UK PM Starmer Appoints Minouche Shafik as Economic Advisor Amid Challenges

London, Sep 1 (AP) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed economist and former Columbia University president Minouche Shafik as his chief economic adviser, a move intended to bolster the government's strategy in addressing a sluggish economy and ongoing political debates over immigration.

Starmer's centre-left Labour Party government has been grappling with the challenges of stimulating economic growth and controlling inflation, placing Treasury chief Rachel Reeves in the position of making difficult decisions about fiscal policy for her upcoming budget this fall.

Shafik, who previously served as a deputy governor of the Bank of England, possesses extensive experience in senior academic and civil service positions within the UK. She is also noted for her short and turbulent tenure as president of Columbia University.

The British-American national stepped down from her role at the New York institution in August 2024, having faced considerable criticism over her management of protests and community tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

During her time at Columbia, Shafik encountered opposition from various quarters, with some student groups objecting to her decision to involve law enforcement in protest situations. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in the US and others urged her to address issues of antisemitism more forcefully.

According to Starmer's spokesperson, Dave Pares, the prime minister is pleased to have Shafik contribute her "exceptional record in economic expertise" to the administration.

Alongside Shafik's appointment, Starmer has also made changes to his communications team and named Darren Jones, a former Treasury minister, as chief secretary to the prime minister. Jones's responsibilities include aligning efforts on key policy initiatives.

These developments come as Parliament reconvenes after a summer recess marked by numerous protests outside hotels accommodating asylum-seekers. The Labour government, elected in July 2024, faces challenges in managing unauthorized migration and providing for those seeking refuge.

Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party has leveraged public concern over migrant crossings of the English Channel to gain political traction. The party advocates for the deportation of all unauthorized entrants should they gain power in a forthcoming election.

Despite having limited representation in the House of Commons, Reform UK's polling numbers surpass those of both Labour and the main opposition Conservative Party.

The government asserts it is addressing deficiencies in the asylum system resulting from 14 years of Conservative governance and is collaborating with international partners to combat people-smuggling operations responsible for cross-channel activities.

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