Children to quiz Rishi Sunak on his wealth in TV interview

Young people question Prime Minister's ability to help struggling families while he is 'so rich' himself

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gives a speech at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty

A group of children are set to grill British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about his wealth and response to the cost-of-living crisis in a TV interview.

During a special edition of Sky’s FYI: Weekly News Show on the Sky Kids channel, young presenters will quiz the Prime Minister on a series of issues

Topics to be covered in the interview include underage vaping and Mr Sunak's revelation that he is looking forward to seeing his “favourite pop star” — Katy Perry — perform at King Charles III's coronation concert, according to Sky.

It also touches on the deepening cost-of-living crisis, with one girl questioning the Prime Minister’s suitability to help “struggling families”, given his wealth.

“It’s been a tough winter for us all, but how do you know to help struggling families when you’re so rich yourself?” Ruby, in Highgate, asks Mr Sunak.

Mr Sunak replies: “The best way to judge people is not by what job they’re doing or where they come from — it’s about what they’re actually doing and I think you can judge me by my actions."

Asked about what the government will do to stop underage vaping, Mr Sunak will highlight the announcement of a new “illicit vapes squad” led by trading standards officials and aimed at cracking down on the sale of e-cigarettes to children.

Cost of living crisis in the UK — in pictures

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  People demonstrate in central London against the rising cost of living. EPA

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  Former British prime minister Boris Johnson said workers should accept a pay cut to avoid spiralling inflation. AFP

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  Inflation in the UK hit an annual rate of 9.1 per cent in May. EPA

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  The British government told workers they cannot expect pay rises to keep up with the increasing cost of living. EPA

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  The Bank of England, which says it can do nothing to stop the sharp increase in prices, is raising rates at an unprecedented rate. AFP

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  The UK was also brought to standstill by the biggest rail strike in 30 years this week, with 40,000 RMT union members walking out in a row over a below-inflation pay offer. PA

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  The RMT picket line outside Bristol Temple Meads station. PA

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  The cost of petrol continues to rise. AFP

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  A protester demonstrates outside Downing Street. EPA

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  Volunteers in Bradford, northern England, prepare food parcels at the Bradford Central Foodbank. More and more people are visiting the centre. AFP

“These adverts for these things are designed to appeal to kids, with the colours they use, the characters they use — that’s not right — their flavours,” he says.

Mr Sunak is facing an investigation by the UK Parliament’s standards watchdog over claims that he broke the MPs’ code of conduct by not declaring as a financial interest a childcare firm his wife holds shares in, which benefitted from the budget.

Akshata Murty held shares in Koru Kids as far back as March 2019, before Mr Sunak entered Downing Street as chancellor, according to documents lodged with Companies House.

Mr Sunak’s team has said he transparently declared the shares as a ministerial interest, rather than to the Commons, and has followed the rules.