The Latest Breaking News from Sir Keir Starmer

Britain defies Trump over closer China ties: 'We have to drive our own course'

Replying to questions about closer UK-China ties, Trump said: ‘Well, it’s very dangerous for them to do that’

Evening Standard · Jan 30

Friday briefing: How Britain’s high streets became a barometer of national decline

In today’s newsletter: As boarded‑up units spread from coastal towns to former industrial centres, a new ​Guardian investigation reveals how ​o​ur high streets have become a litmus test for public frustration and ​p​olitical choices

The Guardian - UK · Jan 30

We have entered a new age of political rhetoric – and that’s bad news for Keir Starmer

Pre-2008, voters with prosperous and improving lives didn’t mind being excluded from the conversation. Those days are over, writes Guardian columnist Andy Beckett

The Guardian - UK · Jan 30

Starmer to meet businesses and visit Shanghai on last day of China trip

The Prime Minister has stressed the financial benefits of an improved relationship with China.

Evening Standard · Jan 30

Starmer urged to secure Jimmy Lai’s release during visit to China – saying he faces ‘de facto death sentence’

Sir Keir’s visit to China has largely focused on fostering closer economic ties with the East Asian trading giant, aiming to mend relations after a strained period under the previous Conservative government

The Independent UK · Jan 29

Starmer urged to bring ‘arbitrarily detained’ British citizen Jimmy Lai back to UK from China trip

Jimmy Lai, 78, has been in detention in Hong Kong for more than five years after his arrest in 2020

The Independent UK · Jan 29

AstraZeneca to invest £11bn in China after rowing back on UK expansion

Keir Starmer says the move, announced during his trip to Beijing, will help support thousands of British jobs

The Guardian - UK · Jan 29

What agreements have been made during Starmer’s trip to China?

Several deals have been struck so far but there does not appear to be a big bundle of investments worth billions

The Guardian - UK · Jan 29

China deal will cut tariffs on Scotch whisky, Sir Keir Starmer says

The Prime Minister struck the agreement to reduce export tariffs on Scotch from 10% to 5% during his trip to China.

Evening Standard · Jan 29

Chinese state media views Starmer’s visit as act of economic pragmatism

PM praised for not pressuring Xi over his ties with Putin on a trip seen as business ‘taking precedence over politics’

The Guardian - UK · Jan 29