London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 28, 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
Badenoch Offers Tory Votes to Keep Serious Offenders in Prison
Why Americans Queue for $15 Ice Cream and a $100 Caviar Pint
Another AI Genius Left the United States — and Silicon Valley Is Starting to Worry
Shein Reports $99mn Loss as Trade Barriers Test Low-Cost Model
CXMT Gains 466% in China’s Biggest IPO Since 2010
Amazon Seeks Approval for 5,105-Satellite Mobile Network
Burnham Puts School-to-Work Reform at Centre of Welfare Strategy
Johnson & Johnson Agrees to $5.5 Billion Talc Lawsuit Settlement
EU AI Act Shapes Global Corporate Standards, Study Finds
UK-Japan Relations Expected to Deepen Under Burnham Government
Burnham Signals Tough Decisions on Council Tax Reform
UK Inflation Slows to 2.6% in June
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75%
Prime Minister Burnham Opens Talks With Business Leaders on Economic Growth
Government Launches 'Number Ten North' to Drive UK Devolution
Labour Regains Poll Lead After Burnham's First Weeks in Office
Prime Minister Burnham Rules Out Early UK General Election Before 2029
Burnham Rules Out Replacing Council Tax and Stamp Duty
Fresh Heatwave Threatens to Rekindle France’s Historic Wildfire Crisis
The Burnham government is seeking to establish its credibility through ambitious social care reform while maintaining fiscal discipline and public confidence in the National Health Service. Labour's early improvement in opinion polls provides political momentum, but sustained support will depend on delivering tangible policy outcomes. Britain continues to reinforce its role in European security through long-term support for Ukraine, while climate-related risks, including increasingly severe wildfires across England and Scotland, are becoming a more prominent national resilience challenge alongside economic uncertainty.
United Kingdom Economy Remains Exposed to Global Energy Risks
Prime Minister Dismisses Calls for an Early General Election
Scottish Wildfires Continue to Stretch Emergency Services
United Kingdom Faces Rising Wildfire Risk as Heatwave Continues
Lower Oil Prices Ease Inflation Concerns and Support Financial Markets
Financial Conduct Authority Launches Consumer Campaign on Car Finance Compensation
Government Prioritises Employment Over Benefit Cuts in Welfare Reform Plans
Prime Minister Rules Out Sweeping Property Tax Changes Before Autumn Budget
AstraZeneca Beats Expectations as Cancer Medicines Drive Strong Profit Growth
Labour Regains Narrow Polling Lead After Burnham's First Week in Office
United Kingdom Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to Ukraine Under Burnham Government
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Makes Social Care Reform the First Major Test of His Government
Following OpenAI's Cyberattack: 'Most Companies Still Do Not Understand What Is Coming'
Autopsy Finds No Violence in Death of Epstein-Linked Model Scout
Indian Education Minister Resigns After Cockroach Youth Protests
California Desert Data-Centre Plan Stalls as Water and Power Disputes Mount
Northern Ireland Border Security Tightened After Military-Grade Explosive Interception
British Hospitality Sector Targets Summer Visitors Through Regional Promotions
England River Access Debate Intensifies After New Data Shows Limited Public Access
Royal Navy Strengthens Maritime Vigilance Amid Rising Security Concerns
UK Education Department Expands Mental Health Support for Young People Entering Work
UK Tourism Industry Launches Summer Campaigns to Boost Domestic Travel
North England Transport Plans Advance to Support Industrial Growth
Financial Markets Watch New Government’s Economic Strategy as Investors Assess Fiscal Risks
Royal Navy Continues Monitoring Russian Naval Activity Near UK Waters
UK Care Workers May Receive Immigration Exemptions Under Proposed Visa Changes
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper Begins Emergency Talks to Address NHS Staffing Shortages
UK Banks Launch High-Interest Savings Offers to Attract Household Deposits
North Sea Oil Drilling Projects Face Delays After Offshore Equipment Accident
Cairngorms Wildfire Highlights Growing Pressure on UK Emergency Services
×