Starmer tells Labour MPs his foreign trips can help fix cost of living crisis

Prime minister tells parliamentary party that being in the room' for trade and defence talks will boost UK economy

Keir Starmer has defended his frequent trips out of the country to Labour MPs, attempting to draw a direct link with the cost of living at home, which he warned would not be solved by isolationism.

The prime minister told the meeting of the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) on Monday night that it was essential for him to be in the room" for international negotiations on trade and defence, which would then have an impact on the domestic economy.