# Burnham accused of using Government jet ‘like an Uber’ after flight from London to Caribbean diverts to pick him up in Manchester

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/burnham-accused-of-using-government-jet-like-an-uber-after-flight-from-london-to-caribbean-diverts-to-pick-him-up-in-manchester/
- Published: 2026-11-02T16:11:51+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T16:28:55+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16259363/Burnham-Government-jet-Uber-flight-London-Caribbean-Manchester.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Culture, Geopolitics, Government, Politics, Travel, World

## Key points

- Government jet diverted to Manchester to collect Burnham.
- Downing Street cited his official travel schedule.
- Tories claimed the detour could cost £20,000.

## Summary

A Government jet bound for Antigua diverted from London Stansted to Manchester to collect Andy Burnham and his wife, prompting Conservative criticism over the cost to taxpayers. The dispute matters because Burnham has championed a northern government base and the Government says ministerial travel should deliver value for money.

The plane left at about 6am, reached Manchester around half an hour later, waited for roughly an hour, then continued via Canada to refuel. Downing Street said the arrangements reflected the Prime Minister’s official work in Scotland and Manchester at the end of the previous week, and that costs would be published in the usual way. It did not address claims the diversion may have added £20,000; Conservative frontbencher Neil O’Brien accused Labour of hypocrisy over fuel use and green taxes.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.