Sir Keir Starmer has been labelled “deeply hypocritical” after it was revealed that Labour Ministers will keep travelling by helicopter despite the Prime Minister branding Rishi Sunak “out of touch” for doing so.
During the 2024 General Election campaign, Starmer regularly took swipes at Rishi Sunak over using taxpayer-funded choppers to travel the country and the Prime Minister cancelled a £40million contract after entering No10.
However, Starmer will continue to allow senior Ministers and officials to travel by helicopter.
Responding to queries from ex-Paymaster General John Glen, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said: “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.”
She added: “No. Routine helicopter transport will be sourced through the Ministerial Transport Office, not from Military helicopters.”
Shadow Paymaster General Richard Holden told The Daily 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.”
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Labour confirms plans to overhaul UK electric vehicle mandate as minister admits targets ‘not working’
The UK’s electric vehicle plans are not working as intended, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds admitted at an annual meeting on Tuesday night.
Speaking to car manufacturers at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) annual dinner, Reynolds said he was “profoundly concerned” about how the Zero Emissions Mandate meant to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicles were operating.
The announcement coincided with car maker Vauxhall revealing plans to shut its Luton van-making plant, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, citing the UK’s stringent zero-emission vehicle mandate as a key factor.
Reynolds told the SMMT he would launch a fast-track consultation on changes to the zero-emission vehicle mandate, promising clarity within weeks.
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Winter Fuel Payment axe leaves vulnerable pensioners TERRIFIED of heating their homes
Pensioners have said they will be forced to choose between having hot meals and heating their homes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel allowance would be limited, a new survey has revealed.
The impact on vulnerable elderly people is stark, with more than half saying they would need to reduce their heating use at home.
More than three-quarters of pensioners spent their winter fuel payments on essential energy costs last year, according to Age UK, as the Government moves to restrict the vital support to only those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.
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Three ex-Tory PMs oppose Assisted Dying Bill
Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss
PA
Former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Theresa May and Liz Truss have all voiced opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill.
Baroness May, who opposed similar legislation in 2015, is expected to vote against the bill when it reaches the House of Lords.
Truss also told The Telegraph: “It is wrong in principle: organs of the state like the NHS and the judicial system should be protecting lives, not ending them.
“No doubt, as we have seen in Canada, vulnerable people would be put under appalling pressure to end their lives early.
“The law would be ripe for being exploited by the unscrupulous. MPs should vote this terrible Bill down and instead focus on improving health services.”
The Telegraph also claimed that Johnson is not prepared to support the proposed legislation as it currently stands.
