Foreign Secretary David Lammy has come under fire after it was revealed he spent a staggering £1.2 million on flights in just three months – with most of that going on private jets. The hefty bill, racked up between October and December 2024, has raised eyebrows not just for the cost, but because it clashes with Labour’s own promises to curb the use of private planes by ministers.
While there’s no suggestion Lammy has gone further than those before him, the timing has drawn criticism. Especially since Labour has repeatedly slammed the Tories for doing the same thing, reported the Express.
Back in October 2023, Chancellor Rachel Reeves made it clear that Labour would crack down on what she called the Conservatives’ “private jet habit.” She vowed to tighten the rules under the ministerial code and “save millions of pounds for taxpayers.”
Deputy PM Angela Rayner also took a swipe at former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for opting for a private jet, accusing her of showing “quite how little respect this Conservative government has for taxpayers’ money.” And Labour didn’t hold back when Rishi Sunak used private jets and helicopters during his time as PM, branding him “out of touch.”
Now that the spotlight has turned to Lammy, questions are being asked about whether Labour is sticking to its own message. Critics say it’s a tough look for a party that promised to do things differently.
The Foreign Office has come to Lammy’s defence, saying his travel was necessary given the level of global unrest. A spokesperson said: “At a time of significant global upheaval, it is vital that the Foreign Secretary can travel abroad – often at very short notice – to defend and champion the UK’s interests.”
They added that all ministerial travel is planned with value for money in mind and that the current costs are in line with previous governments. “This Foreign Secretary remains committed to ensuring the most cost-effective way of travel, delivering best value for money for the taxpayer,” the spokesperson said.
But that hasn’t stopped the backlash, with many pointing out the awkward contrast between what Labour said in opposition and what’s happening in government.
For now, it’s a sharp reminder that promises made on the campaign trail often come back under the microscope — especially when big spending is involved and private jets are part of the picture.
