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Keir Starmer pledges to make UK the fastest growing major economy as part of 'five missions' for government

Keir Starmer pledges to make UK the fastest growing major economy as part of 'five missions' for government
Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Thu 23rd Feb 2023

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to ensure Britain "gets its future back" as he set out five missions that will be the focus of a government if he wins the next general election.

Speaking in Manchester, he laid out the themes that will form the basis of Labour's manifesto. They are:

  • "Secure the highest sustained growth in the G7, with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off."

  • "Make Britain a clean energy superpower to create jobs, cut bills and boost energy security with zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero. We will set out measurable goals with similar ambition for the remaining three missions over the coming months."

  • "Build an NHS fit for the future by reforming health and care services to speed up treatment, harnessing life sciences and technology to reduce preventable illness, and cutting health inequalities."

  • "Make Britain's streets safe by reforming the police and justice system, to prevent crime, tackle violence against women, and stop criminals getting away without punishment."

  • "Break down the barriers to opportunity at every stage, for every child, by reforming the childcare and education systems, raising standards everywhere, and preparing young people for work and life."

Sir Keir said his goal for the economy will be achieved "by the end of the first term" of a Labour government. He is expected to outline more details for each mission in further speeches, starting with the economy next Monday at a "roundtable with business leaders".

During the speech in Manchester's Co-Op building, the Labour leader said each of his pledges will come with a "measurable goal, the building blocks of a clear strategy and the first steps of a credible long term plan". 

His first priority is boosting economic growth, he added, describing it as "the oxygen for our ambitions". 

Sir Keir also promised to tackle Brexit:

"When we say growth needs an economy that is resilient to global shocks and open to global trade that means we will use levers like procurement to build-up those supply chains that are critical for our security. And we will fix the Brexit deal. Reset our relationship with the EU."

Saying the UK has been damaged due to "lurching from crisis to crisis, he accused the Conservative Party of offering "a sticking plaster, never a cure". 

Concluding his speech, Sir Keir said he will deliver:

"...a mission driven government that will end sticking plaster politics, will unlock the pride and purpose that is in every community, will give this country its confidence, its hope, its future back. Now is the time for us all to be part of something bigger. And to say with one voice: why not Britain?"

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has also made five pledges for the UK including halving inflation and growing the economy.

Watch Sir Keir Starmer's speech in full:

Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events
I'm a freelance journalist and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's news reporter and Bristol Local Leader. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

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