Starmer keeps focus on 'tackling cost of living'

SIR Keir Starmer has called for Cabinet discipline and a focus on tackling the cost of living in the first meeting of his top team in a potentially critical year for his premiership.

- DAVID HUGHES

> Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking during a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, yesterday

He told his senior ministers that their challenge for 2026 is to show “hard work, focus and determination” in helping to ease the financial burden on households.

With Labour facing a difficult set of elections in England, Scotland and Wales in May, the Prime Minister is under pressure to show results.

The attempt to focus on domestic matters comes as Donald Trump's US continues to threaten Greenland and with Sir Keir set to join world leaders in Paris for a meeting of Ukraine’s allies.

Sir Keir said: “Yes, there's a world of uncertainty and upheaval, but tackling the cost of living remains and must remain our focus.”