Tory Minister Elizabeth Truss splashed more than £34,000 of taxpayers’ cash on a luxury junket to China, flying first-class and staying in five-star hotels.
The Environment Secretary and four officials blew £25,000 on flights to Beijing and Shanghai on a six-day trip promoting British food.
Hotel bills topped £3,200 for four nights – though her department has had cuts of £500million since 2010 and must save another £300million by 2016.