Tea and biscuits at the Department of Health? That'll be £109,000.

"This money would have been far better spent supporting NHS workers on the frontline."

However, a spokesman for the Department of Health said the hospitality contract, which covers refreshments for meeting, conferences and training held within its offices, was put in place under Labour.

She said: "This spending relates to a hospitality contract that was started in 2005 under the previous administration.

"Since then we have significantly reduced the amount spent under this contract on catering for meetings, events and conferences.

"Ministers have asked for a full and urgent review into the contract so that the costs to the taxpayer can be significantly reduced."

She pointed out the contract bill had almost halved since the Coalition took power. In January to March 2010 it was £194,000, while for the same period in 2011 it was £137,000.