UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cancels Rishi Sunak's £40M helicopter contract

Rishi Sunak used RAF jets and helicopters for domestic flights more often than the previous three UK prime ministers.

The prime minister has cancelled a government helicopter contract that was believed to be worth £40m.

Rishi Sunak faced criticism for his use of helicopters during his tenure in No 10.

The contract was set to be renewed but has now been cancelled by Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence.

This move is intended to signal a departure from the previous administration ahead of a speech in which the prime minister will argue that things will not be "business as usual" when parliament resumes next week.

A BBC investigation in 2023 found that Rishi Sunak used RAF jets and helicopters for domestic flights more frequently than the last three UK prime ministers.

Commenting on the cancellation, a Labour source said that the "Tories' VIP helicopter service" was a "grossly wasteful" symbol of their government that was "totally out of touch with the problems facing the rest of the country."

"It's only right that this service is brought to an end," the source added, asserting that the government is "getting a grip of the public finances."

The source continued, "It tells you everything that, on top of the £22 billion black hole that the Tories were blowing in the public finances, Rishi Sunak's priority was keeping his VIP helicopter service."

While in opposition, Labour frequently criticised Mr Sunak for his use of domestic flights.

Last month, Conservative MP John Glen asked the new Labour government whether it planned to reduce the number of domestic flights taken by ministers.

In response, Cabinet Office Minister Ellie Reeves did not specify whether the number would be reduced but said travel plans would be “decided with consideration of the best use of a minister’s time and in the interests of the taxpayer.”

She added that using domestic flights allowed ministers to "visit more parts of the United Kingdom" and reduced the need for overnight accommodation.