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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Millie Cooke

Keir Starmer mistakenly announces five new freeports in comms ‘cock-up’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves on a visit to Tilbury Freeport, Essex, in November 2023 - (PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmer mistakenly announced that Rachel Reeves would unveil five new freeports in Wednesday’s Budget, in what officials have reportedly dubbed a “total cock-up”.

The prime minister told reporters that while freeports were a scheme inherited by the new Labour government, it plans to “maximise their potential”, saying they would “have this government’s stamp on them”.

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