UK Braces for Another Brutal Budget Amid Soaring Inflation

The UK is bracing for what some are calling 'another brutal budget' as Labour prepares to unveil its tax and spending plans.

SNP's Commons leader Dave Doogan warned that the government is 'softening people up for a Westminster budget of cuts and tax rises', echoing concerns from Prime Minister Andy Burnham that next month's Budget will be 'challenging'.

The warning comes after inflation reached a five-month high, with Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rising to 3.1% in August due to high petrol and diesel costs.

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said that if volatile global energy costs continue, it's 'more likely' that interest rates could need to rise to bring inflation back down to the 2% target.