Liz Truss says Britain can ‘ride out the storm’ in first speech as PM

In her first speech as prime minister Liz Truss has said she will help Britain “ride out the storm” with a “bold plan” for the economy, the energy crisis and the NHS.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street after returning from Balmoral, where she accepted the Queen’s invitation to form a government, Ms Truss acknowledged that difficult times lie ahead for the UK.

But she said: ”We shouldn’t be daunted by the challenges we face.

“As strong as the storm may be I know the British people are stronger. Together we can ride out the storm, we can rebuild our economy.”

As Ms Truss’s cavalcade approached from RAF Northolt, it briefly seemed that her speech may be delayed by torrential rain which cleared the street of supporters who had gathered to applaud her.

But the skies cleared moments before her arrival, and a lectern was hastily returned to the street to allow her to make her brief address.

Borrowing a phrase first used by David Cameron in 2012, Ms Truss said she would transform Britain into an “aspiration nation” by focusing on three key priorities of the economy, energy and health.

On the economy, she stuck to her widely-criticised plans for tax cuts, which political opponents and economists have warned could fuel inflation.

She said a “bold plan” of tax cuts and reforms would drive her “mission to get the UK working, building and growing”.

Ms Truss gave no details of the energy plan, which she said would come by the end of the week and is expected to include £90bn or more support for power companies to fund a £2,50-a-year price freeze for domestic consumers and further help for businesses.

But she promised “hands-on” action to “deal with energy bills and secure our future energy supply”.

And she said she would “make sure that people can get doctors’ appointments and the NHS services they need”.

“Our country was built by people who get things done,” she said. “We have huge amounts of talent and energy and determination.

“I’m confident that together we can ride out the storm we can rebuild our economy and we can become the modern brilliant Britain I know we can be.”

Among those in Downing Street to hear Ms Truss speak were Kwasi Kwarteng, who was later named chancellor, James Cleverly, who became foreign secretary and close ally Therese Coffey, who was made health secretary and deputy prime minister.

Within moments of her address, Ms Truss began a clear-out of Sunak supporters from the cabinet, sacking Boris Johnson’s deputy prime minister Dominic Raab, health secretary Steve Barclay, environment secretary George Eustice and transport secretary Grant Shapps.

Ms Truss blamed the UK’s economic woes on “severe global headwinds” as a result of the war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said she was determined to stand up for freedom and democracy in the face of Russian aggression.

“What makes the United Kingdom great is our fundamental belief in freedom, in enterprise and in fair play. Our people have shown grit and determination time and time again,” she said.

“United with our allies we will stand up for freedom and democracy around the world, recognising the we can’t have security at home without security abroad.”

The White House confirmed that Joe Biden would speak by phone with Ms Truss before the end of the day to offer his congratulations.

In a tweet, the US president said he looked forward to “deepening the special relationship between our countries and working in close cooperation on global challenges, including continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression”.

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “Liz Truss is not on the side of working people. While families are sick with worry about how they will pay their energy bills this, Liz Truss is giving handouts to companies.

“She nodded through the decisions that got working people into this mess and is expecting working people to shoulder the cost of getting out of it. She thinks working people just need a bit more graft to solve the problems her government caused.

“Labour has set out a fully funded plan to ensure no one pays a penny more on their energy bill this winter. Because Labour is on the side of working people, while the Tories are the party protecting oil and gas profits.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for Ms Truss to cancel the winter energy price hike and call an immediate general election.

“The only way to end the cost-of-living crisis is to get the Conservatives out of power once and for all,” he said.