Rishi Sunak has been criticised for using a jet to travel to Blackpool as he opts for flights around Britain rather than trains. The Prime Minister took an RAF jet from Northolt to Blackpool as he carried out a series of visits in northern England linked to an announcement on new levelling up funding.
Labour accused Mr Sunak of "jetting around the country on taxpayers' money like an A-list celeb" and making a "mockery" of his environmental strategy after the 41-minute flight on Thursday. A train journey from London Euston to Blackpool takes less than three hours, with a single fare coming in at £73.40, or £189.80 to travel during peak hours. First class could cost £257. Disruption and delays hit earlier services on Thursday.
Tory MP Mark Jenkinson defended Mr Sunak's jet use saying "he's the Prime Minister, multiple train changes with a security detail and unreliable" Avanti West Coast trains "would be madness". Last week, Downing Street defended Mr Sunak flying to Leeds because there is a "great deal of pressure" on his schedule. He went on to take an RAF plane to Scotland as he announced two new "green" freeports.
