Rishi Sunak is already putting together another cost-of-living bailout after his personal ratings slumped to a record low in the wake of the mini-Budget.
The Chancellor has tried to calm anger over soaring inflation and energy bills promising the government 'will continue to stand by your side'.
But amid claims of tensions with
Boris Johnson the Treasury is already said to be assembling another bailout, with council tax identified as the best mechanism for helping families.
In interviews this morning, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi stressed there is a 'global battle' against inflation but admitted it was not 'job done' for Mr Sunak.
'He's put £22bn for one year of help... I think he will continue to keep an eye on this,' he said. 'It would be absolutely irresponsible to say ''job done''.'
Mr Sunak was accused of being an 'illusionist' last week as he hailed his 'tax-cutting' Spring Statement, despite the burden being on course to reach the highest level since the 1940s.
The government's own watchdog has predicted that this year will see the biggest fall in disposable incomes since records began in the 1950s.
An Opinium poll found Mr Sunak, once one of the most popular members of the government, has seen his ratings tumble into negative territory for the first time.
Research carried out after the mini-Budget showed 35 per cent disapprove of his performances, compared to 31 per cent who approved.
The net figure of minus four was a drop of 15 points from a fortnight ago, and compares to Mr Sunak's previous low of plus seven in October last year.
The political toxicity of the cost-of-living crisis was underlined last week in a presentation by Tory election strategist Michael Brooks to No10 staff.
It suggested the issue had 'shot up' and overtaken the NHS as the most important issue.
'The cost-of-living issue is a train about to hit us,' a source told the Sunday Times.
In February Mr Sunak gave a rebate of £150 to those living in properties in council tax bands A to D, and a £200 reprieve on energy bills, to be paid back over five years.
Writing in the Sun on Sunday, Mr Sunak said: 'I know people are deeply anxious about making ends meet.
'While we can't completely shield everyone from the global challenges we face, we can, and will, help you deal with these rising costs.'
He added: 'I cannot pretend that we can completely protect people from the difficult and uncertain times ahead.
'But this government will continue to stand by your side and do all that we can to support you.'
There have been claims of tensions between Mr Sunak (left) and Boris Johnson (right), and the Treasury is already said to be assembling another bailout
Shadow work and pensions secretary Jon Ashworth branded the Chancellor 'Mr Tax' as he warned that pensioners have been 'cutting back on hot meals' and 'forgoing hot showers' as they cannot afford the cost.
Mr Ashworth told Ridge On Sunday on Sky News: 'Rishi Sunak absolutely had more room for manoeuvre in this spring statement and mini budget, but rather than acting in the interests of the British people, he was playing games.
'He was acting in his own interest because he thinks by offering an income tax cut in two years that'll help him politically with Conservative MPs if there's a leadership contest or that'll fit the Tory election grid.
'I don't believe that putting 1.3 million people into poverty because you're imposing a very severe real-terms cut to universal credit, you're imposing the biggest cut to the pension in 50 years, is fair.'
The inflation rate is expected to average nearly 8 per cent over the coming year, but benefits will only be uprated by 3.1 per cent in April as the mechanism used is retrospective.
Mr Ashworth said Mr Sunak should have imposed a 'windfall tax' on the profits of oil and gas companies to generate funds to help struggling families and pensioners with energy bills.
Rishi Sunak has tried to calm anger over soaring inflation and energy bills promising the government 'will continue to stand by your side'.
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One of the worst ratings of any chancellor in history and there were some Indian posters saying that this guy will be the first British Indian prime minister.....I did predict this and the man is hated universally now. He seems to have no compassion for what people are going through. The clock is ticking....
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