RECAP: Liz Truss BBC radio: Follow how PM's local radio appearance unfolded

Liz Truss is to break her silence following a period of economic turmoil in the UK following the mini-budget unveiled by the Chancellor last week.

It is her first media appearance following the mini budget as the UK faces economic turmoil Ms Truss defended Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s measures, insisting “urgent action” was needed, although she admitted the Government’s decisions have been “controversial”.

Prime Minister Liz Truss has insisted the Government had to “take urgent action to get the economy growing” in her first public comments since the mini-budget market turmoil.

Prime Minister Liz Truss is set to make her first media appearances since the mini-budget last weekPrime Minister Liz Truss is set to make her first media appearances since the mini-budget last week
Prime Minister Liz Truss is set to make her first media appearances since the mini-budget last week
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The market angst in recent days has seen the Chancellor step up efforts to reassure the City about his economic plans after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) criticised the Government’s strategy. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Chris Philp insisted there would be no consideration “at all” for a change of course by the Government.

On Wednesday, the Bank of England launched an emergency government bond-buying programme to prevent borrowing costs from spiralling out of control and stave off a “material risk to UK financial stability”.

The Bank announced it was stepping in to buy up to £65 billion worth of Government bonds – known as gilts – at an “urgent pace” after fears over the Government’s economic policies sent the pound tumbling and sparked a sell-off in the gilts market.

The market turmoil had forced pension funds to sell Government bonds to head off worries over their solvency, but this was threatening to see them suffer severe losses.

Here’s how it unfolded.

Liz Truss to face questions in first media appearance amid mini-budget turmoil

Radio Kent asks the Prime Minister if she is ashamed of what she has done.

The PM says that her government has to take action over inflation and rising fuel bills.

She adds that they are working closely with the Bank of England, to which host Anna Cookson says “they’re putting out your fire”

Liz Truss insists that the action she has taken is helping people but that the UK is facing ‘difficult economic times’

Liz Truss adds that the UK will be sticking with their Rwanda policy on immigration and that she will take action to stop the European Court of Human Rights overruling decisions on deportation.

Again a recap

Liz Truss has acknowledged that the measures announced in the Chancellor’s mini-budget last week would take time to have an effect.

The Prime Minister told BBC Radio Leeds that the Chancellor was working “very, very closely” with the Governor of the Bank of England.

“We are facing very difficult economic times. We are facing that on a global level,” she said.

“Of course lots of measures we have announced won’t happen overnight. We won’t see growth come through overnight.

“What is important is that we are putting this country on a better trajectory for the long term.”

Liz Truss is grilled on fracking in Lancashire - the host asks why when locals are opposed and the science “hasn’t changed” she cannot guarentee no fracking in the area.

“Do you know where Preston New Road is where they have been fracking”

The PM responds that she has not - “shouldn’t you?” is the response.

A strong local question on BBC Radio Lancashire

BBC Radio Nottingham states that the Government has made the issue worse and that the economic issue is “a problem you have created”

Liz Truss says it is a global issue and that her government has taken descisive action to help people with energy bills.

Radio Nottingham host states that many will be left better off - but to the average worker, they will not benefit from reverse tax cuts.

“Many have said you a reverse Robin Hood”

Questions for the Prime Minister from BBC Radio Kent listeners included “What on earth were you thinking?”, “How can we ever trust the Conservatives with our economy again?” and “Are you ashamed of what you’ve done?”, the show’s presenter said.

Liz Truss is asked what help she is offering to people who can not afford to live in the house they have been in for decades.

Truss says that everyone has been offered help with fuel bills and that was their priority and the biggest part of the economic support.

Host Amy Oakden asks how tax cuts for the wealthy are going to help those that can’t afford their home.