All drizzle ..no fizzle

IN her speech on the steps of Downing Street Liz Truss set out her blueprint for Government. Her words were full of optimism but short on detail. Here’s what she said and the Mirror’s verdict on whether she can deliver on her promises.

WHAT SHE SAID I will get Britain working. I plan to grow the economy through tax cuts and reform. I will cut taxes to reward hard work and boost business-led growth and investment.

VERDICT Truss’s Thatcher-style remedy for the economy could mean taxes that most benefit the well off. Reform is code for possible public service cuts. No mention of business investment being down 20% since Brexit.

WHAT SHE SAID We will get spades in the ground to make sure… that we are building hospitals, schools, roads and broadband.

VERDICT Boris Johnson made the same promise when he became PM. It is not obvious Truss will succeed where he failed. She talked of building roads but not investing in public transport. No mention of badly needed affordable homes. WHAT SHE SAID I will deal with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war. I will this week deal with energy bills and secure our energy supply.

VERDICT Truss is tomorrow expected to announce plans to freeze energy bills. The crisis is also caused by Tory failure to insulate homes, build gas storage and invest in renewables.

WHAT SHE SAID I will make sure people can get doctors’ appointments and NHS services. We will put our health service on a firm footing. VERDICT Covid and Tory failures have created the longest-ever waiting list. Truss did not say how she will pay for improvements and cut taxes. No mention of the social care crisis hitting the NHS.