The cost of 12 parliamentary trees: £400,000
By politics.co.uk staff
Twelve trees decorating the atrium of MPs' offices have cost the taxpayer nearly £400,000, according to freedom of information requests.
The weeping fig trees which line the lobby of Portcullis House were rented from Plant Care UK for £32,500 a year, including maintenance.
MPs' offices are based on the levels overlooking the trees, but they often eat lunch or buy coffee from the cafes in the lobby.
The trees were brought over from Florida and planted in 2001, when debate was already ranging over the cost of the Portcullis building, which soared from £165 million to £235 million and prompted an inquiry.
