A minister has admitted flying to Manchester by helicopter... for a visit about climate change.

De-facto deputy Prime Minister David Liddington was in the city to discuss the Northern Powerhouse, as well as efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

He appeared sheepish when forced to admit he had actually flown to the city from London via a government-arranged helicopter.

In an awkward exchange filmed by ITV the cabinet office minister is asked how he got to Manchester and he says: "I came up courtesy of the government, when I have to do at short notice."

He then confirms it was by helicopter.

(Image: ITV/Hannah Miller (@hannahITV))

He is asked by interviewer Hannah Miller: "Was that cheaper than public transport, was it more convenient, is that because the trains are so bad?"

Mr Liddington replied: "No, that's simply because of other government duties that I have."

"Sometimes ministers do have to travel courtesy of government travel arrangements in order to get to places we would not be able to get to otherwise."

The interview was then terminated.

Mr Liddington was speaking on a visit Graphene Innovation Centre at Manchester University.

He called on either Boris Johnson, or Jeremy Hunt, currently facing off in the Tory leadership contest, to 'take the lead' in pushing forward the Northern Powerhouse agenda.

Think tanks have said the entire project has been 'undermined' by austerity.

Follow reporter Chris Slater on social media To follow Chris on Twitter, click here. Or to like his Facebook page and keep up to date with the latest breaking news, click here Here's the link to the M.E.N's main Facebook page where we share our latest stories.

In response said: "I accept for many families here and in other parts of the country, times are tough.

"But we are seeing absolute poverty falling and less children growing up in households without work."