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Most Brits don’t trust Liz Truss to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, poll finds

Liz Truss speaks after being announced as Britain's next Prime Minister at The Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, Britain September 5, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Liz Truss won the Tory leadership contest on Monday, beating Rishi Sunak by 57% to 43% of party membership votes. (Reuters)

The majority of Brits don't trust incoming prime minister Liz Truss to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, a poll has found.

The foreign secretary won the Tory leadership contest on Monday, beating her opponent, former chancellor Rishi Sunak, with 57% of the vote from Conservative Party members.

Truss, who was the bookies' favourite, will be formally appointed as prime minister on Tuesday at Balmoral by the Queen - before returning to London to announce her new cabinet and deliver a speech.

Read more: When is the next general election? Latest odds as Liz Truss becomes Tory leader

Snap polling by YouGov revealed two-thirds of Brits say they have no confidence (38%) or not very much confidence (29%) that Truss will have the right policies to tackle the cost of living.

Just 2% have a lot of confidence and 17% have some confidence.

It comes after YouGov found 74% of Brits think the cost of living should be the next prime minister's biggest priority.

The majority of the public do not have confidence in Liz Truss to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. (YouGov)
The majority of the public do not have confidence in Truss to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. (YouGov)
Half of Brits are very disappointed or fairly disappointed by Liz Truss led government. (YouGov)
Half of Brits are very disappointed or fairly disappointed by a Truss-led government. (YouGov)

Truss is yet to announce a full plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, but has pledged cuts to National Insurance contributions and green energy levies to help with rising prices.

There is growing speculation she is planning to freeze the energy price cap at its previous level of £1,971 - an approach Labour has called for in recent weeks.

Experts have warned that tax cuts to help with the cost of living are poorly targeted and will benefit wealthier households, leaving those on low incomes out in the cold.

Elsewhere, in more grim polling for the incoming prime minister, 61% of Brits say they are very disappointed (33%) or fairly disappointed (17%) that Truss will be the next prime minister.

Read more: Boris Johnson ally says 'distinct possibility' he could return as PM

Just 22% reported being very pleased (4%) or fairly pleased (18%).

Polling from the end of August also revealed that 45% of voters think Liz Truss is incompetent, and 40% believe she is dishonest.

And, according to a new poll by Survation, a Truss-led Conservative party would give a Starmer-led Labour a 17-point lead if a general election were held today.

However, in her victory speech, Truss claimed that her party "resonate" with the British public.

yougov
Nearly half of Brits think Truss is incompetent. (YouGov)
New polling reveals a Keir Starmer-led Labour party would have a 17-point lead under a Truss-led government.
New polling reveals a Keir Starmer-led Labour party would have a 17-point lead under a Truss-led government.

“I know that our beliefs resonate with the British people: our beliefs in freedom, in the ability to control your own life, in low taxes, in personal responsibility," Truss said.

"I know that’s why people voted for us in such numbers in 2019 and as your party leader I intend to deliver what we promised those voters right across our great country."

Boris Johnson congratulated Truss on Monday afternoon for what he called a "decisive win" after she bagged 57% of the Tory party membership vote versus Sunak's 43%.

Read more: The three jobs Liz Truss had before she went into politics

"I know she has the right plan to tackle the cost of living crisis, unite our party and continue the great work of uniting and levelling up our country," he said.

"Now is the time for all Conservatives to get behind her 100%."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “I’d like to congratulate our next prime minister Liz Truss as she prepares for office.

“But after 12 years of the Tories all we have to show for it is low wages, high prices, and a Tory cost-of-living crisis.

“Only Labour can deliver the fresh start our country needs.”

Watch: Political leaders react to Truss becoming next UK prime minister