Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that his government’s first Budget will chart a new course for the UK, focusing on long-term growth and rebuilding public services, as opposed to a return to austerity measures. Speaking on Monday, 28 October, Starmer emphasised his commitment to putting more money in the pockets of working people while addressing the urgent need for public sector reform.
In his address, Starmer highlighted the importance of economic stability, stating, “It is working people who pay the price when their government fails to deliver economic stability. They’ve had enough of slow growth, stagnant living standards and crumbling public services. They know that austerity is no solution.” He called for responsible and honest decisions that prioritise the interests of the workforce, rejecting chaos and decline in favour of stability, investment, and reform.
The Prime Minister recognised the unprecedented challenges facing the UK, attributing them to the previous government’s mismanagement of public finances and services. He remarked, “We have to be realistic about where we are as a country. This is not 1997, when the economy was decent but public services were on their knees. And it’s not 2010, where public services were strong, but the public finances were weak. These are unprecedented circumstances.”
Starmer made it clear that he does not intend to use these challenges as an excuse, stating he expects to be judged on his ability to tackle them. “Politics is always a choice. It’s time to choose a clear path and embrace the harsh light of fiscal reality,” he asserted. “It’s time we ran towards the tough decisions, because ignoring them set us on the path of decline. We’re never going back to the populist chorus of easy answers.”
In outlining his economic plan, Starmer stressed the need for stability and investment, which he believes will benefit everyone in the country. He challenged critics to propose alternative strategies, saying, “If they think the state has grown too big, let them tell working people which public services they would cut.”
The Prime Minister also touched on key areas of focus for his government, including higher investment levels, reforms to planning, getting people back to work, and stripping away unnecessary regulations that hinder growth. He believes that these measures will contribute to a more prosperous future for the UK, stating, “Everyone in this country will benefit from this. Everyone can wake up on Thursday and understand that a new future is being built, a better future.”
As the UK grapples with economic challenges, Starmer’s pledge aims to provide a sense of hope and direction for the country. His focus on long-term investment and stability is designed to restore confidence among working people and lay the groundwork for a stronger public service infrastructure.
The upcoming Budget is seen as a critical moment for the new government, with Starmer promising a clear vision for transforming the UK’s economic landscape and delivering sustainable growth that will improve the lives of its citizens.