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Sir Keir Starmer’s promises to the British people have been evolving since he first outlined his “five missions” in February 2023.
In public, Downing Street denies any tensions between the missions, May’s “first steps” and today’s six “milestones” and three “foundations”.
In private, I’ve been told they have caused divisions, with the focus changing after the original architects left as Labour entered power.
But what really matters is how they have evolved. Here’s how they have changed and what that means.
Politics latest: Starmer knows he needs answer to Nigel Farage
The Plan for Change: Economy
Feb 2023 Mission: To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 – with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.
June 2024 First Step: Deliver economic stability with tough spending rules, so we can grow our economy and keep taxes, inflation and mortgages as low as possible.
Dec 2024 Milestone: Raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom, so working people have more money in their pockets as we aim to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7.
Analysis: The new big economic target – to raise living standards in this parliament – is already on track to be met, according to the government financial watchdog.
Some in government hope this will eclipse the existing target – to overtake the growth rate of all other G7 countries – that was promised in February 2023.
Sir Keir said today he was “doubling down” on the G7 target, despite economists doubting it could ever be achieved, with some sources suggesting it would disappear altogether.
But today it became an “aim”, not a pledge, and the PM hinted he knows it will not be achieved in this parliament by promising the living standards milestone first – do we effectively have a target that isn’t a target?
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