The country's in tatters, the PM's hanging on by a…

The country's in tatters, the PM's hanging on by a thread - but in the middle of it all, one Greater Manchester MP had a very different question to ask her

Today's Prime Minister's Questions was perhaps one of the most tense in recent times.

The country's economy is in turmoil after weeks of turbulence. The financial markets are in chaos. Liz Truss' premiership is hanging by a thread following a series of mini-budget U-turns.

People are struggling to make ends meet - and are looking to Number 10 for help.

Mortgages payments are rising. Energy bills are soaring. People are concerned about their pensions.

Inflation in September reached 10.1 per cent. This is back at a 40-year high, despite the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ripping up the Prime Minister's economic plan in a bid to get the public finances back on track.

Anyone would expect these issues to be the absolute priority at today's PMQs. James Grundy, however, had something else on his mind as he was one of the select few MPs to ask the Prime Minister a question.

Prime Minister Liz Truss during Prime Minister's Questions (House of Commons/PA Wire)

The Conservative MP for Leigh chose to ask Ms Truss a question about the Leigh Centurions rugby league team, before asking about a Downing Street reception for the Lionesses. For fans, these issues are, of course, important and worthy of discussion in the Commons.

Sport is a huge part of what makes Greater Manchester great. The amazing Lionesses deserve recognition and praise in abundance.

But at a time when members of the public are genuinely concerned for their futures, their homes and their families, could he have used the opportunity and influence to ask a more valuable question on behalf of his constituents - or, at the very least, chosen a more suitable time?

Mr Grundy said: "Will my right honourable friend congratulate Leigh Centurions rugby league team for their recent promotion to the Super League, bringing millions to the local economy and furthermore, would she also guarantee that our excellent women's football team, including Ella Toone from my local constituency, will receive the No 10 reception that they so deserve?"

Mr Truss responded: "I join my honourable friend in congratulating the Leigh Centurions on their return to the Super League. I had the huge privilege of meeting the Lionesses last week a fantastic team who won a huge tournament for us.

"We will host a Downing Street reception as soon as their training programme makes them available."

People immediately reacted on Twitter. Phil Blundell said: "The Leigh Centurions is, after all, the big story."

Trevor Gibbons joked: "You will need some good luck @LeighCenturions you just been congratulated by the latest PM. That’s you in trouble then."

@BardlordMike3 tweeted: "#PMQs James Grundy bringing up Leigh Centurions while people in our constituencies are facing massive electricity costs and mortgage payments."

And @NotJimWhite1 posted: "Imagine thinking that in the middle of a cost of living crisis, mortgage rates going through the roof, and inflation in double figures, a question about Leigh Centurions is relevant."

He added: "The Tory party in a nutshell."

The Manchester Evening News approached Mr Grundy's for comment on the timing of his questions.

He later replied: "As a mentioned in my PMQ, Leigh Centurions returning to SuperLeague literally means millions for the local economy.

"Aside from significant funding for the club through television rights, etc, this means fans from other big RL clubs spending millions in local shops, pubs and restaurants, just when it will be most needed.

"The Womens' Euros also brought huge amounts of money to the town, with very large contingents of Swedish and Portuguese fans visiting the town.

"The ongoing Rugby League World Cup is also bringing significant trade to the town.

I was congratulated by the Labour chair of the Rugby League APPG, Judith Cummins, for my PMQ, and asked to contribute on that subject to a debate next week about the massive benefit this is bringing to Leigh."

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here