PM to defend budget amid claims Rachel Reeves 'lied'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is attempting to shift the narrative surrounding the recent budget, which has faced scrutiny from the Conservatives regarding Chancellor Rachel Reeves' ethics. The Tories have accused Reeves of dishonesty regarding her tax policies, particularly a £26 billion tax increase aimed at addressing the UK's cost of living crisis.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Labour's economic plan will take years to fully implement, following a challenging response to the recent budget announcement which included £26 billion in tax increases. Starmer defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decisions amidst criticism from political opponents regarding the budget's impact on the cost of living crisis.

Biker romance film Pillion has been awarded the top prize at the British Independent Film Awards, highlighting its success in the independent film sector.

An inquiry has revealed that a UK special forces unit in Afghanistan operated under a 'deliberate policy' to kill fighting-aged males, even in instances where they did not pose a threat. This alarming finding raises serious ethical concerns regarding military conduct and adherence to international laws of engagement.

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has called for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to resign, accusing her of breaking tax promises in the recent budget that includes a £26 billion tax increase aimed at addressing the UK's cost of living crisis. This follows Badenoch's boycott of the Your Party conference, where she praised Jeremy Corbyn's leadership style.

A devastating fire in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has resulted in a rising death toll, now confirmed at 146, with many residents still unaccounted for. The fire, which reportedly began on external scaffolding, has prompted extensive rescue operations as emergency services continue to search for survivors.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has firmly denied allegations made by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch that she misled the public regarding the UK's financial situation ahead of the upcoming Budget. During an interview with Sky News, Reeves asserted that she did not lie about budget forecasts, amidst growing political pressure for her resignation from Badenoch.

Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced a significant overhaul of the justice system, aiming to prioritize victims in the legal process. This reform includes proposals to eliminate jury trials for certain cases, focusing on streamlining the judicial process.