Boris Johnson's caretaker government accused of silence as UK energy bills are set to soar 80%

Boris Johnson has been criticised for turning his back on crises in the UK.

Carl Court/Getty Images

• The UK energy regulator announced that energy prices would rise to £3,549 a year, an 80% increase.
• The chancellor issued a statement, but no minister appeared on Friday's broadcast round.
• A former minister accused Boris Johnson's caretaker government of silence.

Boris Johnson's caretaker government has been accused of staying silent as the country's energy price cap surges by 80%. 

No minister appeared on the daily broadcast round on Friday, as the energy regulator Ofgem revealed that annual household bills will jump to £3,549 ($4,189) from October 1.

The surge in prices will pile more pressure on British workers ahead of what is expected to be the toughest economic period in a generation, with inflation tipped to reach 18.6% in spring 2023. The Bank of England has also warned that the UK will enter a recession in the fourth quarter and that it could last for more than a year. 

But the summer has been given over to the leadership contest between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, who are vying to replace Johnson as the next prime minister. The successor will be announced on September 5.

There has been criticism that Johnson's caretaker government — which has ruled out making any significant policy announcements — has failed to grapple with the looming issue, which National Energy Action has warned will push up to 8.9 million people into fuel poverty.

A poll published by Ipsos Mori on Thursday found that one in three people are already finding it difficult to cover their energy bills, despite it being the summer, when they are typically lower.

—Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) August 26, 2022

Anna Soubry, a former minister and Conservative MP who quit the party over Brexit, tweeted: "Remember this when you vote in the next General Election.

"On the day rocketing energy prices frighten millions of people as to how they will survive this winter, the response from the Conservative Govt is silence. No Minister on the mornings media."

The New Statesman's deputy political editor Rachel Wearmouth also said: "Allowing the Tory leadership contest to run across the whole summer looks more irresponsible than ever this morning as the energy price cap rises from £1,971 to £3,549.

"No minister on broadcast because, basically, no one is in charge."

The i's policy editor, Jane Merrick, said: "Can it be really true that no government minister is prepared (or more accurately asked by no10) to do any broadcast this morning on the price cap? Despite the leadership contest we still have a government, we always have a government, so where are they?"

Although he did not put himself up for interview, Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi released a statement saying the price rise would "cause stress and anxiety for many people, but help is coming."

The Truss campaign, which has ruled out further support in favour of tax cuts, also put out a statement saying: "Today's announcement will cause grave concern to many people across the UK who will be worried about paying their bills. 

"As Prime Minister, Liz would ensure people get the support needed to get through these tough times."

Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said the new prime minister will need to act "urgently and decisively" to tackle the crisis.

"We are working with ministers, consumer groups and industry on a set of options for the incoming prime minister that will require urgent action," he said. "The response will need to match the scale of the crisis we have before us."

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