Sunday shows round-up: Starmer dodges questions on public sector pay

‘This is the government’s mess, and it’s for them to sort it out’

In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg this morning, Keir Starmer was keen to emphasise Labour’s commitment to change and reform. When Kuenssberg pressed him on a few specific issues however, he deflected the questions, saying they were the current government’s problem. He was also reluctant to go into any detail on Labour’s spending plans. Instead, Starmer insisted on fiscal responsibility, the necessity of growing the economy, and changes to the planning system.

‘The target date for clean electricity has not changed’

Kuenssberg also asked Starmer why Labour had decided to delay its pledge to borrow £28 billion to fund the transition to green energy, if he believed it was the most important issue facing the country. Starmer claimed the target date for the transition had not been delayed, and that acquiring the funding was not the only issue. He said Labour were still talking to partners about how to most effectively achieve the goal.

‘Countries have been queuing up to join this trading bloc’

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch stressed the significance of the government’s success in becoming part of the CPTPP trade group, the country’s biggest trade agreement signed since Brexit.