Boris Johnson’s chief of staff has brushed off the suggestion that the timing of a new package of cost of living help is timed to deflect attention from Sue Gray’s partygate report.
Steve Barclay said that the government did not control when the report – laying bare drunkenness and partying in Downing Street – was published and that it was responding to energy regulator Ofgem’s forecast that typical annual bills would rise to £2,800 this autumn.
Mr Barclay said the prime minister was appalled by the contents of the 37-page report into behaviour at Number 10 during lockdowns – and had been personally apologising after the findings showed security workers and cleaners were poorly treated.
His comments came hours before an expected announcement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak of hundreds of pounds more in help for households struggling with rising bills partly paid for by a multi-billion pound windfall tax on energy companies.
Asked about the timing of the announcement the day after the Sue Gray report, he said: “No, it’s because we’ve had the Ofgem guidance.
“On the Sue Gray report – we don’t control the timing of that… indeed the timing of that is shaped by the Met Police investigation.
“What we’ve always said is… we wanted to see from the Ofgem guidance what the full impact would be in the autumn on families so that we can get the design of that package right so it’s absolutely logical.
“We’ve had that guidance this week from Ofgem, that is why the chancellor’s coming forward today.”
