Minister denies Business Secretary lied about extra support for firms amid energy crisis

11 October 2021, 08:36

Nick Ferrari grills minister over slap down down for Business Sec

EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

A government minister has rejected claims made by the Treasury that the Business Secretary has "made things up".

It comes after Kwasi Kwarteng claimed at the weekend that he was in talks with Chancellor Rishi Sunak over the impact of rising energy prices on various industries - but this was denied by the Treasury.

"How concerned should my listeners be that we have an apparent fantasist as the Business Secretary," Nick Ferrari asked putting Security Minister Damian Hinds on the spot.

Mr Hinds told Nick that he didn't think the Business Secretary was making things up.

He told LBC government ministers and departments were always in constant contact with one another.

The Security Minister branded the claims "one of those 'unnamed sources' stories that comes out from time to time.

The energy crisis is 'entirely the government's fault'

The row comes after Mr Kwarteng claimed he was "speaking constantly" with industry on their energy needs and pricing and was "engaging" with the Treasury on the issue.

But, a Treasury source told Sky News they are "not involved in any talks" and added that it was not the first time Mr Kwarteng "has made things up in interviews".

Dermot Nolan, the former chief executive of Ofgem, has assured people not to worry about their energy provider going out of business.

Asked if more energy providers will go out of business, on Sunday he told LBC: "I'm not sure if more will or won't, I think it's more likely that more will, certainly.

"But I don't think that's a problem. It's not great, but I would assure anybody who's worried about whether their firm will go out of business or not.

"I would assure them you stay where you are, you will be looked after, you will be protected, you will actually be switched to another supplier and your credit balance will be preserved.

"So though it's never great to hear about the firm you're with going out of business, you will be switched to someone else, you will be taken care of, so I would urge people not to worry about that."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Nigel Farage 'reduced to tears' over ECHR rule which saw Albanian criminal's deportation 'halted over chicken nuggets'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London

Farage urges farmers to 'keep the pressure up' as tractor protest hits Westminster over Labour’s ‘family farm tax’

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

Parish councillor resigns after being accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet cat

Exclusive
Calls for police to reinvestigate parish councillor who 'blew up' neighbour's cat

‘It made me feel physically sick’: Cat owner’s fury at parish councillor accused of trying to ‘blow up’ beloved pet

Nick Ferrari Reflects on an Unforgettable Journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust Survivor Arek Hersh

Nick Ferrari reflects on an unforgettable journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau with Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Actress and Writer Dame Maureen Lipman reads The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

Exclusive
Online extremism under scrutiny: The Prime Minister calls for tougher regulations to curb access to violent content following the Southport murders.

Terrorism ‘kill guides’ shared in social media groups targeting 'loners' and people 'obsessed with violence'

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Southport attack was ‘not an act of terrorism,’ Met chief Sir Mark Rowley tells LBC

Exclusive
The Chagos Islands deal is set to be a 'disaster' for US-UK relations, a former Home Secretary has said

'Surrender' of Chagos Islands to Mauritius would be 'disaster' for Labour's relationship with Trump, Braverman says

Exclusive
Britain's deal to cede the Chagos Islands has been cast into doubt

Labour deal to hand over Chagos Islands thrown into doubt as Starmer gives Trump time to 'consider' agreement

Exclusive
The UK and Mauritius said they have made "good progress" on a revised agreement, with Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam claiming the UK wants it finalised before Donald Trump is sworn in as president on January 20.

UK 'mid negotiation' over Chagos deal as government deny they're rushing deal through before Trump takes office

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves says UK must go 'further and faster' in search of growth - as Chancellor faces criticism over China visit

Rachel Reeves faces growing scrutiny as market jitters spark calls for fiscal clarity

Rachel Reeves faces growing pressure as market turmoil raises questions over Labour's fiscal credibility

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign

Reform is “fixed” in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Reform is 'fixed' in favour of Nigel Farage, former deputy leader claims as he hits back at former boss

Nigel Farage has told LBC he has "no desire to go to war with Elon Musk".

Nigel Farage tells LBC he doesn't want 'war' with Elon Musk and he plans to 'mend fences' at Trump's inauguration