Britain needs “more positivity” and should be “shouting from the rooftops” about our strengths, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said.
Ms Reeves has been making efforts to boost economic growth, travelling to Davos to seek more investment in Britain at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting and visiting China in a bid to rebuild trading and financial links.
But the Labour Government’s plan for the economy has got off to a rocky start, with the prospect of official figures next month showing little to no growth in the first six months.
Ms Reeves has faced pressure over Britain’s public finances in recent weeks.
Potential tariffs from the Trump administration are also looming.
The Chancellor was asked about US President Donald Trump’s “boosterism” and if the UK can learn from him.
“Yes, I think we do need more positivity,” Ms Reeves told The Times.
“I’ve challenged businesses as well and said no one else is going to speak up for Britain apart from us. It hasn’t been a very British thing to say.
“We are absolutely fantastic as a country, we’ve got four of the best universities in the world. We’ve got some of the most amazing entrepreneurs with fantastic ideas. In all the sectors that are growing globally — AI, tech, clean energy — Britain has got unbelievable strengths in those sectors.
“We shouldn’t apologise for it and we shouldn’t be all polite about it. We should be shouting from the rooftops.”
