In his first major address since becoming Prime Minister, Keir Starmer delivered a sobering assessment of the UK's financial situation, warning that public finances would worsen before improving. He emphasized the need for the public to accept short-term pain for long-term gain, hinting at a 'painful' autumn Budget that could include tax rises, although he ruled out increases in national insurance, VAT, and income tax. Starmer also announced the withdrawal of winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners, a decision criticized by Age UK and some Labour MPs. He attributed the country's financial woes to the previous Conservative government's mismanagement, citing a £22 billion deficit discovered by his administration. The speech, set in the symbolic Downing Street garden, was seen as a strategic attempt to rebuild trust in politics following the controversies of the past. Responses from critics, including the TaxPayers' Alliance, highlighted concerns over potential tax hikes and argued that such measures could stifle economic growth.