Boris Johnson's promised energy strategy has been delayed yet again amid reports of a standoff with Rishi Sunak over new spending commitments.
The Chancellor is said to have told MPs he wants to turn off the spending taps and that every “marginal pound” should go towards tax cuts.
Mr Sunak is under pressure after his Spring Statement failed to reassure hard-pressed families struggling with the escalating cost of living crisis.
His tough stance has put the brakes on the energy security strategy, which was originally due for publication last week and then again this week.
The Prime Minister pledged to unveil a long-term blueprint for Britain "in days" in early March as he vowed to phase out use of Russian oil and gas following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Officials told the FT they did not expect an announcement this week and that April 4, during the Easter parliamentary recess, was now the earliest date.
Downing Street suggested the document was unlikely to come this week - and would not confirm whether it would come before the local elections in May.
The pre-election purdah period, which bans the Government from making major announcements, begins on April 14.
Asked about the strategy, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: “It’s important that we get these things right.
"It’s a significant piece of work that takes time to develop. It is not unusual for a strategy like this to take the right amount of time before being published.
"We will set out our plans for publication as soon as possible."
Asked if Boris Johnson was still opposed to fracking, the spokesman said: "Well, I think what we've said is that there is the moratorium still in place.
"It's right given the situation in Ukraine that we consider all our options about how we increase our energy independence and security, and that includes looking at energy, nuclear and domestic gas as well."
Mr Sunak is under pressure to put more money into a new generation of nuclear power stations, to bolster the rollout of wind power, and to cushion heavy industry against the spiralling costs of energy.
Splits are said to have emerged at the top of Government over fracking, onshore wind and expansion of nuclear power.
The UK derives around 15% of its energy from nuclear power but many plants are due to close.
Mr Johnson met with industry leaders last week after telling the Conservative Spring conference he was looking at an expansion of nuclear power.
A Treasury source said it was untrue that the Chancellor was refusing to sign off more cash and policy discussions were ongoing.
It is understood that the decision over nuclear power is more complicated as it would be more long term and doesn't come under the scope of the current spending review.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, a former Energy Secretary, said: "Millions of families are facing sky-rocketing energy bills and eye-watering inflation but the government still refuses to take any action to help.
“Last week Rishi Sunak’s statement failed to support families and now Boris Johnson clearly has no real strategy to deal with the cost of the energy emergency. People deserve a government that will rise to the occasion and take action needed to help.”
