London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 02, 2026

Sir Keir Starmer sets out Labour's plan to secure highest growth in G7 as he calls on voters to judge party by backing him

Sir Keir Starmer sets out Labour's plan to secure highest growth in G7 as he calls on voters to judge party by backing him

The Labour leader said the British people have had enough of a slowing economy under the Conservatives as he promised his party would take the country in a different direction with a "proper long-term plan for growth".

Sir Keir Starmer has told Sky News his plan to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 would be implemented "in partnership with business... unlike what they've got from this government."

In an interview with Sky's economics & data editor Ed Conway, the Labour leader said that setting a growth target - as adopted by Liz Truss ahead of her notorious mini-budget - was the right thing to do.

But he said her-then government's approach was "Kamikazee" in nature, as it disregarded all of the institutions and lacked a stable, strategic plan.

He was speaking after revealing his party's economic "mission" in the City of London on Monday morning, where he said growth "depends upon stability and standing - global standing".

He said these fundamental facets have "undeniably taken a hit" by 12 years of a Conservative government as he promised to "not be anti-business".

And he claimed Labour's plan for growth is "the only show in town" in order to return the UK to being a "rock of economic stability".

He told Sky News: "What I want to see is raise living standards across the country. So in many places, the discussion in the local pub or cafe will not be about the strategic plan for growth, but it will be about my living standards."

He added: "Our model of growth has to be growth everywhere. But it has to be laser focused on living standards."

Sir Keir made his remarks after attending a roundtable discussion with business leaders including Tesco's chairman John Allan.

Outlining the new plan, Sir Keir said: "From chaos to certainty. From hoarding potential to unlocking power in every community. From lagging to leading - on science, technology, green growth and the opportunities of tomorrow.

"A labour market that moves from too many insecure jobs to good work for all.

"And a Britain that is resilient to global shocks and open to global trade."

Brandishing his mission document, he added: "So - here in this document - the mission: secure the highest sustained growth in the G7.

"A measurable goal. An invitation for the British people to judge us on whether they feel better off after five years of a Labour government."

Sir Keir said Labour wants to ensure the UK has the highest sustained growth in the G7


Sir Keir said the UK's economy will soon be overtaken by Poland, something he is not prepared to accept, as he insisted certainty through his new economic model is what the British economy needs.

And without a "proper long-term plan for growth", he said wages and living standards cannot go up - something he wants.

"Britain needs certainty yes, but also change and this is my real ambition, the goal that fires my imagination," he said.

"A new model for economic growth, growth from the grassroots.

"Where wealth is created everywhere, by everyone, for everyone."

The Labour leader sought to distance himself from the Tories by saying his party would encourage a "genuine partnership" between the state and free markets "working for the national interest".

"I don't want a Britain where young people, in our great towns and cities, are left with no option but to get out," he said.

"A brain drain - not just to London or Edinburgh, but to Lyon, Munich, and Warsaw.

"That's not the future our country deserves."

He also claimed if the Conservative government had the same growth as the previous Labour administration the UK would be "£40bn better off without raising taxes" as he dismissed claims Brexit is the reason growth has not been happening.

Northern Ireland Brexit deal


Speaking on the day a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland is expected to be announced, Sir Keir reiterated that Labour would back a new agreement.

He said "a fixed Brexit deal" was needed, adding: "A reset relationship with the EU, with the whole of the country, not just Northern Ireland."

But he said Mr Sunak's biggest fight will be selling a new deal to his MPs, of which some are not happy.

Sir Keir added: "Many people will be frustrated that this is the loop we've been stuck in for a very, very long time and it's not something you would have with a Labour government because we don't have those divisions in our party on this issue."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK DEFENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY TILTS TOWARD SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY AND INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT
UK ECONOMIC POLICY OUTLOOK SHAPED BY LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND FISCAL SIGNALS
STERLING STRENGTHENS AMID SHIFTING MONETARY OUTLOOK AND GLOBAL LABOUR MARKET SIGNALS
UK HPV VACCINATION PROGRAM NEARLY ELIMINATES CERVICAL CANCER DEATH RISK IN YOUNG WOMEN
UK EXPANDS PRISON SAFETY REVIEW AS GOVERNMENT SEEKS WIDER SYSTEM REFORM
UK DRIVES DIGITAL ASSETS STRATEGY WITH NEW STABLECOIN REGULATORY MODEL
UK TO EXPAND AI INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH NEW EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP
UK LAUNCHES £15 BILLION DEFENCE TECH SHIFT TOWARD ADVANCED MILITARY SYSTEMS
CIVIL SERVICE FACES SHIFT IN POWER STRUCTURE AS REGIONAL GOVERNANCE PLANS EXPAND
WHITEHALL CONSIDERS MAJOR DECENTRALISATION PLAN WITH SECOND GOVERNMENT HUB IN MANCHESTER
UK TARGETS SERVICES EXPORT GROWTH IN TRADE TALKS WITH CHINA AMID GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS
POLICE WATCHDOG PROBES OFFICERS OVER HANDCUFFING OF DYING TEENAGER IN HAMPSHIRE CASE
UK REGULATORS UNVEIL DUAL OVERSIGHT FRAMEWORK FOR STABLECOINS AND DIGITAL ASSETS
KEIR STARMER ANNOUNCES £15 BILLION DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY BOOST IN FINAL MAJOR POLICY MOVE
ANDY BURNHAM SIGNALS STRICT FISCAL RULES AS LABOUR LEADERSHIP RACE SHAPES MARKET OUTLOOK
POUND STERLING HITS ONE-YEAR HIGH AS BANK OF ENGLAND SIGNALS NO IMMINENT RATE CUTS
UK Government Confirms Rejected Asylum Seekers to Remain Amid Enforcement Challenges
UK-China Economic Talks Focus on Services Trade and High-Value Sectors
Buckingham Palace Revamp Plans Unveiled to Modernise Royal and Public Facilities
Two Dead After Light Aircraft Crash in Essex Field, Investigation Underway
Princess Diana Marked at 65 With UK Tributes Reflecting on Her Public Legacy
England Teachers Face New Pay Cap Rules for Academy School Leaders Under Education Reform
Dublin Security Alert Escalates After Stabbing and Reports of Transport Disruption
UK Government Faces Scrutiny Over £10,000 Asylum Living Cost Contribution Requirement
England Prepares World Cup Knockout Match Against Democratic Republic of Congo
Northern Rail Project Warned of HS2-Style Cost Risks by UK Parliamentary Committee
UK Tightens Asylum Rules as Most Rejected Applicants Expected to Remain in Country
UK Heat Health Alert Issued as Temperatures Expected to Exceed 30°C Across England
Halifax Brand to Disappear From UK High Streets in Lloyds Banking Group Restructuring
England Teachers Receive 6.6 Percent Pay Rise Over Two Years as Schools Warn of Budget Strain
UK Defence Spending Plan Sparks Budget Clash as Regional Infrastructure Projects Face Pressure
Inquest Continues in Northern Ireland into Death of Noah Donohoe in Belfast
UK Travel Industry Calls for Suspension of New EU Border System During Peak Holiday Season
Telegraph Media Group Acquired by German Media Firm in £575 Million Deal Completion
House of Commons Warns Northern Rail Upgrade Risks Repeating High-Speed 2 Cost Overruns
UK Transport Unions Warn of Summer Strike Action Over Pay Disputes
UK Health Secretary Calls Maternity Care Review a “Watershed Moment” for NHS Reform
Nigel Farage Faces Questions Over £270,000 Payment Linked to Gold Marketing Firm
Labour Government Faces Internal Division Over North Sea Oil and Gas Policy Direction
National Screening Committee Invites New Proposals for UK Health Screening Programmes
UK and China Hold Industrial Strategy Talks on Trade and Export Growth Opportunities
UK Defence Funding Gap Widens as £4.7 Billion Shortfall Puts Pressure on Spending Priorities
United Kingdom Faces Historic Demographic Shift as Deaths Forecast to Exceed Births in England and Wales
United Kingdom Introduces Major Motability Scheme Reforms Targeting £1 Billion in Long-Term Savings
Global Billionaire Numbers Rise 13 Percent Amid Artificial Intelligence Stock Boom
Body of Fifteen-Year-Old Boy Recovered from Manchester Reservoir
Major Rail Disruption in UK After Cows Stray Onto Intercity Tracks
UK Launches National Campaign to Reduce Water Consumption After Heatwave
Foreign Secretary David Lammy Raises Case of UK Woman Death with US Authorities
Shetland Islands Council Approves Subsea Tunnel Plans Linking Major Islands
×