The new prime minister’s inbox is crowded, with the cost of living crisis, growing inflation, conflicts with the EU, and the war in Ukraine all vying for her attention.
Today at noon, the new prime minister, Liz Truss, will face off against Sir Keir Starmer for the first time in Prime Minister’s Questions.
In her first speech as prime minister on Tuesday, Ms. Truss stated that the United Kingdom would “ride out the storm” caused by the war in Ukraine and promised a package of reforms to “transform Britain” that would include measures to boost growth and put the National Health Service on a “firm footing.”
She also promised to address rising energy costs as a top concern. She is anticipated to announce a bill-freezing scheme later this week.
According to reports, the freeze will be approximately £2,500, which is over £500 higher than the existing price ceiling but £1,000 less than the limit that will be enforced in October.
Sir Keir, the leader of the Labour Party, will likely question Ms. Truss during PMQs about her upcoming energy policies.
His party has asked for an immediate freeze on the energy price cap, which would be paid for by implementing a new windfall tax on the earnings of oil and gas firms without the “huge tax loophole” that the government’s existing windfall tax allegedly possesses.
After delivering her statement in front of Number 10, Ms. Truss appointed her cabinet, which will hold its first meeting this morning.
Former justice secretary Dominic Raab, former transport secretary Grant Shapps, and former health secretary Steve Barclay were among those ousted from their prominent government roles.
Ms. Truss rewarded her long-standing loyalists, notably her friend Therese Coffey, who was promoted from secretary of labor and pensions to secretary of health and deputy prime minister.
Former business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng was promoted to the chancellor, and he summoned the heads of Britain’s largest banks for a meeting within his first few hours on the job.
Mr. Kwarteng stated on social media that being offered the role was “the honor of a lifetime.”
Former attorney general Suella Braverman was appointed home secretary following the retirement of Priti Patel, while James Cleverly was promoted to the role of foreign secretary previously held by Liz Truss.
Mr. Cleverly served as Ms. Truss’s deputy throughout his two years as a minister in the foreign office.
Former minister for Brexit prospects and government effectiveness Jacob Rees-Mogg was appointed to the business secretary, while Brandon Lewis was granted the justice brief because of his allegiance to Theresa Truss.
Kit Malthouse, a former chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and minister of the police, was assigned to the education portfolio, while Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a former international commerce secretary, was appointed transport secretary.
The press secretary for the prime minister stated that Ms. Truss has picked a cabinet that “represents the depth and breadth of expertise in the Conservative Party” and will “unite the party, build the economy, and deliver for the British people.”
Today, additional junior ministers are anticipated to be appointed.
As promised, the new prime minister called Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy shortly after delivering her first speech outside Downing Street.
After their conversation, Ms. Truss issued the following statement: “Ukraine can depend on the United Kingdom for long-term support.”
In a social media post, President Zelenskyy praised Ms. Truss for the United Kingdom’s continuous support of Ukraine and asked her to visit.
She also chatted with Vice President Joe Biden.
President Biden extended his congratulations and stated that he was looking forward to “deepening the great relationship between our countries and working in close coordination on global challenges, including sustained support for Ukraine as it defends against Russian aggression.”
Ms. Truss stated that she and Vice President Biden addressed working together to address common concerns, such as the economic consequences of the crisis in Ukraine, and pledged to strengthen “UK-US ties.”
