The Ministry of Defence and Treasury are 'in discussions' over Hammond's unpaid flight bills
Senior ministers regularly use RAF planes for government visits, but the price is high
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Your support makes all the difference.The Ministry of Defence and the Treasury “in discussions” over Chancellor Philip Hammond’s reported unpaid bill for the use of military planes, Downing Street has confirmed.
On Wednesday, The Times reported that the Chancellor had been banned from using MoD planes until his department settles the bill for a recent flight.
The MoD was said to have told officials not to accept any more bookings from the Chancellor until the six-figure sum for flights with No 32 (The Royal Squadron) had been paid.
Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman told reporters: “My understanding is the Chancellor used a Government jet yesterday.
“I gather there is an administrative discussion going on. This matter is being resolved.”
A Downing Street source said the issue had not been raised with Number 10, but was “being sorted out between the two departments”.
The story has emerged weeks after staunch Theresa May ally Gavin Williamson has taken over as Secretary of State for Defence.
It is understood that Mr Hammond used BAe 146 jets and A109 helicopters to fly to more than 20 destinations this year on official business, including Manchester, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Aberdeen, Paris, Brussels and Frankfurt.
Senior government ministers often use military jets, but are encouraged to use cheaper commercial options where possible.
The Ministry of Defence and Treasury declined to comment on the report, which comes amid claims of differences between Mr Hammond and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson over possible cuts to military spending as part of a defence review.
A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “The Government’s problems and the Cabinet’s problems are multifarious.
“This is a Government in a shambles on both the most important issues facing the country and the more minor ones, and I would suggest that this is one of those.
“I’m sure we would be in favour of the Treasury paying its bill.”
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