During 2010-11 the cost of providing the service was £3.8 million, which included £700,000 spent before the coalition came to power. This figure is down by almost half from the previous financial year when £6.7 million was spent on the service, according to figures from the Department for Transport.

Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to reduce the cost of the ministerial car service with non-cabinet ministers using the car pool rather than having a dedicated car and driver.

The use of the car pool service is for official business and when travelling home from work, as long as this is a ‘reasonable distance of London’.

However, all government members are encouraged to use public transport where possible.