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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Eleni Courea Political correspondent

‘Cock-up with the comms’: how Labour announced five non-existent freeports

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves wearing protective gear while visiting Tilbury freeport
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves visiting Tilbury port. The chancellor is set to unveil new customs sites within three existing freeports. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

When Keir Starmer announced a shake-up in his No 10 operation last month he hoped to put an end to the missteps of his first few months in office. But an embarrassing error by Downing Street this weekend demonstrates how many pitfalls there are for a new government still learning the ropes.

In a press release on Friday, Downing Street said five new freeports would be announced in the budget. The Guardian and other outlets covered the news, which was given first to reporters who had travelled with Starmer to Samoa for the Commonwealth summit. Both the prime minister and his aides answered questions on the policy they had unveiled.

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