The contract for a private helicopter that transported former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Southampton has been scrapped. 

The Labour government confirmed it would not be renewing the contract for a £40 million private helicopter used by the former Prime Minister on Tuesday (August 27). 

The aircraft transported Mr Sunak from London to Southampton in May 2023 to film interviews at his parent's old pharmacy in Bassett - a journey that takes an hour and 15 minutes by train. 

It was also used when he flew from London to Dover for a speech on small boat crossings - a journey of just over an hour by train. 

A Labour spokesperson said the Conservatives’ helicopter usage became “a symbol of their government: grossly wasteful, head in the clouds, and totally out of touch with the problems facing the rest of the country”.

They said: “Given the sacrifices the British people will have to make as a result of the last Government, it’s only right that this service is brought to an end.

“Our new Government is putting politics back in the service of working people and getting a grip of the public finances.

“It tells you everything that, on top of the £22 billion black hole that the Tories were blowing in the public finances, Rishi Sunak’s priority was keeping his VIP helicopter service.

“The Conservatives left behind an unforgivable inheritance. This is just one step towards showing the British people that with Labour, they have a Government that will deliver on our promise of change and fix the foundations of our economy.”

The contract was reviewed by Labour Defence Secretary John Healey, and it has been confirmed it will not be renewed at the end of this year.

During his time in No 10, Mr Sunak received backlash for using helicopters for journeys that critics said could have been taken by road or train.