From the newswires
The Government has shelved plans to buy two private jets to carry the Prime Minister and the Royal Family around the world.
The proposals were made by former premier Tony Blair and expected to cost the taxpayer as much as £100 million.
A decision to abandon plans for the jets - nicknamed "Blair Force One" - was disclosed in a written statement to MPs by the Department for Transport.
The Government is expected to buy a small plane for trips around the UK.
Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the department had worked closely with the Royal Household, No 10 and the Foreign Office to reach the decision.
He 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 10 per cent saving on O2 emissions."