₦airaland Forum

The prime minister has scrapped a government helicopter contract - thought to be worth £40m.

Rishi Sunak was criticised for his use of helicopters during his time in No 10.
The contract was set to be renewed, but is now being scrapped by Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence.

It is designed to illustrate a break with the previous administration - ahead of a speech in which the prime minister will argue things will not be "business as usual" when parliament returns next week.

Rishi Sunak used RAF jets and helicopters for domestic flights more frequently than the UK's previous three prime ministers, a BBC investigation found in 2023.

Speaking about 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, claiming that the government is "getting a grip of the public finances."

They said: "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 attacked Mr Sunak for his use of domestic flights.

Last month, Conservative MP John Glen asked the new Labour government if it was planning to reduce the number of domestic flights taken by minister.

In response Cabinet Office minster Ellie Reeves did not say if the number would be cut back 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”.

Using domestic flights allowed ministers to "visit more parts of the United Kingdom" and reduced the need for overnight accommodation, she added.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace accused the new Labour government of "dishonesty," adding that he had decided not to renew the contract "a year ago" and it was "never going to happen".

However, the leader of the RAF squadron that operates the helicopter has said Mr Wallace's decision was subsequently reversed under Mr Wallace's successor as defence secretary Grant Shapps, at the request of Mr Sunak.
An advert on the government website for a five-year renewal of the contract was live until around a month ago, at which point it was replaced with a withdrawal notice.

Meanwhile, the government has also restarted the recruitment process for a new national security adviser.

Rishi Sunak had appointed General Gwyn Jenkins to take up the role, replacing Sir Tim Barrow.

But it is understood Downing Street has now taken the decision to cancel the appointment and restart the process.
A source emphasised General Jenkins would still be able to apply.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7853gq38p1o

The British PM who controls a $3 trillion economy is cancelling a decision to be flown about on a chopper while Tinubu that controls a $300 billion economy is acquiring a private jet worth billions of naira. The black man is senselessly and irredeemably wasteful!

SmartPolician:
The British PM who controls a $3 trillion economy is cancelling a decision to be flown about in a chopper [/b]

The Sunak that has being flying that around, is he Nigerian too?

Or wasnt he the immediate past PM of the UK?

Why did u not say anything about him?

Was he black too?


We no fit read news as neutrals again for Nairaland, dem go twist and turn the whole thing to fit Nigeria in

SmartPolician:
The British PM who controls a $3 trillion economy is cancelling a decision to be flown about in a chopper while Tinubu that controls a $3 billion economy is acquiring a private jet worth billions of naira. The black man is senselessly and irredeemably wasteful!

Very wasteful and unproductive at the same time

CyrusVI:
The Sunak that has being flowing that around, is he Nigerian too?

Or wasnt he the immediate past PM of the UK?

No be only "flowing around"...na "flewing around". What is Nigeria's economy compared to the UK's?
Yet you're spending 100 times more than them on luxuries....dey play. This lesson go too long 🤣🤣🤣

ClearFlair:
Very wasteful and unproductive at the same time

You attacked a whole race just because of what one of them did?

Burkina Faso youth president that you guys have been praising since, he also cut cost, why didnt you use him as the basis for your fallacy of hasty generalization?

All these Unizik and UNN alumni with terrible judgement of logical argument sef

Una just dey make the whole place sour

ClearFlair:
No be only "flowing around"...na "flewing around". What is Nigeria's economy compared to the UK's?
Yet you're spending 100 times more than them on luxuries....dey play. This lesson go too long 🤣🤣🤣

Thats where the fallacy comes in

His argument is about the black man and his knack for wastefulness

Then i had to reference Sunak. No dey shift goalpost.