Fury as Labour ministers will keep travelling by helicopter – despite previously branding the Tories ‘out of touch’ for doing so_Nhy
Labour ministers will keep travelling by helicopter despite previously branding the Tories ‘out of touch’ for doing so.
Before the election, Rishi Sunak was regularly attacked by the then opposition for using taxpayer-funded choppers to fly around the country.
And soon after becoming Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer cancelled a £40million contract for what party sources branded his predecessor’s ‘grossly wasteful’ ‘VIP helicopter service’.
But it can be revealed today that Sir Keir’s Government plans to continue to allow his senior ministers and officials to travel by helicopter.
The PM – dubbed Never Here Keir for his globetrotting – has already come under fire for taking more than a dozen flights by RAF jet since entering No 10, as well as increasing taxes on air fares.
Last night Shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden told the Mail: ‘This is deeply hypocritical given how much time Labour spent in opposition complaining about this.
‘It is all the more galling after Labour hiked up Air Passenger Duty for everyone else at the Budget.’
Details of the U-turn have emerged in ministers’ answers to Parliamentary questions tabled by the Conservatives.
Before the election, Keir Starmer cancelled a £40million contract for what party sources branded his predecessor’s ‘grossly wasteful’ ‘VIP helicopter service’
Before the election, Rishi Sunak was regularly attacked by the then opposition for his choice of travels
Former prime minister Boris Johnson flying over London his way back from visiting the New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot
Senior Tory John Glen asked if the existing Rotary Wing Command Support Air Transport Helicopter Service would be renewed.
He was told that the current service, provided by Northamptonshire-based Sloane Helicopters but staffed by military aircrew, will end in December and the contract will not be renewed, freeing up £40m for the Ministry of Defence budget.
Mr Glen then asked, in light of the cancellation, if the PM, ministers and defence staff would be permitted to use RAF and Royal Navy helicopters instead.
He was told by Defence Minister Maria Eagle: ‘An alternative framework for VIP air transport and military command support air transport is being considered.
‘The review will explore means of delivery and consider cost-effectiveness while ensuring the important military command function can be met appropriately.’
And when Mr Glen asked if the PM plans to use armed forces’ helicopters for official travel from next year, he was told by Ms Eagle: ‘No. Routine helicopter transport will be sourced through the Ministerial Transport Office, not from Military helicopters.’
Last night the Government declined to say if a new contract will be drawn up but insisted any future arrangements will be far cheaper than the Tories’.
A source said: ‘Anything we do will be in line with the Ministerial Code. The PM clearly has a very different approach to Rishi Sunak.’
