Ministers' air miles banned
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SIR Robin Butler, the Cabinet Secretary, is to ban ministers from using their official travel to clock up 'air miles' for the purposes of discount schemes, writes Patricia Wynn Davies.
The schemes reward credit card charged travel with units giving discounts on future journeys, or even free trips.
Sir Robin is to send a memorandum questioning the system to all departmental permanent secretaries. The warning that collecting credits through official trips would be improper will rank as part of Questions of Procedure for Ministers, the ministerial behaviour code.
Ministers normally travel at the taxpayers' expense but there is potential for them to benefit from the schemes for personal purchases.
MPs with distant constituencies have been able to use their essential travel, paid for with House of Commons warrants, to clock up miles for future discounts.
Downing Street said there would be 'no objection to air miles being accrued in a way that benefits the taxpayer'.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments