Downing Street today defended a top Tory who suggested Brits could work more hours or move to a better-paying job to cope with rising bills.
Minister Rachel Maclean provoked a backlash when she said it could be a “long-term” plan to “make sure people are able to protect themselves better” in the cost-of-living crisis.
Ms Maclean said she was not "suggesting for one moment" that such an option would work for everyone, adding: "It may be right for some people.”
But Labour shadow cabinet minister Ian Murray said the "ludicrous" advice “sounds like the Norman Tebbit 'get on your bike' instructions from the 1980s.”
Lib Dem Wendy Chamberlain added: "So the Conservatives' answer to the cost-of-living emergency is that people should just earn more? This shows just how out of touch they truly are.”
Today Downing Street suggested critics were trying to “twist” Ms Maclean’s words - as she came out fighting saying she’d been ‘misrepresented’.
Boris Johnson ’s spokesman said: “I think the minister was clear in what she said, that people’s individual circumstances will vary.
“That’s why we have a range of measures available to people. Some are quite broad, changes in income tax, and there’s also more tailored support - the doubling of the household support fund.
“The minister was clear, she said it’s not going to work for people already working in three jobs, and that’s why we have the other measures we’re putting in place.
“And of course it’s right that we have a range of help available.”
Asked if the PM agreed with her that people should work more hours if they can, the spokesman replied: “I think you’re seeking to twist the words unhelpfully there.
“People’s individual circumstances will vary. There’s no one size, fits all approach - this is a global issue caused by things like the pandemic and war in Ukraine.
“So individual circumstances will vary, there’s a range of support for individuals depending on their circumstances.”
Asked if families should work longer hours if circumstances allow, he replied: “Individuals will make decisions on what’s right for them and their families.
“That might not be the right approach for every individual and nor did the minister seek to portray that as otherwise.”
Ms Maclean was asked if there should be a cost of living minister to deal with the escalating financial pressures.
She told Sky News: "I've not heard that specific request but what I would say of course is that's the Chancellor's job and it's the job of the whole Cabinet and the whole Government."
She went on: "I think what we need to focus on now is over the long-term, we have got these short-term pressures on us that we're all aware of ... but over the long-term we need to have a plan to grow the economy and make sure that people are able to protect themselves better - whether that is by taking on more hours or moving to a better-paid job.
"These are long-term actions but that is what we are focused on as a Government."
Ms Maclean later wrote of a Sky News tweet about her comments: “Highly inaccurate and irresponsible reporting.
“Sky have misrepresented my comments about a longer term plan and options for some people and suggested I think they are short term answers.
“They are not, I did not say this and I clearly set out all the immediate help provided.”
But TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Working people don’t need lectures - they need help.
“Millions are working flat out but are still struggling to cover the basics. We need an Emergency Budget now to get families through this cost of living crisis.
“And we need action to tackle precarious employment.
“It’s a bit rich for ministers to tell people to find better-paid work – especially when they have presided over an explosion of low-paid and insecure jobs. The government could be fixing this problem, but instead refused to bring forward an employment bill at last week’s Queen’s speech.”
