SUNAK CRITICISED FOR SPENDING THOUSANDS ON HELICOPTER TRIPS SINCE BECOMING PM

Mon 06 February 2023:

The Guardian reported that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s trip to his constituency in North Yorkshire cost thousands of pounds, amid criticism over his use of taxpayer-funded private jets to travel around the country as the premier.

Sunak, according to the newspaper, used private helicopters from London on dates in November and December, which cost around £16,000. The trips are said to have been privately funded.

No. 10 responded to the report by clarifying that the prime minister paid for all of his own travel. “We don’t comment on the prime minister’s travel,” a spokesperson said.

Sunak’s trip has sparked outrage in the British media, with many pointing out that a train ride from London to Northallerton, a town near Sunak’s constituency home, costs far less than the fee he paid.

For example, a train journey covering 200 miles, which takes about two hours and 15 minutes, would cost about £87.

According to the aircraft purchasing advisers Conklin and de Decker, hiring the jet would cost more than £2,500 an hour on the commercial market,

Another factor that has ticked off the local media is the use of private jets. They have argued that the PM’s use of private jets to visit his constituency has contributed to carbon emissions. Questions are now being raised over his commitment to climate change.

In order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the government has pledged to reduce carbon emissions. Part of that includes reducing emissions from the domestic aviation market as part of a program called “jet zero,” which aims to reduce the 7% of emissions from the aviation sector, according to the Guardian.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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