UK PM Keir Starmer says economy is 'in a bad state'

LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the British economy as "in a bad state" on Monday, saying his new government would make the decisions needed to bring about change.

"The economy is in a bad state, I think the whole country knows that. That's why there was such a strong mandate for the incoming Labour government for change," Starmer, who led his party to a landslide election win last week, said.

"What we now have to do is to get on and deliver that change."

Earlier, finance minister Rachel Reeves said the government had begun the task of unblocking infrastructure projects and private investment as part of a new "national mission" to drive economic growth.