Keir Starmer wants to 'fly the flag for British businesses' during largest ever trade mission to India

It’s his first trip to the country, set to be the world’s third biggest economy by 2028 and home to 1.45 billion people.

He’s accompanied by business leaders from all regions of Britain on what No10 says is the country’s largest ever trade mission.

Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’ll be flying the flag for British business alongside 125 of our biggest household names in Mumbai this week - because growth in India for them means more choice, opportunity and jobs at home for the British people.”

Bosses from companies such as Rolls Royce, British Telecom, Diageo, London Stock Exchange and British Airways, plus university vice-chancellors and cultural leaders are with the PM and Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle as the government seeks to build on opportunities following the free trade deal signed with India in July.

Peter Kyle said: “Our deal is the best any country has ever secured with India and places British businesses at the front of the queue to access a huge and ever-growing market.”

The deal, which will not come into force till next year, slashes India’s average tariff on UK products from 15 per cent to three per cent, meaning British companies selling everything from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices, will find it easier to sell to the Indian market.

It’s a big win for the whisky industry, with tariffs set to be halved from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, and then reduced to 40 per cent over the next decade.

It’s one of three major trade deals done since Labour came to power, alongside deals with the EU and the United States.

The India trade deal is set to increase UK GDP by £4.8billion each year, and add £2.2billion to wages.

UK exports to India projected to grow by nearly 60 per cent.

The Labour government has said growth is “its central mission”, but so far meaningful growth is elusive, with the economy continuing its anaemic growth levels that have plagued Britain since the financial crisis.

And business leaders have been highly critical of a government which hiked National Insurance on employers and which is bringing in the Worker’s Rights legislation.

But those on the flight to Mumbai, India’s commercial and financial hub, told GB News of the huge opportunities they see in having better access to such a huge and growing market.

The Prime Minister has been criticised in the past for his frequent foreign trips: “Never here Keir” being just one of names he’s been called.

But Sir Keir Starmer’s team told GB News on a recent trip that he “would rather be at home with his kids”, and travels to bat for Britain and bring back investment and jobs.

With the party languishing in the polls and the PM’s personal approval rating putting him as the most unpopular Prime Minister on record, the Government desperately needs the economy to improve, and for people to feel that things are beginning to get better.