PRIME Minister Liz Truss has said she slept well while the UK economy faced turmoil sparked by her government’s mini budget.

In a series of BBC interviews on Thursday morning, Truss defended the Tories’ tax-slashing policies – arguing she had to take “urgent action” to help grow the economy amid “global” challenges.

It came despite the pound plunging to record levels, the IMF issuing a warning over the plans and the Bank of England taking emergency action to buy up government bonds as the UK faced “crisis territory”.

There were warnings that without the bank acting swiftly, pension funds could have collapsed on Wednesday.

After days of failing to face the media, Truss spoke to eight local radio stations starting with BBC Radio Leeds.

Presenter Rima Ahmed began the interview by asking: “How are you? How are you doing? Have you slept well?”

Truss told listeners: “I have, thank you very much. It’s great to be here on Radio Leeds.”

“Good!” responded the journalist, before reeling off a list of examples of the serious economic situation facing the UK.

She also asked Truss: “Where’ve you been?”

Welsh journalist Owen Williams remarked: “There should be an award for ‘best question ever’, and BBC Leeds’ [Rima] Ahmed should win it for this opener.”

“Just an absolute classic,” added sports broadcaster John Duggan.