Every member of the Cabinet offered a gas-guzzling Jaguar worth £50,000
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Every Cabinet minister is to be offered a brand new Jaguar XJ limousine worth at least £50,000.
The upgrade is being justified on security grounds, but was attacked by Conservative Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling last night as "the act of a government that has been in power too long".
Currently only the most senior ministers such as John Prescott are entitled to a Jaguar model as their official car. The rest make do with much cheaper Vauxhalls and Rovers.
But details of an overhaul of the ministerial fleet prompted by the demise of the Rover marque emerged in a report in The Mail on Sunday. The newspaper reported a Department for Transport spokesman saying: "The cars available to ministers have been subject to review by the Government Car and Dispatch Agency because current cars are no longer in production.
"In future all Cabinet ministers will be given the choice of a British-built biodiesel Jaguar or a hybrid vehicle. Because of security considerations there has to be an option for a more powerful car than a hybrid."
Although the new Jags are the "greenest" in their class they cannot compete with the hybrid model being offered, the Toyota Prius, for environmental impact.
The Jaguar V6 Diesel has a top speed of 141mph but it does only 35 miles to the gallon. Cabinet ministers with an eye to their green credentials may opt instead for the Prius, less than half the price, with a top speed of just 106mph but an impressive 65mpg.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments