Starmer throws down gauntlet to watchdogs to cut red tape and help kickstart economy

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But critics accused the PM of chasing “a regulatory race to the bottom” and called for Sir Keir to pursue closer ties with Europe to boost growth instead. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves suffered a blow as official figures showed there was zero growth in the first three months of the Labour government Sir Keir has launched a reset of post-Brexit relations with Brussels since taking office but has yet to formally agree closer trading ties. “The government can do both by committing to a policy of beneficial regulatory alignment with our largest market.” Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Daisy Cooper backed calls for Sir Keir to repair Britain’s relations with Europe to boost growth but also hit out at Ms Reeves’s “damaging” Budget measures. “Reform UK are clear, we would save tens of billions by scrapping the job-destroying net zero that is causing the cost of living crisis, slash foreign aid, cull the civil service and so be able to incentivise work and small businesses with lower taxes to get the economy firing again.” The letter from Sir Keir, Ms Reeves and Mr Reynolds said that “improving regulation in the UK – ensuring that it enables growth and does not unduly hold back investment – is an essential part of this government’s growth mission”.