Keir Starmer blames 'damaging' Brexit for economic woes amid Iran war as PM vows 'closer relationship' with EU

Alice Tomlinson
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:28:53 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer has blamed the "deep damage" caused by Brexit for the country’s economic woes amid the Iran war and vowed for a “closer relationship” with the EU.

Speaking to the House of Commons this afternoon, he announced that the Government will be furthering efforts to deepen the UK’s relationship with EU member states in an attempt to strengthen the economy in the face of external shocks, such as the oil price volatility in the past few weeks.

Sir Keir said Britain’s economy has endured crises "for decades” and attempts done by previous governments "manifestly failed working people who saw their living standards flatline and their public services decimated”.

He referenced the 2008 financial crash as a turning point for the UK economy that was further worsened through austerity, Covid, the war in Ukraine and Brexit.

The Prime Minister said that this time, he wants a “closer economic relationship with our European allies, because Brexit did deep damage to the economy and the opportunities we now have to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore”.

In previous speeches on the Iran war, Sir Keir has given similar rhetoric, pushing for closeness with the EU, for instance, he said addressing the nation two weeks ago, that “we have to have closer ties with Europe”.

He has previously emphasised that Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitments, such as not rejoining the EU single market, customs union or freedom of movement, will remain.

Sir Keir also announced today he will be conducting a joint summit with “dozens of countries” with France’s President, Emmanuel Macron.

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Government's devolution legislation faces setbacks in House of Lords

Conservatives and Liberal Democrat peers have voted against the Government on its devolution legislation.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill lost votes in the House of Lords as part of the report stage, with the first vote of the day saw the Government beaten by 247 votes to 187 - a majority of 60.

It was a Lib Dem amendment from Lord Shipley, a former council leader, that would stop local authorities being forced to keep a leader and a cabinet-style structure.

Also a Conservative-led amendment from frontbencher Baroness Scott of Bybrook, which urged the Government to promote parish councils, forced a loss on Labour, by 257 votes to 180 - a majority of 77.

Home Secretary announces series of measures in light of Southport attacks

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, outlined a string of measures the Government either already implemented or will put in place, in light of the Southport attacks.

She said that "Prevent" referrals have been reviewed, thresholds tightened and a new independent Prevent Commissioner, Tim Jacques, will be appointed from tomorrow.

The Government is also consulting on removing children's access to social media entirely and aims to ban extreme violent content online.

New knife controls have been introduced, including restrictions on online sales, a ban on ninja-style swords and zombie-style machetes and there will be mandatory Youth Offending team referrals for any child caught with a blade, she announced.

Ms Mahmood confirmed a new criminal offence would be created to close a legal gap exposed by the attack, under which planning mass violence without an ideological motive currently carries no specific charge.

She also warned about "rising numbers of young men whose minds are warped by time spent in isolation online", with the second part of the Southport inquiry set to examine how the state identifies and manages violence-fixated individuals.

Axel Rudakubana came into contact with state on 'countless occasions', says Shabana Mahmood

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons that a statutory inquiry into the Southport attacks had uncovered systematic failures across multiple public sector organisations, with poor information sharing meaning no single agency had a full picture of the risk posed by the perpetrator.

Sir Adrian Fulford's inquiry found that responsibility was passed between organisations repeatedly, meaning that, in Mahmood's words, "the failure, because it belonged to everyone, belonged to no one".

She said the perpetrator had come into contact with the state on "countless occasions", including five police callouts to his home address and a referral to multi-agency safeguarding, yet no one took decisive action.

Ms Mahmood said the findings were "unsparing" and vowed that lessons must be learned in honour of the three murdered girls, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

King will still go to United States, Keir Starmer confirms

The Prime Minister has confirmed that the King's upcoming state visit to the United States will go ahead, despite growing calls for it to be cancelled.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to meet President Donald Trump in late April, with the trip marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for the visit to be scrapped, describing Mr Trump as a "dangerous and corrupt gangster" and saying he feared what the President might say or do while the King was forced to stand by his side.

Sir Ed urged the Government not to put the King "in that position."

Sir Keir Starmer defended the visit, while also making clear he considered it "wrong" for Mr Trump to threaten Iranian civilians.

'We are very good at mine hunting' - former head of Royal Navy said Britain should to demine Strait of Hormuz

Britain should offer to demine parts of the Strait of Hormuz that fall within Oman’s territory, the former head of the Royal Navy has said.

Crossbench peer Lord West of Spithead asked the Government if it could use its mine hunting expertise within the Royal Navy to help clear the Gulf waterway.

Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord West said: “We must not let this war end with the Strait of Hormuz, a very important international waterway, being closed. It is in global interest, in our interest that that does not happen. We are very good at mine hunting, our very badly funded at the moment Navy is actually an expert at mine hunting and that is very important.

Kemi Badenoch calls out absence of the Defence Investment Plan

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservatives, raised the issue of the publication of the Defence Investment Plan - specifically, its delay, saying it is "no where to be seen".

She said that the Government must find a way to spend three per cent of GDP on defence before the end of this Parliament.

Mrs Badenoch said to the Commons: "We increased defence spending every year since the war started, but the world has since become even more dangerous."

'We are killing domestic oil and gas production' - Kemi Badenoch calls for 'rapid action' to bring down energy bills

Leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, spoke about the rising cost of living and surging energy prices in the House of Commons, calling for "rapid action" to tackle the issue.

She said: "We must start drilling our own oil and gas in the North Sea, grant licences for drilling in the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields and restore British production before its too late."

'Brexit did deep damage to the economy' - Keir Starmers vows closer relationship with EU states

Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government will strive for deeper partnerships with EU members in order to make a stronger, more resilient economy, particularly in the face of the economic volatility the conflict in the Middle East has caused.

He said: "It means a closer economic relationship with our European allies because Brexit did deep damage to the economic and the opportunities we now have to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living and simply too big to ignore."

Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron to hold summit on Strait of Hormuz

Speaking to the Commons, Sir Keir Starmer announced he will hold a joint summit with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, this week to "drive forward the international effort" to open the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the summit will bring together "dozens" of leaders who will focus on diplomatic and military efforts in opening the strategic shipping lane.

Lebanon should be included in US-Iran ceasfire, says Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer updated the House of Commons on his trip to the Gulf and the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister called for Lebanon to be included in the the ceasefire agreement, calling Israel's attacks on the country as "wrong".

Keir Starmer makes Hillsborough pledge as he hails 'major progress'

The Prime Minister has reaffirmed that he will introduced a Hillsborough Law, following on from a pledge he made as opposition leader in 2022.

The law was originally slated to be in effect by April 2025, however a number of setbacks, mainly relating to spy immunity, has led to delays.

Today Sir Keir confirmed: "I did make that promise (in 2022) and I intend to deliver on that promise.

"This week is obviously an important week because it's the anniversary - anniversary seems the wrong word in a way - but it's the yearly reminder of what happened and the pain the families have gone through, are still going through, and the injustice that was inflicted on them for many, many years."

He said that "significant progress" had been made in recent weeks and the bill will be back in Parliament soon. He added that they are working with victims "on the final balance that we need to get right in the proposed legislation.

"But the duty of candour, the duty, basically, that public officials need to come forward and tell the truth - that's a really important principle that drives me. So, we'll keep working on this, it's important to get it right. I've made a promise and I intend to act on that promise."

Coming up this afternoon - Keir Starmer delivers update on Middle East

This afternoon will see Sir Keir Starmer addressing the House of Commons on the situation in the Middle East.

Donald Trump is set to blockade the Strait of Hormuz at 3pm following a breakdown in peace talks with Iran.

The Prime Minister is set to face MPs at 3:30pm as Parliament returns from its Easter recess.

His speech is expected to finish at 4:30pm at the earliest before Shabana Mahmood will address the house following the first phase of the Southport inquiry being released earlier today.

After the Home Secretary, it will be the turn of Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty who will be giving an update on the Chagos Islands deal.

Make sure to stay tuned in to GB News where the politics team will be covering all of these and more.

Downing Street defends Chagos deal, says it is the 'best way to protect Diego Garcia base'

Downing Street has defended the controversial Chagos Islands deal but has said it has "run out of time in this parliamentary session."

When asked if the Government was committed to the deal, a spokesman said: "This agreement is the best way to protect a vital base of Diego Garcia.

"Although we have run out of time in this parliamentary session we continue to believe the agreement is the best way to safeguard the long term future of the base and we will discuss the best steps with the US and Mauritians."

When pressed for an answer they said that ministers "continue to believe it is the best way to safeguard the long-term future of the base.

"The US administration supported the agreement repeatedly, but the president set out a difference position, which meant we had no more time in this session."

Downing Street refuses to say if MPs will get vote on single-market legislation

A proposed law to bring the UK more in line with the EU's single market will undergo "scrutiny from parliament," Downing Street has said, but they refused to clarify if MPs will vote on the proposed legislation.

A spokesman said: "It's a fundamental misunderstanding of this legislation.

"Secondary legislation is something that doesn't require more time for laws. The UK will have a say in shaping rules like the other members."

When asked if any changes would be voted upon, they said: "This bill is upcoming and will progress through in the usual way, and face scrutiny from parliament in the usual way."

The spokesman also added: "Brexit has been hugely damaging to business and the cost of weekly shops.

"The chancellor said it is incumbent on her to go further and faster in building a stronger economy, and that means with the EU."

Shabana Mahmood issues statement on 'heartbreaking atrocity'

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, has also given a statement on today's Southport report.

She said: "The senseless killing of three young girls in Southport was a devastating tragedy that will leave a lasting mark on our national conscience.

"Sir Adrian’s report is heartbreaking. It shows a systematic failure of the state to prevent a vile and sickening individual perpetrating this atrocity.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of Bebe, Elsie and Alice and all the victims of the Southport attack. They have shown immense bravery in taking part in this inquiry despite facing unimaginable grief.

"This government has already taken action to prevent such an awful tragedy from happening again, and we won't hesitate to do what is needed to protect the public. We owe victims nothing less.”

Keir Starmer responds to Southport inquiry findings

Sir Keir Starmer has taken to social media following the release of the "harrowing" Southport inquiry findings.

He said on X: "The brutal, senseless murders of Bebe, Elsie and Alice marked one of the darkest moments in our country’s history.

"The report today is truly harrowing and profoundly disturbing. It sets out systematic failures that led to this terrible event.

"I’ve been overwhelmed by the bravery and determination of their families and while nothing will ever bring these three little girls back, I’m determined to make the fundamental changes needed to keep the public safe.

"I will do everything I can to honour the memory of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice."

Tories hit back at Reform UK following 'Boriswave' press conference

The Conservative Party has hit back at Reform after Zia Yusuf announced released a report called "The cost of the Boriswave" at a press conference earlier today.

The Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Philp, said:

“We look forward to Reform explaining when their new converts will be hauled into the dock to explain the Suella Surge and the Jenrick Jump.

"The Conservatives are under new leadership and setting out clear plans to drastically reduce legal immigration. Reform are busy stuffing their ranks with has-been former politicians whilst pretending they represent change."

A Tory sourced added: “Zia Yusuf spent months publicly savaging Mr Jenrick and Ms Braverman. Then Mr Farage recruited them anyway. Now Reform are investigating their own frontbench.

“Nigel Farage’s idea of a functional shadow cabinet is closer to a circular firing squad.”

Parents of Southport killer hold 'considerable blame', inquiry finds

The Chair of the Southport inquiry, Sir Adrian Fulford has also said earlier intervention by schools, health workers or police would have revealed AR's fascination with violence sooner.

He continued: “This in turn would have revealed earlier criminal acts committed or in preparation by the perpetrator leading to significant criminal justice and counter-terrorism interventions

.”The killer’s father and mother had failed to stand up to their son or set boundaries and though Sir Adrian recognised they had struggled to deal with him, they also bore “considerable blame.”

He added: “They had knowledge that he had purchased some weapons, and they knew he had tried to leave the house to carry out some form of attack at his old school just one week prior to the fatal attack, when there was a real risk that he was armed with a weapon.

“They also knew of empty knife packaging once the perpetrator left the family home on the day of the fatal attack.”

Southport inquiry declares if public agencies had not failed the murders would not have happened

The Southport inquiry has released its findings, which states: "Failure lies at the heart of why the killer was able to mount the attack."

The Chair of the inquiry, Sir Adrian Fulford says “this culture has to end” in order to prevent an attack as horrific as that which took place on July 29 2024.

Sir Adrian adds that “no words can adequately reflect the suffering endured” by all victims, and that “it is honour of them, and in the pursuit of meaningful change, that this Inquiry has carried out its work.”

The report itself sets out key failures that “overlapped and exacerbated” each other, and therefore led to the perpetrator - referred to throughout the inquiry as "AR” - to be able to carry out his brutal attack, taking the lives of three young girls, and impacting many others.

The report identifies several failures, including that Lancashire Constabulary’s Community Safety team took view that as soon as they had passed on AR’s case to Prevent, that it was Prevent who was the lead agency, and that Prevent declined to refer AR to a Channel Panel on three occasions.

The report also contains criticism, amongst others, of Lancashire County Council's social services and AR's parents.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Reform UK will abolish indefinite leave to remain, Zia Yusuf announces

Zia Yusuf has unveiled Reform UK's latest policy, scrapping indefinite leave to remain.

He said: "We will abolish indefinite leave to remain, replacing it with a five-year renewable work visa, with a special visa available to spouses of UK citizens."

He added that visas will have a "much higher salary threshold" to ensure "all recipients are net contributors" to the UK, and that a "much higher standard" shall be required.

"We will immediately terminate welfare payments to all foreign nationals in Britain, saving £9billion a year in Universal Credit payments alone."

Over half of 'Boriswave' migrants will be citizens by 2029 if PM U-turns on indefinite leave to remain, Zia Yusuf says

Zia Yusuf has that should Sir Keir Starmer u-turn on the indefinite leave to remain rules, that over 50 per cent of the 'Boriswave' migrants could be British citizens by 2029.

This could potentially cost the UK £622billion.

That is three times the annual budget of the NHS.

'Boriswave' set to cost each household £20,000 - Zia Yusuf

Reform UK have released a report called "The cost of the Boriswave" which claims that the fiscal impact of immigration during Boris Johnson's time as PM, will cost every household in Britain £20,000.

Zia Yusuf said at the conference: "The Boriswave of unprecedented mass immigration permanently altered the culture of this country.

"It has also altered the lives of British people, against their wishes."

'There has not been a debate about the economic damage of immigration' - Nigel Farage

Speaking at a Reform UK press conference in Westminster this morning, Nigel Farage said: "There has not been a debate about the economic damage of, not just low skilled immigration into Britain, but actually, vast numbers of people who do not work.

"This has come at a potentially massive future cost.

"There is still time, but if we do not do something in the next 18 months, we will be putting around our neck an economic millstone that will be catastrophic."

'The future of the NHS is at risk'- Wes Streeting addresses ways to fund the NHS

The health secretary Wes Streeting has said in a speech that the "future of the NHS is at risk".

He continued to say: "We do not just need to rebuild the NHS, we need to win the argument for the NHS all over again.

"Amidst the cynicism and pessimism, people will only believe things are getting better when they see it for themselves, and they are beginning to!

"The NHS stands as a towering monument to the power of politics to change lives for the better."

Government 'will act' on Southport inquiry findings - 'We gave our word!'

Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed that the Government will act on the findings from the Southport inquiry set to be released today.

He said: “I gave my word that we will get to the bottom of this and that’s why we’ve set up the inquiry. We will act on the recommendations, it’s really important that we do so.

“So obviously there will be the full report, there will be the recommendations, we can go through them in detail – but this, for me, is a matter of principle.

“It’s absolutely right that we act on the findings of this, and we will act on those findings.”

Questioned on whether organisations should be held accountable, Sir Keir Starmer added: “There does have to be accountability, there should always be accountability.“

"The first most important thing is to look at what those recommendations are, what needs to change, and to be a Government that says ‘we’re going to carry this, we’re going to do what we said’ – we gave our word on this and when we give our word, we’ll follow through on that.”

Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner make visit to school breakfast club

Sir Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner made a joint visit to a school in northwest England this morning.

The trio were in attendance to speak to school staff to mark the expansion of free breakfast club schemes, with an additional 500 opening, adding to the 750 already set up.

The three were pictured chatting with children at the club, as well as speaking about football.

When Ms Rayner walked over, Mr Starmer said: "The football part is over - we're onto what our favourite breakfast is."

To which the former deputy PM replied: "Oh, I can join in now then."

'Time to look forward, not backwards' with EU, Keir Starmer claims

The Prime Minister has said it is time to "look forwards" in regards to the UK's relationship with the EU, 10 years on from Brexit.

He said: "I think there's also a sense, 10 years on from the Brexit referendum, that we've got to look forward now, not backwards.

"Let's not just have all the old arguments over the last decade.

" Let's go forward and recognise that a stronger, closer relationship with Europe is in the UK's best interest."

He added that the proposed bill to bring the UK closer to EU single market rules is about "trying to make trade easier so there's less burdens for businesses" and this will lead to "lower prices."

Stronger relationship with the EU is in 'the UK's best interests', Keir Starmer urges

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said a stronger relationship with Europe is in “the UK’s best interest”, when asked about legislation that would allow ministers to sign the UK up to EU single market rules without a full vote in Parliament.

He told BBC 5 Live: “A stronger, closer relationship with Europe is in the UK’s best interest, particularly in a world that is as volatile as it is at the moment, and I know that worries a lot of people.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called the proposals the "worst of both worlds."

She told Sky: "The problem is it's the worst of both worlds. It won't help growth. Why should we be out of the EU, able to make our own choices and not take those decisions?"

"Remember we are a competitive, competing economy. Taking EU rules without having a vote on them is completely wrong. If you want to be in the EU, come out and say 'We want to go back into the EU'. That's what they're not brave enough to do.

"So they're picking this weird hybrid, which is the worst of both worlds. It's not in the EU, it's not out. It's just doing whatever the EU is doing."

Prime Minister condemns Strait of Hormuz blockade as UK 'not getting dragged into Iran War'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated “we are not supporting the blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz announced by US President Donald Trump and the UK is “not getting dragged in” to the Iran war.

The news comes after Sir Keir urged both Iran and the US to "find a way through" following a breakdown in peace talks in Pakistan.

In a conversation with the Sultan of Oman, Mr Starmer said a continuation of the ceasefire would be "vital" and that "all parties avoided any further escalation."

Kemi Badenoch refuses to say if US blockade is a bad idea

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has refused to condemn the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz by Donald Trump.

When asked if the UK should be involved, she said: "What I've said is if you break it, you own it. What's unclear to us is what his strategy is and I don't think that if the strategy is unclear, we should be getting involved.

"What I want Keir Starmer to do is focus on the national interest, deal with things that he can handle domestically."

Asked if the blockade was a good idea, she said the UK is "on the side of the United States" in the Iran war, but she is "not in a position to give operational, sort of, suggestions on what should be happening."

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith slams 'embarrassing' handling of the Strait of Hormuz by Labour

Conservative MP Andrew Griffith has called the lack of Royal Navy presence in the Strait of Hormuz an "embarrassment" on GB News this morning.

He said: "We have such a diminished Royal Nay, the last government invested heavily in mine sweepers, but they were removed from the gulf before any of these matters started."

"We should be less of a bystander the Prime Minister is making us become."

Donald Trump is set to block the Strait of Hormuz at 3pm today after peace talks with Iran collapsed.

UK will not be involved in the Strait of Hormuz blockade

The UK will not be involved a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a government spokesman stated.

They said: "We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home.

"The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling."

They added: "We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation."

The statement comes after Donald Trump said that US would be blocking the vital shipping route from 3pm UK time today.

MPs will get to vote on new EU rules, source says

MPs will get a vote on new rules before they are imposed on the UK, a source has said.

Sir Keir Starmer's EU reset legislation is expected to be included in May's King's Speech later this year.

A Government source rejected the suggestion that MPs will have no say on new EU regulations.

"We are clear Parliament will have a role for new deals and on new EU laws applying under those deals," the source told GB News.

The People's Channel understands MPs will retain the ability to rubber-stamp new deals rather than debate and vote on all new directives.

A Government spokesman added: "The bill will go through Parliament in the normal way.

"Any new treaties or deals with the EU will also face parliamentary scrutiny, and Parliament will have a role in approving new EU laws required under those deals via secondary legislation.

"This will allow us to deliver a "food and drink" trade deal worth £5.1billion a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses."

What is the UK negotiating with the EU?

Sir Keir Starmer's Brexit reset includes negotiations on key areas with the European Union.

A new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could impact farmers.

Meanwhile, negotiations on trading emissions and electricity look set to hit Britain's energy independence.

Keir Starmer accused of 'direct Brexit betrayal' as Labour plots putting UK under EU control

Sir Keir Starmer has been hit with a fresh wave of Brexit fury amid plans to sign the UK up to new EU's single market rules.

Ministers are set to introduce legislation to align the UK with future Brussels-derived regulations without normal parliamentary scrutiny.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned the move was a "backdoor attempt to drag Britain back under EU control".

Mr Farage added: "Accepting their rules without a vote is a direct betrayal of the Brexit referendum and a total breach of the Government's manifesto promises.

"The British people didn't vote to become rule-takers, and we will fight this every step of the way."

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith also said: "Labour are still fighting the referendum because they fundamentally cannot accept the democratic decision the British people made."