Northern Powerhouse Rail pledge must be delivered, Truss told

The former Foreign Secretary will replace outgoing Conservative Party leader Boris Johnson after pipping Rishi Sunak to the post.

Truss is the third Conservative Prime Minister since 2016 when David Cameron quit after losing the Brexit vote.

She will now face her own challenges in a turbulent time for the country, as action is demanded for households and businesses crying out for help.

Council leader seeking meeting with Liz Truss 

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “First and foremost everyone is worried about their energy bills increasing and the cost of living crisis.

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe

“Recent research by Centre for Cities shows Bradford is among the cities hardest hit by inflation, so we have to see much more from government to ensure that people and businesses have the support they need through the coming months, as well as a proper plan for the longer term.

“Secondly, Liz Truss has spoken of her priority to invest in growth and we welcome the commitment she has made to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail for Bradford. We are now seeking a meeting with her at the earliest opportunity.”

'Lifeline' needed

Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, called on Truss to throw a “lifeline” to struggling households and freeze the energy price cap and called on Truss to deliver on her NPR pledge, with a new station in Bradford.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire

Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, who did not vote for Truss, but for her opponent Rishi Sunak, said she “has the most difficult inheritance of any new Prime Minister since Winston Churchill”.

He said households and businesses must be helped with energy bills over winter.

“In my opinion she needs to freeze the unit price of energy at the current level with the government picking up the difference,” said Mr Davies.  

“That will come at an enormous cost, but not doing that will come at an ever higher cost in both the short-term and long-term.”

James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said businesses must “not be abandoned in this most desperate of hours”.

Mr Mason added: “She can also put Yorkshire and the North at the heart of the economy’s future by being the Prime Minister that finally delivers on the pledges made by her predecessors by beginning work on Northern Powerhouse Rail and committing to rolling out HS2 in full.

“These moves can truly deliver on Levelling Up and take a crucial step towards making Britain a country where the same opportunities are available to everyone.”

Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, Leader of the Conservative Group on Bradford Council, said: “I am delighted that the selection process is finished and we have a new Prime Minister in place.

"In light of the very serious challenges facing the nation it is important that we now have certainty over who is steering the ship.

"My Conservative Group colleagues and I have been alarmed recently by the seemingly never-ending announcements of proposed cost of living increases, described by the outgoing Prime Minister, Boris Johnson as “eye-watering” and we are reassured that Liz has promised to publish an energy crisis plan within one week of becoming Prime Minister, as a rapid response is much needed and we look forward to seeing the detail.

"At a local level we are delighted that Liz has committed to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail in full, to unleash Bradford’s potential to become an engine room of the Northern Powerhouse. This will increase employment and thus economic prospects for Bradford District residents.

“The Conservative Group are pleased to welcome a Prime Minister clearly committed to levelling up the nation’s economic prosperity and who specifically recognises the importance of making Bradford a key integral part of the plan."