Government's Expensive Practice: Moving Empty Red Despatch Boxes in Chauffeured Vehicles, Paid for by Taxpayers' Money
In the realm of government spending, one issue that continues to raise eyebrows is the cost of red despatch box journeys. These iconic boxes, famous for their appearances in TV shows and films like The Crown, have become a subject of criticism due to their perceived unnecessary expense in today's technology-focused world.
Recent data reveals that the average cost per journey for these empty chauffeur car trips is a hefty £169.82. An exclusive report from 2025 unveiled that officials booked 83 car journeys to transport documents using red despatch boxes across nine months, totalling approximately £14,000.
However, these figures only provide a partial snapshot of the overall spending on red despatch box movements. Comprehensive annual figures showing total government expenditure on these journeys each year since 2011 are not readily available in the public domain.
The practice of driving empty cars around in the name of paperwork has been criticised by politicians on all sides for many years. In 2009, David Cameron's Government pledged to cut the cost of red despatch box movements, but the cost remained high in 2011. The pledge to end red box car journeys, made by David Cameron before coming into power, did not stick.
The expense of red despatch box journeys is seen as an unnecessary one, with critics arguing that in an era of advanced technology, digital methods could be employed to transport official documents more efficiently and cost-effectively. Tom Riley, founder of Fast Charge, has criticised the red despatch box journeys, stating that it's astonishing that the government is burning cash on this practice at a time when the Chancellor is looking to balance Britain's books.
Moreover, the government's red despatch box movements have been criticised for adding to government-produced transport pollution. With the UK Government's recent pledge to make all central government cars and vans (except for the Prime Minister's gas-guzzling Range Rovers) zero emissions by the end of 2027, it seems that the red despatch boxes may not be part of this eco-friendly initiative.
Interestingly, the Daily Mail recently revealed that the Government has not met its own EV targets, despite pushing motorists towards electric cars by increasing taxes and running costs of hybrid, petrol, and diesel vehicles. This raises questions about the government's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable transport practices.
Despite the controversy surrounding red despatch box journeys, the Cabinet Office has stated that official documents will still need to be transported in the safest way possible in the interests of national security. This raises the question of whether there is a viable alternative to red despatch box journeys that balances security with cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
As the UK government continues to grapple with the issue of red despatch box journeys, it remains to be seen whether they will find a solution that addresses the concerns of cost, environmental impact, and national security. Chancellor Rachel Reeves' pledge to 'cut the costs of running the government by 15 per cent' may provide an opportunity for re-evaluating these controversial journeys.
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