Prudent Brown drops plans for 'Blair Force One'

The government has dropped plans to buy two private jets, branded "Blair Force One" and attacked as an "expensive status symbol" by critics.

The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed today that plans to purchase two private jets to fly the prime minister and royal family around the world have been shelved.

Instead MPs were told a smaller plane will be purchased by the royal household for flights in the UK.

Tony Blair put forward the plan for a private jet in 2006, when the project, modelled on the US president's Air Force One, was expected to cost £100 million.

But in a written statement the DfT said there had been "substantial increases in the cost of buying and operation commercial aircraft" since the idea was first floated.

The DfT was also mindful of the new ministerial code, introduced last summer, which states ministers should used schedule flights where possible.

Transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "I am today recommending that the needs of the users of this service can best be met through procuring a small aircraft for official travel within the UK, chartered air services for longer journeys involving small parties, and a continuation of existing arrangements with UK airlines for journeys involving large parties.

"This approach ensures better value for money for the taxpayer whilst also minimising the environmental impact of royal and ministerial air travel, producing an estimated ten per cent saving on CO2 emissions."

The Liberal Democrats said the decision was a welcome one from the government.

Transport spokesman Norman Baker said the plan had been an "expensive status symbol" and its cancellation could be a sign the government is "starting to reel in the worst of its excesses".