What budget challenges is UK Prime Minister Keith Starmer currently facing?

UK government departments are preparing for significant budget cuts of up to 11%, creating a challenging fiscal environment for Prime Minister Keith Starmer's administration. Simultaneously, Starmer faces mounting pressure to increase defense funding amid escalating geopolitical concerns. This creates a difficult balancing act for the Prime Minister, who must reconcile substantial departmental budget reductions while addressing calls to strengthen national security through increased military spending. These competing priorities highlight the complex economic and security challenges confronting UK leadership.