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 06 July 2008 00:52 BST

"Blair Force One" plans shelved, government confirms

Wednesday, 26 Mar 2008 17:18
No "Blair Force One" for Gordon Brown
Plans to buy two private jets to transport the prime minister and the royal family have been shelved by the government.

The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed today that the blueprints, dubbed "Blair Force One" by critics, had been dropped.

Instead MPs were told a smaller plane will be purchased by the royal household for flights in the UK.

Tony Blair put forward the plan for a private jet in 2006, when the project, modelled on the US president's Air Force One, was expected to cost £100 million.

But in a written statement the DfT said there had been "substantial increases in the cost of buying and operation commercial aircraft" since the idea was first floated.

The DfT was also mindful of the new ministerial code, introduced last summer, which states ministers should used schedule flights where possible.

Transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "I am today recommending that the needs of the users of this service can best be met through procuring a small aircraft for official travel within the UK, chartered air services for longer journeys involving small parties, and a continuation of existing arrangements with UK airlines for journeys involving large parties.

"This approach ensures better value for money for the taxpayer whilst also minimising the environmental impact of royal and ministerial air travel, producing an estimated ten per cent saving on CO2 emissions."

The Liberal Democrats said the decision was a welcome one from the government.

Transport spokesman Norman Baker said the plan had been an "expensive status symbol" and its cancellation could be a sign the government is "starting to reel in the worst of its excesses".End of story


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