MoD bans Philip Hammond from using its planes

[ORAC]

MoD bans Philip Hammond from using its planes -Row with chancellor escalates over unpaid bill (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mod-bans-philip-hammond-from-using-its-planes-w8b6x96hn)

The chancellor has been banned from using a fleet of RAF jets and helicopters until the Treasury settles a bill with the Ministry of Defence, The Times has learnt, amid a growing spat between two cabinet ministers. Philip Hammond’s department is said to owe a six-figure sum for past flights with No 32 (The Royal) Squadron. An order has been issued to officials who take VIP bookings for the aircraft not to accept any more requests from the chancellor until he pays up, according to a defence source......

The Times understands that the chancellor used BAe 146 jets, which also transport the royal family, and A109 helicopters to fly to more than 20 destinations this year on official business, including Manchester, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Aberdeen, Paris, Brussels and Frankfurt — all accessible by train or budget airline. The MoD billed the Treasury for the cost of the trips on the jets — which offer a first-class service, alcoholic drinks and three-course meals — and the helicopters but there was pushback. The prime minister, foreign secretary and Brexit secretary also have permission to use the fleet, which operates out of RAF Northolt, west London. All are understood to have covered their costs.

Defence sources expressed anger at the Treasury. “At the same time as claiming our brave armed forces don’t need any more money and that the army only needs 50,000 troops, it is a huge double standard to willingly use the armed forces’ facilities at the same time as refusing to pay for them,” one said.

The chancellor used an RAF aircraft yesterday and is expected to be able to use one on Friday if a trip to Europe goes ahead. After this his travel is expected to be curtailed unless the Treasury pays up. “The bill is a six-figure sum,” a source said. “At the moment he is banned from using the flights until he pays for it. It is like getting an Uber [taxi] account, if you don’t pay . . .”

It is understood that the Treasury is preparing to pay the bill, which stretches from at least last year, imminently. Administrative delays in the Treasury and MoD have been blamed for the delay, with both having other priorities......

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Technical problems delayed Mr Hammond’s flight to tamed a finance minister meeting this morning. How... convenient given he referred to the Defence Minister as being like Pike from dads army in the Sunday press, whilst opining that the army could be shrunk to 50,000 and owing a year of unpaid bills for staff travel by the Treasury on MoD Air transport.

WWW

[reds & greens]

Technical problems delayed Mr Hammond’s flight to tamed a finance minister meeting this morning. How... convenient given he referred to the Defence Minister as being like Pike from dads army in the Sunday press, whilst opining that the army could be shrunk to 50,000 and owing a year of unpaid bills for staff travel by the Treasury on MoD Air transport.

WWW

Ah, the good old days, when the techies had the ability and foresight to ground the Sqn Tawt.

[jindabyne]

Silly 'story'. 32 exists for these purposes.

[clareprop]

If the MoD can 'ban' a government minister from..well, anything, I think I'll start get worried.

[Alber Ratman]

Beagle? No injects on this one?

[ETOPS]

Hammond will be offered this "ride" until he pays up....

https://tasreports.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/za947-bbmf-dakota-w1.jpg

[orgASMic]

Silly 'story'. 32 exists for these purposes.

Indeed it does, but other Government departments must pay for its services if they want to use them.

[Melchett01]

Reminds me of that old joke ‘What’s the difference between a terrorist and the Treasury? You can negotiate with the terrorist’

[Tankertrashnav]

MoD bans Philip Hammond from using its planes

I didn't know Phillip Hammond was interested in carpentry. If he is, he should buy his own planes and not expect to use any owned by the MOD.

This forum is called Military Aviation - planes indeed! :=

[Heathrow Harry]

The MOD doesn't own them - the State owns them (and the taxpayer pays for them)

How they are used is, at the end of the day, always a political decision

[Juan Tugoh]

The MOD doesn't own them - the State owns them (and the taxpayer pays for them)

How they are used is, at the end of the day, always a political decision

And yet faced with the loss of their perks, the treasury has paid the bill. It’s funny how self interest incentivised the civil servants to pay up.

[sharpend]

When I flew VVIP, the only people entitled were HM The Queen, Prince Charles, the PM and the Foreign Secretary. The Defence Secretary was allowed by 'Grace & Favour', but was not entitled. All passengers paid.

[jindabyne]

Very well said TankerT.

Most nights in the pub, I remind those present about planes and aircraft/aeroplanes. We'll be flamed though! Or BEagled

[Herod]

I had an email last night referring to "airplanes". Darn American spellchecker. I of course replied that it is "aeroplane, aircraft or aerodyne"

[TBM-Legend]

air-vehicle perhaps chaps!

[Philoctetes]

Hammond will be offered this "ride" until he pays up....

https://tasreports.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/za947-bbmf-dakota-w1.jpg
When can I apply to be Chancellor!

[BEagle]

jindabyne wrote:Most nights in the pub, I remind those present about planes and aircraft/aeroplanes. We'll be flamed though! Or BEagled

Back when you were charging around the desert in your Hunter, jindabyne, I was a UAS student. At White Waltham one day, one of my fellow students referred to the Chipmunk as a 'plane', to which one of the QFIs did rather a good impression of Bader, stumping over to him to announce "Never, never, never call it a 'plane'...!". Then he looked out of the window and continued"..and if you don't believe me, you can always ask him!"

'Him' was DB himself, dismounting from his twin Beech!

[Basil]

Recollect operating with a group of gentlemen whose misguided mantra was: "Bring back the Dak!"
You know who you are ;)

[Basil]

jindabyne wrote:

Back when you were charging around the desert in your Hunter, jindabyne, I was a UAS student. At White Waltham on day, one of my fellow students referred to the Chipmunk as a 'plane', to which one of the QFIs did rather a good impression of Bader, stumping over to him to announce "Never, never, never call it a 'plane'...!". Then he looked out of the window and continued"..and if you don't believe me, you can always ask him!"

'Him' was DB himself, dismounting from his twin Beech!
Another recollect (being old is irritating - yes, I know, also for the reader).
SEP session and a stewardess referred to the 'back wings'.
When we can refer to 'mainplane' and 'tailplane' then, perhaps, she had a point.
We didn't go into which way the back wings 'lift'. :)

[Trim Stab]

MoD bans Philip Hammond from using its planes -Row with chancellor escalates over unpaid bill (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mod-bans-philip-hammond-from-using-its-planes-w8b6x96hn)

The chancellor has been banned from using a fleet of RAF jets and helicopters until the Treasury settles a bill with the Ministry of Defence, The Times has learnt, amid a growing spat between two cabinet ministers. Philip Hammond’s department is said to owe a six-figure sum for past flights with No 32 (The Royal) Squadron. An order has been issued to officials who take VIP bookings for the aircraft not to accept any more requests from the chancellor until he pays up, according to a defence source......

The Times understands that the chancellor used BAe 146 jets, which also transport the royal family, and A109 helicopters to fly to more than 20 destinations this year on official business, including Manchester, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Aberdeen, Paris, Brussels and Frankfurt — all accessible by train or budget airline. The MoD billed the Treasury for the cost of the trips on the jets — which offer a first-class service, alcoholic drinks and three-course meals — and the helicopters but there was pushback. The prime minister, foreign secretary and Brexit secretary also have permission to use the fleet, which operates out of RAF Northolt, west London. All are understood to have covered their costs.

Defence sources expressed anger at the Treasury. “At the same time as claiming our brave armed forces don’t need any more money and that the army only needs 50,000 troops, it is a huge double standard to willingly use the armed forces’ facilities at the same time as refusing to pay for them,” one said.

The chancellor used an RAF aircraft yesterday and is expected to be able to use one on Friday if a trip to Europe goes ahead. After this his travel is expected to be curtailed unless the Treasury pays up. “The bill is a six-figure sum,” a source said. “At the moment he is banned from using the flights until he pays for it. It is like getting an Uber [taxi] account, if you don’t pay . . .”

It is understood that the Treasury is preparing to pay the bill, which stretches from at least last year, imminently. Administrative delays in the Treasury and MoD have been blamed for the delay, with both having other priorities......

Apparently Hammond and Gavin Williams had a stand up shouting row at last cabinet meeting...

[Heathrow Harry]

Never thought Hammond had enough blood in his veins to getmore than "slightly annoyed"

[Melchett01]

Never thought Hammond had enough blood in his veins to getmore than "slightly annoyed"

He doesn’t. Have you ever seen his reflection in a mirror ....?

[DODGYOLDFART]

According to the Sunday Times of today, Hammond has paid the bill and got a reprieve. Whether or not he will get to ride in the rather nice QF aircraft or not is another matter.:rolleyes:

[Heathrow Harry]

I don't think HE paid the bill.....

A friend comes across him regularly in his constituency and says he's clearly competent but totally unlovable

[taildragger123]

Hammond paid? No the tax payer paid. There is only one pair of trousers in this story, and they belong to us, the dosh was just transfered to a different pocket. There is now't easier than spending someone elses money.