Failsworth and Ashton MP Angela Rayner wore a Christmas jumper in the House of Commons, featuring a picture of a gingerbread person and the words ‘gingers are for life not just for Christmas’.

The MP sported the jumper as part of a charity campaign on Thursday, December 8.

As she rose to speak from the despatch box, the Labour deputy leader said: “It seems I’m the only one that got the memo about Save The Children’s Christmas Jumper (Day) today.”

She added: “Christmas came early for those that were on the VIP fast-track lane to get the contracts and many honourable members on these benches are trying to get to the bottom of this and are very frustrated, as are the public.

“Billions of pounds wasted. Only those that were pushed by Conservative MPs and peers got on that VIP fast-track lane.

“Why is this Government protecting that fast-track lane and not dealing with it in the Procurement Bill?”

Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden replied: “I welcome the right honourable lady’s jumper and wholly, as a fellow ginger, endorse the sentiments on it.”

He noted “it’s not just the jumper that reminds me of Christmas, it’s the repeat questions from the party opposite”, adding: “90 per cent of offers referred through this route were unsuccessful, and the high-priority lane was established at a time when many required urgent help and they were subject to proper processes.”

Ms Rayner’s attire wasn’t the only talk of jumpers in Parliament today.

A Cabinet Office minister suggested the “ambient” temperature in the House of Commons chamber should be looked at and that it would be better if MPs put on jumpers to keep warm.

Alex Burghart’s comments came as Conservative former minister Sir Desmond Swayne pressed him on the issue twice during Cabinet Office questions.

He reminded MPs there is a “war on” in Ukraine, and “part of our contribution should be a great national endeavour to cut our energy consumption”.

The Cabinet Office minister stressed there is a “communication programme planned” for this winter, adding: “But maybe we should be looking at the temperature in this House.

“Ambient though it is, wouldn’t it be better if we all had a chance to put on fresh jumpers to keep warm?”

Earlier, Sir Desmond told Mr Burghart that the German government limits temperatures in public buildings to 19C, adding: “Double and add 30 – that is a balmy 68 degrees (Fahrenheit) in English money.

“We could put on an extra layer and do a lot better, couldn’t we?”

Mr Burghart replied: “I feel that he could survive in sub-19 degrees without an extra layer, but he will know that the Health and Safety Executive issues advice on temperature in workplaces, and regulations suggest the minimum temperature for working indoors should be at least 16 degrees Centigrade, or 13 degrees where rigorous physical effort is required.

“So we have the flexibility to do that should we wish.”