Boris Johnson has told senior officials to plan a “meaningful ministerial meeting” with devolved governments about cost of living support following calls from Nicola Sturgeon. In a letter to the outgoing prime minister on Monday, the Scottish first minister said an emergency meeting scheduled in September could not wait and must happen immediately. Keir Starmer claimed Labour has been “leading” on the cost of living crisis following criticism of his response to the national issue. The Labour leader said he will announce further plans to tackle the crisis on Monday. He criticised the Conservative leadership contest and “lame duck” prime minister as he called for a “strategic, credible plan” in the face of the cost of living crisis. He also criticised the government for failing to prepare the UK for drought. The government claimed that it is “better prepared than ever” after drought was declared in several parts of England. Water minister Steve Double has claimed that action is already being taken by the government and the Environment Agency (EA) after eight areas were moved to “drought” status – including Devon and Cornwall, Solent and South Downs, Kent and South London, Herts and North London, East Anglia, Thames, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, and East Midlands. Liz Truss’s pledge to tackle “woke” civil service culture were condemned as “insulting and abhorrent” by a union representing civil servants. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA, said: “She provides no evidence for her accusation that many civil servants will find both insulting and abhorrent.” Rishi Sunak insisted he has a “fantastic chance” in the Tory leadership contest – despite the apparent dominance of his rival. Many Conservative party members, he said, “have not made up their mind”. Keir Starmer teased Labour’s package to tackle the cost of living crisis, saying his party would end energy prepayment premiums which he claims would offer 4m households relief on bills. The announcement, which came in what is reportedly his first tweet this month, follows criticism of Labour’s inaction on the cost of living crisis. Tory leadership candidate Liz Truss has pledged to clamp down on “woke” civil service culture that “strays into antisemitism”. The foreign secretary will also boost links between the UK and Israel, with the aim of securing a free trade deal, according to her campaign. Boris Johnson insisted the government is doing everything it can amid cost of living crisis but admitted: “I’m not going to pretend that things are easy for people”. He claimed there is “more money coming” to help people in October and the new year. Boris Johnson admitted that the government’s support package to tackle the cost of living crisis is not enough but claimed that whoever succeeds him as prime minister will ensure there is “extra cash to help people”. Speaking in north Wales, he said the government had already laid out several messages to help people but that not everybody will have received it yet. That’s it from me for today. Thanks for reading.