Tory Party conference latest LIVE: Liz Truss ally accuse fellow MPs of ‘coup’ over tax rebellion

A key ally of Liz Truss has accused fellow Tory MPs of a ‘coup’ against the new Prime Minister after a backbench rebellion over plans to axe the top income tax rate.

The Prime Minister and her chancellor were forced into a humiliating U-turn on Monday and it has caused significant waves at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman accused fellow Tory MPs of a ‘coup’ against Ms Truss. She was backed by Levelling Up secretary Simon Clarke MP.

Liz Truss was told by a senior Tory MP on Tuesday that the next ten days are a “critical period” for her to turn around her trouble-hit premiership.

Former Cabinet minister Grant Shapps issued the warning as Tory MPs were in open revolt, this time to ensure the Prime Minister raises benefits in line with inflation.

Former Transport Secretary Mr Shapps warned that the clock was ticking.

He told Jon Sopel on The News Agents podcast: “There is a limited period of time to turn things around from what’s been, you know, a choppy, difficult start.

“I think these next few days, by definition, is obviously the key moment….

“The next ten days, of course, is a critical period, that goes without saying.”

He added: “It doesn’t mean it’s the end moment, one way or the other, it doesn’t mean that time will stop after ten days. But I think it’s really important, if she’s going to turn it around, this is the time to do it.”

Mr Shapps and fellow ex-Cabinet minister Michael Gove played key roles in forcing the U-turn on the 45p tax rate.

Live coverage ends

21:48 , Josh Salisbury

That’s all for today for our live coverage today - thank you for joining us.

For our recap of the day’s events, please visit here.

Braverman slapped down on ECHR

21:11 , Tom Davidson

A senior Government source slapped down Suella Braverman over her comments on leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.

The source told the PA news agency: “As Suella acknowledged, her personal views are contrary to government policy and if she wishes to make those views known within government she should do so in a more appropriate setting.”

More blue-on-blue attacks

20:44 , Tom Davidson

Nadine Dorries says she ISN’T calling for an election after twice calling for one

20:31 , Tom Davidson

Conservative former culture secretary Nadine Dorries said she was not calling for a general election “because the poll ratings at the moment, we’d absolutely lose it”.

She told LBC Radio’s Iain Dale: “There are a number of issues, but I just want to make clear I’m not calling for a general election, because the poll ratings at the moment, we’d absolutely lose it.

“Having removed our most successful prime minister, Conservative MPs and ministers having removed our most successful prime minister, they really need to think about removing our very successful policies too.”

She added: “I back Liz but what I want Liz to do is to – I’d just like everyone to calm down slightly and to not just throw the baby out with the bath water, which is what’s happening now and to think a bit more carefully about what it was people voted for in 2019.

“How they voted about our manifesto, about the deal that we have with the British public and the promises we made to them, and to think a little bit more about that before we go too gung-ho with policies that people are not going to vote for and not going to like in the future.”

Removing Boris Johnson and his policies ‘recipe for disaster’ - Dorries

20:15 , Josh Salisbury

Removing Boris Johnson and his policies "is a recipe for disaster," Conservative former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has claimed.

Speaking to LBC Radio's Iain Dale, she said: “I think what Liz [Truss] needs to do is stop right now and take stock of where she is, to learn from the mistakes of the past few weeks, to look at the manifesto that people elected us on."

She added: “Because for me removing Boris and removing the policies is a recipe for disaster."

Ms Dorries went on: “The only thing I've heard Boris say ... since the day Liz was elected was back Liz, he even said that to me this morning, back Liz, back Liz.

“All he's concerned about is the survival of the Conservative Party and winning the next election, and he very much isn't agitating, I think he's very much getting on with other things at the moment.

“I think we'll look back on this in the future, we removed the prime minister who won us the biggest majority since 1979 in less than three years of winning that majority. Conservative MPs in the future may have a lot to answer for."

Liz Truss emphasises importance of restoring trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

19:44 , Tom Davidson

The Prime Minister has emphasised the importance of restoring trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Northern Ireland Conservatives, Liz Truss said: “It is very important that we restore the east-west trading relationship so that we are ale to support both communities in Northern Ireland, support the primacy of the Belfast Good Friday agreement.”

She also said she wanted to boost growth in Northern Ireland, adding: “I want to see the assembly and the executive back up and running.

“I want to see decisions being made in Northern Ireland and I want to see new jobs, new investment and new opportunities, and that is what we will deliver as this Conservative government.”

Ms Truss also said that Northern Ireland’s Conservatives had her “full support in building their strength”, adding it was “fantastic to see your membership in Northern Ireland going up and up”.

Liz Truss is ‘moderate’ - Braverman

19:27 , Tom Davidson

Home Secretary Suella Braverman praised Liz Truss as a “moderate” Prime Minister who has been able to “pull together various strands” of the Conservative Party.

She told a ConservativeHome event: “We are a broad church. I think we are strongest when we are focused on a common enemy, and that is the Labour Party.

“I actually think we have a moderate conservative agenda and a moderate conservative leader in Liz Truss. I think she’s been able to pull together various strands of our party in our government.”

Arguments at the conference “very damaging”

19:14 , Tom Davidson

Arguments at the Conservative Party conference have been “very damaging”, a former minister has said.

Theresa Villiers told a PoliticsHome event at the conference in Birmingham: “Sadly, I think it has been very damaging, the events of today and the past few days, and I hope we can have a bit of a reset moment.”

Fellow Conservative MP Alicia Kearns added that politics “doesn’t feel much different” from the past year.

Former minister ‘taken aback’ by comments

18:56 , Will Mata

A former minister said she was "taken aback" by comments made by Cabinet ministers at the Conservative Party conference.

Referring to comments on benefit increases by Penny Mordaunt, Theresa Villiers said: "I have to say I was a bit taken aback with the freelancing cabinet ministers.

"Theresa May had that problem over many months but even Mrs May had a year or so when she had a relative degree of unity from her Government.

"I would always encourage the members of our Cabinet to have their debates internally."

‘Two years is an eternity’ - Kwarteng insists it’s not curtains for Tories

18:54 , Will Mata

“Polls do go up and down,” he told a Tory conference fringe event, adding that “two years is an eternity” in politics.

“I never predict victory because that’s hubris but I think we can be very competitive and have a compelling story to tell.”

Kwasi Kwarteng has suggested the Conservatives could win the next general election despite Labour’s massive lead in the polls.

Silence over uprate to benefits with inflation

18:47 , Will Mata

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has refused to comment on whether the Government will uprate benefits in line with inflation.

He was asked whether he would support the policy, given his repeated emphasis on "compassionate Conservatism" at a Tory conference fringe event.

"I'm not going to get drawn into a debate about what we're going to do on benefits," he said.

He said his U-turn on abolishing the 45p tax rate for the highest earners was the right decision.

"The 45p issue was drowning out too much of what I think was a very strong package," he said.

Hard work to sort issues in Northern Ireland

18:39 , Will Mata

The Foreign Secretary will "work hard" to resolve Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trade issues, the Conservative Party conference has heard.

James Cleverly told the main hall in Birmingham: "I want to ensure that we restore the integrity of the UK internal market.

"I want to protect north-south trade, but also want to restore the balance of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement which has been disrupted by the protocol.

"I want to see all the communities in Northern Ireland represented again at the Stormont executive so that devolved government can be properly re-established.

"I will work hard to get that done."

He added: "Last week I spoke to the EU's lead negotiator, vice president Maros Sefcovic, and we agreed our desire to reach a solution that works for all parts of the UK, especially the people of Northern Ireland."

Compassionate Conservatism

18:36 , Will Mata

Kwasi Kwarteng said he has always been drawn to "compassionate Conservatism".

Speaking about the Government's energy intervention at a Tory conference fringe event, the Chancellor said: "We have an obligation to help vulnerable people, that's why the energy intervention was so critical."

He brought up the phrase "compassionate Conservatism," saying: "I've always been someone drawn to that."

‘An exciting time to be a Conservative'

18:32 , Will Mata

Suella Braverman has said "this is an exciting time to be a Conservative".

Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference, the Home Secretary added: "We have huge opportunities ahead for our nation. I think it's absolutely essential that we have a mobilised, efficient, successful, moderate centre-right voice in British politics, but also western politics.

"The importance of being a Conservative today cannot be understated. When you see, you know, waves of socialism and left-wing ideologies taking hold over other parts of western democracies."

Ms Braverman also praised Conservative former cabinet minister Michael Gove, saying: "We have one of the greatest education secretaries this country has ever produced in Michael Gove and someone who enabled the free school movement, empowering teachers, raising standards in our curriculum. That's the engine through which we will empower the next generation."

Scrapping 45p top rate of tax was ‘economically sound’

18:30 , Will Mata

Cabinet Office minister Brendan Clarke-Smith has said scrapping the 45p top rate of tax would have been economically "sound".

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, and addressing the now scrapped plan to lower the 45p top rate of tax, Mr Clarke-Smith said: "Economically, I think that was sound, of course politically it was very, very difficult, and it was getting in the way of the message of the other things that we were doing."

Asked if the Government will need to cut public spending to pay for its plans, or if economic growth will pay for it, Mr Clarke-Smith said: "I believe we can do, yeah. And I want to be positive and I want us to try and do something different."

There is a ‘deal to be done’ on train strikes - video

18:27 , Will Mata

Pictures: Cabinet high flyers take to the stage

18:26 , Will Mata

Truss to speak at 11.05am

18:21 , Will Mata

The prime minister has announced what time she will take to the podium on Wednesday.

Rees-Mogg stresses importance of collective responsibility - following Cabinet disagreements

18:19 , Will Mata

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has stressed the importance of collective responsibility within Cabinet.

"I think we should agree these things collectively and then support them," he said at a fringe event.

He pointed out that a decision has not been made on benefits, the subject on which Penny Mordaunt and others have spoken out.

"I think Cabinet government requires us to be saying the same once the decision is made - as far as I'm aware the decision hasn't been made."

Mr Rees-Mogg also dismissed concerns about party discipline because the Tories had always been a party of individuals and "thorough discussion at a party conference is a jolly good thing".

"The Tory party is a party of individuals, it's not a party of the collective. As we are a party of individuals you would always expect people to have different views which they want to express, and express clearly."

Suella Braverman on Rwanda - video

18:14 , Will Mata

Kwarteng: My role as Chancellor is going ‘very well’ and I’m ‘proud’ of mini budget

18:14 , Josh Salisbury

A defiant Kwasi Kwarteng has said he believes his role as Chancellor is going "very well" and that he is "very proud" of his mini-budget.

Asked how the job is going three weeks in, he told a Tory conference fringe event: “Very well. It's a unique privilege".

Mr Kwarteng said the Government has "lots of things to deal with" and "as Chancellor there's more scrutiny but it's a fascinating job".

Asked about his mini-budget, which caused market turmoil, he said: “I'm very proud of it."

Kwarteng: We’ve succeed in putting growth on the agenda

18:09 , Josh Salisbury

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has claimed the Government has succeeded in getting “everyone to talk about growth".

Asked what could be done to shift the mindset to a more pro-growth agenda, he told a fringe event at the Tory conference in Birmingham: "I think we already have. Not everyone agrees with some of the elements of the plan but everyone's talking about growth."

He also told activists the Government has a “moral duty" to find efficiencies in government.

The Chancellor told a Tory conference fringe event hosted by the free-market Institute of Economic Affairs and TaxPayers' Alliance think tanks: “We should be relentlessly looking at how we can make government more efficient.

“I think we have a moral duty as custodians of the public purse to do that."

Halfon: Tax cuts should be focused on ‘least well off’

18:01 , Will Mata

If the Government has money for tax cuts for the wealthy it should be "focusing it on the least well-off", a senior Tory MP has said.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme and asked how uprating benefits in line with earnings rather than with inflation would "go down", Robert Halfon said: "I think it would go down like a lead balloon, as the saying goes, because we said to people across the country that we were going to raise benefits in line with inflation."

He added: "Let's remember that over two million people on benefits are in work, struggling to pay their food bills and we're going to say to them, 'oh, by the way, in essence, we're going to cut your benefits in real terms?' It's not acceptable.

"We have to be the party for everyone, we have to be the party particularly for the lower paid. And they've just said - okay, they've reversed it - but they had billions of pounds to give to well-off people ... if they have this kind of money, they should be focusing it on the least well off."

Mr Halfon added: "We have to do everything we can to help struggling families and the Prime Minister must get back to showing that actually the Conservatives are a compassionate party, we need compassionate conservatism back.

"We need to put social justice at the heart of everything that the Government does. And we need to be on the side of everyone, not just on the side of entrepreneurs."

Braverman: 'We need to find a way to make Rwanda scheme work’

17:59 , Will Mata

The home secretary has doubled down on her commitment to Priti Patel’s scheme for deporting some immigrants to Rwanda.

She told the conference: “We cannot allow the abuse of our systems to continue,” adding, “it’s time to tackle the small boats.”

Ms Braverman has now left the stage.

New plans for ‘really strong support’ to parents

17:53 , Will Mata

The Government will bring forward new plans in the coming weeks to provide "really strong support" for parents who want to go to work, the Education Secretary has said.

Speaking from the main stage of the Conservative Party conference, Kit Malthouse said the Prime Minister asked his department to "play a big part in the growth agenda".

Mr Malthouse, who sat next to his ministerial team, said: "There are two key areas where we can do that. The first is on childcare. At the moment, we have a childcare system which is not really performing either for parents or, indeed, for providers.

"So, over the coming weeks, we'll be bringing forward new plans not to tinker with the system, but to provide really strong support for those parents who want to go to work, want to take more hours, want to return to work.

"But also, critically, support for those families that want to make a decision about having children. You'll be hearing more about that in the months to come."

The second area of the growth plan, Mr Malthouse said, is the skills agenda such as "driving forward degree apprenticeships".

Top Tory MP: ‘Conference has been grim so far’

17:48 , Will Mata

Harlow MP Rob Halfon described the experience of the party’s conference so far as “grim”, saying the Cabinet seem “bogged down” in an argument among themselves over “tax cuts for the well-off”.

The chair of the Education Select Committee, who supported Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership election, was speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme.

Asked how he feels the conference is going, Mr Halfon said: “There’s no other way to say that things have been grim, grim at conference, and grim over the past week.

“The Prime Minister keeps talking about growing the economy, but we have got to talk about growing society as well and being the party of human and social capital, and not just the party of economic ... because both go hand in hand.

“What does that mean? That means a relentless focus on the cost of living and helping the lower-paid and absolutely raising benefits in line with inflation as Boris Johnson pledged.

“It means looking at how we’re going to ensure more affordable housing, how we’re championing education and skills, and at the moment we seem to be doing none of those things because the Government seem bogged down in this argument amongst, in essence, people in the Cabinet about the tax cuts for the well-off.”

Braverman: Home secretary begins her speech

17:46 , Will Mata

Home secretary Suella Braverman began her keynote conference speech by praising her predecessors in the role - noting the controversial Rwanda policy of Priti Patel.

Braverman about to take to the stage

17:40 , Will Mata

Suella Braverman has stepped out behind the podium for her speech after an already newsworthy day for the home secretary.

She has expressed her regret about the party’s u-turn on the 45 per cent tax rate and accused party members of staging a coup over it.

Meanwhile, international trade secretary Kemi Badenoch has atacked Ms Braverman for her "inflammatory" suggestion that Tory critics had staged a "coup" over the top rate of income tax.

She told a ConservativeHome event: "I don't think we should be talking about coups. I think that sort of a language is just too inflammatory.

"People should be able to change their minds without the world coming to an end."

Poll shows red wall voters will back Labour

17:31 , Will Mata

Latest voting predictions are that Labour would win back ‘red wall’ seats they lost to the Tories in 2019 if a general election was held tomorrow.

In these areas alone, the party is polling at 61 per cent while the Conservatives are 11 points down at 23 per cent.

‘I’ve never seen a conference dissolve like this one’

17:30 , Will Mata

Andrew Marr has not held back in his assessment of the conference so far.

The LBC veteran has been attending such events for more than 30 years but feels this might be one of the most infamous.

Priti Patel: I want to see our party regain its credibility

17:21 , Will Mata

Priti Patel has addressed the Tory conference for the first time since being replaced in role.

She shared her fringe speech to the Times before taking to the stage on Tuesday.

Ms Patel said: “Right now, we have got into a pattern of borrowing huge amounts to fix today’s urgent problems or generate short-term populist headlines. Each time it seems that there’s a good case, but what does this mean for future generations?

“I want to see our party regain its credibility by restoring its commitment to sustainable public spending.”

Having a nap: Twitter reacts to Tory faithful sleeping during Therese Coffey’s speech

17:16 , Will Mata

Audience members become heavy eyed during speeches

17:08 , Will Mata

Badenoch was shouting at Gove over income tax rebellion

17:05 , Will Mata

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said she has been shouting at Michael Gove, her former backer in the Tory leadership contest, over his income tax rebellion.

She told a ConservativeHome event: "I've been shouting at him a lot since Sunday morning."

Badenoch says Tory conference marred by critics ‘trying to lob grenades at Truss’

17:04 , Will Mata

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said the Conservative conference has been "marred" by critics "trying to lob grenades" at Liz Truss.

She told a ConservativeHome event: "I've been very frustrated with a lot of the attacks the Prime Minister has had.

"Because the most difficult part of our jobs, whether you become an MP or a minister, is those initial first few weeks when there's so much information flooding in.

"It's the time when we're most likely to make mistakes and that's when we need to rally round, it's not the time to lob grenades.

"It's been very frustrating as a Cabinet minister to see how this conference has been marred by people trying to change the narrative against the Prime Minister, what she needs is our support."

Tory members in the room applauded.

Pictures: Main stage opens up for speakers on Tuesday

16:55 , Will Mata

Reforming ticket office provision

16:44 , Will Mata

Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said she was asking industry to launch consultations on reforming ticket office provision.

She told Conservative Party members at Birmingham's ICC: "As part of these, I am asking industry to launch consultations on reforming our ticket office provision across the country."

Online shopping, she said, was "increasingly the norm", with a "huge increase in online ticket sales", adding: "Today only 12% of transactions take place at ticket offices, so we need to be looking at ways to move with the trend."

She raised road potholes, telling applauding members: "I think we all have constituents raising similar issues with all of us. That's why we have set aside a pothole fund to repair ten million potholes a year."

Coffey: Conservative government will always be on your side

16:42 , Will Mata

Health secretary Therese Coffey told her party conference that the "Conservative government will always be on your side, when you need care the most".

As she reiterated her ABCD plan for the NHS, Ms Coffey told Tory members that the Government would aim to get more people currently too ill to work back into employment.

Speaking on the main stage in Birmingham, the Health Secretary said: "We know work is good for you, both physically and for mental wellbeing, as well as putting more pounds in your pocket.

"That is why I will strive to support those not working now due to ill health, to help them to start, stay, and succeed in work; building on the Prime Minister's pledge to have more mental health support in communities.

"Because together we can deliver a healthier, more productive society, all the stronger, to help grow our economy."

Transport Secretary: Strikes is last thing we need

16:37 , Josh Salisbury

The “very last thing that the country needs right now is more damaging industrial disputes”, Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has said.

On rolling strike action, she told Conservative Party members in Birmingham: “The more quickly we can resolve these disputes, the sooner all our efforts can be spent on getting our economy motoring at full speed.”

To applause, she added: “We want to transform the rail industry to make it sustainable for the next hundred years, so the very last thing that the country needs right now is more damaging industrial disputes.

“My message to the trade union membership is simple: please take your seats at the negotiating table and let’s find a landing zone which we can all work with. Punishing passengers and inflicting damage on our economy by striking is not the answer.”

She added: “I can tell you there is a deal to be done between the unions and our train operators, it’s a deal that will require compromise. So, I want to see positive proposals to bridge those differences.”

Health Secretary: Variation in care between hospitals must end

16:25 , Josh Salisbury

The Health Secretary has said she was forced to wait nine hours in A&E - saying variation in standards of care between NHS hospitals must end.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Thérèse Coffey, said she experienced the long wait in July - before she took up the post of Health Secretary - strengthening her determination to tackle variations in care between hospitals.

She said: “There is still too much variation within patients’ experience. I saw that for myself this July when I went to A&E, I waited nearly nine hours for a doctor before being asked to return the next say for treatment.

“Now I knew from previous experience that would be too late. So I took myself to a different hospital and was treated that same day. That is the sort of variation we see across the NHS from two hospitals just a couple of miles apart and it must change”.

Dorries: Truss should call general election if she rejects Johnson’s policies

15:56 , Josh Salisbury

Ex-Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries doubled down on Tuesday on her call for Liz Truss to call a General Election if she is going to tear up Boris Johnson’s policies.

The close ally of the ex-PM tweeted: “We have no mandate from the people to do this.

“Conservative Gov elected on basis of a manifesto, it’s how democracy works. People voted in ‘19 on the policy promises we made (and for Boris). If we don’t want to deliver on the deal, the promises, we need a fresh mandate.”

Any use of nukes by Putin ‘would be responded to,’ says Foreign Secretary

15:42 , Josh Salisbury

Any use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia “would not go without a response,” James Cleverly has said.

The Foreign Secretary told a Tory conference fringe event: “It would inevitably be the case that the use of nuclear weapons by any country anywhere in the world would not go without a response.”

He declined to discuss “the nature or the threshold" but said: "What we have seen in Vladimir Putin's decision-making is that he has made just so many strategic errors.

“Increasingly what we need to do is we need to make it very clear that his sequence of strategic errors has got to stop." He also vowed to "continue to support the Ukrainians in the defence of their homeland".

‘Anything is possible’, says Shapps over whether Truss could be ousted as PM

15:39 , Josh Salisbury

Conservative former Cabinet minister Grant Shapps has said "anything is possible" when responding to the suggestion that the new Prime Minister could be ousted.

In a very brief clip tweeted by The News Agents podcast, it was put to Mr Shapps that it is possible the Conservatives could change leader again if Liz Truss “does badly".

Mr Shapps responded: “Look, of course anything is possible. Anything is possible.

“But I think she has this opportunity in the next 10 days to reverse some of the problems of the last 10 days. And, for reference, I'm cheering her on to do that. That's what I want to see happen.”

Johnson-ally Nadine Dorries says 2019 vision must be respected

15:29 , Will Mata

Conservative former Cabinet minister Nadine Dorries has suggested the Government has no mandate to make major deviations from the 2019 election manifesto in a tweet aimed at remarks made by the Prime Minister.

Ms Dorries was retweeting a clip from TalkTV of Liz Truss.

Asked if she is looking at all Government policy again and starting from scratch on everything, Ms Truss said in the clip: "We have made certain commitments, but we are going to have to look at things differently as we move forward."

"We're in a very, very difficult international situation," Ms Truss said, mentioning the war in Ukraine, rising interest rates and inflation, and a slowing global economy.

Ms Truss then adds: "So, of course, the Government does have to adapt to what we're facing in those very difficult international circumstances."

Ms Dorries tweeted: "We have no mandate from the people to do this. Conservative Gov elected on basis of a manifesto, it's how democracy works. People voted in '19 on the policy promises we made (and for Boris). If we don't want to deliver on the deal, the promises, we need a fresh mandate."

Simon Clarke tweet

15:28 , Will Mata

“Suella speaks a lot of good sense, as usual.”

Simon Clarke, secretary for levelling up, has ventured into the debate after the home secretary tweeted about the 45 per cent tax rate u-turn.

James Cleverly declines to call Emmanuel Macron a friend

15:26 , Will Mata

James Cleverly has declined to call Emmanuel Macron a “friend” as he predicted Britain will have “blazing rows” but also “work collaboratively” with France.

Speaking at a Tory conference fringe event, the Foreign Secretary said he had a “lovely chat” with the French President at the Queen’s funeral.

He said: “We had a very friendly chat, I said to him that the comments that he made about Her late Majesty were pitch perfect.”

The UK and France have a “degree of sibling rivalry” and “our proximity sometimes adds friction”, Mr Cleverly said.

“No doubt we’ll find ways to have blazing rows with France,” he said, because “that’s our thing”.

But, he added, “we have a real ability to pull together and work collaboratively”.

Government needs to ‘get a grip'

15:21 , Will Mata

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, reacting to news that Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has ruled out bringing forward his medium-term fiscal plan, said the Government should “get a grip” and publish the forecasts.

Speaking on a visit to Peterborough, Labour’s Ms Reeves said: “The Government should have published the forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility when they did the mini-budget.

“I wrote to the Chancellor at the weekend and said that they should now publish this coming Friday when the Office for Budget Responsibility gives the Government their forecast.

“The public should see it as well and financial markets need to see it.

“The volatility we’ve had in the last week-and-a-half with a huge spike in borrowing costs for Government and also for families through mortgage rates is causing huge anxiety.

“Government now need to get a grip, publish those forecasts, if they’ve got nothing to hide what is stopping them?”

Kwarteng on GB news

14:22 , Will Mata

Kwasi Kwarteng said his plan to bring the public finances under control would be announced on November 23, despite widespread speculation it would be brought forward.

The Chancellor used his speech to say the medium-term fiscal plan would be published “shortly” with aides doing little to dampen speculation that meant in October.

But Mr Kwarteng told GB News that “shortly is the 23rd (of November)” and suggested people had been “reading the runes” incorrectly.

“It’s going to be November 23.”

Tough line on migrants

14:20 , Will Mata

Conservative former chief whip Andrew Mitchell said a plan to ban migrants who have crossed the Channel from claiming asylum will only work if the UK makes a deal with France.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman will use a speech to the Conservative Party conference to outline plans to ban migrants who have crossed the Channel from claiming asylum in Britain, according to The Times.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, Mr Mitchell said: “I support the proposal from the Home Secretary that they would not grant asylum to those coming from France. France is a safe country.”

He added: “But that’s not a sufficient proposal. It’s a perfectly proper proposal, but you’ve got to deal with the people who do nevertheless still come.

“That means you’ve got to improve and mend the extremely fractious relationship which existed between Boris (Johnson) and President Macron.

“You have got to improve those relations so there can be a deal with France. What Suella (Braverman) is saying this afternoon will work, so long as you have that deal with France.”

Liz Truss admits she still wants to bring top rate of income tax down despite U-turn

14:18 , Will Mata

The Prime Minister said she would ‘like to see the higher rate lower’ for the wealthiest

The full story here.

Pictured: MPs attend conference

14:03 , Will Mata

MPs ‘staged a coup’ against Liz Truss over 45p tax rate

14:00 , Will Mata

Suella Braverman said Tory MPs “staged a coup” against the Prime Minister over the 45p tax rate.

The home secretary was not part of the alleged coup and said she was disappointed others took part.

“I’m very disappointed to say the least by how some of our colleagues have behaved,” she told Chopper’s Podcast.

Suella Braverman on benefits

13:56 , Will Mata

Suella Braverman refused to be drawn on whether benefits should be updated in line with inflation.

She said: “Right now I have to say the question is under review.

“I take on board what Penny Mordaunt has said.”

She added that the “Benefits Street culture” still existed in the UK, saying: “We have got a lot of carrots to get people into work but we have got to add more conditionality and a bit more stick.”

But she said: “We are not a cruel party, we are here to support people through tough times.”

Braverman ‘I’m so proud of the British Empire'

13:55 , Will Mata

Suella Braverman has said she is “proud of the British Empire”.

Appearing on the Chopper’s Politics podcast, the Home Secretary said there was “obviously a mixed picture” on empire but said she was “not going to apologise for empire”.

Asked if people should be proud of the empire, Ms Braverman said: “I’m proud of the British Empire.”

The crowd at the Conservative Party conference fringe event applauded her statement.=

Cabinet unity?

13:50 , Will Mata

Asked about comments made by Cabinet members Kemi Badenoch and Penny Mordaunt, she told Times Radio: “I’m focused on delivering for people and the cabinet is also fully focused on that too.

“People do interviews all the time at party conference people talk, that’s what happens, but the important point is that we’re all unified behind the growth plan and behind what we have to do to get this country back on track.”

She added: “Well Cabinet ministers have to be able to talk publicly and I’m a believer that we have these discussions, we agree a common position and then we express those views.”

Prime Minister Liz Truss said the Cabinet was “unified behind the growth plan” when asked about questions over Cabinet unity.

No plans to abolish inheritance tax

13:48 , Will Mata

Asked if it was one of the taxes her Government would look at, Liz Truss told Times Radio: “We’ve been clear about our tax plans, keeping corporation tax low, reversing the National Insurance increase, which is in fact a manifesto commitment not to raise National Insurance and we have no more plans on that front.”

On reported suggestions by Treasury minister Andrew Griffith that he would like to see inheritance tax abolished, Prime Minister Liz Truss said “we have no more plans on that front”.

Braverman ‘disappointed’ by u-turn on 45p tax rate

13:48 , Will Mata

Suella Braverman said she was "disappointed" by the U-turn on abolishing the 45p tax rate.

She said: "I'm disappointed about the subsequent reversal but I accept their reasons."

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: Truss has made no serious mistakes as PM

13:46 , Will Mata

Anne-Marie Trevelyan insisted that Liz Truss has not made any serious mistakes as Prime Minister, as she sought to defend her embattled party leader.

She declined to set out her own personal position on whether benefits should rise with inflation, unlike her fellow Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt, calling it a decision for Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4's World At One programme, Ms Trevelyan was pressed on whether the PM was struggling to control her own MPs.

The Transport Secretary said: "We've just had a change of Prime Minister, it's been a busy and lively summer. I was a long-standing supporter of Boris Johnson and whilst he made some serious mistakes and the decision was by colleagues he had to go we now have to get ourselves in gear, with our new Prime Minister, selected by our members, and we want her to have the time and the space to get on with it."

Asked if Ms Truss had made any serious mistakes, she said: "No, I think what she's done is set out a big programme of her vision but importantly, come straight, in literally on day two, to set up the energy support package, which was the thing that was of most concern to everyone."

On the u-turn over the top rate of tax, she called it only "one part" of the package. "I'm someone who believes that we should absolutely support those who are taking risks, running private sector businesses that are there to help growth, so as part of a medium-term plan, I'm absolutely with her that that support of businesses, and those who take all those risks, is one that we should continue to do."

Pictures: Top Tories at event

13:16 , Will Mata

What’s in store for Wednesday

13:12 , Will Mata

The final day of the Conservative Party conference is set to be ended with a speech from party leader and prime minister Liz Truss.

She will finish the day on the main stage. Before her will be talks from, Jake Berry, party chairman, and Nadhim Zahawi, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Events will begin around 10am.

PM would like to see highest rate of tax lower - reports

13:06 , Will Mata

‘Easy for government to restore credibility’ - Rees Mogg

13:03 , Will Mata

Jacob Rees-Mogg had said "it's easy" for the Government to restore its credibility among financial markets and the electorate.

Asked how confident he is that the Government can do so, after its mini-budget sparked market turmoil and sent the pound plummeting, he told a Tory conference fringe event: "Oh it's easy.

"Financial markets take their views on a daily basis. Financial markets aren't the single Leviathan that people seem to think, they are trading decisions made by millions of actors on a daily basis.

"And in some way or another the euro's managed to reassure investors. I wouldn't believe it for too long."

He added that for those thinking the euro "has a good future, the reality is sterling's a good deal easier".

Pickles on benefits

13:02 , Will Mata

Conservative former party chairman Lord Eric Pickles suggested it was "almost certain" the Government would not have the numbers if it attempted to keep benefit rises below inflation.

Speaking to BBC News, Lord Pickles said: "The next big issue is with regard to the uprating of benefits, and I obviously, I'm out of it, I don't know what's happening in the Commons, but I was just recently talking to somebody who does know what's happening, and it was her estimation that the numbers against not uprating were greater than those that were against the 45% income tax (cut)."

Asked if he believes the Government could not get sufficient backing if it decides against uprating benefits in line with inflation, Lord Pickles said: "Yeah, I think that's almost certain, but bearing in mind I've been proved wrong two or three times this week where things have gone in a different way."

Pictures: Talks at the Conservative Party conference continue

12:51 , Will Mata

Benefits package

12:46 , Will Mata

Brendan Clarke-Smith has told Times Radio that the government's current set of policies offers more than if benefits rose with inflation.

He said: “I think benefits should be set at a level where people can live a certain standard of living. That should always be there as a safety net.

"But I think if you look at the packages we're doing at the moment, everyone's getting £400, some of the poorest, the most vulnerable, are getting £1,200. If you factor in all the extra support we're giving that's more than if benefits rose with inflation.”

Can Truss find economic credibility after u-turn? - video

12:42 , Will Mata

‘A Tory crisis made in Downing Street'

12:39 , Will Mata

Labour has hit out at Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, after the Prime Minister earlier refused to say she trusts her Chancellor.

When challenged by broadcasters earlier, she instead said the two work "very closely".

Pat McFadden, Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said: "This is a Tory crisis made in Downing Street. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor must both accept responsibility for it.

"They have undermined trust in the UK economy and people will pay the price through higher mortgage payments.

"The fact that the Prime Minister can't even say she trusts her Chancellor tells you all you need to know about the architects of the economic chaos into which they have plunged the country.

"Instead of disowning the problem and blaming one another they must put the country first and abandon their discredited trickle-down approach."

Rees-Mogg: A radical new direction

12:21 , Will Mata

Business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has joked that the Government has become more radical than the right-wing Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) think tank.

It was put to him at a packed Tory conference fringe event in Birmingham that Prime Minister Liz Truss has vowed to repeal EU laws retained after Brexit by 2023, earlier than the IEA's recommendation of 2027.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: "When the IEA becomes the Tory wets, we're in a very good position in terms of Government."

Liz Truss: A new kind of style to run the cabinet

12:17 , Will Mata

Penny Mordaunt has said Liz Truss will run the cabinet differently to Boris Johnson.

She told Times Radio: “It should be consultative, colleagues together, take decisions together and have that collective responsibility.”

“She will run cabinet different from her predecessor.

“One of the things the new prime minister is trying to do is to reset cabinet to what it should be.

“We have some wise heads around that table and we should all be contributing.”

What could the looming political battle over welfare payments mean for families?

12:11 , Will Mata

- What is the controversy about?

Prime Minister Liz Truss has said no decision has yet been made on whether welfare payments will be increased in line with inflation.

There have been suggestions that benefits could instead increase in line with earnings, which are rising by around 5%, as opposed to inflation which is running at around 10%.

State pensions, however, normally have the protection of the “triple lock”, which guarantees that pensions are uprated by inflation, earnings or 2.5% - whichever is higher.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has said the Government is committed to the triple lock.

State pensions and benefits increased by 3.1% this year, after the triple lock was temporarily suspended for a year.

These benefits include working-age benefits, benefits to help with additional needs arising from disability, and carers’ benefits.

- Who receives benefits?

According to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics, 22 million people claimed some combination of DWP benefits in February 2022, of whom 30% claimed more than one benefit.

In the year to February 2022, the number of people receiving the state pension rose by 1.1% to reach 12.5 million.

Universal Credit (UC) has been gradually replacing some older-style working age benefits - and there were 5.7 million UC claimants at July this year.

Women, who often bear the brunt of caring responsibilities, made up 56% of people on UC in July.

UC is available to people on low incomes and those who are out of work. The employment rate for people on UC was 41% in June this year.

- What could the impact be if benefits were to rise in line with earnings instead of inflation?

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) recently calculated that if benefits were raised by about 5.4%, this would amount to the biggest permanent real-terms cut to the basic rate of benefits made in a single year. It said uprating benefits by 5.4% would mean that values are around 15% below their April 2016 level in real terms.

Katie Schmuecker, principal policy adviser for the JRF, said on Friday: “If the Government goes down this track it will be a devastating blow to low earners, families with children, those who are carers, sick or disabled.”

- What about wider wealth inequalities?

The Government is giving targeted cost-of-living support this winter to help those who may be particularly vulnerable, in addition to wider support.

As part of this, households receiving DWP benefits will receive the second part of a £650 cost-of-living payment from November 8, continuing through to November 23.

More than eight million households have already received the first cost-of-living payment, worth £326, which was sent out from July.

Meanwhile, the Resolution Foundation think tank has calculated that, despite the U-turn on the 45p tax rate for top earners, the richest 5% of households still stand to gain £3,500 on average next year from the tax cuts announced in the recent fiscal statement - nearly 40 times as much as the average £90 cash gain for the poorest fifth of households.

The Foundation’s analysis indicates that a quarter of the cash gains from the tax cuts package are going to the richest 5% of households.

- What has the Prime Minister said about why other benefits may not necessarily increase at the same rate as the state pension?

Pressed on the matter on LBC radio, Ms Truss said that for pensioners on a fixed income “it is quite hard to adjust”.

She added: “I think it’s a different situation for people who are in the position to be able to work.”

Ms Truss also told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I am very committed to supporting the most vulnerable”, adding: “We have to be fiscally responsible.”

Truss: No decision made on cutting benefits - video

12:09 , Will Mata

Where is Boris Johnson?

12:07 , Will Mata

Boris Johnson has been keeping a low profile this week - perhaps looking to keep the stage clear for new leader Liz Truss.

He has not tweeted anything about the Conservative conference in Birmingham, although his father Stanley Johnson has been spotted.

The former prime minister will, it has been announced, be the new president of the Conservative Friends of Ukraine.

Despite his stepping down over the summer, the Uxbridge MP is second favourite to retake office should Ms Truss resign.

IDS turns up the volume on Universal Credit

11:57 , Will Mata

Ex Conservative leader Iain Duncan-Smith spoke at a ConservativeHome fringe event on the topic of Universal Credit

He said "it wouldn't make a huge amount of sense" not to raise benefits in line with inflation.

"My view is very simply that the support that we give right now, we are going to give out on the cost of living, which is huge... a package we should be talking more about, but at the same time, it wouldn't make a huge amount of sense then to withdraw some of that by actually reducing or not uprating benefits at the same time.

"It doesn't make any sense. Otherwise, the rest of society gets support, but they end up getting less and relatively they're the ones that need it most."

Markets: ‘A rocky few months in store’ - video

11:54 , Will Mata

Liz Truss 8/1 to step down this year after tax cuts U-turn

11:52 , Will Mata

Betfair Exchange has offered odds on Tuesday of 8/1 for Liz Truss to leave her role before the end of the year.

Rishi Sunak is the 4/1 favourite to succeed Truss, with her predecessor, Boris Johnson, 8/1 to regain his control of the Conservative party.

There are odds of 7/5 for Ms Truss to have departed number 10 in 2023.

Headlines: Top political events so far on Tuesday

11:48 , Will Mata

London streets are not safe, admits Prime Minister Liz Truss

Liz Truss said efforts to tackle crime in the capital had to be improved and vowed that more police officers would be employed if the UK saw economic growth.

Read the full article here.

Suella Braverman to consider giving anonymity to suspected criminals

Suspected criminals could be given legal anonymity until charged under plans being considered by ministers.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said current rules can lead to a “media circus” and jeopardise a fair trial.

The full piece is here.

Comment: ‘The tax-slashing mini-Budget can’t be described as good for London if Londoners don’t benefit’

If Londoners - the people who constitute London - end up worse off and priced out, we can’t describe these policies as ‘good’ for the city - writes Prudence Ivey here.

Brandon Lewis: No comment over benefits

11:35 , Will Mata

Lib Dems call for Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng to have their pay docked

11:29 , Will Mata

Calls have emerged for Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng to have their pay docked following their "gross mismanagement of the public finances".

The Liberal Democrats say they will table a censure motion in Parliament calling for action against the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.

Ms Truss would lose £40,000 and Mr Kwarteng £33,750 under the proposal, the Lib Dems add.

The motion states: "That this House censures the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister, for their handling of the UK's public finances, which has dramatically increased households' mortgage costs and threatened pension funds; and believes the Government should halve the Chancellor's additional ministerial salary, and halve the Prime Minister's additional Prime Minister's salary this year, as a result of this gross mismanagement of the public finances."

Watch: Liz Truss refuses to confirm if benefits will rise in line with inflation

11:28 , Will Mata

Pictured: Former party leader Duncan Smith speaks at fringe event

11:26 , Will Mata

Radio Liz: Some of the prime minister’s soundbites from Tuesday morning

11:25 , Will Mata

Here is a round-up of some of the things that Liz Truss has told media on Tuesday.

Energy contracts

“What I have said is, first of all, we will move forward on our own energy security, so that's more renewables here in the UK, it's more nuclear power here in the UK, and it's also moving forward faster with using North Sea facilities.”

Cost of living

“People are worried about the cost of living, they're worried about inflation. That's why we have acted decisively on the energy price guarantee. We're also doing what we can to help homeowners through stamp duty reductions. The reality is, though, that interest rates are set by the independent Bank of England. They make those decisions on the basis of what's happening with inflation and other factors. The energy intervention that we have done is likely to curb inflation by up to five points so that has a positive effect.”

Economy

"It's vitally important that we grow the economy. That's what's going to help people get on in life, help people with those high wage jobs that we need to succeed as a country."

Pension age

"You're asking me to speculate about all kinds of decisions that haven't yet been made.

"What's first of all important is that we dealt with the energy prices people were facing. We've helped to curb inflation through that intervention. We've reduced taxes to get the economy growing.”

Enjoyment of being prime minister

"I am. It's a challenging role, it's a challenging time, but what I am focused on is delivering for the British people."

Pound hits two week high

11:20 , Will Mata

The pound hit $1.14 on Tuesday morning, its highest rate against the dollar in two weeks.

Sterling is on the recovery after chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini budget claims caused it to crash.

Sadiq Khan on benefits situation

11:17 , Will Mata

The Mayor of London has tweeted: “It would be immoral and wrong not to increase benefits in line with inflation.

“So many of those on benefits also work - and the record increases in food and energy bills means tough choices between heating and eating.

“What sort of country do we want to be?”

Former PM Brown: ‘A wrong turn'

11:15 , Will Mata

Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown has said: “After the right turn, the U-turn. But Kwasi Kwarteng's panicked climbdown still leaves £43bn in tax cuts. Growth won’t pay for them so spending cuts worse than austerity will - an amount equivalent to closing every English school.”

Pictured: Crowds arrive in Birmingham

11:03 , Will Mata

Truss: Pension age could be raised

11:01 , Will Mata

Prime minister Liz Truss did not rule out raising the state pension age when challenged, resisting speculation on "all kinds of decisions that haven't yet been made" but saying she would "do what it takes" to address the economic outlook.

Speaking to broadcasters in Birmingham, and asked if she will end up raising the state pension age beyond 67, Ms Truss said: "You're asking me to speculate about all kinds of decisions that haven't yet been made.

"What's first of all important is that we dealt with the energy prices people were facing. We've helped to curb inflation through that intervention. We've reduced taxes to get the economy growing.

"We're going to be doing economic reforms in areas like moving faster with building projects, moving faster with transport projects to get the economy going.

"And that is what we need to do because we are facing a very difficult international situation, a slowing global economy. So yes, I will do what it takes to fix those issues."

Pictured: Zahawi arrives

10:59 , Will Mata

Long term energy prospects

10:54 , Will Mata

The Government is looking at long-term energy contracts with other countries to secure supply, prime minister Liz Truss said.

Asked if she is contemplating buying many years worth of Norwegian gas at close to current prices, Ms Truss said: "What I have said is, first of all, we will move forward on our own energy security, so that's more renewables here in the UK, it's more nuclear power here in the UK, and it's also moving forward faster with using North Sea facilities.

"But we are looking at long-term energy contracts with other countries because as well as making sure we've got a good price, energy security is vitally important.

"And we never want to be in a position again where we're dependent on authoritarian regimes for our energy. That's why we're in the situation we are now."

‘Doing what we can to help people’

10:53 , Will Mata

Liz Truss said that the Government would do "what we can to help people" but defended her push for growth, amid growing concerns about the impact of rising interest rates on homeowners.

The Prime Minister said that the Government will do what it can to support people through the cost-of-living crisis, when asked about the pressure rising interest rates are putting on mortgage-holders.

Asked if the Government might be able to help, she told broadcasters in Birmingham: "People are worried about the cost of living, they're worried about inflation. That's why we have acted decisively on the energy price guarantee. We're also doing what we can to help homeowners through stamp duty reductions. The reality is, though, that interest rates are set by the independent Bank of England. They make those decisions on the basis of what's happening with inflation and other factors. The energy intervention that we have done is likely to curb inflation by up to five points so that has a positive effect.

"But ultimately, what we're seeing around the world in the wake of (Vladimir) Putin's war in Ukraine is interest rates rise. So the Federal Reserve, for example, has pushed up interest rates so we will do what we can to support people. But ultimately, it is a decision for the independent Bank of England."

Pressed again on whether the Government will be there to help on higher mortgage payments, she said: "I understand it's a very, very worrying time for people. Let's remember where we were four weeks ago, people were facing energy bills of up to £6,000. We've helped with those energy bills across the board. We've helped businesses who could face going out business through a business energy scheme as well and we're also reversing the increase in national insurance to put more money back in people's pocket.

"So yes, these are difficult times but we will do as a Government what we can to help people get through at the same time as making sure we're building the positive economy of the future because ultimately, its economic growth is going to deliver the higher wages, the greater opportunities for people that are going to enable us to succeed in the future."

‘Do you enjoy being PM, then Ms Truss?’

10:52 , Will Mata

Liz Truss has said she is enjoying being in the top job despite it being a "challenging time".

Asked if she is enjoying being Prime Minister, she told broadcasters in Birmingham: "I am. It's a challenging role, it's a challenging time, but what I am focused on is delivering for the British people."

Pressed on whether it is harder than she thought, Ms Truss said: "I came in with very clear expectations that this was a tough time for our country, but I'm prepared to do what it takes to get us through these difficult times, to get us through this difficult winter and to come out stronger as a country."

‘We will continue to deliver’

10:50 , Will Mata

Liz Truss insisted her Government will "continue to deliver" after being pressed on whether her agenda was now under threat from the concerted efforts of backbench MPs after two major u-turns.

The Prime Minister, speaking to broadcasters in Birmingham on Tuesday, was asked how she could deliver her policy pledges in the face of opposition from a significant cohort of her own MPs.

She said: "Well, look at what we've already delivered. We've already delivered the energy price guarantee from the first of October, making sure people aren't facing these huge bills going into winter.

"We've already delivered on reduced stamp duty, helping homeowners. We've already delivered on keeping corporation tax low so we can bring in investment into fantastic cities like Birmingham and we will continue to deliver.

"It's vitally important that we grow the economy. That's what's going to help people get on in life, help people with those high wage jobs that we need to succeed as a country."

Liz Truss: London streets are not safe

10:50 , Will Mata

The prime minister has also added her opinion to crime in London - saying streets are not safe.

“Growth is the best way to make everyone’s lives better”

10:47 , Will Mata

Liz Truss has just tweeted:

Pictured: Liz Truss visits building site with Kwasi Kwarteng

10:41 , Will Mata

Who is speaking today and when?

10:36 , Will Mata

Main stage - from 4pm

Kit Malthouse

Therese Coffey

Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Brandon Lewis

Suella Braverman

James Cleverly

Fringe events - from 10am (including)

11am Iain Duncan Smith at ConservativeHome event on universal credit

11.30am Jacob Rees-Mogg in conversation at Institute of Economic Affairs event

12.3pm Tom Tugendhat at event on Aukus

1pm Michael Gove at IPPR event

1pm Suella Braverman at Telegraph event

2pm EU ambassador Joao Vale de Almeida at Bright Blue event

2pm Priti Patel at Conservative Voice event

2pm Lord Frost in conversation at Heritage Foundation event

2pm James Cleverly at UK in a Changing Europe event

5pm Jacob Rees-Mogg in conversation with Centre for Policy Studies

5.45pm Kwasi Kwarteng at Institute of Economic Affairs/TaxPayers' Alliance event

6pm Suella Braverman and Michael Gove at ConservativeHome event

6.15pm Sir Graham Brady and Lord Frost at PoliticsHome event

Truss: 'We have not made a decision on benefits’

10:25 , Will Mata

Sky News has reported...

Trust between Truss and Kwarteng questioned

10:24 , Will Mata

Prime minister Liz Truss refused to say she trusts her chancellor when challenged, instead saying the two work "very closely".

Speaking to broadcasters in Birmingham, when it was put to her that she did not answer a question directly about whether she trusts her chancellor and challenged on whether she would commit to saying so, Ms Truss said: "I work very, very closely with my chancellor.

"We are very focused on getting the economy growing, and that's what people in Britain want. We are facing difficult economic times, we are seeing rising interest rates around the world, very serious issues with energy prices and inflation, and we have acted decisively."

She went on to explain the government's price guarantee on energy, adding: "What we're focused on is getting on with the job."

Truss: ‘We listen to people’

10:21 , Will Mata

The prime minister has insisted that her Government responds to concerns, after her and the the Chancellor were forced into a u-turn over plans to scrap the top rate of income tax.

Liz Truss defended the decision on Tuesday, telling broadcasters in Birmingham: "What we've done is we've listened to what people said on this issue.

"It wasn't a core part of our growth plan, what our growth plan is focused on is helping people with energy bills, getting business moving and we're here at this fantastic new development in Birmingham, creating jobs for the future, that is what the plan is about.

"It was becoming a distraction, that is why we immediately changed that policy and that is the kind of Government we are. We do respond when there are concerns and we act quickly."

Stride: ‘There clearly have been misjudgments and missteps here'

10:20 , Will Mata

Mel Stride, who chairs the Treasury Select Committee, told BBC News: “Ideally we would have had a meaningful OBR forecast at the time of the statement the Chancellor made Friday a week ago, because that would have helped, I think, to have settled the markets and save a lot of problems that have subsequently occurred.

“It’s very positive that this forecast has been brought forward and the plan that the Government will be producing at the same time. Because provided it’s credible, and the markets see it as such, it will start to further settle the markets, take pressure off increasing interest rates, lower the expectations a little bit as to where inflation might otherwise go.

“And provided it’s before November 3, which is when the Monetary Policy Committee meets in order to set interest rate rises, then also that can perhaps have the impact on that committee of making them feel they perhaps don’t have to be quite as aggressive in those interest rate increases as what otherwise would have been the case, and that could help millions of people with their mortgages.

“There clearly have been misjudgments and missteps here. I have been urging, for example, this OBR forecast to be brought forward for a number of weeks now.”

By bringing forward his medium-term fiscal plan to the end of this month, chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng could take some pressure off the Bank of England to hike interest rates, an influential Conservative backbencher has said.

WATCH: ‘This Government focuses on the most vulnerable’, says Justice Secretary

10:09 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Click here to read the full blog on The Evening Standard's website