taxpayer subsidy.” 

A menu fit for a medieval banquet? 

The FOI data reveal an overwhelmingly meat-heavy menu that reads more like a medieval banquet than the weekly shop of most UK households. Across the Parliamentary estate, purchases include beef, veal, lamb, wild boar, venison, rabbit and snails; game birds including pheasant, partridge, pigeon and quail; and an extensive range of fish and shellfish, from halibut and monkfish to lobster, oysters and squid. Over the 12-month period the House of Commons purchased 96 tonnes of meat, fish and shellfish, while the House of Lords purchased 36 tonnes. In the House of Lords, about three tonnes of bacon, gammon, and ham were purchased, against two kilograms of seitan. Similarly, the House of Commons purchased about 20 tonnes of raw chicken cuts but less than one tonne (954kg) of tofu.