Jet-setting Keir Starmer’s trips around the world cost UK taxpayer ยฃ4m | Politics | News


Sir Keir Starmerโ€™s globetrotting has cost the taxpayer millions since entering Number 10, new figures show. The Labour government is spending a greater amount on foreign trips, with the Prime Ministerโ€™s 39 visits abroad since July 2024 costing more than ยฃ4 million.

The Labour leaderโ€™s frequent trips overseas have seen Tories dub him โ€˜Never Here Keirโ€™, while some of his backbenchers are said to have also been frustrated by the regularity of his visits overseas. Improving relations with other countries has been one of Sir Keirโ€™s foreign policy priorities since taking office, with his Brexit โ€˜resetโ€™ with the EU and a new trade deal with China two obvious examples. Sir Keirโ€™s most expensive quarter for travel came at the end of 2025, with eight trips costing up to ยฃ1.2 million.

The most pricey was his three-day visit to the COP climate conference in Brazil, along with 29 officials, which added up to ยฃ413,000, The Guardian reported.

A trade trip to India with 45 staff on a commercial plane cost ยฃ340,000, while ยฃ367,000 was spent on a trip to the G20 in Johannesburg, South Africa, with 30 staff on an RAF jet.

The figures were released in the Governmentโ€™s latest transparency publication.

Sir Keir is spending more on foreign trips than his predecessors Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson, although much of Mr Johnsonโ€™s premiership was marked by international travel bans due to the pandemic.

However, the Guardian reports Sir Tony Blair, David Cameron and Theresa made as many, if not more, trips abroad than Sir Keir during the first two years in Number 10.

A Government spokesperson said: โ€œAll PM travel is done with consideration to security requirements and value for taxpayers, and is central to rebuilding Britainโ€™s global influence and keeping people safe through stronger alliances.

โ€œThese trips have helped secure billions in investment for the UK and tens of thousands of jobs, while strengthening our security, protecting British interests overseas and delivering real benefits for people at home.โ€

Leave comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *.