Starmer cancels Sunak’s £40m helicopter contract

In a decisive move to signal a shift from previous practices, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has canceled a government helicopter contract estimated to be worth £40 million. This decision comes in response to widespread criticism of Sunak’s frequent use of helicopters and RAF jets for domestic travel during his tenure in No. 10.

The contract, which was set for renewal, has been scrapped by Downing Street in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. The cancellation is intended to demonstrate a break with past administration policies, ahead of a key speech by the prime minister, where he plans to emphasize that it will not be “business as usual” when Parliament reconvenes next week.

Sunak’s reliance on helicopters for domestic flights came under scrutiny after a BBC investigation in 2023 revealed that he used these modes of transport more frequently than the three prime ministers before him.

A Labour source criticized the contract as the “Tories’ VIP helicopter service,” calling it a “grossly wasteful” example of a government “out of touch” with the country’s challenges. The source added, “It’s only right that this service is brought to an end,” and praised the move as a step towards “getting a grip of the public finances.”

The cancellation also follows comments from Conservative MP John Glen, who last month questioned whether the Labour government planned to reduce the number of domestic flights taken by ministers. In response, Cabinet Office Minister Ellie Reeves did not commit to reducing the number but assured that travel plans would be made with consideration for the best use of a minister’s time and the interests of the taxpayer.

In a related development, the government has restarted the recruitment process for a new national security adviser. Sunak had appointed General Gwyn Jenkins to replace Sir Tim Barrow in the role, but Downing Street has now decided to cancel the appointment and begin the search anew.