The Prime Minister and Chancellor have been accused of being 'missing in action' on holiday today as the Bank of England issued its dire economic warnings.
Neither Boris Johnson nor Nadhim Zahawi were at their Whitehall or Downing Street desks.
The Chancellor was said to be “working remotely” from a family break, while the PM and wife Carrie have reportedly jetted off on a delayed honeymoon to Slovenia.
Shadow Treasury Minister Abena Oppong-Asare said: “Families and pensioners are worried sick about how they’ll pay their bills, but the Prime Minister and Chancellor are missing in action.
“The fact they’re both on holiday on the day the Bank of England forecasts the longest recession in 30 years speaks volumes about the Tories’ warped priorities.”
Lib Dem frontbencher Layla Moran said: "The Conservatives have crashed the economy and now neither Boris Johnson or Nadhim Zahawi are anywhere to be found.
“At a time of national crisis we deserve better than these shirkers.
“Time and again they have been absent in the country's time of need.
“The very least the British people can ask for is a Chancellor and Prime Minister who will explain how they got us into this mess and what the plan is to solve it.”
Mr Zahawi hit back: “There is no such thing as a holiday and not working.
“I never had that in the private sector, nor in government. Ask any entrepreneur and they can tell you that.
“Millions of us dream about getting away with our families, but the privilege and responsibility of public service means that you never get to switch off, that’s why I have had calls and briefings every day and continue to do so."
He held calls with the Treasury’s chief economist, and Bank Governor Andrew Bailey, it is understood.
No10 admitted on Monday that the PM would be going on holiday from Wednesday until Sunday, but refused to reveal his destination.
Downing Street last night(THU) declined to comment.
Mr Johnson and his bride flew economy class from Heathrow Airport in West London before landing in the capital Ljubljana, according to reports.
They were whisked away upon arrival in the city, The Times said.
The couple are thought to be holidaying without their young children Wilfred and Romy.
The Johnsons wed in May last year but postponed major celebrations because of the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions.
They held a belated wedding reception for dozens of friends and family at the luxury Cotswolds estate of Tory donor and JCB diggers tycoon Lord Bamford last weekend.
Thrice-wed Mr Johnson, who has at least seven children, visited Ljubljana as Foreign Secretary in 2017.
The romantic Conservative told his opposite number: “Slovenia is the only country with the word love in its name.”
