Labor is launching a campaign accusing ministers and officials of spending taxpayer-funded credit cards on luxury travel and hotels, claiming they are using public money “like an ATM”.
In an effort to further damage the Tory Party’s credibility as sound stewards of public finances, Keir Starmer’s party is deploying a social media blitz to publicize five-star hotel visits by the likes of Rishi Sunak and new Tory chairman Greg Hands. to bring attention.
However, a senior Tory source said information about the use of government procurement maps (GPCs) was already in the public domain, with the Tory-led government introducing transparency about its use in 2011. hotel stay Labor thought it suitable for government officials and guests.
Labor will publish its dossier of findings on Monday and on a dedicated website, www.theGPCfiles.com. It says that Sunak was staying at the five-star Danieli Hotel in Venice when he attended the July 2021 G20 meeting of finance ministers as chancellor, with more than £4,500 spent on accommodation for Sunak and his aides.
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Hands is also chosen to stay for two nights at the £318-a-night five-star Grand Hotel Petersberg in Koenigswinter, Germany, to attend a private meeting of European policymakers. Alok Sharma is listed as staying in a series of five-star hotels in Berlin, Saigon, Tianjin and twice in Seoul – at a cost of up to £255 per night – during the 66 trips he made as Cop26 president. Labor said it cost at least £220,817 for its travel and hotels.
Under Sunak, the Treasury also hired a £3,600 driver service for ministers and officials visiting Cop26 in November 2021. The same driver service was hired by Nadhim Zahawi’s department for £1,040 on his own journey to Cop26.
Former minister Nigel Adams was set to spend £9,289 on a visit to Japan in July 2022 to “reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the Osaka Expo”, which takes place in 2025. Adams announced he would be leaving government for five and a half weeks after the trip. Labor said a belated request for an International Trade Department official to accompany him added an additional £8,110 flight to the cost of the trip.
In 2012, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticized the use of five-star hotels and expensive transportation costs. Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labor Party, said: “As Conservative ministers are once again reaching into taxpayers’ pockets to dine out on a luxurious five-star lifestyle, families across the country are concerned about whether their paychecks will relate to the weekly shop. Instead of actually ruling, the Conservative ministers live the life of luxury and treat the taxpayer like an ATM.”