Boris Johnson told public to buy £20 kettle to save £10 a year on energy bills
Liz Truss has pledged to take “immediate action” on the cost of living crisis if she wins the Tory leadership contest on Monday.
The front-runner, and her counterpart Rishi Sunak, have faced criticism throughout the race for not understanding the scale of the problem facing the country.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph ahead of her expected victory, Ms Truss said she would set out her immediate action on energy bills and supplies within the first week.
It comes as he has been warned that the Tories are “deeply divided” and risk electoral defeat unless his cabinet includes a cross-section of the party.
Former minister David Davis said Truss should not repeat Boris Johnson’s “mistake” of appointing only loyalists and urged her to “weave the party”.
“It is not only in the interest of the party, but in the interest of doing serious politics and winning the next election. None of this is possible with a divided party,” he said.
The final two candidates in the long-running leadership contest will have their last chance to make their pitches Sunday morning, in interviews with Laura Kuenssberg.
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NHS funding plan ‘not enough’
Victor Adebowale, chairman of the NHS Confederation, has said Liz Truss’ proposed diversion of NHS funds to social care was not “good enough”.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Adebowale said he welcomed the recognition that social care was “crashing the system”, but added it was “not an either-or choice”.
“It’s about doing both and we’ve been saying it for a long time. It’s good that he’s acknowledged it, but I’m afraid it won’t be good enough.”
Sam Rkaina September 4, 2022 8:04 am
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The Metropolitan Police must learn from the “appalling mistakes of the past”, warns Patel
The Metropolitan Police must learn from the “terrible mistakes of the past”, the Home Secretary has said in a letter to new commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
It was announced in July that the former counter-terrorism chief would replace Dame Cressida Dick following her resignation, and in the letter Priti Patel referred to the need to restore “confidence and trust”.
In the three-page letter, dated September 2, Ms. Patel refers to a series of recent controversies and failings as he stresses the need for a “transformation” of the Met.
She writes: “Several high-profile recent incidents have affected public trust and confidence across communities, particularly in London, raising serious questions about the culture and standards of the MPS.
“These include the murder of Sarah Everard, searches of children, the investigation into police officers, basic respect and standards exposed in the misconduct at Charing Cross police station in Operation Hotton and the findings of the inquiry into handling the death of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor.
“Londoners need to be confident that improvements are being made immediately and that they will have an impact.
“I hope that the MPS, under your leadership, will clearly demonstrate that it will learn from the terrible mistakes of the past and move away from the culture of organizational defense that has hindered progress and damaged public trust.
Sir Mark, whose term starts on September 12, takes over at a difficult time for the Met, with a new Home Secretary likely to be appointed once either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak takes over as Prime Minister .
Ms Patel writes elsewhere in the letter: “It is absolutely vital that trust is restored and that visible and responsive policing that reduces crime is at the forefront.
“I hope that the Metropolitan Police under your leadership will get the basics right and deliver the first class service that is expected of them.
“Leadership is critical to delivering these changes and I support your ambition to secure a strong senior team that can deliver the wide-ranging reform that is required.
“I also hope that, as Commissioner, you will promote better leadership and higher standards at all levels of the force.”
Ms Patel, who is likely to enter her final days as home secretary, also told the incoming Met boss that the force is “failing to get the basics right”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has written to the Met’s new chief constable (PA)
(son PA)
Sam Rkaina September 4, 2022 7:43 am
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Truss promises ‘immediate action’ on energy bills
Liz Truss has said she will set “immediate action” on energy bills in her first week in office, if she becomes Prime Minister on Tuesday.
The Foreign Secretary, strongly tipped to defeat rival Rishi Sunak when the Tory leadership winner is announced on Monday, has said she will be able to make “difficult decisions” as prime minister to get Britain out of the crisis energetic
In recent weeks there have been increasingly strong calls for the government to step in to support the most vulnerable, with energy bills rising to around £3,500 this winter for the average household.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mrs Truss said she would appoint a council of economic advisers to help guide her and her chancellor.
She says: “I understand how difficult the cost of living crisis is for everyone. These are difficult times and the coming months are going to be tough.
He said he would take “immediate action” to tackle the cost-of-living crisis for families and businesses, while delivering a “broader plan to grow our economy, make it more resilient and make- the most competitive”.
If elected, I plan, within the first week of my new administration, to set out our immediate action on energy bills and energy supply.
Liz Truss
“A fiscal event from my chancellor was coming later this month, with a wider package of action on the economy.”
“We have to make the tough decisions to make sure we’re not in that position every fall and winter.
“Putting plasters and throwing the can down the road won’t do. I’m ready to make tough decisions to rebuild our economy.”
Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 6:45 am
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Cost-of-living support must be ‘mainstream’ of Prime Minister’s plan
Nicola Sturgeon has said support to tackle the cost of living crisis will be “front and centre” in the Scottish Government’s plans for next year.
The Prime Minister will set out her government’s legislative agenda for next year when Holyrood returns on Tuesday and the government’s program is published.
The announcements come during a period of great anxiety for Scots as energy bills and household costs rise.
But the prime minister also hit out at the UK government, which she claimed was in “hibernation” as a result of the ongoing Tory leadership contest, with the winner due to be announced on Monday before she takes office on next afternoon
“On Tuesday, the Scottish Government will publish its program of government for the coming year, and tackling the costs crisis will be front and center in our plans,” Sturgeon said in a statement.
“The steps we will outline this week will build on the action we have already taken with the Scottish Parliament’s limited powers to support family budgets, such as Scottish Child Pay, Carers Allowance Supplement and the of council tax reduction”.
Stuti MishraSeptember 4, 2022 5:55 am
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Tory MPs ‘plan a leadership vote before Christmas’ to bring back Boris Johnson
Twelve Tory MPs unhappy with the party’s leadership candidates are reportedly planning to submit letters of censure to the new prime minister as soon as this week.
Challenging incumbent Liz Truss, MPs plan to send letters to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee, to signal their intentions to challenge the new prime minister, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The paper reports that plotting MPs want a leadership vote before Christmas to return Boris Johnson as leader.
Tory MPs ‘plan a leadership vote before Christmas’ to bring back Boris Johnson
Disgruntled MPs said they wanted a leadership vote later this year
Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 5:15 am
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Liz Truss warns Tory party ‘deeply divided’
Liz Truss has warned the Tories are “deeply divided”, with a former minister urging her to appoint MPs from across the party to her cabinet.
David Davis told the Observer: “It’s incredibly important that the incoming leader brings the party together. It was one of Boris’ first failures that he didn’t do that.
“He only picked on the faithful and as a result it became more and more difficult to manage the party.”
And Amanda Milling, former party chair, told the newspaper: “This leadership contest has been toxic and damaging to the Tory party brand.
“As he concludes, the whole party, from front bench to back bench, must come together as a united team to deliver to the British people and defeat Labour. If we don’t, we run the risk of being without power for a decade.”
Sam Rkaina September 4, 2022 4:53 am
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Good morning! We resume our coverage of all the latest in UK politics for 4 September 2022.
Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 4:52 am
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We’re pausing our live updates for the night.
Katy Clifton September 3, 2022 6:52 p.m
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ICYMI: No, Tory party members should not be allowed to choose our next Prime Minister
As the votes came to a close, John Rentoul argued that Conservative members should not be allowed to choose their leader.
Read John’s full piece here:
No, members of the Conservative Party should not be able to choose our next Prime Minister
As the polls close, John Rentoul argues that Tory members should not be able to choose their leader
Matt Mathers September 3, 2022 5:00 p.m
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ICYMI: Rwanda, asylum seekers and the rule of law
The…