‘How can GB News viewers trust anything you say?’ Watch Christopher Hope grill Keir Starmer as he rushes to Rachel Reeves’ defence

Questioning Sir Keir after the speech, Christopher asked: "You wanted to tread lightly on our lives before you were elected. You said that you were different from the Tory party.

"But aren't you exactly the same? From David Lammy repeatedly not being clear about an escaped migrant in the House of Commons to Rachel Reeves talking about a black hole that wasn't actually there.

"Now you want to cut benefits, but trust matters. How can our viewers trust anything you say?"

Mr Starmer responded: "Chris, I simply don't accept the starting proposition. I'm really sorry.

"When I was told that we started the Budget process at minus £16billion, I didn't cheer. I didn't think it was good. I thought it was a very bad starting position.

"I was curious as to why the productivity review had been done this year and not previously. But there we are. That's the nature of the beast. It's done, and the price is calculated, and I'm handed the tab.

"I'm not suggesting the other figures aren't there, but I won't accept the proposition that somehow this was a good starting point.

"I'm £16billion down on what I thought I'd have. I know the impact that's going to have on your viewers, because I know for them that the cost of living is the single most important issue."

He pointed to concerns over January season ticket rises, prescription charges and energy bills, arguing that starting with a £16billion shortfall limited the choices available.

He added: "I know for them they are going to be worried at the beginning of the month in January, is their season ticket going up?

"Because they normally get whacked with that pretty early in January. Prescription charges matter to them and their energy bills matter to them.

"There are choices, therefore, that can or can't be done if you start with minus £16billion.

"If that hadn't have happened, I'd have had £16billion more to weigh in the options and the choices that we made.

"I think all I can do is explain the impact that these decisions have on your viewers, and to assure them that I am well aware that the number one issue for them is the cost of living.

"I think for many of your viewers, they will, I hope, be pleased to see things like new measures going in. The childcare is a real game changer for so many parents and carers across the whole country."

The announcement will come after the Conservative's described the Budget as one for "benefits street", following the Chancellor's decision to lift the two-child benefit cap from April, at a cost of £3billon.

In response, Tory Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: "It is frankly laughable to hear the prime minister say Rachel Reeves' Benefits Street budget has put the country on the right course and that he wants to fix the welfare system.

"His Chancellor has just hiked taxes by £26bn to pay for a welfare splurge, penalising people who work hard and making them pay for those who don't work at all.

"And she misrepresented why she was doing it, claiming there was a fiscal black hole to fill that she knew didn't exist.

"Labour's leadership have repeatedly shown they lack the backbone to tackle welfare and instead are just acting to placate their left-wing backbenchers."