UK Prime Minister Introduces 'Change Initiative' to Address Popularity Issues
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London, Dec 5 (NationPress) The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Keir Starmer, presented a 'change initiative' on Thursday, as his Labour government strives to rebuild public trust in the face of decreasing approval ratings.
In a significant address delivered in Buckinghamshire, Starmer detailed six key 'milestones' that the government plans to achieve. These include constructing 1.5 million homes, rejuvenating the National Health Service (NHS), and achieving clean energy by 2030.
Starmer emphasized his commitment to enhancing living standards in every region across the country, with the ambition of attaining the 'highest sustained growth' in the G7, ensuring that working individuals have more funds available.
On the topic of public safety, he vowed to enhance street safety through the deployment of more police officers and addressing anti-social behavior in all communities. Additionally, he promised to advance early childhood education, targeting a record 75 percent of five-year-olds in England to be 'ready to learn' upon entering school.
Recognizing the difficulties ahead, Starmer characterized the government's endeavor as an 'immense challenge' to accomplish these milestones before the next election, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
'We're starting from ground zero,' he remarked, referring to the obstacles inherited from prior administrations.
The Prime Minister acknowledged experiencing 'choppy days' during his initial months in office since assuming leadership in July. Public discontent remains significant, with a recent Ipsos poll indicating that 53 percent of respondents expressed disappointment with Labour's governance, while only 19 percent reported satisfaction.
One of the government's more contentious actions has been the reduction of winter fuel payments, a decision aimed at addressing undisclosed overspending by the former Conservative government. Starmer also came under scrutiny regarding donations received earlier this year, which led him to return over 6,000 pounds (7,632 US dollars) in gifts and hospitality, including Taylor Swift concert tickets.
The Labour budget revealed in October, proposing a 40 billion pounds (51.9 billion US dollars) annual tax increase, ignited criticism from the business sector. Detractors argue that such tax hikes could hinder economic growth.
According to official data, the UK economy recorded a mere 0.1 percent year-on-year growth in the third quarter of 2024, a decline from the 0.5 percent growth noted in the previous quarter.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently raised its 2025 UK growth forecast from 1.2 percent to 1.7 percent, attributing this adjustment to increased government spending. Nevertheless, the OECD cautioned that this growth could lead to higher inflation and may be offset by elevated taxation.
Other financial institutions are less optimistic. Goldman Sachs predicts UK GDP growth of only 1.2 percent in 2025, falling short of both the OECD's and the Bank of England's forecasts.
Martin Farr, a specialist in Contemporary British History at Newcastle University, informed Xinhua that Labour inherited a challenging economic landscape necessitating difficult decisions. However, the true measure of its governance will be whether it can effectuate tangible improvements in citizens' lives.
'What will matter in four and a half years is whether people feel the NHS is in a better state and if their lives have improved compared to now. That will be the benchmark,' Farr stated.
