CUMBRIA Police has explained why its staff cafeterias are signed up to a government scheme to provide discount food.

Several staff eateries at police stations across the county are listed as venues taking part in the Government's Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, which gives diners 50 per cent off food from Monday to Wednesday in August.

Eateries will then paid back the difference.

Cumbria Police said money claimed back from the Government for canteens in Barrow, Penrith and Carlisle would be used to help 'cover costs'.

The scheme was intended to support the hospitality industry and encourage diners to return to local restaurants.

The staff cafeterias are not open to the public.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Police said: "Workplace canteens are eligible under the government scheme.

"As with any establishment that is taking part in the scheme a claim can be made to reimburse the discount.

"This reimbursement will go back into the canteen to pay for the food purchased.

"The canteens are run by the constabulary but are not subsided, therefore the staff pay the full price for the food, it is not run for profit, just to cover its costs."

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s scheme should not be dishing out cut-price police dinners.

“This is a classic case of unintended consequences, with constabulary canteens gobbling up taxpayer-funded support that is desperately needed by the high street."