Nadhim Zahawi accused of 'dumping' struggling Brits to 'play politics' during US jaunt

Opposition politicians blasted Chancellor's transatlantic trip as UK households reel from runaway inflation, soaring bills energy and rising interest rates

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi is tipped for demotion when Boris Johnson's successor is announced (

Image: PA)

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has flown off on a taxpayer-funded jaunt to the US as fearful families back in Britain deal with the worsening cost of living crisis.

The Cabinet minister, tipped by the Treasury when Boris Johnson's successor is unveiled next week, will meet with millionaire New York bankers before heading to Washington for a "day of meetings with senior officials international financial institutions, the U.S. Central Bank and the U.S. Treasury," the government said.

Opposition politicians blasted the trip as British households reeled from spiraling inflation, soaring energy bills and rising interest rates.

Shadow Treasury Minister James Murray said: 'Families across the country are desperately worried about the massive rise in energy bills that is looming, but we are stuck with this Tory government that does not does nothing.

"We now find out that the chancellor is flying to an international chinwag.

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"Rather than embark on another adventure at the taxpayer's expense, the Chancellor should start listening to the people here and implement Labour's fully funded plan to freeze energy bills."

The visit comes just four days after energy regulator Ofgem said the dual fuel price cap would drop from £1,971 a year to £3,549 on October 1.

Annual bills are expected to reach around £6,000 next year.

Scanning Mr Zahawi's trip, Wendy Chamberlain, Lib Dem's spokesperson for Work and Pensions, said: 'It is staggering that he is abandoning people at home to play politics on the stage world when he couldn't even bother to talk to the whole country when the price cap was announced.

"It was months ago when this first came up.

"Now we need action here. He must recall Parliament, pass early legislation and stop the rising prices that are a disaster for millions of families and pensioners.

Cost of life