Liz Truss is in pole position to become the next Prime Minister as the interminable race to succeed Boris Johnson enters its final stretch.
But the brutal battle for the Tory crown pales in comparison to the challenges ahead as Brits brace for a catastrophic hit to living standards this winter.
Today, the energy price cap was confirmed at £3,549 a year, with the eye-watering hikes to bills due to come into effect on October 1.
