'We can't buy British if jobs are going and companies are closing because of the terrible decisions Labour is making on the economy'

FROM PAGE ONE crusade. Our campaign urges shoppers to buy British produce and goods made by UK companies.

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Examples could be British meat, fruit and items manufactured here.

However, Mrs Badenoch added: “But we can’t buy British if British jobs are going and if British companies are closing because of the jobs tax and because of the terrible decisions that Labour is making on the economy.

“Inflation is up, growth has halved and business confidence is down, and that’s what really worries me — that we won't be able to buy British because of what is happening to our economy.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has declared that she does not want the UK to become “inward looking” and risk a trade war. But PM Sir Keir is considering changing procurement rules to give British firms an advantage when they bid for Government contracts.

That could apply to new transport infrastructure, offshore wind or defence investments. It comes amid fears about the effect of tariffs imposed on UK manufacturing industries by Mr Trump, below.

Ministers said the UK Global Tariff on 89 products has been temporarily suspended to ease the cost-of-living crisis. Items include plywood and plastics — essential for construction, pasta, fruit juice, coconut oil and pine nuts.