Facts

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly chartered a VIP plane for an eight-day diplomatic trip around the Caribbean and Latin America. The Daily Mirror reported that the jet is understood to have cost £40 million.

The aircraft has been described by Business Insider as “one of the best luxury private jets money can buy” while Luxatic magazine described it as “the ultimate statement of wealth”.

Whilst the cost to the taxpayer has not been divulged, the Mirror reports that the jet is understood to cost around £12,000 per hour to charter, including fuel. 

In response to criticism, a Foreign Office spokesperson explained that “The Foreign Secretary’s job requires him to travel abroad to pursue UK interests” and that “this was the most time effective way to do this in this instance.” She finished by confirming that “value for money is taken into account in all travel decisions.”

Liz Truss amassed a travel bill of nearly £2 million during her final months as foreign secretary. This includes a £454,000 trip to Australia, a £229,000 trip to Washington DC, as well as a tour to Rwanda and Turkey that cost taxpayers just under £200,000.

Verdict

Reassuring to learn that value of money was taken into account when James Cleverly chartered his expensive plane.

We emailed the FCDO and the parliamentary offices of both Liz Truss and James Cleverly offering all parties the chance to respond. The email was received by all, but no reply.