The ambitious pledges made by Keir Starmer and the Labour government are under the spotlight, as questions arise about the feasibility and progress of key commitments. With promises spanning housing, education, healthcare, and clean energy, the government faces scrutiny over its capacity to deliver tangible results. The Home Office remains silent on specific policing figures, while concerns grow over NHS performance and housing targets. Meanwhile, aspirations for a greener future are met with cautious optimism from energy authorities.
A notable silence from the Home Office has emerged after BBC Verify requested a breakdown of 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers. This lack of transparency adds to the mounting pressure on the Labour government to meet its pledges. In the realm of housing, the Labour manifesto laid out a promise to build 1.5 million net additional dwellings in England during the parliamentary term. However, recent data shows a shortfall, with only 221,070 net additional dwellings delivered in 2023-24—a 6% decline from the previous year. The government aims to achieve its housing target by 2029, requiring a significant acceleration in delivery.
The National Health Service (NHS) faces its own set of challenges. Waiting list figures reveal a concerning trend since Labour came to office. Between July and September 2024, the waiting list decreased by a mere 0.3%, followed by an additional 0.1% decline in the last quarter of the year. The latest data indicates that as of December 2024, only 58.9% of patients due for procedures were seen within 18 weeks—a far cry from the 92% target last achieved in November 2015.
In education, official data from the Department for Education highlights that in 2023-24, 67.7% of children in England reached a good level of development. Starmer has set an ambitious target to increase this figure to 75% by 2028. Achieving this goal will require concerted efforts across educational policies and early childhood support systems.
The energy sector remains a beacon of hope amidst these challenges. The government has pledged to transition to 100% low-carbon electricity by 2030—a commitment that aligns with global climate goals. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) supports the feasibility of this target, stating:
"It is possible to build, connect and operate a clean power system for Great Britain by 2030, while maintaining security of supply." – NESO
However, NESO also cautions that this goal is:
"At the limit of what is feasible." – NESO
Starmer has adjusted this pledge slightly, now aiming for at least 95% clean power by 2030.
Economic indicators further complicate the picture. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicts a modest rise in real household disposable income (RHDI) per person, expected to increase by around 0.5% annually over this Parliament. However, regional GDP per capita figures are released only annually and lag by approximately 16 months, delaying comprehensive assessments of economic progress.
Keir Starmer remains resolute in his vision to drive significant change across these sectors, emphasizing accountability through:
"Measurable milestones that will also give the British people the power to hold our feet to the fire." – Keir Starmer
