Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer revealed his nickname of “Special K” as he paid a visit to a Kellogg’s factory.

Sir Keir toured the cereal factory in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, on Friday morning and met business leaders, apprentices and trade union representatives to discuss problems with distribution, shortages and supply chains.

He told reporters he shared a name with one of the manufacturer’s well-known brands, saying: “I’ve been dubbed Special K since I was born, K for Keir.”

Before the visit, he criticised the Prime Minister for “refusing to take responsibility” for shortages and “offering only jokes and slogans”.

He said: “Boris Johnson failed to act when industry warned him of driver shortages months ago, allowing this chaos to develop.

“Without an adequate plan to recruit and train more drivers now, the chaos will continue as demand rises in the run-up to Christmas.

“Britain needs a high-wage high-productivity economy, but this Government has no plan to get there.

“Instead, wages are stagnant, bills are rising, and the Conservatives are raising taxes on working families and small businesses.”

Keir Starmer visits Manchester
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to the Kellogg’s plant in Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA)

While visiting the North West, Sir Keir was asked whether Cabinet minister Michael Gove was the right man to “level up” the region.

He said: “It’s not a question of whether he’s the right man, it’s how on earth can the Government claim to be levelling up when it’s hitting six million families who most need it with a £1,000 cut.

“If you can’t level up those that are most in need, you’re not interested in levelling up.”