Boris Johnson is facing a backlash after making a bizarre analogy about buying a new kettle in a speech on nuclear power.
Mr Johnson compared the benefits of investing in nuclear plants in Britain to reducing energy bills by buying a new kettle in one of his final speeches as Prime Minister.
The lame duck PM made the comments after he went on a tirade against the last Labour Government and Lib Dem former deputy PM Nick Clegg over failures to invest in nuclear power.
In a speech at Sizewell in Suffolk, he said: "If Hinkley Point C [a nuclear power plant in Somerset] were running now, it would be cutting fuel bills by £3bn.
"So you have to look ahead and you have to beware of the false economy.
"If you have an old kettle that takes ages to boil, it may cost you £20 to replace it.
"But if you get a new one you will save ten pounds a year every year on your electricity bill."
Critics on social media interpreted this comment as cost-of-living advice after the clip went viral.
Shadow Business Minister Bill Esterson tweeted: "Boris Johnson's plan to help with energy bills is to save a tenner a year by buying a new kettle.
"Labour's plan would save £1,000 a year by investing in energy efficiency measures in 19 million homes. Which party is on your side?"
It comes amid mounting anger against the Government for the failure to set out its plan to help households facing a cost of living catastrophe this autumn.
Tory leadership frontrunner Liz Truss has refused to give details of her proposals until the result is announced - and Boris Johnson is in his final days in office - which has left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over worried Brits.
Ms Truss or Rishi Sunak will pump more “cash” into families’ wallets, Mr Johnson claimed as he faced questions about soaring inflation and rocketing energy bills on a visit to Sizewell Nuclear Power Plant in Suffolk.
But the outgoing PM insisted his successor is ready to act - whoever wins the race for No10.
Mr Johnson admitted: “Families up and down this country are going to face a very tough winter and we just have to accept that.
“The Government really, really understands the difficulties that you are facing, we totally get it.”
Families face surging energy prices and runaway inflation as temperatures fall and nights get longer.
The annual energy price cap rises from £1,971 to £3,549 on October 1.
Inflation has hit a 40-year high of 10.1% and some forecasters fear it could top 22% next year.
Resolution Foundation analysts believe real household disposable incomes will plummet by 10% over this year and next - equivalent to £3,000 for the typical household.
It would mark the worst living standards crisis in 100 years.
