Chancellor John Healey has arrived in North Carolina for the G20 finance ministers’ meeting, pledging to work with international allies to boost growth, tackle the cost of living and strengthen Britain’s economic resilience.
Writing on X from Asheville, Healey said:
“Great to be in North Carolina for the G20.”
He added:
“Looking forward to working with allies & partners to drive growth, tackle the cost of living and strengthen resilience.
“By building stronger relationships for the UK abroad we will deliver good growth in every postcode at home.”
The meeting marks Healey’s first G20 gathering of finance ministers since his appointment as Chancellor under Prime Minister Andy Burnham last month.
The summit comes at a time of heightened global economic uncertainty, with finance ministers discussing sluggish growth, trade imbalances, sovereign debt, energy security and the resilience of international supply chains. The United States, which is hosting the meeting, has also put questions around Iran sanctions and global trade at the centre of discussions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is chairing the two-day gathering in Asheville.
Healey is expected to use the summit to argue that international cooperation can directly support Labour’s domestic economic priorities, including stronger investment, lower household costs and more secure supply chains.
His message of “good growth for all” reflects the Government’s wider effort to ensure economic gains are felt across every region and nation of the UK rather than being concentrated in a small number of areas. Labour Home has reported on Healey’s early approach as Chancellor.
The Chancellor is also expected to hold a series of bilateral discussions with counterparts during the meeting. Ireland’s finance minister Simon Harris had already confirmed plans to meet Healey at the G20 following talks between the two men in July on UK-Ireland trade, EU relations and wider economic cooperation.
The Asheville gathering also provides Healey with an opportunity to discuss defence and economic security, areas where he brings significant experience from his previous Cabinet role.
Global economic resilience has become increasingly linked to defence, energy security and supply chains as governments respond to geopolitical instability and volatility in international markets.
For Labour, Healey’s intervention underlines the Government’s argument that rebuilding Britain’s international partnerships is not separate from its domestic growth agenda.
The Chancellor’s central message from North Carolina is that stronger relationships abroad can help deliver investment, economic security and better living standards at home — with the benefits reaching “every postcode” across Britain.
