London: The UK government has canceled a £40 million helicopter contract under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration. The contract, set for renewal, was scrapped by Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence, signaling a departure from previous government practices.
Sunak’s use of RAF jets and helicopters for domestic flights drew criticism, with a BBC investigation in 2023 revealing that he used these services more frequently than his three predecessors. The decision to cancel the contract comes ahead of a speech where Sunak will emphasize that it will not be “business as usual” when Parliament reconvenes next week.
A Labour source criticized the “Tories’ VIP helicopter service,” calling it a “grossly wasteful” symbol of a government “out of touch with the problems facing the rest of the country.” They added, “It’s only right that this service is brought to an end,” highlighting the government’s effort to manage public finances better. The source also noted that this decision reflects a shift in priorities from the previous administration’s handling of a £22 billion deficit.
During its time in opposition, Labour frequently attacked Sunak for his use of domestic flights. In response to questions about reducing such flights, Cabinet Office Minister Ellie Reeves stated that future travel plans would be made with the best use of a minister’s time and taxpayers’ interests in mind. Reeves also mentioned that using domestic flights allowed ministers to “visit more parts of the United Kingdom” and minimized the need for overnight stays.
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace accused the Labour government of “dishonesty,” claiming he had decided not to renew the helicopter contract “a year ago,” and it was “never going to happen.” However, the leader of the RAF squadron responsible for the helicopters stated that Wallace’s decision was later reversed under his successor, Grant Shapps, at Sunak’s request. An advertisement for a five-year renewal of the contract was live on the government website until it was replaced with a withdrawal notice about a month ago.
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