Keir Starmer admits economic growth figures are 'not good enough' as GDP increases just 0.1% in Labour's first three months - as PM seeks to dodge blame for rising mortgage rates

Anaemic economic growth figures are ‘not good enough’, Sir Keir Starmer admitted yesterday – as he sought to dodge blame for rising mortgage rates. Official figures last week revealed that growth stalled in Labour’s first three months in office following doom-laden warnings about the Budget from the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The PM has said growth figures are 'not good enough' as official figures showed GDP rose just 0.1% since Labour took office It follows doom-laden warnings about the Budget unveiled by the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves But the PM insisted that rises in mortgage rates were not down to his government's policies Following Liz Truss’s notorious mini-Budget in 2022, Labour was ruthless in trying to pin the blame for mortgage rate rises on the Conservatives, despite the fact they were rising globally. ‘Of course I want the best possible trading relationship with the US as well and that’s the approach I’ll take.’ Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride last night called Labour’s bid to dodge the blame for rising mortgage rates ‘desperate spin’, adding: ‘At the end of the day his government’s choices will lead to interest rates staying higher for longer, punishing thousands of hard-working families with mortgages for years to come.’