Starmer Warns of Painful October Budget

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that the upcoming October budget will be 'painful' due to the dire state of the nation's finances, which he attributes to the previous Conservative government. Starmer emphasized the necessity of making difficult choices, including potential tax hikes targeting those with the broadest shoulders, while committing to not raising income tax, National Insurance, or VAT. He defended the controversial decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners, stressing the need to prioritize funding critical services like the NHS and education. Starmer also addressed recent anti-migrant riots, blaming them on the previous government's divisive tactics and underscoring the need for national unity. Former PM Rishi Sunak criticized Labour's plans, accusing Starmer of using the financial situation as a pretext to raise taxes. Despite the challenges, Starmer assured that his government would focus on action and long-term benefits over short-term fixes.