Burnham warns challenging Budget ahead amid inflation rise

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the upcoming October 28 Budget will be "challenging" due to global economic pressures, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, and pledged his government will not take risks with people's living standards. His comments came as official data showed UK inflation rose to a five-month high of 3.1% in August. Burnham stated the Budget is "going to be challenging because the picture around the world is challenging and particularly the situation in the Middle East." He added that ministers "won't take risks with people's living standards or with the economy as a whole." The Prime Minister said the government would take "whatever action we can to help people" while applying "the highest degree of prudence to the running of the economy." The remarks were made during a pooled interview with reporters on Wednesday. Chancellor John Healey is scheduled to deliver the Autumn Budget on October 28. Burnham said the decision to hold an earlier Budget was to avoid a "long period of speculation.