Starmer reportedly left the UK on Saturday, with no public events scheduled until next week, according to The Guardian.

The same newspaper said that his family has been on the Portuguese island since last week. However, Starmer was left behind due to the death of his younger brother Nick on 26 December.

Diário de Notícias da Madeira indicated that the prime minister's visit is of a personal nature and, according to government sources, should not include official meetings with regional entities.

Even on vacation, the head of government remains active, having not transferred functions to his deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, reported The Guardian.