DOWNING Street has blocked Jacob Rees-Mogg from launching a publicity campaign urging Brits to cut down on their energy.
The Business Secretary’s £15million ad blitz with tips on how bill payers can save money this winter was deemed too “nannying” by Liz Truss.
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Critical Tories blasted her decision and insisted a communication drive would help squeezed families cut back on costs.
But No10 sources said Mr Rees-Mogg’s campaign included bizarre photo ops like standing outside his department after turning off all the lights.
Climate Minister Graham Stuart yesterday said the PM would not be telling people how to live their lives.
He said: “A general campaign about reducing energy would probably make no difference to our energy security. So, that would be a good reason not to do it.
“We’re also hesitant to tell people what they should do when we’re not a nanny-state Government.
“What we are prepared to do is talk to the big energy users and talk to consumers with smart technology about rewarding them for reducing energy at the peak times.”
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But ex-minister Guy Opperman said explaining how Brits can save money in hard times was “grown up government”.
He said that “not engaging with the public expenditure on this issue is simply wrong”.
