British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in his first major speech since assuming office last month, that the upcoming October budget would be challenging. “There is a Budget coming in October and it is going to be painful. We have no other choice given the situation that we are in,” said Starmer.
The British PM admitted that the nation’s finances were in a far worse state than his Labour government had anticipated when they took office.Starmer emphasized the necessity of making difficult choices to mend the country’s foundations, even if it meant enduring “short-term pain for long-term good.”
“I promised that this government would serve people like you – apprentices, teachers, nurses, small business owners, firefighters, those serving our community and our country every day,” said Starmer.
He further stressed that the government’s approach will be different from the past, focusing on action rather than words. Starmer pledged to introduce legislation and make decisions that safeguard taxpayers’ money between now and the end of the year.
“We were being honest about the situation before the election, we set out very clearly what we would be doing with tax rises,” Starmer said, stressing his commitment not to put up income tax, National Insurance or VAT and “those with the broadest shoulders should bear the heavier burden”, indicating that other taxes, like capital gains, could be targeted.
Shortly after the speech, former PM and interim opposition leader Rishi Sunak, took to social media to criticize Labour’s tax-raising plans. “Keir Starmer’s speech today was the clearest indication of what Labour has been planning to do all along – raise your taxes,” said Sunak.
Additionally, Starmer while addressing the recent far-right riots that occurred in various parts of the United Kingdom, said that the violent incidents not only exposed the deep-rooted issues left behind by the previous government’s divisive populist tactics but also highlighted the need for the nation to unite in order to find a solution.
“When, after the hard work of clearing up the mess is done, we have a country that we have built together, built to last, that belongs to every single one of us… This is our country. Let’s fix it – together,” he said.
The British PM admitted that the nation’s finances were in a far worse state than his Labour government had anticipated when they took office.Starmer emphasized the necessity of making difficult choices to mend the country’s foundations, even if it meant enduring “short-term pain for long-term good.”
“I promised that this government would serve people like you – apprentices, teachers, nurses, small business owners, firefighters, those serving our community and our country every day,” said Starmer.
He further stressed that the government’s approach will be different from the past, focusing on action rather than words. Starmer pledged to introduce legislation and make decisions that safeguard taxpayers’ money between now and the end of the year.
“We were being honest about the situation before the election, we set out very clearly what we would be doing with tax rises,” Starmer said, stressing his commitment not to put up income tax, National Insurance or VAT and “those with the broadest shoulders should bear the heavier burden”, indicating that other taxes, like capital gains, could be targeted.
Shortly after the speech, former PM and interim opposition leader Rishi Sunak, took to social media to criticize Labour’s tax-raising plans. “Keir Starmer’s speech today was the clearest indication of what Labour has been planning to do all along – raise your taxes,” said Sunak.
Additionally, Starmer while addressing the recent far-right riots that occurred in various parts of the United Kingdom, said that the violent incidents not only exposed the deep-rooted issues left behind by the previous government’s divisive populist tactics but also highlighted the need for the nation to unite in order to find a solution.
“When, after the hard work of clearing up the mess is done, we have a country that we have built together, built to last, that belongs to every single one of us… This is our country. Let’s fix it – together,” he said.