We'll back British business to the hilt, pledges Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to back British businesses to the hilt” amid the growing fallout from Donald Trump’s damaging global trade war.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Days after Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was forced to suspend shipments to the US, the prime minister visited the carmaker’s largest production plant to outline the government’s plans to support UK industry.

With British and international markets suffering historic falls, the PM acknowledged Britain was facing “challenging times”.

However, after being introduced by JLR chief executive Adrian Mardell, he told gathered employees: “We have chosen to come here because we are going to back you to the hilt.”

With Range Rovers rolling off the production line behind the prime minister as he spoke, he said the visit was a “statement of intent” by the government, to show its support after carmakers were hit with a 25 per cent levy on imports to the US.