THE Department for Communities and Local Government has defended spending more than £500,000 on cars for Secretary of State Eric Pickles.

The Brentwood and Ongar MP came under fire from Labour over the weekend for his department’s expenditure on limos, which it claimed amounted to £247,775 in 2012 and £185,935 in 2013, plus £103,091 in the first part of this year.

But the Department for Communities and Local Government has hit back, insisiting that it has cut the amount it spends on ministerial cars by two thirds.

A spokesman said: “Since the coalition Government came to office, the Department for Communities and Local Government has made substantial savings to the cost of ministerial cars.

"Instead of the six cars previously used, the department now maintains only two cars between six ministers. The reforms have cut the cost by two-thirds, from £488,276 a year in 2009-10 to an estimated £184,279 a year in 2013-14.

“The Government Car Service provides secure transport for ministers carrying sensitive and confidential Government documents. All travel arrangements are carried out in accordance with the Ministerial Code.”