Healey plans will "barely shift the dial" until Europe trade barriers dropped

EMBARGOED: 00:01, Monday 7th September 2026

Responding to Chancellor John Healey’s speech on economic growth and investment, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:

"The Chancellor can’t seriously talk about 'turbocharging innovation' or helping British manufacturers sell abroad whilst ignoring the Brexit trade barriers choking our exporters.

“Huge swathes of our economy were left to rot by an incompetent Conservative Party, but now Labour are following the path of stagnant growth with their commitment to Brexit red lines that will see British businesses continue to be wrapped up in red tape as they have been since the damaging Brexit deal.

“Re-announcing £150 million across the entire North of England will barely shift the dial on growth. Liberal Democrats are demanding that Labour move faster to strike a Growth and Defence Deal that will make the UK stronger and more prosperous.”

ENDS