Sales of Irn Bru soar in House of Commons following influx of SNP MPs

Houses of Parliament - Image credit: PA Images

Sales of Irn Bru have soared in the House of Commons since the huge rise in the number of SNP MPs, it has been revealed.

Figures released following a Freedom of Information request show that bars, cafes and vending machines across the UK parliament sold 8,708 cans or bottles in the financial year 2015-16, up from 5,452 the year before - a jump of 60 per cent.

The rising popularity of the fizzy drink follows the 2015 general election, when the number of SNP MPs jumped from 6 to 56.

Patrick Grady, the SNP MP for Glasgow North, said Scotland’s other national drink gave politicians "sustenance".

“Barr’s, which produces Irn-Bru, is an independently owned company which plays an important role in the economy of central Scotland and the country as a whole,” he said.

“Famously Scotland is the only country where Coca-Cola is not the biggest selling soft drink.

“But it looks like we’re making progress in the House of Commons and perhaps the taste will catch on among MPs and staff from south of the border.”