Boris Johnson’s last fortnight in workplace will see the departing PM divide his time between No. 10 and his nation retreat Chequers this week, after getting back from a Greek vacation.
The prime minister’s more and more relaxed strategy to management – revealed on the day an economist predicted inflation might bounce above 18% within the new yr for the primary time since 1976 – is in stark distinction to the remark made by considered one of his outriders a day earlier.
On Sunday, Brexit alternatives minister Jacob Rees-Mogg hit out on the “rotten tradition” of working from residence as he claimed the variety of workers in Whitehall was down 5 per cent final week towards the earlier week, regardless of his crackdown on the follow.
In feedback reported by the Mail on Sunday, he added: “Even accounting for summer season holidays, that is hopeless.”
The prime minister’s successor can be confirmed on September 5, when both Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak emerges because the victor within the Tory management race, with the formal handover of energy because of happen the next day.
Rees-Mogg was defending Truss for her broadly criticised feedback that British staff must show “extra graft”.
The loyalist minister mentioned her remarks heard in a leaked audio recording had been “smart” as he hit out at what he referred to as “confected political criticism” of the overseas secretary.
Truss, now the Tory management frontrunner, additionally tried to clarify the decrease productiveness seen exterior London as being because of “a mindset and perspective factor”, within the feedback from current years.
Labour mentioned Truss’s remarks made whereas she was a Treasury minister had been “grossly offensive”, saying that she had successfully branded British staff “lazy”.
Final week, removing vans had been pictured amassing Johnson’s possessions as he headed to Chequers along with his spouse Carrie and their two youngsters.
Johnson’s final days will embody restating assist for Ukraine and highlighting measures to deal with the cost-of-living disaster, Downing Road mentioned.
Ukraine’s independence day on Wednesday can be marked with a sequence of occasions, in an indication that the UK’s assist will proceed past the shut hyperlink cast between Johnson and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“A big focus this week is on reiterating our assist for Ukraine, and that’s an unwavering dedication that we now have to supporting Ukraine within the face of an unlawful battle,” a No. 10 spokesperson mentioned.
“The federal government can be centered on supporting folks with the price of dwelling and ensuring that those that are eligible for the £37 billion of assist that’s already out there by way of our phased-in plan are availing themselves of it.”
However no extra assist is predicted to be introduced earlier than the brand new prime minister takes workplace, with main coverage choices postponed till that time.
The prime minister visited the Safety Service’s headquarters in London on Monday to pay tribute to the work finished by MI5 in holding the nation protected.
Since standing down as Tory chief and successfully turning into a caretaker prime minister, Johnson has additionally gone on visits to a particular forces base, flown in a Hurricane jet and met troopers coaching Ukrainian counterparts.
With Ukraine and excessive inflation set to dominate his last days in workplace, No 10 denied {that a} battle in Europe and a cost-of-living disaster had been the primary options of Johnson’s legacy.
The spokesperson mentioned: “I might level you to his personal phrases in the home the place he has spoken extra in regards to the report of this authorities. That features getting Brexit finished and leaving the EU, main the nation by way of the best public well being emergency in a technology, defending lives and livelihoods.
“And that’s alongside, sure, supporting Ukraine within the face of an unlawful battle and supporting folks by way of the present cost-of-living challenges.”
The prime minister has been accused by critics of main a “zombie authorities” with main choices deferred till the brand new occupant takes over in No 10.
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer advised reporters on Monday the federal government was doing “completely nothing” to resolve industrial disputes and assist ease the cost-of-living crunch forward of the announcement of the elevated vitality value cap on Friday.
