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Bill for ministers' cars 'cut by 44%' under coalition | Bill for ministers' cars 'cut by 44%' under coalition |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The government says it has cut spending on ministerial cars by 44%. | The government says it has cut spending on ministerial cars by 44%. |
In 2009-10 - Labour's final year in office - £6.7m was spent on cars, but in 2010-11, when the coalition came to power, the figure was down to £3.8m. | In 2009-10 - Labour's final year in office - £6.7m was spent on cars, but in 2010-11, when the coalition came to power, the figure was down to £3.8m. |
The number of ministers with an allocated car and driver has been cut from 78 to 13, while non-cabinet ministers have access to a car pool. | |
Critics say the savings made on ministerial cars are being offset in other ways, such as higher taxi costs. | Critics say the savings made on ministerial cars are being offset in other ways, such as higher taxi costs. |
There have also been reports that large sums of money have been spent to pay off unwanted drivers. | There have also been reports that large sums of money have been spent to pay off unwanted drivers. |
David Cameron announced plans to shrink the bill for ministerial cars shortly after coming to office in May 2010. | David Cameron announced plans to shrink the bill for ministerial cars shortly after coming to office in May 2010. |
He said it was part of efforts to save money and restore trust in politics following the expenses scandal. | He said it was part of efforts to save money and restore trust in politics following the expenses scandal. |
Cabinet Office | Cabinet Office |
The latest figures for the Government Car and Despatch Agency - for the 2010-11 financial year - include £700,000 which fell under the previous Labour administration. | The latest figures for the Government Car and Despatch Agency - for the 2010-11 financial year - include £700,000 which fell under the previous Labour administration. |
It is understood they do not include the cost of cars for the prime minister and his Lib Dem deputy Nick Clegg. | It is understood they do not include the cost of cars for the prime minister and his Lib Dem deputy Nick Clegg. |
They show that no government department now has more than one full-time allocated car. | They show that no government department now has more than one full-time allocated car. |
No ministers at the Cabinet Office - responsible for supporting Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg - have dedicated vehicles, whereas before the general election, four did. | No ministers at the Cabinet Office - responsible for supporting Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg - have dedicated vehicles, whereas before the general election, four did. |
Ministers without their own cars can use pool vehicles for official business and travelling from home to the office "within reasonable distance of London". | Ministers without their own cars can use pool vehicles for official business and travelling from home to the office "within reasonable distance of London". |
All government members are encouraged to use public transport where possible. | All government members are encouraged to use public transport where possible. |
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "We have reduced the amount departments spend on the ministerial car service by nearly half compared to the year before. | A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "We have reduced the amount departments spend on the ministerial car service by nearly half compared to the year before. |
"We will continue to look at where we can make savings on ministerial cars, although ministers must use an official when they are working on classified papers." | "We will continue to look at where we can make savings on ministerial cars, although ministers must use an official when they are working on classified papers." |
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