Liz Truss: Energy crisis 'number one priority' says Andrew RT Davies

Liz Truss is expected to freeze households' energy bills

Liz Truss must show how she will help people pay rocketing energy bills, the leader of the Tories in the Senedd has said.

Andrew RT Davies said the issue is the "number one priority" for the new prime minister.

Ms Truss was appointed by the Queen on Tuesday after winning the UK Conservative leadership contest.

After her victory Ms Truss promised a "bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy".

Ms Truss beat former chancellor Rishi Sunak in the contest triggered by the resignation of Boris Johnson.

Meanwhile, in his last day in the job, Cardiff-born Boris Johnson aide Guto Harri accused the Tory party of having a "collective appetite for self-harm".

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The new prime minister said she will "deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people's energy bills, but also dealing with the long-term".

Under her plans soaring energy bills are expected to be cut using government-backed loans - an announcement is expected on Thursday.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford urged the incoming prime minister to work with him to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Speaking to BBC Wales Mr Davies, who backed Ms Truss, said the energy crisis was the "number one priority for the new incoming prime minister".

"The cost of living pressures, whether you're a business, whether you're a family or an individual, it's affecting you wherever you live.

"We need that offer on the table so that people can understand what support, what help is there."

He said Ms Truss, who won with 57% of the vote, had a "clear mandate to deliver on her ambition" for the UK.

Former Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said he wants to see help for small businesses "who face being absolutely hammered by soaring energy costs".

"There might need to be additional support payments for the disabled, for people on the very lowest incomes and pensioners as well."

'We need help now'

At Brecon Carreg mineral water, bottled in the Brecon Beacons National Park, brand manager Eleri Morgan said the company was looking at around a 300% increase in energy costs next year and companies needed more help to survive.

Ms Morgan said the company already paid a six figure sum every year for the "energy intensive" business.

"It's quite daunting, the business is starting to mitigate and conversations and plans are being put in place to hopefully make Brecon Carreg a sustainable business in the long and short term," she told BBC Radio Wales.

She added: "I think it's valid to say this problem is so acute now we would need a package of care similar to the Covid crisis, just because an emergency package to help now and then potentially in the future, perhaps a separate conversation about helping businesses become more environmentally friendly and a move to solar.

"We can't do it alone, we need help now."

Last weekend Ms Truss promised a plan to deal with soaring energy costs within a week of entering Downing Street.

Ms Truss said she would "act immediately" to help with bills, but offered no details, saying she would need time in office to finalise her proposals.

The Cardiff-born former director of communications to Boris Johnson, Guto Harri, said his stint working for the prime minister was "never likely to be long" but was "far too brief".

"Seven months on the front line, was relentless, exhausting, a huge challenge intellectually, emotionally and even physically. At times, not least when the Conservative party showed its collective appetite for self-harm, it was brutal."

"But it was also exhilarating, deeply fulfilling and an enormous privilege."

Mr Johnson quit after a string of cabinet resignations, and following a series of scandals that rocked his administration.

Ms Truss and her predecessor travelled to Balmoral on Tuesday to meet the Queen, where Mr Johnson resigned and Ms Truss was appointed as prime minister.

Labour Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said her party is on an "election campaign footing right now".

"I want a general election as soon as possible," she said.

"I don't want two more years when things get even worse under Liz Truss and I'm afraid I think she's going to be a continuity prime minister."