Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting criticism after official figures revealed that more than £60,000 of public money was spent on a private jet trip for him to attend the Women’s European Championship final in Switzerland.
The Prime Minister travelled from London to Zurich in July aboard the Government’s Airbus A321 rather than using a commercial airline, enabling him to arrive in time for England’s clash with Spain in the Euros final. According to the telegraph, the one-night trip cost £60,130, a figure that includes flights, accommodation and associated expenses.
Sir Keir was accompanied by his wife, Lady Starmer, as well as 10 officials from Downing Street. The size of the delegation and the cost of the journey have fuelled accusations of excessive spending at a time when many households continue to grapple with high living costs.
The controversy has been sharpened by comments previously made by senior Labour figures while in opposition. Rachel Reeves, now Chancellor of the Exchequer, had pledged to restrict the use of government aircraft in order to “save millions of pounds for taxpayers”, a commitment critics say now sits uneasily with the Prime Minister’s travel arrangements.
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Opposition figures were quick to condemn the decision. Mike Wood, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, accused Sir Keir of being out of touch with public concerns. “While families are tightening their belts, taxpayers are being asked to foot a £60,000 bill for a one-night football trip on the government jet,” he said. “This kind of jet-setting reinforces why people are switching off from the Prime Minister.”
Wood also suggested the trip added to growing criticism over Sir Keir’s travel schedule, noting that he has faced repeated questions about the frequency of his foreign visits since taking office. The Prime Minister has also drawn scrutiny for accepting complimentary tickets to Premier League matches from Arsenal, prompting wider debate about propriety and public trust.
Downing Street has rejected claims that the trip was inappropriate. A No 10 spokesman said the Prime Minister’s attendance at the final was justified, describing the Lionesses’ victory as a moment of national significance. “This was a very important moment for the country,” the spokesman said. “The team’s success was not only a remarkable sporting achievement but an inspiration to young people across the UK. It was right that the Prime Minister was there to witness this historic win.”
Flight records show that Sir Keir landed in Zurich at 2.18pm on the day of the match, less than an hour before the next scheduled Swiss Air flight and fewer than two hours after an earlier British Airways service. Critics have argued that these timings raise questions about whether a commercial flight could have been used instead.
The Prime Minister was later photographed in the stands alongside the Prince of Wales and Princess Charlotte as England defeated Spain on penalties to lift the trophy for the second consecutive time.
As pressure mounts, the episode has reignited broader questions about government spending, accountability and the use of official resources, particularly at a time when ministers have repeatedly urged restraint and fiscal responsibility across the public sector.
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