Rachel Reeves to pledge to ‘fight’ for growth in economic speech
Rachel Reeves to pledge to ‘fight’ for growth in economic speech
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Rachel Reeves will pledge to “fight” for “growth” and say that Britain “can do so much better” in a major speech, after Cabinet ministers were ordered to ditch policies that could stand in the way of growing the economy. The Chancellor will say that Britain has “fundamental strengths” but has been “held back” and accepted “stagnation” in her address in Oxfordshire on Wednesday.
Ms Reeves will also use the speech to claim the so-called “Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor” has “the potential to be Europe’s Silicon Valley” and offers “huge economic potential for our nation’s growth prospects”. Centred around growth, it is also expected to include support for the expansion of Heathrow Airport – an issue which some Cabinet ministers have opposed in the past – and reiterate the Government’s support for the redevelopment of Manchester United’s Old Trafford.
During her speech, Ms Reeves is expected to describe Britain as a country of “huge potential” but also say that “for too long, that potential has been held back”. “For too long, we have accepted low expectations, accepted stagnation and accepted the risk of decline. We can do so much better,” she will say.
“Low growth is not our destiny. But growth will not come without a fight. Without a Government that is on the side of working people. Willing to take the right decisions now to change our country’s course for the better.”. It comes as the Chancellor and Sir Keir Starmer suggested to business leaders that Cabinet colleagues have been ordered to ditch policies which could stand in the way of their efforts to grow the economy.
