British Prime Minister: Next Budget Will Include "Difficult Decisions" Due to Middle East Fallout

London, September 16 (KUNA) -- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Wednesday that the country’s upcoming general budget would include “difficult decisions” amid global economic shocks linked to the repercussions of developments in the Middle East.

In a statement to journalists, Burnham said the difficulty lies in the challenges posed by the global landscape, particularly regarding developments in the Middle East. He clarified that the war in Iran and the dangerous developments unfolding in the region have triggered inflationary pressures both in the United Kingdom and worldwide, emphasizing the importance of easing the burden on families through incentive-based tax measures and curbing the rise in energy bills.

Burnham noted that the budget would be presented earlier this time, marking the first one under his government, as he did not wish to leave a prolonged period of speculation. Chancellor of the Exchequer John Haley is scheduled to present the general budget to MPs in the House of Commons (the lower house of Parliament) on October 28.

The British prime minister’s remarks came hours after the UK Office for National Statistics announced that the inflation rate had risen to 3.1 percent, the highest since last March, attributing the increase to higher oil and energy prices due to the repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East. (End) M.R.N. / T.M.A.