LIZ AND RISHI CLASH AS REAL RACE BEGINS

SHE PLEDGES ACTION ON COST OF LIVING. HE VOWS TO GOVERN LIKE THATCHER

- Nicholas Cecil, David Bond and Rachael Burford

LIZ TRUSS and Rishi Sunak today stepped up their campaigns to be the next Prime Minister as they laid out their rival visions for Britain.

Foreign Secretary Ms Truss put herself forward as the Tory who can save the UK from recession by "bulldozing" through bold measures including immediate tax cuts and reforms to boost economic growth. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "People are struggling with the cost of living. It's wrong to be increasing their taxes at the time."

Former Chancellor Mr Sunak vowed to "govern as a Thatcherite" as he defended his policy of taming sky-high inflation - causing misery for millions of families - while focusing on economic growth before tax cuts ahead of the next general election, expected in 2024. He told the Standard: "This country, and our great capital, has so much potential. That's why, if chosen to be Prime Minister, I will work night and day to rebuild our economy so we can unleash that potential."

Their clash over tax policy was overshadowed by more grim figures on the state of Britain's public finances, which showed the interest bill on the nation's debts spiralling.