David Lammy spent eye-watering amount on private jets in three months (2025)

Foreign Secretary David Lammy (Image: Getty)

David Lammy spent an eye-watering £1 million on private jets in just three months despite Labour pledging to crack down on their use. The Foreign Secretary racked up a flight bill of £1.2 million between October and December 2024, with the majority going on private planes.

There is no suggestion that Mr Lammy's use of private jets is more than his predecessors. But it risks accusations of hypocrisy after Labour previously criticised the Tory government over the issue.

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised on October 2023 a “crackdown on Tory ministers’ private jet habit” if Labour came to power.

She said: “We will enforce the ministerial code on the use of private planes and save millions of pounds for taxpayers in the process.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner also lashed out at Liz Truss for using a private jet when she was foreign secretary.

Ms Rayner said it showed “exactly quite how little respect this Conservative government has for taxpayers’ money”.

Labour also branded Rishi Sunak "out of touch" for using private planes and helicopters when he was PM.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office 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.

“Ministerial travel plans are decided with consideration of the best use of a minister’s time and overhead costs, in line with established practice by successive governments. These costs are consistent with his predecessors in the previous government.

“This Foreign Secretary remains committed to ensuring the most cost-effective way of travel, delivering best value for money for the taxpayer.”