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  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Keynote Speech on a Britain Built for All (Brexit Worsened Britain Speech)

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Keynote Speech on a Britain Built for All (Brexit Worsened Britain Speech)

    The speech made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London on 1 December 2025.

    Thank you to all of you for joining us at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre.

    And you may have seen downstairs there is a nursery.

    I’ve been down there with the young children this morning seeing them and the staff.

    And seeing how the staff guide them, from, in this nursery, nine months to four years.

    And it is a real reminder that learning begins at such an early age.

    And what a difference it makes.

    And that giving our children the best start in life…

    Unlocking their full potential… 

    Is so important for our country’s future.

    And that is the purpose of this Government – in a nutshell.

    We have a plan for a Britain that is built for all…

    And we’re going to unlock the potential of every single person and community in this country.

    Because whether it’s our public services that don’t work…

    The cost-of-living crisis holding us back… 

    Or whole regions of our country – ignored as sources of growth…

    In the end, it is all about potential.

    And that’s why the budget was a moment of personal pride for me. 

    I do not want to see a country where children grow up in poverty…

    I don’t think anyone in this country wants that. 

    It is a fundamental British belief…

    That every child should go as far as their talent will takes them…

    And poverty is a barrier to that.

    Just think about it.

    Think about the skipped meals.

    The cold bedrooms.

    The school uniform that is too small or worn through. 

    And think about a seven-year-old in that situation…

    A young girl or boy…

    Who still has to go to school and face the world’s gaze.

    Are they ready to learn to the best of their ability?

    Are we giving them a fair and equal opportunity to succeed?

    I think its abhorrent…

    It’s not just abhorrent – it’s also counter-productive.

    On Wednesday last week after the budget, the Chancellor and I went to a hospital.

    And we were speaking to the staff who had gathered there…

    And we told them that we are lifting the 2-child limit

    And they cheered.

    And they did so and they said to us…

    That matters, because you would not believe how many children come through our doors, of our hospital…

    Because of poverty. Poverty in Britain today.

    So this is a public services issue – it can help lift the pressure on the NHS.

    It’s an economic issue – a sound investment in our long-term potential.

    And it is a fairness issue.

    Take some of the parents I met this morning…

    Now some of the parents I met downstairs, some of the parents I met in Rugby were on the road last Thursday…

    They told me… 

    As so many parents do

    That they’re working harder and harder…

    But their wages struggle to meet their costs…

    And I know what that feels like.

    I remember my family sitting around the kitchen table…

    Worrying about the bills…

    How are we going to pay them all?

    And we as a family couldn’t pay them all.

    And that’s why in our case our phone was cut off.

    And that is still the reality of Britain for far too many people…

    And so yes, I am proud…

    I am proud we scrapped the two-child limit…

    I am proud we’re lifting over a half a million children out of poverty…

    Proud we raised the national minimum wage – again… 

    Making life better for working families…

    Unlocking their potential…

    And giving our children a fair chance to get on. 

    And that is the story of the budget.

    There were necessary choices – of course there were.

    Fair choices – I would argue.

    Tax rises do make life harder for people – I understand that…

    It’s obvious.

    And I’m not going to pretend that there aren’t alternatives…

    Politics is always about making choices.

    We could have cut public services.

    We could have ignored child poverty.

    We could have rolled the dice with extra borrowing. 

    But I firmly believe that those options have been tested to destruction.

    I mean – we all know the risks of reckless borrowing…

    And you can see the cost in any bill, mortgage, car loan…

    Anything affected by interest rates.

    But also – look at the OBR’s analysis of productivity…

    And it’s crystal clear to me…

    That austerity scarred the long-term productive capability of this country. 

    So – why would we repeat it? 

    That is what we inherited.

    Public finances and public services in total crisis…

    Growth – weak for years. 

    But if you had said to me, seventeen months ago, on that first day of government…

    That by now – we would have cut NHS waiting times…

    Cut immigration…

    Cut child poverty by a record amount. 

    If you had said to me that Britain would now be cutting borrowing faster than any other G7 country…

    Without cutting public investment…

    That our fiscal headroom is up significantly…

    Economic growth is beating the forecasts…

    With wages up, more – since the election…  

    Than in a decade of the previous Government.

    If you had said – because of all that…

    We can tackle the cost-of-living for working people…

    Freezing rail fares…

    Freezing prescription charges…

    Freezing fuel duty…

    Slashing childcare costs…

    Driving down mortgages…

    Taking £150 pounds off your energy bills – £300 for poorer households…

    Then I would say – yes that is a record to be proud of.

    And I am proud.

    I am proud the public finances and our public services are moving in the right direction.

    Because we confronted reality…

    We took control of our future…

    And Britain is now back on track.

    And look – I’m also confident…

    We have now walked through the narrowest part of the tunnel.

    Because while I know it’s still hard for lots of people…

    While I know the cost-of-living crisis has not gone away…

    In the year ahead, you will see the benefits of our approach…

    Not just in the national statistics…

    But in your communities.

    You will see a country building its future – with new homes and infrastructure…

    Two thousand free breakfast clubs…

    Hundreds of school-based nurseries – open by September.

    You will see 3000 neighbourhood police officers on your streets – by March…

    A new era of security for 11 million renters – starting in May.

    Hundreds of thousands of parents taking advantage of our free childcare expansion…

    Almost 120 community diagnostic centres – open 7 days a week by April.

    You will see NHS Waiting times coming down further…

    Wages still rising faster than prices…

    Immigration still falling…

    And bit by bit – you will see a country… 

    That no longer feels the burden of decline…

    Or the sense that things can never get better… 

    A Britain with its confidence and its future – back.

    Now, take our energy policy – £150 off your energy bill…

    £300 if you are really struggling.

    Now, think about what that means to a family worrying about whether to put the heating on, on a cold day.

    Or worried that if they switch it on for too long…

    They might have to cancel a day out with their kids.

    It’s not just money – it’s security.

    It’s having the freedom to make choices that help your family.

    Or think about our childcare investment.

    Thirty hours free – for every child between 9 months and four years old…  

    A massive difference to the cost-of-living…  

    Thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working parents… 

    Real help getting parents and carers back to work, especially for women…  

    And that is good for growth. 

    But it’s also good for our children’s potential.

    Now, I visit primary schools all the time…

    And – when I’m not being told off for doing the 6/7…

    Teachers repeatedly say to me…

    This is across the country…

    That some kids arrive at reception reading books, ready to learn…

    While others are still in nappies.

    I am sick of hearing those stories – right across the country…

    Think about that

    Inequality at aged just four…  

    Baked in for life.  

    And it’s likely to last a whole life.

    That is why everything we are doing for children – it is a game changer for our potential…

    We are giving every child the best start in life…

    Every single child equal at the starting line of their education…

    And that is what government is for.

    And look – when it comes to economic growth and living standards…

    We’re confident we can beat the forecasts. 

    We’ve already beaten them this year.

    We are in control of our future. 

    We’ve already struck trade deals that are attracting billions of pounds of investment…

    We’re removing barriers to business – right across the economy…

    In planning…

    Industrial policy… 

    Pensions reform…

    Artificial intelligence…

    Capital investment…

    And right at the heart of the budget…

    We have a package of measures that give the green light for the world’s best entrepreneurs…

    To start, scale and list their companies in Britain.
    But we have to be clear, at this stage of our plan… 

    The most important things we can do for growth…

    The most important things we can do for business…

    Is first – to drive inflation down…

    So that interest rates come down – further still… 

    And the cost of business investment comes down with it.

    And second – to retain the market confidence that allows for real economic stability…

    So that businesses can plan with certainty.

    That is what the country most needs right now…

    It is what the Budget secured…

    And that is why our choices were fair…

    They were necessary…

    And they were fundamentally good for growth.

    But I will level with you…

    As the Budget showed…

    The path to a Britain that is truly built for all…

    Requires many more decisions that are not cost-free and they are not easy.

    We can all see the challenge.

    Low productivity.

    The result of an economy scarred by austerity…

    By Brexit…

    And by consistently failing to unlock the nation’s potential.

    So we need a productivity revolution.

    And as our plan runs to the end of the Parliament…

    I now want to set out some of the next steps in our economic renewal…

    So that our progress can be fairly judged.

    First – regulation.

    Now exactly a week ago…

    John Fingleton reported on our nuclear industry.

    He found that pointless gold-plating… 

    Unnecessary red-tape…

    Well-intentioned, but fundamentally misguided, environmental regulations. 

    And – and I quote – it’s quite a stark quote – he said “a mindset that favours process over outcome”…

    Has all made Britain the most expensive place to build nuclear power.

    Now I agree with him.

    In fact – I would go further.

    Because the truth is we see this story repeated again and again…

    Right across our economy.

    For years – Britain did not have a proper industrial strategy. 

    For years – it cut public investment…

    For years it did not have a planning framework or frankly – a Government…

    That would quickly approve…

    New railways…

    New tramlines…

    Data centres…

    Laboratories…

    Power stations…

    Wind farms…

    Even whole towns.

    So guided by a simple truth…

    That rooting out excessive costs in every corner of our economy…

    Is an essential step to cutting the cost of living…

    And creating more dynamic markets for business…

    We will also clear the path for British business

    And therefore – in addition to accepting the Fingleton recommendations…

    I am asking the Business Secretary to apply these lessons across the entire industrial strategy.

    Second – welfare.

    For too long our welfare system has trapped people in poverty…

    And poverty is always a barrier to potential.

    That is why we scrapped the two-child limit. 

    But we also have to confront the reality…

    And our welfare state is trapping people, not just in poverty…

    But out of work.

    Young people in particular.  

    And that is a poverty of ambition.

    And so while we will invest in apprenticeships…

    And make sure young people without a job… 

    Have a guaranteed offer of training or work. 

    We must also reform the welfare state itself – that is what renewal demands.

    Now – this is not about propping up a broken status quo… 

    Nor is it because we want to look somehow politically ‘tough’…

    So we have asked Alan Milburn to report on the whole issue of young people, inactivity and work.

    Because we need to remove all the barriers which hold back the potential of our young people.

    Because – if you are ignored early in your career… 

    If you’re not given the support you need to overcome your mental health issues…

    Or if you are simply written off because you’re neurodivergent or disabled…

    Then it can trap you in a cycle of worklessness and dependency for decades.

    That costs the country money…

    Is bad for our productivity. 

    And most importantly of all – it is a massive waste of potential…

    Third and finally – trade

    Vital for productivity.

    Essential for growth.

    Crucial to the cost of living.

    And let me be crystal clear…

    There is no credible economic vision for Britain…

    That does not position us as an open, trading economy.

    So we must all now confront the reality…

    That the Brexit deal we have…

    Significantly hurt our economy.

    And so for economic renewal…

    We have to keep reducing frictions…

    We have to keep moving towards a closer relationship with the EU…

    And we will have to be grown-up about that…

    To accept that this will require trade-offs. 

    That applies to our trading relations across the world.

    And as you have seen already with this Government…

    There are deals to be done…

    If you are committed to building relationships.

    That is what we have done with the US…

    It’s what we’ve done with India…

    And it’s what we’ve done with the EU…

    And we will keep going…

    We will continue to reject drift…

    To confront reality…

    And take control of our future…

    That is what the Budget achieved last week…

    And we will build on it…

    A long-term plan for the economic renewal of this country…

    A Britian that is free from decline…

    Confident about its future…

    And with the potential of every single person – unlocked…

    Truly – built for all.

    Thank you very much.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments on Stabbings on Train

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments on Stabbings on Train

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister on 1 November 2025.

    The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning.

    My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response.

    Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments After Labour Loses Caerphilly

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments After Labour Loses Caerphilly

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 24 October 2025.

    We must press ahead with the renewal that working people need to see.

    Now, this week, we received another reminder of just how urgent that task is. A bad result in Wales, I accept that, but a reminder that people need to look out their window and see change and renewal in their community, opportunities for their children, public services rebuilt, the cost of living crisis tackled.

    Renewal is the only answer to decline, to grievance and to division and we have to keep going on that. It is the offer we must make to the people of Scotland, Wales and England next year.

    And that means we must come together. We must unite. We must keep our focus on what is, in my view, the defining battle for the soul of our nation.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Release of the Bodies of the Deceased Hostages

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Release of the Bodies of the Deceased Hostages

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 14 October 2025.

    The release of the bodies of the deceased hostages is a profoundly difficult moment for the families who have endured terrible and protracted pain over the last two years at the hands of Hamas. The loss of Yossi Sharabi will be felt deeply by his family, after Hamas so cruelly drew out their horror and denied them the right to grieve. 

    I know from meeting his family just how loved Yossi was, and how devastating this ordeal has been. My thoughts are with them, and all of the hostage families.

    Hamas must now return the remaining deceased hostages and honour the terms of the ceasefire. Moving forward, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure the next phase of the peace plan is implemented in full.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Release of Hostages by Hamas

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Release of Hostages by Hamas

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 13 October 2025.

    I share the deep feeling of relief as Avinatan Or and other hostages are released today. But this is also a stark reminder of the treatment that he has been subject to at the hands of Hamas, and the atrocities that shook the world two years ago. 

    Having met his family, I know that no one can truly understand the torture and agony they suffered for two drawn out years and my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also with the family of Yossi Sharabi, who are still waiting for news. 

    I reiterate my thanks for the tireless diplomatic efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye. It is now crucial that we work together to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and that will be my focus in Egypt today.

    Commitment to this plan from all parties will be essential to ending the war and building the foundations for a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support the crucial next stage of talks to ensure the implementation of the peace plan.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement in India

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement in India

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 9 October 2025.

    Namaskar doston. Prime Minister Modi, it was an honour for me to host you in the United Kingdom in July at Chequers, and I am so delighted to be making this return visit just a few short months later. And can I just extend my thanks to the very warm welcome that you and the whole country extended to me as Prime Minister, to the whole delegation and through us, to the whole of the United Kingdom. 

    It is very much appreciated, very much noticed, and it is an important statement as we stand here, about our shared commitment to this special relationship. Because we are building something here, we are creating a new, modern partnership focused on the future and on winning the opportunities that it offers, and we’re doing it together. And that’s why we struck the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement in July. A breakthrough moment, years in the making. Slashing tariffs, increasing access to each other’s markets to drive growth and create jobs for our people and making life better in both of our nations. 

    Beyond the words on the page of the agreement is the spirit and the confidence that that has given to our two great countries to work even more closely together, something which we’ve seen evidence during the course of this visit here over the last two days. 

    It is significant that we’re meeting here in Mumbai as India’s economic and financial capital, because India’s growth story is remarkable. I want to congratulate the Prime Minister on his leadership, aiming to be the world’s third largest economy by 2028. And your vision of Viksit Bharat is a completely developed country by 2047, and everything I’ve seen since I’ve been here is absolute proof to me that you’re on track to succeeding in that. So we want to be partners on that journey, and my visit this week is about doubling down on the potential of our trade deal for the benefit of all of us, and that’s why I brought a record 126 British businesses with me to India this week. We had to get a bigger plane to travel over here than the one we planned, but that delegation is some of our biggest, most iconic businesses, and smaller and medium sized businesses, but also leaders from education, some of whom are with us here, and sport and the arts. 

    As I say, our largest trade delegation for a decade, and so my first as Prime Minister, so of course, the destination for that had to be here, had to be India. Later today, the Prime Minister and I will convene a renewed CEO forum, and that was much discussed yesterday as a direct channel for business. There was a real buzz in the room yesterday that this forum is going to have real life breathed into it to embody the agreement that we’ve already reached to ensure that the deal does deliver the opportunities that we want to see. And we are committed to that, and when we leave India later on tonight I expect that we will have secured major new investments creating thousands of high-skilled jobs in the sectors of the future for both of our nations. 

    The UK and India stand side by side as global leaders in tech and innovation, and so we’ve also taken the opportunity to deepen our cooperation through our Technology Security Initiative with new commitments on AI, advanced communication, defence technologies and much, much more. We’re announcing a deal to make Bollywood films in the United Kingdom after a fantastic visit to the studio yesterday. And we’re deepening our cooperation in education as we’ve evidenced here on the film and with the people that we have in the room. It is the younger generation in India who will lead the charge to deliver on that 2047 target. The demand for the best quality higher education is very high, so I’m really pleased that we’re announcing today that all British universities will be setting up campuses right here in India, making Britain India’s leading international provider of higher education and delivering on our Vision 2035 that we set out in July. 

    These incredible economic bonds are the jewel in the crown of this relationship, but of course, our cooperation goes much wider too, and so we’ve had the opportunity to discuss issues of vital importance to global stability and security, including the situation in the Middle East. I strongly welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of the peace plan in Gaza. This is a moment of profound relief that we felt around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families and for the civilian population of Gaza who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years. I’m grateful for the tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, United States and many others in securing this crucial first step. 

    This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay and be accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life saving humanitarian aid to Gaza. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stages of the talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan. 

    The Prime Minister and I also discussed the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, the need for stability and security in the Indo-Pacific, and the need to cooperate in critical areas like climate and energy, including breaking away from dependence on fossil fuels. 

    India is a global player. We sit together in the Commonwealth, the G20, and we want to see India taking its rightful place on the UN Security Council too, so we are committed to strengthening our strategic partnership and in fact has already been mentioned, our carrier strike group is, is here in India right now exercising with the Indian Navy, showing the strength of that relationship on defence and security which we’ve discussed this morning we want to take even further. 

    And look, the whole thing, this particular partnership, goes much deeper because in the end it is about people. The human connections between India and the UK are unique, forming what Prime Minister Modi has called the living bridge between our two countries. A bridge between people, a bridge between hearts, and in that spirit Prime Minister, I want to express my deepest sympathies to all the victims of the Air India crash earlier this year. A terrible day and a tragedy for both of our nations, and it showed, frankly, that we are family. 

    And I am proud this week that we are taking this incredible partnership between our two nations and making it stronger than ever for working people on both sides of that bridge. Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity, as we enter the festive period, to wish the people of India joy and happiness and a very happy Diwali. Diwali ki shubhkamnayein. Thank you.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments to Press at UK Trade Mission to India

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments to Press at UK Trade Mission to India

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, in India on 9 October 2025.

    Back in July – together with Prime Minister Modi – I signed the historic UK and India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

    It is a huge deal for the United Kingdom. The most ambitious trade deal India has ever done. And, like our deals with the US and the EU, people said it would never happen. They said it couldn’t be done.

    But we did it. Because of this government’s approach: outward facing, proud, and determined to deliver for Britain.

    And as a result we are opening up new opportunities in India for British businesses. Opportunities that other countries simply do not have. It has given us a unique edge.

    So I have come here this week, leading our biggest trade delegation to India ever to follow through on this deal. 

    That means 126 CEOs, tech entrepreneurs, SMEs, Vice-Chancellors, sports and cultural leaders all here with me to seize the incredible benefits that this deal offers for the British people.

    The opportunity is clear. Just look at the sheer scale of India: the world’s largest democracy, on track to become third largest economy by 2028, an economic superpower in the making. And we are perfectly placed to be partners on that journey.

    We want to build the sectors and the skills of the future together. So this trade deal is a launchpad to boost British leadership in everything from tech, to life sciences, to renewable energy, and much more beyond that.

    And we have seized these opportunities in full this week – delivering real results for the British people, securing new investments into the UK worth £1.3 billion, and creating 10,600 jobs.

    That is remarkable. It includes 1,500 jobs in the North West, over 1,000 across the midlands, 200 in Yorkshire and the Humber, and 700 in Northern Ireland.

    Great jobs – in advanced engineering, in defence, in car production, film making and technology. Delivering real change that people will see in their communities up and down the country. And that’s what this is all about.

    And what we’re doing together in tech is a great example. The UK is one of only three countries in the world with a trillion-dollar tech sector. India is poised to be the fourth. We are both top four AI powers, and we’re taking this opportunity to go further. 

    We’re deepening the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to boost opportunities for great British companies and deliver dozens of new investments into the United Kingdom.

    Harnessing tech as one of the biggest engines we have for jobs and growth. Other stand-out wins this week have come in filmmaking, with the announcement that three new Bollywood blockbusters will be made in the United Kingdom.

    And in education, with the announcement today that the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey will open new campuses in India – joining other British universities setting up here and making the UK India’s top international education provider.

    So we are out there, leading the way and winning these opportunities for our country. Because, the fact is, this relationship matters more than ever.

    Across the economy, security, energy, climate and more. Our history together is deep, the human connections between our people are truly special. So this week we have built on all that.

    Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our times, forward facing, focused on winning the opportunities of the future, together, and bringing them home for the British people.

    Now before I open for questions, I want to strongly welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.

    This will come as a profound relief for the hostages and their families, and the civilian population in Gaza, and for the whole world. And we will now work with our partners to ensure this deal is implemented in full and without delay.

    Thank you.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments on Proposed Changes to Pub Licensing

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Comments on Proposed Changes to Pub Licensing

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 9 October 2025.

    Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities. Under our Plan for Change, we’re backing them to thrive.

    This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together. When our locals do well, our economy does too.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Gaza Peace Deal

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Gaza Peace Deal

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 9 October 2025.

    I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.

    This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years. 

    I am grateful for the tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States, supported by our regional partners, in securing this crucial first step. This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.

    We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan.

  • Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Middle East

    Keir Starmer – 2025 Statement on the Middle East

    The statement made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 4 October 2025.

    Hamas’ acceptance of the US peace plan is a significant step forwards. We strongly support President Trump’s efforts, which have brought us closer to peace than ever before.

    There is now an opportunity to end the fighting, for the hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it. We call on all sides to implement the agreement without delay.

    The UK, alongside our partners, stands ready to support further negotiations and to work towards sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.