By Bill Heaney
Prime Minister Liz Truss, on just her second appearance at PMQs as leader of the ruling Conservative Party, told MPs: “We have taken decisive action to make sure that people are not facing energy bills of £6,000 for two years.
“We remember that the Opposition are only talking about six months. We have also taken decisive action to make sure that we are not facing the highest taxes for 70 years in the face of a global economic slowdown.
“We are making sure that we protect our economy at this very difficult time internationally. As a result of our action—this has been independently corroborated—we will see higher growth and lower inflation.”
Ms Truss, whose period of office at 10 Downing Street is being widely tipped not to last much longer, was monstered by the Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer.
He was supported by MPs from right across the House. He told the PM: “Avoiding the question, ducking responsibility, lost in denial—it is no wonder investors have no confidence in her Government.”
The PM hit back, but unconvincingly, when she said: “The fact is that when I came into office, people were facing energy bills of up to £6,000 per year.
“He [Sir Keir] has refused to confirm whether he backs our energy price guarantee for two years, which protects families not just this winter but next winter.
“We are seeing interest rates rising globally. They are rising globally in the face of Putin’s appalling war in Ukraine. What we are doing is helping people with lower stamp duty, helping people with their energy costs, reducing inflation with our energy package and keeping taxes low. I notice that Sir Keir had a Damascene conversion last night when he backed our cut to national insurance.”
Sir Keir, right, responded testily: “The economy is in turmoil. People are really worried. This is really not the time to descend into nonsense attacks about last night. There is no point in trying to hide it; everyone can see what has happened.