Rishi SunakImage source, Getty Images

The UK has a new prime minister. He has a number of challenges to contend with.

Economics Editor.

As chancellor, Sunak warned about the danger of rapidly rising prices, despite making very little promises in his leadership campaign.

What to do with the Energy Price Guarantee will be a key challenge for him. The scheme was supposed to last for two years. The guarantee will only last until April according to Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Sunak was cautious about giving the scheme after that point. A household's energy bill could go up to more than $4,000 next year.

Benefits, tax credits and pensions were guaranteed by Mr Sunak to rise in line with inflation. With a huge borrowing gap, it's not clear if that promise is still valid.

The economic repair job he has to do is easier because the financial markets trust him. Government borrowing costs have fallen and this could lead to more favorable mortgage rates. It's possible that the Bank of England will raise interest rates by less.

The health correspondent is Nick Triggle.

With record numbers waiting for hospital treatment and the threat of strikes over pay and winter just around the corner, Mr Sunak will be fighting from Day One. His own policies and vision are likely to be held back.

Mr Sunak floated the idea of a vaccine-style task force to improve efficiency and charged patients $10 for missed appointments during the summer.

Delayed discharges are patients who are ready to leave the hospital but can't because there isn't enough care in the community. The fact that Mr Sunak was willing to raise National Insurance contributions points to this being an area of focus.

Theo is a business correspondent.

Train drivers, dock workers, mail employees, criminal barristers and telecoms staff are some of the workers who have downed tools this year. University lecturers have just voted for strike action.

Pay has been the main factor in most disputes. Wages have not kept up with the price of living.

The unions are trying to get more money from the government. If companies pay their workers more, they may have to raise their prices for everyone.

Public sector workers are unlikely to be paid much more than they are currently paid by the government. The new prime minister will be desperate to stop the current industrial unrest from getting out of hand.

Legislation is being considered to limit the impact of strikes. The priority will probably be to solve the problem at source and control inflation.

James Landale is diplomatic correspondent.

The UK's policy towards Ukraine will not change. He stood for the leadership in the summer and promised to make an early visit to Kyiv. "If I become prime minister, I will double our efforts and reinforce our policy of total support forUkraine that Boris has led," he said.

It will cost money and there is uncertainty over Mr Sunak's approach to defence spending.

Defence spending will be increased from 2% to 3% of national wealth. Mr Sunak said that the target was not a plan.

When supporting Ukraine becomes less popular, he will have to face the challenge. With rising energy costs compounding the cost-of-living crisis, Mr Sunak may have to convince voters that it's worth it to defendUkraine.

Ms Truss faced the same problem in Northern Ireland.

The legislative assembly can't function because there is no executive. There is no resolution which will satisfy the Democratic Unionist Party.

A key deadline looms large as a result of the protest against the protocol. If the emergency legislation isn't passed by October 28, then the second election of the year will be held before Christmas.

During the hustings in Belfast in August, Mr Sunak promised to progress a bill to override the protocol, but he preferred a negotiated compromise.

Within days, the power of local ministers will be taken over by the secretary of state. Unless someone blinks, festive cheer won't be plentiful.

  • Russia-Ukraine war
  • Rishi Sunak
  • UK economy
  • NHS
  • Tory leadership