was criticised by Charlie Stayt on BBC Breakfast as he appeared on the daytime programme to discuss the latest forecast by the Bank of England that higher energy and water bills would increase inflation.

In a major blow to the Labour Government, the Bank of England yesterday slashed the UK's expected 2025 growth rate from 1.5% to 0.75%.

Charlie Stayt quizzed Energy Secretary Ed Miliband about his promise to come into Government to reduce energy bills by £300. He said: "That's not happening, is it?"

Ed replied: "No, and I'll tell you why. In the Global Fossil Fuels Market, prices are going up by 60 percent compared to a year ago. That's due to geopolitical events-and I fear bills will keep rising."

He added: "The only way to bring bills down - to get control back - is to have clean home grown power that we can control. At the moment, we are in the grip of markets that we can't control as they are run by dictators."

Many BBC viewers who tuned in left many comments online after Ed appeared on the show. One person said: "Brilliant questioning Charlie."

A second person typed: "Great questions from Charlie. Miliband utterly clueless. Does anyone believe him, no."

A third said: "'This Labour government is not about lobbying' The man is a truly witless, shameless plonker! Period."

A fourth agreed: "Miliband no idea at all," as a fifth also chimed in: "Ed Millheheheband what a joke."

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.