London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jun 16, 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
Government Approves Fast-Tracked Broadcast Merger Reshaping UK's Media Landscape
Resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey Triggers Debate Over UK Military Strategy
Britain Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts to Support US-Iran Ceasefire
Bank of England Faces Tough Interest Rate Choices After Economic Contraction
Belfast Sees Second Day of Anti-Migrant Riots as Police Deploy Water Cannons
UK Economy Shrinks in April as Energy Price Shocks Weigh on Growth
UK to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16 From 2027
UK Parliament Opens Week of Fast-Tracked Security and Infrastructure Legislation
Northern Ireland Projects £21 Million Boost From Major Cultural and Sporting Events
UK and Japan Sign Technology Security Pact to Strengthen AI and Supply Chain Cooperation
UK Welcomes US-Iran Peace Breakthrough Aimed at Restoring Strait of Hormuz Shipping
British Forces Intercept Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker in English Channel Sanctions Operation
UK to Ban Social Media for Under-16s Under Landmark Online Safety Expansion
Anti-Immigrant Riots Spread Across Belfast, Raising Security Concerns
Ministry of Defence Opens Europe's Largest Drone Testing Facility in Swindon
Kemi Badenoch Calls for Deregulation to Restore City's Global Competitiveness
UK Housing Market Posts Sharpest June Price Decline in Fourteen Years
NHS Waiting Lists Rise to 7.22 Million as Diagnostic Delays Reach New Highs
Makerfield By-Election Raises Prospect of Labour Leadership Challenge
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% Despite Growing Policy Divisions
Royal Marines Seize Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker in English Channel
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Set to Ban Social Media and AI Chatbots for Under-16s
United Kingdom Markets Rally After US-Iran Deal Reopens Strait of Hormuz
Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns Over Military Spending Dispute, Triggering Cabinet Crisis
Royal Navy Takes Part in Trooping the Colour for the First Time in 350 Years
Think Tank Warns Labour's European Union Reset Could Carry Significant Economic Costs
UK Semiconductor Centre and Japan's Rapidus Forge Advanced Chip Manufacturing Partnership
UK and Japan Launch Offshore Wind Compact Backed by £9 Billion in Investment
Starmer and Trump Discuss Iran Peace Efforts and Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
United Kingdom and Japan Sign £18 Billion Investment Partnership Focused on Clean Energy and Advanced Technology
Barclays Moves to Acquire GoHenry in Bid to Expand Youth-Focused Fintech Services
UK Lupus Patients Show Remission in NHS Genetic Therapy Trial
London Clean Air Zones Linked to Fewer Emergency Hospital Admissions for Respiratory Illness
UK World Cup Scheduling Research Suggests Energy Bill Savings From Off-Peak Usage
UK Economic Anxiety Rises Among Young People Over Long-Term Job Prospects
NHS Expands Meningitis B Vaccination Programme for School Leavers and New Students
London Ultra-Low Emission Zone Linked to Drop in Emergency Respiratory Hospital Admissions
Derbyshire Police Officer Investigated Over Alleged Use of AI-Generated Evidence in Case Files
UK Parents Back Proposed Under-16 Social Media Ban as Online Safety Concerns Grow
Four Palestine Action Activists Jailed Over Sabotage Attack on Israeli-Linked Arms Facility
Barclays to Acquire GoHenry in Push to Expand Digital Banking for Children and Teenagers
UK Government Reaffirms Defence Spending Commitment Amid Cabinet Pressure and Political Disputes
Belfast Unrest Prompts Security Review as Paramilitary Activity Comes Under Renewed Scrutiny
SpaceX IPO Pushes Elon Musk to Become World’s First Trillionaire After Record Valuation Surge
United States and Iran Near Landmark Peace Framework as Negotiations Reach Final Stages
UK Competition Watchdog Investigates Ryanair Family Seating Charges
Imperial College Study Links London Emissions Charges to Lower Hospital Admissions
Scottish First Minister Launches US Trade Initiative Ahead of World Cup Match in Boston
Fifteen Million Workers Gain Expanded Sick Pay Rights Under UK Reforms
British Retail Investors Secure Record Participation in SpaceX Share Offering
×