London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Mar 14, 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
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Royal Navy to Acquire Twenty Uncrewed Surface Vessels for Autonomous Warfare Testing
Russia Summons British and French Envoys After Ukrainian Storm Shadow Strike on Strategic Facility
Starmer Confirms Britain Will Maintain Sanctions on Russia Despite U.S. Policy Shift
UK Moves to Refine AI Definition in Investment Security Reform
UK Economy Stalls in January as Growth Unexpectedly Falls to Zero
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Tesla Secures Approval to Supply Electricity Directly to Homes Across Britain
Prince William Delivers Tribute to Australia’s Naval Alliance Amid Renewed Royal Spotlight on the Country
UK Foreign Secretary Travels to Saudi Arabia to Reinforce Support for Regional Allies
Putin’s ‘Hidden Hand’ May Be Assisting Iran in Conflict With Trump, UK Defence Secretary Warns
UK Sets April Deadline for Tech Platforms to Strengthen Online Protections for Children
Elon Musk Moves Into Britain’s Energy Market as Tesla Wins Licence to Supply Power
UK Watchdog Warns Fuel Retailers Against Profiteering Amid Iran War Price Surge
Report Claims Iran Used UK Charity Network to Expand Influence
United States and United Kingdom Establish Joint Standards for Counter-Drone Technology
Iran May Be Laying Naval Mines in Strait of Hormuz, UK Warns Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions
US Deploys Bunker-Buster Bombs to UK Airbase as Iran Conflict Intensifies
British Troops in Iraq Intercept Iranian Drones Targeting Coalition Base
Release of Mandelson Files Raises Tensions as UK Seeks Stable Relations With Donald Trump
UK Documents Reveal Starmer Was Warned About Mandelson’s Epstein Links Before Ambassador Appointment
Nearly Five Hundred UK Mortgage Deals Withdrawn in Two Days as Market Volatility Forces Lenders to Reprice
Three Cargo Ships Hit Near Iran as Attacks Spread to Strategic Strait of Hormuz
Why British Police Repeatedly Declined to Investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s UK Links
UK Parliament Ends Hereditary Seats in House of Lords, Closing Chapter on Centuries of Aristocratic Lawmaking
EU and UK Urge Israel to Act Against Rising West Bank Settler Violence Amid Regional Tensions
US Senator John Kennedy Says Keir Starmer Should Not Be Trusted for Military Advice Amid Iran War Debate
UK High Court Rejects Attempt to Revive Terrorism Charge Against Kneecap Rapper
Revolut Secures Full UK Banking Licence After Multi-Year Regulatory Wait
Kentucky’s Bench Boost Powers Wildcats Past LSU in SEC Tournament Opener
British Couple Die After Being Pulled From Water at Australian Beach During Family Visit
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
British Airways Suspends UK Repatriation Flights as Middle East Travel Disruption Deepens
US Forces Prepare Ordnance at RAF Fairford as Strategic Bombers Deploy for Middle East Operations
Nigel Farage Faces Criticism After Saying Britain Should Stay Out of Iran War
Landmark UK Trial Begins Over Sony’s PlayStation Store Pricing
UK High Court Rejects Bid to Challenge Britain’s Chagos Islands Agreement With Mauritius
Finnish Duo Triumphs in England’s Annual Wife-Carrying Race, Winning a Barrel of Ale
How U.S. and UK National Security Strategies Are Reshaping the Global Business Landscape
Green Party Gains Momentum as Labour Shifts Toward the Political Centre
Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Dragon Sets Sail for Eastern Mediterranean as Regional Tensions Rise
UK Homebuilder Persimmon Warns Iran Conflict Could Dent Property Buyer Confidence
Roman Abramovich Signals Legal Fight if UK Seeks to Seize Chelsea Sale Funds
×