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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Andrew Quinn

Keir Starmer promises economic growth for all parts of the UK under a Labour government

Keir Starmer has promised that he will prioritise economic growth for every part of the UK if he is elected as Prime Minister.

The Labour leader said that he is "not interested in a model of growth where London races ahead and the rest of our country stagnates."

Starmer was speaking in Manchester as he launched his five "missions" for a future Labour government.

The first of these was a promise that the UK would have the highest sustained economic growth in the G7 by the end of Labour's first term.

But Starmer said that he wants growth that creates secure work in all parts of the country.

He said: "I want more growth in London, of course I do. But I’m not interested in a model of growth where London races ahead and the rest of our country stagnates. Nor will I be satisfied if our growth depends on creating jobs that are low paid and insecure.

"We need growth from the grassroots – a new model. Wealth created everywhere, by everyone, for everyone. And so our mission on growth comes with a second yardstick.

"It must be powered by good jobs and stronger productivity in every part of the country."

He said that this would include "reforming apprenticeships, a modern childcare system and a new deal for working people that will make work pay."

Starmer also promised to make the UK a "clean energy superpower". He said that British electricity would produce no carbon emissions by 2030.

He said: "Zero-carbon British electricity by 2030. A huge goal that will allow us to accelerate to net zero. Make no mistake – this goal would turn Britain into a clean energy superpower. It puts us ahead of any major economy in the world.

"But it will only happen with the right building blocks: cheaper bills, real energy security, independence from tyrants like Putin, and an industrial strategy that can win the race for jobs, in the green industries of the future."

Another "mission" was to reform health and care services to "build an NHS fit for the future".

Starmer also promised to reform the police and criminal justice system, with the aim of "preventing crime early, tackling violence against women and girls and stopping criminals getting away without punishment."

He also said that a Labour government would "break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage, for every child, by reforming childcare, reforming education, raising standards everywhere and preparing young people for work and life."

SNP Deputy Westminster leader Mhairi Black said that Starmer's speech was an attempt at imitating Tory Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Black said: "Keir Starmer is so desperate to be a Tory that he has come up with his own five action points, just like Rishi Sunak.

"The pro-Brexit Labour party will offer no hope to the people of Scotland as they will keep us out of the European Union, no matter the economic consequences.

"Our supermarket shelves have been empty this week because of Brexit and Starmer's speech was empty on how to fix the disastrous consequences that have caused that.

"The people of Scotland will be looking on in despair at Keir Starmer's speech, the only way we can escape Westminster control and flourish is by becoming an independent country."

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