Holidaying Boris Johnson and Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi are "completely on top of what's happening" as Brits face an economic crisis, a top Tory insisted.
The Government has been accused of being "AWOL" after the Bank of England hiked interest rates to a 27-year high and issued a set of dire forecasts.
Mr Johnson is on holiday until the end of the week, with reports suggesting he's jetted off to Slovenia with his wife Carrie.
Mr Zahawi is also a family break but the Treasury said he is "working remotely".
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng defended the top Tories for being away from Whitehall at a critical time - in a bizarre rebuttal, where he said he was there "in a suit".
Asked where the Chancellor was, Mr Kwarteng told Sky News: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer is always available."
He added: "I'm in contact with him. I've just spoken to him ... on WhatsApp this morning, he's completely abreast of what's going on.
"I'm the Business Secretary, I'm here, I'm in your studio, I'm in a suit, I'm not on holiday. And we're absolutely focused on trying to deal with this problem."
He said he is in "regular contact" with the jet-setting Prime Minister and the Chancellor, adding: "They are completely on top of what's happening".
The absence of the country's top two politicians from Westminster provoked fury from opposition MPs.
Labour's Maria Eagle tweeted: "AWOL more like. The only ‘action’ they ever engage in is to benefit themselves."
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 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 nor Nadhim Zahawi are anywhere to be found.
“At a time of national crisis we deserve better than these shirkers.”
The PM’s spokesman confirmed on Monday that Mr Johnson would be taking a summer break - despite having just weeks left in office.
Mr Zahawi said: “There is no such thing as a holiday and not working. I have had calls and briefings every day and continue to do so.”
