Truss hands energy lifeline to millions as she sets deadline for help

Liz Truss attacks Sadiq Khan 'he's anti everything!'

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The Tory leadership frontrunner said she would act “immediately” if she was announced as the next Prime Minister tomorrow. Last month it was announced average energy bills would increase by 80 percent in October to an eye-watering £3,549 a year.

Throughout the summer the Foreign Secretary has vowed to help ease the burden by reducing taxes on households by reversing the National Insurance hike and considering slashing VAT.

However, she has come under intense pressure to go further and announce further intervention to help those struggling to keep the heating on this winter.

Speaking this morning, Ms Truss told the BBC: “If I’m elected as Prime Minister, within one week, I will make sure there is an announcement on how we are going to deal with the issue of energy bills and long-term supply to put this country on the right footing for winter.”

She added: “Businesses are also concerned about their energy bills and the impact it could have on all their futures.

“What I want to reassure people is I will act if elected as Prime Minister within one week.”

The South West Norfolk MP refused to be drawn on exactly what help she would outline, saying the outcome of the Tory leadership contest was still to be confirmed.

“We still don’t know the outcome of this contest,” she said.

“I’m not going to go into details about what an announcement would be before because I think it would be wrong to do that.”

Repeatedly pressed on what form that action would take, Ms Truss added: “Before you have been elected as Prime Minister, you don’t have all the wherewithal to get the things done.

“So, this is why it will take a week to sort out the precise plans and make sure we are able to announce them.

“That is why I cannot go into details at this stage. It would be wrong. But what I want to be very clear about with the public is I understand that this is a huge problem.

“I understand people are worried and I want to reassure people that I am absolutely determined to sort out this issue as well as within a month, present a full plan for how we are going to reduce taxes, how we’re going to get the British economy going, and how we are going to find our way out of these very difficult times.”

The next Conservative leader will be announced at 12.30pm tomorrow before then taking over from Boris Johnson on Tuesday.

Polling suggests Ms Truss is the clear favourite to beat her rival Rishi Sunak.

More to follow…

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