Rishi Sunak facing criticism over 'heartless' response to woman's inability to afford a lightbulb

Rishi Sunak is in trouble again after responding to a question about a carer who couldn’t afford to buy a lightbulb by saying he is ‘proud’ of his economic record. The woman in question, Nicky, is forced to sit in her kitchen in the dark as she waits for her daughter to be paid next week so they can afford to replace the lightbulb.

The prime minister dropped the clanger in an interview on Tuesday morning and has faced an outpouring of criticism on Twitter since then.

Cost of living struggle

In the BBC Breakfast interview, Jon Kay told Sunak that the carer is only paid £10.50 per hour and is struggling to make ends meet, as per The Independent:

She can’t afford a light bulb until her daughter gets paid next week. It’s hard to believe that’s the UK in 2023. You were the chancellor, you’ve been chief secretary to the Treasury, your fingerprints are all over this economy.

However, in an effort to deflect the question, PM Sunak bizarrely replied he was proud of the government’s economic record:

I’m actually really proud that one of the things I did after I became prime minister was make some difficult decisions elsewhere and tax the largest companies more.

Sunak went on to point out that his government is helping out people with their energy bills and are putting more money into social care but this wasn’t enough to avert the social media backlash.

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Twitter response

Mr Sunak was criticised on Twitter for his response, with one user, saying:

My god! Panorama told Rishi Sunak about a woman who couldn't afford a lightbulb for her kitchen until her daughter, who works in social care, gets paid the next day. This is Rishi's response. Not only heartless but he's also lying about social care funding.

Another also pointed out that Sunak did not address Nicky’s situation directly:

I’m sure that Nicky is so relieved sitting in her dark kitchen, awaiting the next payday so that she can buy a lightbulb! Jesus wept in Heaven @RishiSunak you’re not reading the country! Nicky STILL can’t afford a lightbulb which means your sums were wrong!

Liz Martin also called out the response on Twitter by describing it as ‘shameless’ as the politicians continue to show themselves to be out of touch with the general public:

We need to ensure that our MPs are capable of human connection; compassion should be a non-negotiable requirement

Read more:

⋙ Rishi Sunak said to be wealthier than King Charles: How rich is UK's new Prime Minister?

Sources used:
- The Independent 'Rishi Sunak says he’s ‘proud’ of economic record after being told of carer who can’t afford light bulb'

- Twitter @Becky_Padovani

- Twitter @MaiaBug2010

- Twitter @LizMartinLabour