Out-of-touch Rishi Sunak was told by a homeless man "I just want to get through Christmas" as he spoke enthusiastically about his years in finance during an awkward exchange.
The millionaire PM was filmed asking the young man, named Dean, whether he works for a business - to which he responds: "No, I'm homeless."
Mr Sunak has been branded "out of touch" after footage of the conversation - which happened as he visited a London shelter accompanied by a TV crew - was widely shared.
The Tory leader was filmed serving up plates of food to members of the city's homeless population when Dean opened up about his plight.
The young man told Mr Sunak he hoped to get temporary accommodation over the Christmas weekend.
While the PM was dishing up hot food, the young man asked the Tory leader if he was going to sort out the economy.
Mr Sunak responded: "That's exactly what I'm trying to do."
The Prime Minister then asked him: "Do you have a... do you work for a business?"
Dean responded: "No I'm homeless, I'm a homeless person but I am interested in business."
Asked what kind of business, Dean responded: "I like finance, that's good for the city and when finance is doing well we all do well don't we in London?"
Mr Sunak enthusiastically responded: "Yeah that's absolutely right, so I used to work in finance actually."
He then asked Dean if he'd like to get into finance, to which he replied: "Yeah I wouldn't mind, but I don't know, I'd like to get through Christmas first."
Asked what he was doing at the weekend, Dean replied: "I've no idea, I hope that St Mungo's can help me get into some temporary accommodation so I'm not on the street."
The exchange has been widely shared on social media, with the PM coming under fire.
Labour MP Bill Esterson posted: "Rishi Sunak visiting a homeless shelter asking a homeless man if he works in the finance industry.
"Out of touch. Out of his depth. Time he was out of office. Time there was a General Election."
NHS doctor Rachel Clarke posted: "Why do politicians believe photos like these capture anything other than their cynicism?
"Here’s Rishi Sunak cosplaying in cashmere as a homeless shelter staff member yesterday."
And singer Grace Petrie wrote: "Rishi Sunak serving food at a homeless shelter is the most disgusting disingenuous PR stunt I have seen from a man basically made of disgusting disingenuous PR stunts!!!"
Mr Sunak used the visit as an opportunity to justify not negotiating on pay with striking workers.
The Prime Minister said: "What I'm trying to do is make the right long-term decisions for the country, for everybody's benefit.
"We all know the major economic challenge we all face now is inflation, it's inflation eating into everyone's pay packets...
"I want to make sure we reduce inflation, part of that is being responsible when it comes to setting public sector pay. That's why we have an independent process.
"I know things are difficult but it's right there's an independent body that makes recommendations to the Government and the Government accepted those. It increased its offer, matched all those recommendations, I think that's the reasonable thing to do. And in the long term it's the right thing for the whole country that we beat inflation."
