13 January 2023 , 14:07
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Rishi Sunak took a taxpayer funded private jet to Scotland to launch 'green' tax breaks.
The 888 mile round trip from London to Inverness on an RAF Falcon 900LX would have released around 4.2 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.
The PM would need to plant 25 trees to offset the CO2 released by the journey.
It comes after he urged other nations to stick to their climate commitments on a visit to the COP27 summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, in Egypt last year.
Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner said: "This Prime Minister is developing an expensive habit of swanning around on private jets courtesy of the taxpayer rather than getting a grip on the crisis the Tories have caused.
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"Rishi Sunak must explain why he saw fit to commandeer a prized plane described as critical to UK security.
"As well as making a mockery of his Government’s own ‘zero-jet strategy', it exposes a desperately out-of-touch Prime Minister leaving the public paying the price for his poor judgement and wasteful behaviour."
Mr Sunak and Michael Gove met with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during the trip, where he announced two 'green' freeports to be established in Inverness and Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth.
The 1 hour 40 minute flight would have released more than 4 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Tax breaks will be given to firms operating in the areas, which will focus on "renewables manufacturing, alternative fuels, carbon capture utilisation and storage and shipbuilding."
Mr Sunak chose to make the 1 hour 40 minute journey by private jet, rather than use cheaper and more eco-friendly commercial services or trains.
EasyJet operates two flights a day from Gatwick to Inverness with tickets costing £40-50.
Ms Rayner added: "While the Conservative Party spend taxpayers’ money with reckless abandon, Labour will treat it with the respect it deserves."
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said: “Less than a week after his last taxpayer-funded private jet around the UK, Rishi Sunak has proven once again just how out of touch he is.
“What does he have to say to all those commuters who didn't have the option to take a private jet to work when his Government failed to get the strikes called off?"
Last week he faced criticism for taking a 36-minute flight on the same luxury business jet from London to Leeds.
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A train from London to Leeds takes around 2 hours 15 minutes - with a day return in standard class available for around £100.
If the PM wanted to travel first class for the trip, it would set him back around £155.
The PM's Deputy spokesman said: “We always take decisions on the Prime Minister’s transportation with consideration for the best use of his time and the best use of taxpayer funding."