Government 'shuts down' amid crisis as Tory ministers focus on leadership race

Day-to-day governance is 'on hold' as Boris Johnson's new ministers focus their attention on the Tory leadership race, opposition parties have warned.

Tons Bills of laws planned to address social issues have been frozen pending the outcome of the race - while a series of cabinet ministers have abandoned parliamentary scrutiny sessions to focus on other issues.

Even bids for the government's 'leveling' fund have been delayed following the dismissal of department premier Michael Gove - a Labor hold-up blamed on the Tories for 'chaos, distraction and self-indulgence'.< /p>

This comes as the country faces a growing cost of living crisis, severe pressure on ambulance services and an extreme heat wave next week.

On Thursday, Dominic Raab became the latest cabinet minister to announce that 'he would not take part in a committee session to quiz him on the government's planned UK bill of rights.

RecommendedJohnson commits to spend 2 .5% of GDP for defense - follow live< p>MPs on the Joint Human Rights Committee said they were "deeply concerned" that the Justice Secretary would not answer questions about " the most significant rights legislation this country has seen in almost a quarter of a century."

Earlier this week, Home Secretary Priti Patel spoke is removed from another th exam session where she was likely to be asked about the government's flagship deportation policy from Rwanda, citing "recent changes in government".

Ms Patel also left the father of a murdered woman in Exeter angered after canceling a long-planned meeting with him.

Tony Cox, who Daughter Lorraine, 32, went missing at a party in August 2020, was due to discuss with the Home Secretary the "serious failings of the police" and the "lack of action by the Government in general to improve the safety of women".

On Wednesday, the Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who took office following his predecessor's resignation last week, also popped an urgent question in Parliament over mounting pressure on the ambulance service.

Labour's Wes Streeting called no-show a "shame", adding: "It's not even a government in place, yet re less in power. heard more from ministers about the Conservative Party leadership race than about a real national emergency".

"We haven't heard a word from the Secretary of State for Health on services ambulances, which operate at the margins of what is safe. It is time for Tory ministers to put country above party, starting today,” she added.

Other ministers are also not ruling out d cancel appearances. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is due to appear before the Environmental Audit Committee next week to discuss progress in tackling the climate emergency. The Independent contacted his department to ask if he would be attending and was told that while he was still due to attend, departmental schedules "may change at the last minute". p>

Labour also slammed the government on Thursday after it emerged ministers' flagship 'levelling' fund had yet to be opened to tender - despite a promise it would work there six weeks ago.

Race Up Secretary Michael Gove was sacked by Boris Johnson as the Prime Minister sought to cling on to power last week. The councils prepared bids for the second tranche of the leveling fund, but were unable to submit them as the timetable slipped. stopped,” said Lisa Nandy, Labour’s shadow leveling secretary.