Reeves vows to cut cost of living after inflation boost before final pre-Budget PMQs – live updates
Rachel Reeves has vowed to cut the cost of living ahead of the final PMQs ahead of her highly anticipated budget.
Sir Keir Starmer will face questions in the House of Commons after a pre-Budget boost to the Chancellor saw inflation fall to 3.6 per cent in October.
Commenting on the falling figures, Ms Reeves said: “It is pleasing that inflation has fallen from 3.8 per cent to 3.6 per cent in this month’s data. However, I recognize that cost of living inflation is still a huge burden on families across the country.”
“That’s why in next week’s budget I will take targeted actions to reduce inflation in order to address the cost of living.”
But the figures were criticized by Sir Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor of the Exchequer, who said “inflation has been above target every month” since Labour’s last budget.
He said: “Labour’s last budget increased borrowing, increased taxes and increased inflation which is now hitting families.”
The prime minister and chancellor face harsh scrutiny ahead of next week’s Budget announcement and a series of tax increases are expected.
Healey told Putin: “We see you, we know what you are doing”
The defense minister has issued a warning to Vladimir Putin, saying a Russian spy ship is off the coast of British territorial waters.
He said it was the second time the ship had been deployed to British waters this year.
John Healey said: “My message to Russia and Putin is: We see you, we know what you’re doing, and if [ship] We are heading south this week, we are ready.”
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 10:10
John Healey speaks in Downing Street
The defense secretary is holding a press conference in Downing Street.
He said a Russian spy ship had been in UK waters north of Scotland and had entered wider UK waters in the last few weeks.
He said the boat was capable of mapping undersea cables and deploying Britain’s royal navy frigate and RAF aircraft.
Mr Healey said the boat was pointing a laser at the pilots and warned Russia that Britain was “ready” if the boat went south this week.
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 10:07
Starmer under pressure in first PMQs since income tax U-turn
Kate Devlin, The Independent’s Whitehall Editor, reports:
After touting an increase in income tax in the budget, Keir Starmer will be forced to defend a U-turn that he did not even announce at PMQs today.
While the obvious attacks will come from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, watch out for the MPs sitting behind her.
Labour’s supporters are growing increasingly despondent and speculating about how long Sir Keir will remain in the job. PMQs are often a chance for a party leader to rally his troops.
But it’s still a long week before we even know what’s in the Budget; Labor MPs think there is little to be happy about.
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 09:54
Watch: Reeves admits cost of living still ‘a huge burden’ as inflation falls
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 09:48
Reeves: Budget leaks ‘unacceptable’
Rachel Reeves says budget leaks are “unacceptable”.
The Chancellor was asked whether the Government’s mixed messaging on tax in its 26 November statement could have contributed to market volatility.
He told broadcasters on Wednesday: “Leaks are unacceptable.
“But people only have to wait a week for me to deliver my Budget on Wednesday 26 November.
“The priorities of the Budget will be tackling the cost of living, reducing NHS waiting lists and reducing the national debt. These are the priorities of the British people and will be my priorities as we go into the Budget next week.”
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 09:36
Reeves vows to reduce cost of living
In response to the release of inflation figures, Rachel Reeves said high prices remain a “huge burden” on people.
“It is pleasing that inflation has fallen from 3.8% to 3.6% in this month’s data. However, I am aware that inflation, which is the cost of living, is still a huge burden on families across the country.
“That’s why in next week’s budget I will take targeted actions to reduce inflation in order to address the cost of living.”
The Chancellor sidestepped a question about whether he accepted that increases in employer national insurance contributions were helping to raise food prices.
He replied: “Food prices fell last month and have risen this month. But I recognize there is more we need to do to tackle cost of living challenges. That’s why one of the three priorities in my Budget next week will be tackling the cost of living, cutting NHS waiting lists and reducing Government debt.”
“There are 300,000 more jobs in the economy than at the beginning of this year.
“But of course I want to do more to help people get back to work, so the Budget will set out more detail on our youth guarantee to ensure young people are in education, employment or training.”
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 09:27
Starmer to face final PMQs before Budget
The Prime Minister is set to face the final round of questions in the House of Commons ahead of his government’s budget next week.
Sir Keir Starmer will answer questions from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch and other MPs at noon.
We will bring you the latest updates here,
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 09:21
UK inflation falls to four-month low with pre-budget support from Rachel Reeves
Inflation fell to 3.6 per cent in October, a pre-Budget boost for Rachel Reeves as well as consumers and businesses.
The latest update from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation has fallen since September, when it stood at a staggering 3.8 per cent. This has led most analysts to declare that inflation has peaked across the UK.
The inflation rate reached this level for the first time since June this year; but just three months ago in March, it was as low as 2.6 percent.
Athena Stavrou19 November 2025 09:19
