Boris Johnson 'on leave' as PM takes second foreign holiday of the summer

Boris Johnson is not expected to take part in any engagements this week as he enjoys his second foreign summer holiday in less than a month, Downing Street has confirmed.

Over the weekend, Mr Johnson was spotted in Greece as UK households grapple with the deepening impact of the cost of living crisis.

The prime minister took a holiday earlier this month despite warnings of further inflation and the threat of a recession later this year.

The PM's official spokesperson confirmed to reporters that the PM "is on leave this week" and that he is not doing day to day work.

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Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is able to deputise for him in any meetings, the spokesperson said, but none are currently scheduled.

The spokesperson added that Mr Johnson "will be contactable" and "kept informed of any urgent issues".

The prime minister will make decisions on national security if necessary and he will lead on urgent decisions if required, they added.

The PM's official spokesperson also confirmed that Mr Johnson is paying for his trip but declined to say whether his security is funded by the taxpayer.

Probed on why Mr Johnson could not wait until his successor is appointed on 5 September before going abroad, the PM's spokesperson said he could not get into the details of that but said "government activity continues".

"I can't get into the decision around timings but he is on leave this week. He will be back this weekend," he told reporters.

"Over recent weeks we've made a number of significant announcements and will continue to do so in the coming days."

It comes as removal vans were spotted outside Number 10.

The Times newspaper has reported that Mr Johnson is spending a week-long holiday in the country, with locals spotting him shopping alongside wife Carrie Johnson in a supermarket in Nea Makri, a town to the east of Athens.

Labour has criticised the PM, accusing him of treating recent months as "one big party".

A party spokesperson said: "On the evidence of the last few months it seems to make little difference if the prime minister is in the office or on holiday as he has continually failed to meet the challenge of the Tory cost of living crisis. It's all just one big party for Boris Johnson while the country struggles to pay their bills."

Analysts have predicted that typical energy bills could rise to approximately £3,500 in October and more than £4,200 in January.

Bills are set to cost more than two months' of average wages next year unless the government intervenes, a report has suggested.

The PM's official spokesperson also once again ruled out any further government intervention to ease the burden of rising living costs until Mr Johnson's successor is appointed in early September.