Those with the broadest shoulders should bear the heaviest burden’ as Starmer announces non-domiciled residents will be the first affected.

Speaking in the garden of No 10 on 27 August, prime minister Keir Starmer said the upcoming budget ‘is going to be painful’ as no knowledge of the £22bn black hole in the public finances forced the government to implement severe changes, such as the Winter Fuel Allowance.

Starmer said: ‘Those with the broadest shoulders should bear the heaviest burden. That’s why we’re cracking down on non-doms. Those who made the mess should have to do their bit to clean it up.’

Further fines will be imposed on the water companies which have been illegally pumping sewage into the UK’s rivers lakes and seas.

‘I’ll have to turn to the country, and make big asks of you as well, to accept short-term pain for long-term good, the difficult trade-off for genuine solution,’ said Starmer.

However, the prime minister reiterated that income tax, national insurance and VAT would not be changed, which was pledged in Labour’s Manifesto.

Starmer continued: ‘We were being honest about the situation before the election, we set out very clearly what we would be doing with tax rises, I made it clear on numerous occasions that national insurance, VAT and tax would not go up, and that remains the position.’

Former prime minister, Rishi Sunak said on X (formerly Twitter): 'Keir Starmer's speech today was the clearest indication of what Labour has been planning to do all along - raise your taxes.

Laura Suter, director of personal finance at AJ Bell said: ‘While the speech’s key points largely mirror those made by chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, Starmer still struck an ominous tone.

‘His comments will also reignite the rumours of a specific ‘wealth tax’ to be paid by the wealthiest in the UK. This could just take the form of increasing existing taxes for investors and the top earners, or it could be a new, standalone tax on those with the biggest pockets.

‘Unsurprisingly, the record of the previous government was dragged over hot coals as Starmer defended last month’s decision to means test Winter Fuel Payments from this year.’

Visit BrAInbox today where you can find answers to questions like Does my employee have to pay national insurance?

UK set for 'short term pain for long term good', says Starmer

downing street
  • Pay & Benefits
Peninsula Team

Peninsula Team,

(Last updated )

Please Note: This content is accurate on the date of publishing

Related articles

  • unpaid

    Blog

    The Government has launched a consultation on strengthening employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children. As part of its Plan to Make Work Pay and Next Steps to Make Work Pay the Government committed to review the implementation of Carer’s Leave and consider whether there is a need to change the current entitlement introduced by the previous government under the Carer’s Leave Act 2023. Subsequently, in November 2025 the Department for Business and Trade published the terms of reference for the Government’s review of Carer’s Leave and employment rights for unpaid carers.

    Peninsula Logo
    Peninsula Team Peninsula Team
    • Business Management
    • + 1
  • wage

    Blog

    Latest data has revealed a significant rise in reports by whistleblowers of employers failing to pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The figures show that HMRC received 7,622 tip-offs during the 2024/2025 financial year, an increase of 360% since 2020/21.

    Peninsula Logo
    Peninsula Team Peninsula Team
    • Pay & Benefits
  • wage

    Blog

    A voluntary wage rate based on the cost of living, the ‘real Living Wage’ is overseen by the Living Wage Foundation and is paid by over 16,000 UK businesses. Employers who pay the real Living Wage must implement the new rates for 2025/26 by 1 May 2026.

    Peninsula Logo
    Peninsula Team
    • Pay & Benefits
Back to resource hub
Brainbox AI Logo

Created by experts, powered by AI Icon

HR and H&S advice to the next level!

Our enhanced Brainbox AI Logo AI solution...

Sign up to our newsletter

Get the latest news & tips that matter most to your business in our monthly newsletter.