Starmer warns ‘things worse than we ever imagined’ in first key speech as prime minister

Sir Keir Starmer admitted that things are " worse than we ever imagined " as he warned of the government’s forthcoming Budget in his first key speech as prime minister on Tuesday, 27 August.

The PM said his warning came due to a £22bn “black hole” in public finances, claiming to have found out last week that the Conservatives had borrowed almost £5bn more than the Office for Budget Responsibility expected.

Sir Keir also defended his decisions to release some prisoners early and means-test the pensioners’ winter fuel allowance as “tough actions” are needed to fix the country’s foundations.