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MPs returning to Parliament today from a three-week recess will be in for a rude shock at morning-tea time - prices at Bellamy's have skyrocketed.
Staples such as coffee, cheese scones and carrot cake all had 50c added to the price yesterday, as the House finally fell victim to the surging prices that have made many watch their pennies.
Notices at the Beehive's cafeteria and shop said increased food and transport costs were to blame for the increases. Customers wanting a long black had to rummage for extra change as their coffee went from $2.80 to $3.30, while the cost of one of Copperfield's cafe's most popular items - the cheese scone - has jumped from $1.50 to $2.
MPs are currently considering the Public Health Bill, which proposes regulations to curb the prominence of fatty and unhealthy foods in Kiwi diets.
But the price rises also include some of the Bellamy's menu's healthier options, so they cannot be attributed to any desire to steer parliamentary workers and politicians away from lamingtons and on to salads.
Parliament's cafes and bar are run by contractors, at a price agreed with the Parliamentary Service. The last price rises were a year ago, and growing costs meant the Parliamentary Service agreed to a request for the new increases, a spokesman said.
Removing the GST on food has been mooted as one way to make it easier for Kiwi families to cope with their food bills, but Prime Minister Helen Clark - who is believed to enjoy the mixed-lolly selections and coffee at the Beehive cafe - has all but ruled that out.
But it is not all doom and gloom for politicians and public servants: inflation has hit only counter foods and has yet to reach as far as the Copperfield's menu.
So Parliament still has the cheapest breakfasts in town, with eggs on toast remaining a $3.50 bargain and a main meal such as fish, chips and salad selling for just $8.50 - $10 less than a customer is likely to pay across the road at the Backbencher Tavern for something similar.
It's all bad news for anyone wanting to drown their sorrows over the price hikes, though: prices have also risen at the Beehive bar, known as 3.2.
