WELWYN Hatfield MP Grant Shapps has accused the Government of losing the plot after it emerged that one of its departments splashed more than �90,000 on plants and flowers during the last year.

Following a parliamentary question from Mr Shapps, the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed it forked out �87,401 on pot plants and �3,419 on cut flowers in 2008/09.

Mr Shapps said: “It does seem strange that, at a time when the country is facing the longest and deepest recession since the war, with monumental levels of debt that our children will be left repaying for years to come, this Government’s priority is to spend nearly �100,000 on flower arrangements and pot plants.

“They have basically lost the plot and the only thing that can save us now is a General Election.”

A DfT spokesman said: “DfT and its agencies employ over 18,000 people at buildings across the country.

“We need to provide an environment where people work well and the provision of plants and flowers contribute to this, but we recognise this figure is high.

“These costs will therefore be significantly reduced over the next year along with other efficiency savings.”