Truss insists recession not inevitable as Sunak warns she will make things worse

From skeletons in their closets and clashes over their economic policies as the Bank of England warns of a long recession, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have discussed at length a range of topics during their latest televised debate.

The two Tory leadership hopefuls took part in Sky News’ The Battle for Number 10 on Thursday night, which saw them separately taking questions from party members.

They were also both interviewed by Sky News’ presenter Kay Burley.

Here are the key points raised during the 90-minute-long TV event.

– Ms Truss and Mr Sunak clashed over their economic policies after the Bank of England warned of a long recession

The Foreign Secretary insisted a recession is not inevitable when asked about the Bank of England’s forecast for an outright recession and 13% inflation.

She told the studio audience: “What the Bank of England have said today is of course extremely worrying, but it is not inevitable. We can change the outcome and we can make it more likely that the economy grows.”

She said she wanted to keep taxes low and “do all we can to grow the economy by taking advantage of our post-Brexit freedom, unleashing investment, changing things like the procurement rules and doing things differently”.

On the other hand, the former chancellor warned Ms Truss’s plan would make the dire economic situation worse, warning of “misery for millions” by pouring “fuel on the fire”.

[wilfredwayne]

That's rich coming from the former chief secretary of the treasury you literally could not embarrass this man.

[myzamau]

Is this seriously the best our country has to offer? Absolutely pathetic.

[axiemanageerefake]

Propper made me laugh when he said "all of us" then internally remembered he was a billionaire then said "all of you are going to end up with higher mortgage rates savings and pensions eaten away"

[kanedNunable]

wow, i feel so much better a serial liar has said things will be ok. phew.

[ssuwandi]

Recession that Sunak had triggered thru massively excessive public spending but fiscally untargeted towards growth and jobs creation?? Conman always sweet talks.

[TheGlassman]

Inflation caused by handing out trillions of pounds maybe and making the value of the pound worthless? Who did thar as Chancellor Sunak?

[kenwalding]

Truss and her team do not have a clue about economics. God help us if she becomes PM.

[peter.a.langan]

Truss is lying! Saying recession is not inevitable in the current situation is like saying winter is not coming! Lord help us when the choice is between her and Rishi Sunak. Talk about Hobson’s choice!

[cathycoppin]

We shouldn’t have all this going on where has billions of tax money gone that every on e paied in all these years.

[mrjamesgrew]

“All of you will end up with…..”

In this together ey Rishi

[douglasansah]

We have had opportunity to care fully read their policies and finally listen to both candidate. It’s our responsibility to consider the best interest of the country first than the party and make the right choice at this critical moment for the country.God bless UK 🇬🇧

[squallstrife]

We can make it more "likely" u turn incoming 😏

[db]

Why is hypocrite burley allowed to consider herself an impartial host?

[nimzgaz]

I think our best bet is Rishi. What shoes his wearing or how much money he has in his pocket got nothing to do with his leadership and how he’ll deal with the challenges ahead. He did a good job during the pandemic, saved businesses, put money in people pocket in a sensible way.

[Noone-gzli]

And now uk is under economic crisis as Rishi told

Lol 😂

[S-North]

The audacity of Sunak is off the scale. At this stage of his campaign he should do the honorable thing and withdraw from the race, he is unelectable.

[Imfat]

brexit is playing a huge part, but don't mention it, just get over it.

[rzvr]

Rishi will not in-depth the government but each one of us will have borrow from banks to live

[richardanthonygilbey]

⭐️ To fund a Spitfire you must have a few quid Mick, if you hit the Spitfire designer it’s going to cost you a few quid Mick, Neither Candidate is going to douse the flames of the economy

[stevejessemey]

Politics is kinda like choosing between a restaurant where you would like to have a great time while eating a delicious meal, but sadly one is infested with cockroaches, and the other one infested with rats 🤔.