UK minister warns of impact of Trump’s Iran war on next month’s budget

Labour minister Bridget Phillipson warned that Donald Trump's war with Iran may complicate the UK's next budget, while asserting that the prime minister's previous disparaging comments about the US president would not hinder the relationship. Burnham is set to meet Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York next week. The Labour chair and minister for women and equalities acknowledged that Trump's military campaign against Iran, which has caused global inflation and economic challenges, would make the upcoming budget more difficult for Chancellor John Healey.

She emphasized that the UK had made the right decision not to engage in the Middle East conflict, and that the economy was still in a strong position. However, the economic impact of the Iran conflict, particularly on businesses and families, was a significant concern. Phillipson defended her party's decision not to involve itself in the conflict, suggesting that it was the right call for the UK.

She also dismissed comments by petrochemicals billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who expressed loss of confidence in the UK due to immigration and taxation, stating that such views should be taken with a pinch of salt from someone residing in Monaco as a tax exile. Phillipson emphasized that while there were differences of opinion between the UK and the US, the relationship between the two countries had stood the test of time and would continue to deliver the British national interest.