LIZ Truss has vowed to take action on crippling bills THIS WEEK as one of her first acts as Prime Minister.
In her first speech outside No10 she steeled Brits for the “daunting” months ahead – but insisted the country would “ride out the storm”.
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Ms Truss is expected to freeze energy prices at their current level in an eye-watering £100billion spending package.
A speech is expected on Thursday to lay out the measures to protect families from unaffordable price hikes.
Summoning the Churchillian wartime spirit, she promised “action this day” to beat the dire energy crisis eating into people’s savings.
In a sopping wet Downing St she said: “We shouldn’t be daunted by the challenges we face.
“As strong as the storm may be. I know that the British people are stronger.
“Our country was built by people who get things done. We have huge reserves of talent of energy and determination.
“I am confident that together, we can ride out the storm.”
The PM is set to fix the unit price of gas and electricity for homes and businesses until at least next year – but won’t pass the buck to consumers to pick up the tab.
Officials are rapidly drafting new laws to force firms to sell energy at a loss – with Government borrowing billions to plug the shortfall.
It means bills will effectively be frozen for millions of people and businesses.
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But ministers have ditched plans for a 10 to 20-year levy to pay back the cash – over fears that a future PM could just scrap it.
Instead the billions of pounds of extra cash set to be splashed on the plan will wrap into general taxes.
Insiders hope it will avoid an almighty backlash of an ‘energy tax’ for years to come.
Ms Truss said she her other priorities were growing the economy by slashing taxes, and cutting the NHS’ groaning backlongs.
Laying out her vision for Britain she said: “We need to reduce the burden on families and help people get on in life.
“I know that we have what it takes to tackle those challenges. Of course, it won’t be easy, but we can do it.”
