When Liz Truss arrives in No 10 on Tuesday she is going to instantly face a collection of daunting challenges at dwelling and overseas which is able to outline her premiership.
Here are a few of the most urgent points in her prime ministerial in-tray.
– The financial system
The Financial institution of England has warned that inflation is about to soar to greater than 13% – different analysts have forecast that could possibly be even greater – and the financial system might be plunged into the longest recession because the monetary disaster.
The Financial institution elevated rates of interest from 1.25% to 1.75% – the largest rise for 27 years – in August, one thing that may add to strain on family funds for mortgage-holders.
Gross home product (GDP), a measure of the scale of the financial system, is forecast to shrink in each three-month interval from October to the beginning of 2024, falling by as a lot as 2.1%, the Financial institution mentioned.
– Value of residing
The grim state of the financial system is already having an affect on customers, with costs rising, common annual power payments going up by 80% in October from £1,971 to £3,549, and widespread anger over wages failing to maintain tempo with the rise in inflation.
Ms Truss campaigned on a promise to chop taxes, moderately than supply handouts, however the scale of the disaster going through households and enterprise implies that a multibillion-pound help bundle might be required and she or he has not dominated out freezing the cap.
– Strikes
Industrial unrest has already hit the transport networks, prison barristers in England and Wales are occurring strike, and additional motion could possibly be taken by public sector staff, together with nurses, academics and civil servants.
Ms Truss has accused “militant commerce unionists” of “holding our nation to ransom” and has promised a bundle of measures to restrict strike motion.
There could be a minimal stage of service on important nationwide infrastructure, the minimal threshold for voting in favour of strike motion could be raised from 40% to 50% of the workforce, and the discover interval could be raised from two weeks to 4 weeks.
– Ukraine
The UK’s dedication to supporting Ukraine is predicted to proceed, however after six months of the struggle with Russia there's a danger that fatigue will set in amongst Western allies.
Ms Truss must play a number one position in making certain the allies preserve army and diplomatic backing for Kyiv at a time when the battle is pushing up gasoline costs and inflicting financial issues round Europe.
She is predicted to go to Ukraine to see President Volodymyr Zelensky as one in all her first abroad visits as prime minister to reveal the UK’s continued help.
– China
The sweeping evaluate of international and defence coverage carried out below Boris Johnson labelled China a “systemic competitor”, whereas Nato’s new strategic idea has branded Beijing a “problem” to “our pursuits, safety and values”.
However China’s financial clout means will probably be essential to stability commerce advantages with warning over Beijing’s political motivations.
The chance of tensions between China and Taiwan boiling over may also function extremely within the new prime minister’s international coverage considerations.
Ms Truss has described the “more and more assertive” and “authoritarian” Xi Jinping administration as a “very deep safety concern”.
– Well being and social care
Covid backlogs, file ready durations in A&E and unprecedented pressures on ambulance providers are simply a few of the challenges within the NHS in England going through the brand new prime minister.
She may also should oversee the introduction of the brand new social care system from October 2023, which is able to see no one pay greater than £86,000 for the private care they want, whereas additionally dealing with an ageing inhabitants and rising demand.
Ms Truss has promised to reallocate billions of additional funding earmarked for the well being service, placing it into social care as an alternative.
“We've folks in beds within the NHS who could be higher off in social care. So put that cash into social care,” she mentioned.
Enhancing major care and entry to GP appointments may also be a precedence for Ms Truss.
– Brexit
Boris Johnson could have campaigned on the slogan “Get Brexit completed” however the actuality is a great distance from that.
Ms Truss will danger additional straining relations with Brussels by pushing forward with the Northern Eire Protocol Invoice, permitting the UK Authorities to override components of the UK-EU deal – one thing which is prone to provoke a fierce parliamentary battle within the Lords in addition to outrage within the Berlaymont.
Ms Truss has not gone out of her option to develop an entente cordiale with France, declaring that the “jury is out” on whether or not President Emmanuel Macron is a “good friend or foe” to the UK.
In the meantime, the will to reap the benefits of Brexit alternatives by tearing up Brussels-inspired purple tape may increase enterprise but in addition dangers erecting additional limitations with the UK’s nearest commerce companion.
– Local weather change
The spike in gasoline costs has elevated consideration on the best way the UK’s power is generated and assembly the dedication on internet zero emissions by 2050 may also demand main modifications.
Help for renewables and nuclear energy are seen as methods to each enhance power safety and meet commitments to cut back carbon emissions – however Tory opposition to onshore wind implies that one of many most cost-effective types of technology is successfully off the desk.
Ms Truss desires to encourage fracking “in areas that help it” and do extra to take advantage of North Sea gasoline, insisting that it was vital to prioritise power safety whereas additionally pushing forward with internet zero commitments.
The brand new prime minister may also face the problem of bettering the power effectivity of the UK’s housing inventory and supporting the transition to electrical autos.
– Migration
The variety of folks risking the damaging crossing of the English Channel has already hit greater than 23,000 and is on the right track to beat 2021’s file quantity, regardless of efforts to crack down on the issue.
However in addition to dealing with the small boats situation, Ms Truss may also should cope with business calls for for extra migrant staff to be given visas to return to the UK, with labour shortages one of many principal considerations voiced by employers throughout a spread of sectors.
– Reuniting the get together
The management contest has seen weeks of vicious “blue on blue” infighting involving a few of the get together’s largest names.
Discovering a option to finish the enmity amongst senior figures who've been tearing strips off each other might be a problem for Ms Truss, as will managing the bruised egos and simmering resentment amongst those that miss out on a seat on the Cupboard desk in her new administration.
– Boris Johnson
He could now have extra time to spend writing his long-awaited Shakespeare ebook, however, like Banquo’s ghost, Mr Johnson has the potential to hang-out his successor.
By no means one to keep away from the limelight, Mr Johnson has made little effort to hide his resentment at being compelled out of workplace and will make life very troublesome for his alternative in Downing Avenue.
Mr Johnson has mentioned “solely time will inform” what sort of ex-prime minister he might be “however my intention and what I definitely will do is give my full and unqualified help to whoever takes over from me”.
Relations with Ms Truss will definitely be hotter than they might have been together with her defeated rival for the management Rishi Sunak, whose resignation as chancellor helped oust Mr Johnson from No 10.