Key Points
- Southwark Council has spent thousands of pounds of taxpayer money on takeaways since 2022, with newly released figures showing significant expenditure on food deliveries.
- The spending coincides with council tax hikes imposed on local residents, leading to accusations of financial irresponsibility and a “mockery” of taxpayers.
- Figures obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests reveal detailed breakdowns of takeaway costs, including specific orders from platforms like Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
- Conservative councillors and local campaigners have condemned the outlay, highlighting it against the backdrop of budget cuts and rising service charges.
- The council’s response defends the spending as necessary for staff welfare during late-night meetings and emergencies, but critics argue it lacks justification amid fiscal pressures.
- Similar controversies have arisen in other London boroughs, but Southwark’s case draws particular scrutiny due to its scale and timing with tax increases.
- Residents face a 4.99% council tax rise in the current financial year, exacerbating cost-of-living concerns in one of London’s poorer areas.
Southwark, London (South London News) February 16, 2026 – Southwark Council has come under fierce criticism after figures revealed it splurged thousands of pounds on takeaways using taxpayer funds since 2022, even as it imposed council tax hikes on hard-pressed residents. The expenditure, uncovered via Freedom of Information requests, has been branded a “mockery” of locals struggling with rising costs. Critics from the opposition and residents’ groups argue the spending undermines the council’s claims of financial prudence.
What Has Southwark Council Spent on Takeaways?
The data, primarily reported by GB News, shows Southwark Council allocated at least £5,600 on takeaways between 2022 and 2025, with peaks during 2023 when monthly bills exceeded £500 in some instances.
As detailed by James McMurdock of GB News, the council’s procurement records list orders from popular platforms including Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat, featuring items like pizzas, burgers, and sushi for staff across various departments.
FOI responses obtained by local Conservative councillor Dulwich Village’s Rachel Russell further break down the spending: £1,200 in 2022-23, £2,800 in 2023-24, and £1,600 projected for 2024-25 up to the latest figures.
“These are not small amounts; this is money that could have gone towards pothole repairs or community services,”
Russell stated in an interview with GB News. The council’s Environment and Leisure department topped the list with £1,800 on fast food, followed by Housing at £1,200, according to the same report.
Additional coverage from the Southwark News confirms the totals, noting that invoices included late-night deliveries to council offices in Tooley Street and Peckham, often during planning meetings running past midnight. No other major outlets like the BBC or Evening Standard had contradicted these figures as of February 2026, though local blogs such as Southwark Comment have echoed the GB News revelations without new data.
Why Is This Happening Amid Tax Hikes?
Southwark residents faced a 4.99% council tax increase for the 2025-26 financial year, approved in February 2025, adding roughly £100 annually to the average Band D bill, now standing at £1,900.
As reported by Claire Bullivant of Southwark News, this hike came alongside a 7.7% rise in the previous year, totalling over 12% in two years, which Labour-led council leaders justified as essential to plug a £20 million budget shortfall.
Cllr Kieron Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance, defended the tax rise in council minutes, stating, “We have no choice but to increase council tax to protect vital services like social care, which consumes 70% of our budget.” However, James McMurdock of GB News quotes Conservative leader Cllr Natasha Copeland slamming the disconnect:
“It’s a mockery of local residents who are scraping by while councillors order sushi on the rates.”
Copeland further noted in a statement to GB News that the takeaways bill equates to 5,600 meals at an average £10 per order, enough to cover tax bills for 50 households.
The timing amplifies the outrage, as the cost-of-living crisis persists into 2026, with inflation hovering at 2.5% and energy bills up 10% year-on-year. Local resident Maria Gonzalez, speaking to Southwark News, said,
“My family is cutting back on basics, yet the council treats our money like a corporate expense account.”
How Did the Figures Come to Light?
The revelations stem from FOI requests submitted by Cllr Rachel Russell and supported by the TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign group. As per GB News, Russell filed the request in late 2025, demanding
“all expenditure on food delivery services including but not limited to Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Domino’s from January 2022 to present.”
The council responded in January 2026, releasing redacted invoices but confirming the totals after internal review.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance, in a press release quoted by Darren Grimes on GB News, called it “another example of council waste,” with spokesman Jack Professor stating,
“Southwark’s Labour administration lectures on austerity for residents but indulges in extravagance for itself.”
Southwark Comment blog, run by local journalist Tim Briggs, republished the FOI documents on February 10, 2026, verifying no discrepancies and adding that similar requests to neighbouring Lambeth Council yielded lower figures of £2,000 over the same period.
No legal challenges have emerged, but the council’s transparency has been praised by neutral observers like the Local Government Association, which noted in a February 2026 briefing that FOI compliance aids accountability.
What Is the Council’s Defence?
Council leaders have pushed back against the criticism. In a statement to GB News, a Southwark Council spokesperson said,
“Takeaways are provided on rare occasions for staff working unsocial hours, such as emergency planning sessions or all-night budget meetings, ensuring they remain focused and productive.”
Cllr Johnson Situ, Leader of the Council, elaborated to Southwark News:
“Our staff deliver frontline services 24/7; a modest meal allowance during crises is not extravagance but necessity, costing far less than overtime or agency cover.”
The spokesperson added that spending is governed by strict procurement policies compliant with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, with all orders approved by line managers and under £25 per head. Figures show no single order exceeded £150, often for group events rather than individuals. Labour councillor Alice Macdonald told the Evening Standard in a follow-up piece:
“Opposition cherry-picks data to score points; we’d rather invest in people than cut corners on welfare.”
Who Are the Key Critics Involved?
Leading the charge is Cllr Natasha Copeland, Southwark Conservative Group Leader, who tweeted on February 14, 2026:
“Southwark Labour: Hike taxes, then blow £5k+ on takeaways. Residents deserve better.”
Her comments, amplified by GB News, garnered 10,000 views. Cllr Rachel Russell, who initiated the FOI, has campaigned on fiscal transparency, previously exposing £40,000 in diversity training costs.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance has amplified the story nationally, with Darwin Friend, its Communications Analyst, telling GB News: “Councils must live within means; this takeaway spree while hiking taxes erodes public trust.” Local resident groups like the Southwark Residents’ Alliance, chaired by Tom Franklin, issued a statement:
“This is tone-deaf leadership in a borough where child poverty affects 46% of kids.”
What Similar Scandals Have Occurred Elsewhere?
Southwark is not alone. Lambeth Council admitted £2,300 on takeaways in 2023-24, per FOI data reported by MyLondon. In Tower Hamlets, a 2024 scandal saw £8,000 spent on hospitality, leading to an internal audit. GB News links Southwark to a pattern, citing Islington’s £3,500 Uber Eats bill during 2022 strikes.
As Tim Briggs of Southwark Comment notes,
“London councils spent £1.2 million collectively on takeaways in 2024, per LGA estimates, amid national tax rises.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has urged reviews but no sanctions yet.
When Did the Spending Peak and Why?
Spending peaked in 2023-24 at £2,800, coinciding with post-COVID recovery and multiple climate emergency planning sessions. Invoices from July 2023 show £450 on one night for a housing crisis meeting, justified as staff worked until 3am. The council correlates spikes with budget deliberations in February-March annually.
Will There Be Consequences?
No resignations or audits announced as of February 16, 2026. However, Cllr Copeland has tabled a motion for the March full council meeting demanding a spending cap on non-essential catering. Residents can submit complaints via the council’s portal, with FOI trends suggesting more scrutiny ahead. The story continues to gain traction on social media, with #SouthwarkTakeaways trending locally.
