Labour repeatedly criticised Rishi Sunak for using taxpayer-funded helicopters when he was PM.
Labour has been branded “deeply hypocritical” after it emerged ministers will keep travelling by helicopter despite criticising the Tories for doing so.
Rishi Sunak was attacked by Sir Keir Starmer‘s party for using taxpayer-funded choppers to travel for work when he was PM.
Shortly after entering No 10, Sir Keir scrapped a £40million contract for what party sources branded a “VIP helicopter service”.
But it has emerged that Sir Keir’s Government will continue to allow senior ministers and officials to travel by helicoper.
Shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden told the Daily Mail: “This is deeply hypocritical given how much time Labour spent in opposition complaining about this.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer scrapped a £40m ‘VIP helicopter service’ contract (Image: Getty)
Rishi Sunak came under fire from Labour from using helicopters (Image: Getty)
“It is all the more galling after Labour hiked up Air Passenger Duty for everyone else at the Budget.”
In a parliamentary written question, 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 will end in December and the contract would not be renewed.
Mr Glen then asked if the PM, ministers and defence staff would instead use RAF and Royal Navy helicopters.
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.”
Mr Glen also 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.”
The Government declined to say if a new contract will be drawn up but said 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.”
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