Starmer Defends G20 Trip Amidst Looming Budget Decisions
JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA – Labour leader Keir Starmer is defending his attendance at the G20 summit in South Africa as his chancellor,Rachel Reeves,finalizes a budget expected to include billions in tax increases. Starmer stated the trip is an possibility to both bolster international relationships and advocate for continued support for Ukraine, especially as former U.S. President Trump develops a peace plan reportedly requiring Ukraine to cede territory and weapons.
Starmer received a briefing on Trump’s proposed plan during a recent meeting with German Chancellor friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin. Further discussions are planned with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the summit’s sidelines.
Back in the UK, Reeves is reportedly finalizing a budget focused on fairness, seeking to raise approximately £20 billion in additional tax revenue. A previously considered plan to raise income tax rates has been abandoned, prompting a search for alternative revenue streams, including a potential freeze on income tax thresholds.
“Obviously the details of the budget will come on Wednesday. It’ll be a Labour budget with Labour values. It’ll be based on fairness,” Starmer said. He contextualized the need for fiscal adjustments, citing the combined impact of the 2008 financial crash, subsequent austerity measures, Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the ongoing conflict in ukraine.
“I’m optimistic about the future. I do think if we get this right our country has a great future,” Starmer added.
