Keir Starmer has defended travelling to South Africa for the G20 summit just days before the UK budget and despite Donald Trump’s decision to stay away.
The prime minister arrives in Johannesburg on Friday for two days of talks on economic growth and sustainability. Downing Street says the trip offers value for taxpayers as Chancellor Rachel Reeves completes a budget expected to include major tax rises.
Starmer said investment from G20 partners was vital to improving living standards in the UK. He will hold bilateral meetings but will not meet Trump, who accused South Africa of discriminating against white Afrikaners. South Africa has rejected the claim.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged equal treatment for all G20 states. Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping will also skip the summit.
British officials say Starmer will use the trip to strengthen support for Ukraine as Trump considers a peace plan requiring territorial concessions from Kyiv.
Reeves is finalising a budget due on Wednesday after dropping plans to raise income tax rates. Starmer said it would be based on fairness and aimed at putting the economy “back on track”.
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