The Red Carpet Treatment: Zelensky’s Tour for Support Amid Uncertainty

Budget Balancing Act: Reeves’ Billion-Pound Conundrum

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has a financial puzzle to solve, and it’s not the easy kind. As the 30th October Budget looms, she’s tasked with plugging a £16bn gap—on top of the £9bn in tax hikes Labour promised. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warns that without raising extra funds, Reeves may struggle to fulfil Labour's ambitious pre-election promises without slashing public services. And given the government’s “no austerity” pledge, that’s a political booby trap waiting to spring.

To make matters trickier, she’ll have to tread carefully around higher taxes, with Labour’s manifesto vowing not to touch VAT, income tax, or National Insurance (for workers, anyway). However, whispers abound that employers might take the hit, with an increase in National Insurance possibly on the table.

Reeves also faces rising debt, post-pandemic inflation, and an ageing population—yet the show must go on. The government has grand plans for public investment and tackling the UK's sluggish growth, but that too needs funding. A bit of clever borrowing could help, but as the IFS notes, borrowing for growth is risky business in today’s shaky global market. If Reeves isn’t careful, this Budget might end up biting her before the next election.

Looks like Reeves needs more than just a fiscal plan—maybe a crystal ball too!

The Red Carpet Treatment: Zelensky’s Tour for Support Amid Uncertainty

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky popped by No. 10 Downing Street on Thursday, treating Keir Starmer to a discussion on the next phase of Ukraine’s war strategy—and probably more than one awkward handshake moment. With a red carpet rolled out for him, Zelensky was on a high-stakes mission, pressing for Western backing to help see Ukraine through its third winter of conflict with Russia.

On the agenda: a so-called “victory plan” Zelensky’s been hinting at for weeks, which includes the not-so-subtle request for more military aid and, crucially, the ability to use British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory. However, there's been a bit of a diplomatic pause, as the UK isn’t keen to go solo on this one. The US, Germany, and others are hesitant, not wanting to tempt fate—or a Kremlin tantrum.

Meanwhile, new NATO head, Mark Rutte, was also in London for a chat. He’s onboard with the idea that Ukraine must prevail, noting that it’s not just about Ukraine but a wider threat to European stability. Still, Rutte hedged when it came to missile use, diplomatically pointing out that it’s up to each ally to decide whether they're comfortable letting Ukraine target Russia.

The timing of this European tour isn’t random. With the US election looming in November, and Donald Trump—who’s far less enthusiastic about sending tanks than Biden—leading the Republican charge, Zelensky is keen to shore up European support. If Trump takes the White House, Kyiv might find its lifeline to Washington growing thinner by the day.

For now, Britain has pledged £3 billion annually in military support, but Zelensky knows that Europe alone can’t cover Ukraine’s needs. He’s set to visit Paris and Rome next, with a meeting with Pope Francis pencilled in too. Clearly, he’s pulling out all the stops.

Though Russia has made small but significant battlefield gains recently, there’s no decisive breakthrough in sight. But as the chill of winter draws nearer and Ukraine’s infrastructure continues to be battered by Russian strikes, Zelensky is doubling down on securing enough aid to keep the lights on—both literally and metaphorically.

Starmer, for his part, echoed the UK’s “continued commitment” to Ukraine. But as global uncertainty grows, particularly with Trump looming over the horizon, Europe and Ukraine are left wondering: can this support outlast the political and military winter ahead?

In short: the clock’s ticking, and Zelensky’s making sure every moment counts.