Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to deliver a major speech on Monday endorsing the chancellor’s Budget and signalling his government’s readiness to go “further and faster” on pro-growth economic measures. In a carefully framed address, Starmer will argue that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s fiscal statement lays the foundations for easing the cost of living crisis, lowering inflation, and strengthening long-term stability—while acknowledging that more needs to be done to accelerate Britain’s economic recovery.
Starmer’s support for the Budget comes amid intensifying scrutiny of the Treasury’s handling of public finance information in the lead-up to the announcement. The Conservatives have accused Reeves of misrepresenting the strength of the economy by presenting an overly gloomy picture when official analysis showed more positive underlying forecasts. However, No 10 has strongly rejected claims that the chancellor misled the public, insisting her assessment reflected responsible stewardship and a necessary level of caution during turbulent economic times.
Despite the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) downgrading the UK’s growth outlook from next year, Starmer is expected to underscore that “economic growth is beating forecasts” in the near term. The prime minister will argue that the government must build on this trajectory by protecting investment, prioritising public services, and stimulating private-sector dynamism. According to Starmer, boosting long-term productivity is the core mission of his administration—and one that requires steady leadership rather than short-term political point-scoring.
His speech will also highlight plans to streamline infrastructure delivery, particularly following a damning report that found the UK had become the most expensive country in the world to build nuclear power facilities. Starmer will promise to cut “unnecessary red tape,” citing the report’s findings as evidence that outdated processes and burdensome regulations are hindering national competitiveness. He is expected to call for sweeping reforms and an urgent rethink of what he terms “fundamentally misguided environmental regulation” that has slowed major energy and infrastructure projects.
Starmer Pressures Departments to Overhaul Infrastructure Rules
To help drive this agenda, Starmer will task Business Secretary Peter Kyle with applying the lessons of the nuclear power cost report to infrastructure more broadly. The goal: accelerate planning, lower construction costs, and modernise regulatory frameworks. Starmer will argue that such reforms are essential if the UK is to deliver affordable energy, meet climate commitments, and attract global investment.
Monday’s speech arrives just five days after the Budget, prompting speculation that the prime minister may be seeking to reinforce public confidence amid mixed reactions to the government’s economic plans. While No 10 insists the speech was long-scheduled, the timing hints at sensitivity within government regarding how the Budget has been received—particularly as the opposition intensifies its criticism of Reeves.
In recent days, Downing Street has repeatedly defended the chancellor following accusations that she deliberately played up fears of a significant downgrade in national productivity forecasts, thereby softening the ground for possible future tax rises. Starmer is expected to frame her approach as prudent and transparent, arguing that responsible government requires acknowledging risks, not ignoring them.
Controversy intensified after a letter from the OBR chairman to MPs revealed that he had informed Reeves on 17 September that the public finances were in better shape than widely assumed. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch seized on the disclosure, claiming the chancellor had “lied to the public” and calling for her removal. Starmer and No 10 have firmly rejected the accusations, dismissing them as politically motivated and lacking context.
The Treasury has also pushed back, saying last week that Reeves focused on key priorities: cutting the cost of living, reducing hospital waiting lists, and increasing the government’s fiscal headroom to manage national debt. A spokesperson emphasised that the government “will not speculate on OBR processes” but insisted that the chancellor’s judgement reflected both responsibility and compassion.
Both Reeves and Badenoch are due to appear on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, setting the stage for another round of public debate over the government’s economic direction and the accuracy of claims surrounding the state of the public finances.
Starmer’s speech aims to regain control of that narrative. By reiterating his support for the Budget and outlining his government’s broader vision, the prime minister hopes to shift attention toward future economic reforms rather than disputes over fiscal forecasting. His message will be clear: Britain is performing better than expected, but the work is far from over.
According to Starmer, the path to sustainable growth lies in decisive action—reforming infrastructure rules, backing innovation, safeguarding investment, and ensuring that government remains focused on long-term prosperity. Monday’s address will be his attempt to set that ambition firmly in motion.
Source- BBC