I write this while on a trip to Japan with the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, for discussions with our counterpart in the Japanese Government about strengthening the economic relations between our two countries. I’m looking forward to having the chance to discuss how the UK and Japan can strengthen the many economic ties that bind our 2 countries together as we deliver on our Plan for Change.

This follows my trip last week to India for trade talks – India is a key market for British businesses like BT and Standard Chartered. While in New Delhi I relaunched negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement that would help them, and hundreds of UK companies, to benefit from India’s fast-growing consumer demand.

The UK and India are currently the sixth and fifth largest global economies respectively, with a trade relationship worth £41 billion and investment supporting over 600,000 jobs across both countries.

A trade deal could unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers in all regions and nations of the UK, support jobs, boost wages, and back the high-growth sectors identified in the government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy, such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, financial services, and professional and business services.

It was also great visit to Scotland last month. Scotland is at the heart of our trade policy, whether it’s negotiations with India to reduce the tariffs on whiskey, or with Türkiye to reduce tariffs on salmon, or to promote the incredible Scottish creative industries, financial services and defence products.

Scotland is also at the heart of our industrial transformation, which we must get right. Today, the PM announced an allocation of £200m from the new National Wealth Fund to partner with industry on transforming the refinery at Grangemouth for new industrial uses.

This is what it means to have a Labour government fighting for jobs and prosperity for every bit of the UK.