Liz Truss’s premiership has been “utterly catastrophic” for the UK economy, according to Nicola Sturgeon.

Scotland’s first minister has also revealed she is yet to have a phone conversation with the prime minister, a month into her tenure.

Ms Sturgeon spoke to David Cameron within hours of taking office, and to Theresa May and Boris Johnson within days of their arrival at Number 10.

“It is just unusual that Liz Truss hasn’t decided to do the same thing,” she said. “Why is that the case? Lack of respect, arrogance, insecurity, who knows?”

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She added: “The decisions she’s taken in the first few weeks of her tenure as prime minister have been utterly catastrophic to the economy and to people across the country who are paying the price of her decisions in higher mortgage rates and borrowing costs.

“She hasn’t had a grip on government since she became prime minister. What’s happened in the mortgage market is pension funds came to the brink of collapse because of her lack of a grip.”

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Speaking ahead of the Scottish National Party’s annual conference in Aberdeen, Ms Sturgeon told Sky News she will launch a communications campaign about careful energy consumption over the winter.

Number 10 has blocked a similar public information blitz to encourage people to use less energy, according to The Times.

“We’re in this position because we are part of a GB grid and are reliant on the UK government to take decisions”, she said.

‘Good for King to go to climate conference’

The first minister claimed she would not resign if her government loses a Supreme Court battle over whether the Scottish Parliament can hold another independence referendum – the court is due to hear the case on Tuesday.

And she said “it would be good” for King Charles to go to the COP27 climate conference, after reports the PM advised the monarch not to attend – which were denied by No 10.

“King Charles is somebody who has through his entire life has had a real concern for the environment,” she said.

“He’s head of state of many different countries in the Commonwealth, and I think it would be entirely appropriate should he want to be at COP27.”

Eight years into her role, Ms Sturgeon described being first minister as “a massive job with massive responsibilities”, adding: “It takes its toll on your personal life, your family life.”

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