Tory Front-Runner Truss Vows Fast Action on Cost of Living
Liz Truss, who is
widely expected to become Britain's new prime minister this week, has pledged
to act within a week to tackle a cost-of-living crisis fueled by soaring energy
bills linked to the war in Ukraine.
But Truss, speaking to
the BBC Sunday, refused to provide any details on the actions she would take,
suggesting it would be wrong to discuss specific policies until she takes the
top post. She stressed, however, that she understands the magnitude of the
problems facing Britain.
The government has been
unable to address soaring inflation, labor strife and strains on the nation’s
creaking health care system since early July, when Johnson announced his
intention to resign and triggered a contest to choose his successor. The ruling
Conservative Party will announce the winner Monday.
"I want to reassure
people that I am absolutely determined to sort out this issue as well as,
within a month, present a full plan for how we are going to reduce taxes, how
we’re going to get the British economy going, and how we are going to find our
way out of these difficult times,’’ said Truss, who has been foreign secretary
for the past year.
Truss is facing Rishi
Sunak, the government’s former Treasury chief, in the contest to become
Conservative Party leader and so prime minister. Only dues-paying party members
were allowed to vote in the election, putting the choice of Britain’s next
leader in the hands of about 180,000 party activists.
During the campaign,
Truss promised to increase defense spending, cut taxes and boost energy
supplies, but she refused to provide specifics on how she would respond to the
cost-of-living crisis.
With household energy
bills set to increase by 80% next month, charities warn that as many as one in
three households will face fuel poverty this winter, leaving millions fearful
of how they will pay to heat their homes.
The Bank of England has
forecast that inflation will reach a 42-year high of 13.3% in October,
threatening to push Britain into a prolonged recession. Goldman Sachs has
estimated that inflation could soar to 22% by next year unless something is
done to mitigate high energy prices.
VOA
AFEEF:
Hadhwanaagnews marnaba masuul kama aha Aragtida dadka kale. Qoraaga ayaa xumaanteeda, xushmadeeda iyo xilkeeda sida. waxa kaliya oo Hadhwanaagmedia dhiirigalinaysaa, isdhaafsiga aragtida, canaanta gacaliyo talo wadaagga!