Rishi Sunak has flown to Southampton from London and back in a helicopter, a journey that would take just over an hour and a quarter on a train.

The prime minister used the brief trip today to visit a pharmacy and promote one of his health policies, before seeing his family in the city where he grew up.

Downing Street confirmed the flight was funded by the taxpayer, and said it was justifiable as it made the best use of his busy schedule.

An off-peak return between Waterloo and Southampton Central costs around £53.

The PM’s official spokesman said: ‘As you know, his transport will vary depending on his time, where he’s going to make best use of both his time and an interest of the taxpayer.

‘Obviously there’s a lot of pressure on his time and he wants to make the most effective use of that time, so sometimes being able to get to and from places quickly is the best use of his time.’

Two Range Rovers picked up the prime minister after he got his blood pressure checked at the pharmacy, where he promoted his policy of allowing chemists to prescribe medications for seven common ailments in a bid to free up GP appointments.

He has previously been criticised for taking a private jet to travel between Blackpool and Doncaster – a trip of less than half an hour.

Critics said the journeys made a mockery of his government’s ‘Jet Zero strategy’ pledge to cut pollution from flights and help achieve net zero emissions in the UK by 2050.

Labour has accused the PM of ‘jetting around the country on taxpayers’ money like an A-list celeb’.

Liberal Democrat climate change and transport spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse said: ‘Being the prime minister is not an excuse to use a private helicopter whenever you want.

‘No politician should be above using public transport to get around the country – especially for a journey that would take little more than an hour.

‘Rishi Sunak has seemingly abandoned the Government’s environmental responsibilities while throwing taxpayer money away so he can travel in luxury. This is just another example of him being wildly out of touch with the British people.’

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