Written ministerial statement: Government Hospitality wine cellar bi-annual report 2020 to 2022
Published 11 January 2024
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Statement by Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs, The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell
I have today placed a copy of the report on the Government Wine Cellar for the financial years 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 in the libraries of both Houses.
This bi-annual report meets our commitment that there should be regular reports to Parliament on the use of the Government Hospitality Wine Cellar, covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money.
Between the financial years 2011 to 2012 and 2018 to 2019, the cellar was self-financed through sales of stock and funds paid to Government Hospitality for work undertaken on behalf of other government departments. Sales were not possible in 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022 due to COVID-19. Sales resumed in financial year 2022 to 2023 and we anticipate further sales during 2024.
The report notes that:
- consumption levels dropped in 2020 to 2021 by some 96%. There was an increase in 2021 to 2022, but usage levels were still down on the average annual amount by over 60%
- English wines further constituted 100% of wine purchases in 2021 to 2022
- funds from other government departments represented the only receipts (2021 to 2022: £8,875)
- all events organised by Government Hospitality during this period were done so in strict accordance with COVID-19 restrictions