Downing Road axes ‘grossly wasteful’ £40million VIP helicopter contract which jetsetting former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped in to forestall being scrapped final yr
Picture: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Keir Starmer has scrapped a “wasteful” £40million helicopter that was used to ferry Rishi Sunak to occasions.
Downing Road and the Ministry of Defence is not going to renew the contract for 2 plane after Mr Sunak was closely criticised for his use of choppers, manned by RAF personnel. A Labour supply described it because the “Tories’ VIP helicopter service” and mentioned it was a “grossly wasteful” image of the earlier Authorities.
The cash will as a substitute be directed again to the Ministry of Defence, the PM’s official spokesman mentioned. The helicopter-loving former PM stepped in final yr to forestall the contract being scrapped when it expired final September, it beforehand emerged.
The Labour supply mentioned: “It is solely proper that this service is dropped at an finish.” They added: “It tells you every little thing that, on prime of the £22billion black gap that the Tories have been blowing within the public funds, Rishi Sunak’s precedence was protecting his VIP helicopter service. The Conservatives left behind an unforgivable inheritance.”
Mr Sunak’s use of helicopters throughout his time in No10 sparked a wave of criticism. On one occassion final yr he flew lower than 60 miles to Clacton-on-Sea – a constituency the Tories have since misplaced to Nigel Farage.
Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps additionally got here below hearth over his use of the choppers after The Mirror revealed he’d been picked up from his house and flown to occasions. He was accused of utilizing the VIP chopper like “Britain’s costliest Uber”. Flight information present three events in January and February when he was collected from a subject close to his home.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman mentioned: “This authorities is dedicated to securing worth for cash for taxpayers. Meaning figuring out any areas the place we will cut back or enhance the worth of spending. The cash saved from cancelling this contract might be returned to the core MOD finances for simpler spending to help the strengthening of our Armed Forces.”
