Reeves promises to 'fix foundations' for growth

Rachel Reeves has pledged to "fix the foundations" of the British economy, revealing in her first speech as chancellor an immediate plan to boost growth by unblocking infrastructure and private investment.

- Pippa Crerar , Jessica Elgot , Severin Carrell

In an address to business leaders, she will declare that economic growth for all parts of the country is "a national mission" and say she will take tough decisions to deliver on the new government's mandate.

Cabinet ministers made a series of announcements last night as Labour prepared for its first week in government, including:

A shake-up of planning regulations, including on green belt land, as well as new housing targets.

Talks to end junior doctor strikes, with the health secretary, Wes Streeting, meeting the British Medical Association union tomorrow.

A recruitment advert for a new border security commander, which will go live today.

A reopening and expansion of the government's teacher recruitment campaign.

A promise to Ukraine that military aid pledged by Rishi Sunak in April is "guaranteed", alongside a commitment to boost UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. The promises came from the new defence secretary, John Healey, who travelled to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Keir Starmer is spending 24 hours travelling to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, before returning to England, to underline his commitment to all corners of the UK. He has become the first prime minister since Tony Blair to win in all parts of Britain.

The prime minister said he would soon set up a council of nations and regions - one of the main recommendations from a constitutional reform commission chaired by the former prime minister Gordon Brown.

Speaking in Edinburgh yesterday, Starmer reiterated that he wanted to forge new cooperation with elected politicians from across the parties, from the Conservative metro mayor Ben Houchen to the Scottish National party first minister, John Swinney.