Keir Starmer will attempt to brush aside critics of his economic strategy by insisting it can be the \u201cantidote to division\u201d being sown by the populist right.<\/p>\n
Under pressure to be more radical, the prime minister will tell the Labour<\/a> party on Tuesday that economic growth \u201ccan either build a nation or it can it pull it apart\u201d depending on who and which parts of the country might benefit.<\/p>\n As the government struggles to strike a more hopeful tone on the economy, despite a tight fiscal backdrop<\/a> and difficult choices ahead over tax, Starmer will say that rising living standards could \u201cface down\u201d the threats of a volatile world.<\/p>\n The prime minister has adopted a more combative tone against the right in recent days, in part to reassure Labour\u2019s frustrated MPs and members that he is the right person to take the fight to Nigel Farage in the coming years.<\/p>\n In his speech to the Labour party conference in Liverpool he will attempt to reassert his authority over his restive party, as Ipsos on Monday found that he was the least popular prime minister in the history of their polling.<\/p>\n \u201cThe defining mission of this government is to grow the economy, improve living standards and change the way we create wealth,\u201d the prime minister is expected to say.<\/p>\n \u201cAn economy that grows not just from the top but from the grassroots. Because growth is the pound in your pocket. It is more money for trips, meals out, the little things that bring joy to all our lives, the peace of mind that comes from economic security.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it is also the antidote to division. That\u2019s the most important aspect of national renewal. The way you grow an economy, not just how much, but who and where benefits that can either build a nation or it can pull it apart.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd in the world we must face the threats we must defeat, Britain needs an economy that unites, every person, every community, every great nation on these islands. Standing together, as so often in our past, facing down the threats of a volatile world.\u201d<\/p>\n His speech was released after Rachel Reeves on Monday said the country would face \u201cfurther tests\u201d in the months ahead, adding that her choices at next month\u2019s budget<\/a> would be made \u201call the harder\u201d by harsh global headwinds and long-term damage done to the economy by the Conservatives.<\/p>\n The chancellor faces the prospect of having to find up to \u00a330bn in tax rises or spending cuts next month if, as expected<\/a>, the Office for Budget Responsibility cuts its forecast for future productivity growth to match the consensus of other experts.<\/p>\n Rachel Reeves warned that the country would face \u2018further tests\u2019 Photograph: Oli Scarff\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n On Monday evening Reeves signalled she would raise gambling taxes at the budget. \u201cI do think there\u2019s a case for gambling firms to pay more,\u201d she told ITV.<\/p>\n Darren Jones, the prime minister\u2019s chief secretary, refused to rule out the possibility the government would break Labour\u2019s manifesto pledge to not increase income tax, VAT or national insurance rates. \u201cThe manifesto stands today because decisions haven\u2019t been taken yet,\u201d he told Sky News. \u201cI\u2019m not ruling anything out, and I\u2019m not ruling anything in.\u201d<\/p>\n However, Reeves also urged Labour conference in Liverpool to \u201chave faith\u201d that things would get better, despite the difficult economic landscape. Taking on Farage\u2019s Reform UK directly, she said she wanted to \u201csilence the nagging voices of decline\u201d.<\/p>\n