Ed Miliband has been accused of hypocrisy following his decision not to disclose the quantity of flights he has taken within Britain since assuming his position in July 2024.
Opposition politicians have criticised the Net Zero Secretary for his alleged secrecy about his UK air travel, while also imposing substantial rises to aviation passenger charges.
The controversy emerged when a Conservative MP requested publication of Mr Miliband's domestic flight records since the previous election.
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Energy Minister Michael Shanks responded: "Details of internal domestic flights are not published."
The refusal has sparked particular criticism, given Mr Miliband's previous public statements opposing domestic aviation.
Shadow Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho condemned the lack of transparency as demonstrating "one rule for him and another for everyone else".
Ms Coutinho highlighted the contradiction between Mr Miliband's refusal to reveal taxpayer-funded flight information and his imposition of aviation taxes affecting ordinary families.
Coutinho said: "As Ed Miliband sticks a holiday tax of up to £400 on a family of four, it does seem the height of hypocrisy that he won't reveal his own flights, which are funded by the taxpayer."
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Ed Miliband faces accusations of hypocrisy following his decision not to disclose the quantity of flights he has taken within Britain since assuming his position in July 2024
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The East Surrey MP also emphasised that citizens deserve openness and equal treatment from their elected representatives, particularly regarding environmental policies.
However, the department maintains that withholding such information follows established precedent across Whitehall.
Officials noted that previous Governments, including Conservative administrations, avoided releasing detailed travel information about ministerial movements.
Despite this defence, recent data has revealed increased aviation expenditure within Mr Miliband's department compared to his Conservative predecessor's tenure.
Opposition politicians have criticised the Energy Secretary for his secrecy around UK air travel
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Between July and December, the department allocated £44,000 for domestic flights for ministers and staff members.
This figure exceeded the £40,000 spent during the initial six months of 2024 when Coutinho headed the department.
The spending increase also appears to contradict Labour's pre-election commitments to reduce ministerial jet usage.
The minister responsible for net zero policies has previously advocated for reduced aviation, telling the BBC in 2021 that domestic flights should be curtailed "as much as we possibly can".
Ed Miliband is a strong supporter of Britain's push for net-zero | GETTYHe emphasised the importance of providing citizens with alternative transport options during the environmental transition.
However, analysis by the Taxpayers' Alliance indicates Mr Miliband's international travel expenses reached £62,712 during his initial six months in office.
This represents a tenfold increase compared to Coutinho's expenditure of £6,155 during her equivalent period in the role.
The substantial rise in overseas travel costs has drawn criticism, given Labour's earlier pledges to limit ministerial jet usage.