Conservative voters say Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak lack solutions to energy crisis

Conservative voters reject Liz Truss and Rishi's plans Sunak to tackle the energy crisis ahead of massive price hikes in the fall, an exclusive poll for The Independent reveals.

Less than half of Tory supporters believe the candidates have solutions to the turmoil that will result from the average annual gas and electricity bill rising to £3,549 in October and expected to hit £5,300 in January.

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Worryingly for Ms Truss - who is the big favorite to replace Boris Johnson - only 48% of Tories back her as a candidate to ease the cost of living emergency. This figure puts her only slightly ahead of Mr Sunak, who is backed by the measure by 44%.

Among the general public, 57% are "not convinced" that the Foreign Secretary has a plan for the economy - more than the 55% who reject the former chancellor's ability to act, according to the Savanta Comres survey.

Pessimism for the future comes to light as the he current Chancellor has put pressure on his rivals by warning that even people earning around £45,000, 50% above the average wage, will need significant help managing their energy bills.

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