Just days after Downing Street said he would not become involved in the cost-of-living problem, Boris Johnson made an unexpected appearance at a crucial meeting with energy executives at Number 10.
As they questioned gas and power company officials over rising rates, the departing prime minister was joined by the outgoing chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
Families who are already struggling were hurt this week by fresh predictions that home energy costs would rise to more than £4,200 in the next year.
It was unexpected that Mr. Johnson would attend the meeting with 15 energy companies since Mr. Zahawi and Mr. Kwarteng were previously believed to be the ministers who would preside over the negotiations.
The prime minister has lately been under pressure from business leaders to prevent a “summer of drift” over the cost-of-living problem as he waits for his successor to be chosen.
The PM spent last week on a delayed honeymoon with his wife Carrie in a Slovenian eco-resort.
The refusal of Mr. Johnson to take action while energy costs are reportedly skyrocketing has been dubbed “disgraceful” by Labour.
Downing Street has stressed that any decisions on further help for Britons should be left to the future prime minister, with Mr. Johnson currently serving in a caretaker capacity after the announcement of his retirement.
This week, Number 10 said that despite skyrocketing family expenses, Mr. Johnson would not be undertaking any “big budgetary initiatives.”
Mr. Johnson reiterated this message to energy executives today, warning them that his successor will make “important budgetary choices.”
Fury has resulted from this, and the PM has been told that waiting for Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak to replace him would be “too late” to prevent households from becoming concerned about how they will pay for heating their homes this winter.
Mr. Johnson has avoided tackling pressing concerns while he serves out his term in office and takes a vacation to Slovenia.
Instead, he was seen having fun while riding in a Typhoon fighter plane, visiting Ukrainian servicemen in Yorkshire, playing with military equipment, and fitting in a visit with the special forces.
During a reception in the Downing Street garden on Tuesday night, Mr. Johnson was seen utilising a skipping rope and engaging in a makeshift sword fight.
Following his wedding celebration last month at the Cotswolds mansion of wealthy Tory supporter Lord Bamford, the prime minister had a honeymoon to Slovenia.
The Johnsons were married last year, but because of Covid limitations, they were unable to have a large wedding reception.
In his last weeks in office, the PM is also making a number of goodbye calls to international leaders, however a visit to see Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw has been cancelled after the Polish leader informed Number 10 that he is too busy.
Mr. Johnson provided no assurance that families would soon get further help after his unexpected attendance at today’s meeting with energy executives.
“Countries all around the globe are experiencing the effects of Putin’s destructive conflict in Ukraine,” he added.
We are doing all we can to help them and must keep doing so because we are aware that this winter will be challenging for individuals all throughout the UK.
“Following our discussion today, we will continue to encourage the power industry to find solutions to reduce the pressures caused by rising living expenses and to invest more quickly in the security of British energy.
In the next months, “We are continuing to roll out Government support, including the second £324 cost of living payment for disadvantaged families, more assistance for seniors and people with disabilities, and the £400 energy bills reduction for all households.”