The Jag stays in the garage: UK austerity gov’t plans to curb the use of cars by ministers

UK austerity gov’t tells its ministers to walk

LONDON — Britain’s new austerity government is talking the talk about making ministers walk, but it’s balking at talking about just who is walking.

Prime Minister David Cameron is curbing the use of cars and drivers by government ministers, but it’s unclear who will still benefit and who will lose out in a highly symbolic gesture of government cost-cutting.

Cameron’s office said Tuesday that the prime minister will keep his official car and driver, but wouldn’t say who else would retain the privilege. Further questions were referred to the Cabinet Office, where a spokesman said the issue hadn’t been decided.

At Monday’s official briefing, Cameron’s spokesman also declined to say whether the prime minister would be subject to a general ban on first-class air travel.