Starmer latest: Sir Jim Ratcliffe branded ‘hypocritical’ over immigration comments after PM calls for apology – UK Times

The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the UK’s latest “subdued” GDP figures has shown Britain’s “economy is growing”.

Britain’s GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in the final quarter between October and December last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday.

“Job number one is easing the cost of living pressure that many people still feel,” the prime minister wrote on X.

“Today’s GDP figures show our economy is growing. That means more money back in your pocket.“I know there’s more to do, but we are heading in the right direction.”

The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:

Sir Jim Ratcliffe “got his facts wrong” on immigration, a government minister has said.

The billionaire Manchester Utd co-owner has been told to apologise for his comments on Wednesday, in which he suggested Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.

Justice minister Jake Richards said Sir Jim used statistics “which were completely wrong” when talking about immigration.

“He got his facts wrong,” he told LBC. “But it’s also completely absurd to suggest we’re somehow being invaded or taken over.

“It’s offensive, because many people come to this country, far from trying to take over the country, but to contribute working our NHS or in our social care system, for example.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester said in a statement: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC.

“Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.

“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city-region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester’s NHS and other essential services and industries.

“We appreciate their contribution as a city-region famous for the warmth of our welcome. If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”

Harriet Harman has urged Keir Starmer to revive the first secretary of state, a role which has been vacant since 2022.

The labour grandee told the prime minister that a woman should be appointed to the role, which functions as a de facto deputy prime minister.

She said the appointee should be tasked with tackling misogyny and the marginalisation of women.

According to the cabinet office, the responsibilities of the role include advising the prime minister on developing and implementing policy, driving forward government business and implementation, and oversight of all cabinet office policies.

The role was previously held by Peter Mandelson under Gordon Brown.

Previous holders of the role also include Damian Green, George Osbourne, and William Hague.

The Independent’s Political Reporter Athena Stavrou:

A minister has doubled down on the government’s criticism of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s suggestion that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.

The prime minister called for the billionaire Manchester Utd co-owner to apologise for his comments on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning justice minister Jake Richards told Sky News that his language was “ugly” and “frankly wrong”.

He also told Times Radio that Sir Jim was “hypocritical” to criticise the government on migration, as he has “moved to Monaco to save £4 billion in tax”.

The minister added: “But let’s just be very clear that Jim Ratcliffe’s comments yesterday both were offensive in terms of the language used, he got his facts wrong, and there’s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save £4 billion in tax is now lecturing us about immigration. There’s something that I find slightly hypocritical about that.”

The Independent’s Political Reporter Athena Stavrou:

The government is looking at changes to its vetting system, a minister has said as Sir Keir Starmer looks to replace Britain’s top civil servant.

On Wednesday, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office Sir Simon McDonald urged No 10 to do “more due diligence” when it comes to replacing the cabinet secretary.

On Thursday Justice Minister Jake Richards said he can’t comment on speculation as to who may be taking the job, but added: “In terms of this vetting process, the prime minister been very clear that something is clearly going wrong in government when it comes to vetting processes.

“We’re looking at how we can change that, make that more vigorous, and I’m sure that that will include [Sir Simon McDonald’s] comments as well when we consider that.”

Sir Keir Starmer has demanded an apology from billionaire Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe after he sparked outrage on Wednesday evening by saying that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.

Mr Ratcliffe said that immigration is “costing too much money” due to the number of people “on benefits” in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday.

“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” he said. “I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”

The prime minister hit back in a statement on X on Wednesday, saying: “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”

The royal couple, alongside the Starmers, met with both paid and unpaid carers, as well as representatives from various charities, at the historic Berkshire residence.

In a printed message addressed to his guests, King Charles praised the millions of individuals dedicated to looking after loved ones nationwide.

He also acknowledged the estimated 1.6 million people employed within the adult social care sector.

Sir Keir Starmer was asked to appoint a woman as secretary of state in a bid to end the “boys’ club” that had been exposed by recent scandals.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy added to the comments by suggesting that anonymous No 10 briefings had been “dripping with misogyny”.

Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sparked controversy after claiming that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.

The prime minister demanded that the billionaire Man Utd co-owner apologise for the comments.