SNP Warns Labour's 'Brutal Budget' Will Worsen Economic Crisis

SNP's Dave Doogan has warned that the UK is facing another 'brutal budget' after Labour ministers conceded that next month's Budget will be 'challenging'.

The SNP Westminster leader claimed that Labour is softening people up for a budget of cuts and tax rises, which could push inflation even higher.

According to the latest official figures, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation reached 3.1% in August, with high petrol and diesel costs contributing to the rise.

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey warned that volatile global energy costs could push inflation higher still, making it 'more likely' that interest rates will need to rise to help bring inflation back down to the 2% target.