Liz Truss. (Photo:  globaljustice.org.uk)

After weeks of a leadership contest, Truss, currently the foreign minister, defeated former finance minister Rishi Sunak in a vote of Conservative Party members, winning by 81,326 votes to 60,399.

"I will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy," Truss said after the result was announced. "I will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people's energy bills, but also dealing with the long-term issues we have on energy supply."

Truss takes over as the country faces a cost of living crisis, industrial unrest, a recession and conflict in Europe.

She succeeds Boris Johnson, who announced his resignation in July.