Labour ministers to fly by helicopter despite previous criticism of Tories
- Labour ministers intend to continue the use of helicopter travel for official duties despite previous opposition to such practices by the Tories.
- Keir Starmer has faced criticism for using RAF jets while imposing increased taxes on air travel.
- These developments have raised concerns about the party's commitment to fiscal responsibility and consistency in policy.
In the UK, Labour ministers have decided to continue using helicopters for travel, reversing their previous stance against such practices by the Conservative Party. This decision comes after Keir Starmer took office and terminated a costly helicopter service contract valued at £40 million, which was labeled as wasteful by his party's sources. Furthermore, since becoming Prime Minister, Starmer has faced backlash for taking multiple flights via RAF jet while simultaneously increasing air travel taxes for the public. The official responses to parliamentary questions revealed a lack of plans to renew the previous helicopter service, which is set to end in December. However, airline services for ministers and defense personnel will still be accessible through alternative measures, indicating a significant shift in the government's approach to air transport procurement. The shadow government's Financial Minister criticized this reversal as hypocritical, especially following the increase in Air Passenger Duty during the recent budget, hinting at a growing discontent among the opposition regarding Labour's current policies.