Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reported to have paid more than £10,000 for a private return helicopter flight to Powys.

According to The Mirror, the Chancellor paid for the flight out of his own pocket ahead of a Welsh Conservative Party gala dinner in Newtown.

The Chancellor flew into Mid Wales Airport, Welshpool on Saturday (May 21) where he was welcomed by airport owner Linda Jones.

The flight to Powys was raised in Westminster on Wednesday (May 25) during discussions about whether Wales had a fair share of the multi-billion-pound HS2 high speed rail line project.

County Times: Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Welsh Conservative chairman Glyn Davies at the gala event in Newtown on Saturday, May 21. Picture by Phil Blagg PhotographyMontgomeryshire MP Craig Williams, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Welsh Conservative chairman Glyn Davies at the gala event in Newtown on Saturday, May 21. Picture by Phil Blagg Photography

 

During Wales Questions, Shadow Wales minister Gerald Jones asked the Wales Secretary when will the UK Government invest in Wales' railway infrastructure.

He said: “Wales has 11% of the UK railway infrastructure but in recent years only received 1% of the Government’s investment. If that wasn’t bad enough, classifying HS2 as an England and Wales project is denying Wales nearly £5 billion of investment.

“I know the Secretary of State doesn’t like us reminding the Welsh public about his Government short changing Wales. But now the leader of the Welsh Conservatives agrees with us, as does the Welsh affairs select committee.

“Perhaps if the Government had given Wales a fair settlement to upgrade its railways, the Chancellor wouldn’t have to fork out £10,000 for a helicopter to make a round trip from London to Powys.

"When is the Secretary of State going to use his position at the Cabinet table to ensure that his Government coughs up?”

Wales Secretary Simon Hart said Mr Jones had made “slightly trite comments”, adding: “I would have thought better of him had he avoided them.”

Mr Hart said the UK Government had invested £340 million in Wales’ rail infrastructure, adding: “I think that he underestimates and he undervalues the investments that we are already making.”

The Chancellor attended the party gala event at the Hafren in Newtown to give a keynote speech to the Welsh Conservatives, despite coming under heavy pressure following his first appearance in the Sunday Times' rich list.