Rishi Sunak’s upbeat view on economy stokes claims he is out of touch

Rishi Sunak told reporters on the flight to Japan that ‘economic optimism is increasing, consumer confidence is increasing’. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images

Rishi Sunak has been accused of being out of touch with ordinary families after claiming the economy was looking up and people’s household incomes were “hugely outperforming” expectations despite the cost of living crisis.

On a flight to Japan for the G7 summit of world leaders, the prime minister said that despite consumers struggling with high inflation and the cost of food and energy, there were “lots of signs that things are moving in the right direction” with the economy.