Lizz Truss snubs Rishi Sunak handshake as she wins leadership contest

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Former Secretary for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis was grilled over the contents of the new government plan to address the spiralling cost of living. The Tory MP celebrated the victory of Liz Truss but warned it would be wrong to “predict” what fiscal measures she may introduce to tackle inflation. Despite his initial reluctance to discuss the upcoming economic plan, Mr Lewis claimed the UK would see a “package of measures” by next week.

Reporting for GB News, political editor Darren McCaffrey asked: “Are we looking at an energy price cap?”

Mr Lewis replied: “Well, look, I’m not going to predict, that would be wrong. 

“It is market sensitive and we haven’t had the fiscal event yet and it’s always wrong to prejudge those things.”

Mr Lewis, who has been an avid supporter of the Truss campaign, was hesitant to reveal the economic measures that would be introduced to support households struggling with rising costs.

Mr McCaffrey continued to push the Tory MP for an answer as he continued: “Is it in principle a bad idea?”

Mr Lewis replied: “I think, in principle, we’ve got to make sure we are affecting those challenges to people’s pockets, the cost of living challenge they are facing.

“While also, as Liz Truss has outlined, dealing with a longer term supply issue so we are able to be more resistant to these issues in the future.”

Mr Lewis added: “I think we will see, within the next week, Liz and her new Chancellor putting forward a package of measures that people will recognise are going to make a positive difference that we can all get behind.”

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While he was not keen to discuss plans for an emergency budget, Mr Lewis was quick to celebrate the victory of Ms Truss over her rival, Rishi Sunak.

He said: “A very good clear majority for Liz Truss that gives us a clear message now.

“The party has taken its view, it has given its decision and we now come back together and get behind the new leader, the next Prime Minister, and get on with delivering for the people.”

Ms Truss secured 57 percent of the valid votes cast, confirming her as the new Prime Minister and placing her under immense pressure to resolve economic concerns.

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The new Conservative leader acknowledged her new-found responsibility to address the cost of living in a speech following the result.

She said: “I will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy. I will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people’s energy bills, but also dealing with the long-term issues we have on energy supply.”

Ms Truss is tipped to announce a freeze on energy costs, although no economic measures under her new leadership have yet been confirmed.

Pressure continued to mount as opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer declared: “There can be no justification for not freezing energy prices.”

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