Newspaper headlines: Liz Truss 'straight to business' amid 'looming crisis'

Liz Truss laughs as she arrives at Conservative Party Headquarters in central LondonReuters
By BBC News
Staff

A beaming Liz Truss dominates the front pages - alongside the widespread view that one of her first acts as prime minister will be to freeze energy bills for homes and businesses.

"Liz puts her foot on the gas" reads the Sun's headline.

It says a multi-billion pound move to "cap crippling prices" could come by Thursday, and bills are likely to be capped for at least four months.

The i reports that Ms Truss's plans to freeze gas and electricity bills at their current average annual cost of just under £2,000 until the end of January.

According to the paper, the new energy lock is likely to be "universal" and will benefit all homes.

However, the Daily Telegraph reports that bills could be frozen for longer - until 2024, when the next general election is expected.

It also believes a package of support will be revealed as early as Thursday, followed "within weeks" by an announcement of tax cuts and a plan to clear the NHS backlog.

The Financial Times says the new prime minister is planning a "massive intervention" to avoid household misery and business collapse.

It believes she will offer a two-year package of energy relief which could cost up to £100bn.

The Times says it'll be "straight to business" for Ms Truss, amid fears of mass bankruptcies - with some pubs and restaurants facing a seven-fold increase in energy costs.

According to the paper, her proposals would "effectively" commit the taxpayer to footing Britain's energy bills, beyond a certain level, to stop widespread hardship.

The Guardian says Ms Truss might have won the contest to be the new Tory leader and prime minister - but it asks whether "she can avert the looming crisis".

It warns of a party "deeply divided", claiming some "mutinous backbenchers" are already plotting her demise. The Guardian believes Ms Truss will defy calls for unity and will appoint what it calls a "cabinet of loyalist MPs".

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The Daily Mirror sees little prospect of change in the new government - with the fourth Conservative PM in 12 years. A montage of David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss - their faces blending into each other - covers its front page, with the words "same old Tories" underneath.

But the Daily Express says the Tory Party has put its faith in Ms Truss to persuade the nation that she is the prime minister who can "deliver for Britain".

"It will be tough going", the paper admits, but predicts that Ms Truss will "see off the sneering Jeremiahs".

"Cometh the hour, cometh the woman..." is the headline on the front of the Daily Mail. It reminds readers that Ms Truss is the third female Conservative prime minister - and says she plans a "shock and awe" strategy on energy bills, tax and the NHS to "stamp her mark on Britain".

Finally, the Daily Star marks the last day of Boris Johnson's premiership with pictures of him pulling various faces. It sums up his 1,139 days in office as the "end of an error".