Keir Starmer has insisted the UK economy is “turning around” despite a wave of gloomy data. The prime minister gave his optimistic take after telling business leaders that he has instructed his ministers to ditch policies that won’t lead to economic growth.

Keir Starmer said the UK economy is "turning around" as the government attempts to turn the page on a bruising first six months in power.

Keir Starmer has insisted that the economy is 'beginning to turn around', and that growth remains his government's number one priority at a meeting with senior executives this morning.