Starmer to pledge cuts to NHS waiting lists and crime in major reset for Labour

Ambitious targets to improve voters’ lives come amid plunging approval ratings for government and loss of transport secretary

Keir Starmer will pledge this week to undertake the most ambitious programme for government “in a generation”, as he sets out new targets to refocus his premiership amid falling approval ratings and the first resignation from his cabinet.

In a political gamble designed to draw a line under the bumpy opening months in office, it is understood that the prime minister will tie himself to a series of political milestones to cut NHS waiting lists and crime and improve living standards and early years education. They are designed to demonstrate tangible improvements to voters’ lives and be delivered by the next election.

Topics

The Papers: PM's 'pledges' and NHS faces 'quad-demic'

Keir Starmer's "plan for change" speech and rising cases of winter viruses in hospital lead the front pages.
BBC News - Dec. 6
The Starmer pledges that will be hard to hit

The prime minister has set out what's he's calling Labour's "plan for change" - the goals for his government to achieve.
BBC News - Dec. 5
Judge Labour on six targets, Starmer says in major speech

The PM says the pledges, ranging from living standards to the NHS, will allow voters to hold the government to account.
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Sinn Féin MP says action to reform the controversial act is not what was promised by the government.
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PM also redefines economic growth goals as he sets out ‘milestones’ for government
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Fears that giving 3.4 million people immediate access to new weight-loss drug could overwhelm NHS.
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Starmer refuses to repeat Labour’s G7 growth pledge

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Keir Starmer's reset

Amol and Nick on whether the PM’s big speech is a reset moment after a bumpy few months.
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UK chemicals sector doubts Starmer ‘reset’ will end Brexit blues

Businesses say regulatory and customs frictions will barely be eased if Labour government sticks to red lines on EU
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