Speaking to broadcasters, the chancellor was asked if the prime minister was absent “at a time of national emergency”. Mr Zahawi replied: “I don’t agree with that, nor do I acknowledge it.” The chancellor said officials in his ministry were “literally working around the clock” to ensure options to ease the burden of the rising cost of living “are on the table for the incoming prime minister”. Politics Hub: Truss gets the loudest boos in Perth He added: “If I don’t get that £400 out the door in the next two months to reduce those energy bills – in Great Britain, but also the equivalent in Northern Ireland – then I would have let these people down. “If I don’t make sure that if you’re retired, [you] to get the extra £300 over the next few months, I would have failed. “If I don’t make sure you get the £150 if you’re disabled, I’ve failed. “So we are working around the clock to make sure we do that and we have all the options for the incoming prime minister to get more help both for really struggling households and small businesses.” On Monday, Downing Street confirmed that Boris Johnson is not expected to attend any engagements this week as he enjoys his second summer holiday abroad in less than a month. Over the weekend, Mr Johnson was seen in Greece as UK households grapple with the deepening impact of the cost of living crisis. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:38 Zahawi says small businesses are the ‘backbone of the UK economy’ The prime minister went on holiday earlier this month despite warnings of further inflation and the risk of a recession later this year. The prime minister’s official spokesman told reporters that the prime minister “is on leave this week” and is not doing day-to-day work. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab may deputize for him at any meetings, the spokesman said, but none are currently scheduled. The spokesman added that Mr Johnson “will be in touch” and “will be kept informed of any urgent matters”. The prime minister’s official spokesman also confirmed that Johnson is paying for his trip, but declined to say whether his insurance is being funded by the taxpayer. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:58 “This winter is going to be scary” Asked why Mr Johnson could not wait until his successor was appointed on September 5 before going abroad, the prime minister’s spokesman said he could not go into detail but said “government business is continuing”. “I can’t go into the decision on the timings, but he is on leave this week. He will be back this weekend,” he told reporters. “In recent weeks we have made some important announcements and will continue to do so in the coming days.” Removal trucks were spotted outside Number 10 earlier this week. Read more: Double-digit inflation hits new 40-year high as cost-of-living crisis deepens Spending calculator: See which prices have risen or fallen Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 7:52 Who won the Scottish hustings? The Times reported that Mr Johnson is spending a week on holiday in the country, with locals seeing him shopping with his wife Carrie Johnson at a supermarket in Nea Makri, a town east of Athens. Labor criticized the prime minister, accusing him of treating the past few months as “one big party”. A party spokesman said: “On the evidence of the last few months, it seems to make little difference whether the Prime Minister is in office or on holiday, as he has not consistently responded to the challenge of the Tories’ cost of living crisis. “It’s all just one big party for Boris Johnson while the country struggles to pay its bills.” Analysts have predicted that typical energy bills could rise to around £3,500 in October and above £4,200 in January. Bills are set to cost more than two months’ worth of average wages next year unless the government intervenes, according to a report.
