Review of confirmed key government policy positions

The new government has taken urgent action to address the great challenges facing the country as quickly as possible.

As Labour looks to shape its first 100 days since returning to power after 14 years, here is a summary of the policies and positions confirmed so far.

– Main focus on economy and public finances

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has commissioned an assessment of the current state of the economy and the public finances left behind by the Conservatives.

She said Labour faced a “sad legacy” from the previous government and promised to set a date for its first budget before the Commons summer recess, which she added would be “the first step we take to get the economy back on the road to growth”.

A new national wealth fund is set to attract billions of dollars of private sector investment to support Britain’s economic growth.

The fund, backed by £7.3 billion from the public purse, aims to raise around three times that amount from private sources such as pension funds to bolster the fund.

An initial report on the proposed scheme found that £57 billion of private investment would be needed by 2030 to develop industries that will drive economic growth.

– Offer to increase housing construction and infrastructure

Labour says the Chancellor has done more to boost British construction in her first 72 hours in office than the Conservatives did in 14 years.

The national planning policy framework will be reformed, including the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets for local authorities as part of a drive to build 1.5 million homes over five years.

Housing targets mean that it will be possible to build on land currently considered green areas.

The taskforce will “accelerate work on stalled developments”, starting with Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe and Langley Sutton Coldfield, which would include more than 14,000 homes.

In addition, local authorities will gain 300 extra planning officers.

The government also lifted a de facto ban on onshore wind power as it seeks to boost production as part of plans to transform the power grid into clean energy by 2030.

– “Unacceptable unemployment”

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said rising unemployment levels were unacceptable and urgent action was needed.

The Government has announced that Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service will be merged to boost employment rates and help people find better-paid work.

– Transport priorities

Transport Minister Louise Haigh has outlined five priorities.

These include improving rail operations, continuing unspecified rail reform and improving bus services.

The government also announced it would transform infrastructure “to serve the entire country”, provide greener transport and better integrate transport networks.

In her first official visit as Transport Secretary, Ms Haigh will meet regional mayors and leaders of devolved authorities to discuss improving bus infrastructure “in every corner of the country”.

– Fast moves on immigration

The previous government’s controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda was immediately rejected by the Labour Party.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched work to set up a new UK border security command to tackle people-smuggling gangs who bring migrants across the Channel in small boats.

However, the Prime Minister warned that the number of migrants crossing the Channel into the UK “will not change overnight”, with more than 14,000 arriving so far this year.

– NHS performance under scrutiny

The Health Secretary has announced an independent investigation will be carried out into the running of the “broken” NHS.

Wes Streeting says the aim of the inquiry will be to “diagnose the problem” so the government can “write a prescription”.

There are already plans to redirect billions of pounds from hospitals to GPs in primary care in a bid to “fix the front door to the NHS”.

Mr Streeting said he was “optimistic” the row between the Government and junior doctors in England would be ended following a “reset” meeting with representatives from the British Medical Association.

The Health Secretary also met with dentists to launch discussions on reforming the NHS dental contract, which many have deemed “not fit for purpose”.

– Positive education

Education Secretary Brigit Phillipson has launched a drive to recruit 6,500 new teachers as part of a “renewed government relationship with the sector and transformed the image of teaching”.

Ms Phillipson also pledged to make a “significant difference” to early childhood education and support, calling it “her number one priority”.

Sir Keir Starmer told reporters that now that he is in power he has discovered the “shocking” state of prisons is “worse than he thought”.

The Justice Minister is due to announce plans to tackle prison overcrowding on Friday, as he fears jails will run out of space within weeks.

Shabana Mahmood is expected to unveil emergency measures that could include shortening the automatic release time for some prisoners.

She is expected to argue that the level of overcrowding, described by the Ministry of Justice as “catastrophic”, requires “urgent action” to “bring the justice system back from the brink of total collapse”.

– Water reform

New Environment Secretary Steve Reed unveiled reforms to stop the “unacceptable destruction of our waterways” during a meeting with water companies criticised for sewage pollution and leaks.

The changes include ensuring that funding for water infrastructure is only spent on modernisation, as well as changing company rules to ensure that customers are at the centre of businesses’ interests and that consumers have the power to call their bosses for meetings.

Regulator Ofwat published its draft decision on Thursday on the future plans for water industry charges and spending, with further reforms expected in the coming weeks and months.

Rachel Reeves said the prospect of rising water bills amid a sewage pollution scandal and a cost of living crisis was a “bitter pill” for consumers.

– Development of decentralization

Regional mayors have welcomed a potential “change” in their relationship with the Government after Sir Keir Starmer said he would seek to build a “real partnership” with English leaders.

At the meeting, regional mayors heard that the new government wants to develop local development plans and consider further devolution of powers.

– Message for the Civil Service

Sir Keir Starmer has taken action to reassure civil servants who were threatened with job cuts under the previous government.

The prime minister said the “spirit” of public service would define his government, promising “cooperation and transparency in everything we do.”

– Strong in standards

Sir Keir Starmer has warned his ministers there will be “consequences” if they fail to meet the highest standards as he prepares to strengthen the powers of his ethics tsar.

The Prime Minister has confirmed that he intends to implement a manifesto commitment that the independent adviser on ministerial interests, Sir Laurie Magnus, will be given the power to launch his own investigations into allegations of wrongdoing by ministers, rather than waiting for the Prime Minister to decide whether to order one.

-Defense and Foreign Affairs

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s iron-clad commitment to spending 2.5% of gross domestic product on defence, but did not set a time frame for achieving this.

Ahead of the Nato summit in Washington this week, Sir Keir Starmer also confirmed that the government’s Strategic Defence Review will begin next week, which will set out the UK’s “future defence posture”.

– Assurance for Ukraine

The prime minister confirmed that decisions on the use of UK-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles rest with the Ukrainian armed forces, indicating they would be able to attack targets in Russia.

Sir Keir said British military aid was “intended for defence purposes but it is for Ukraine to decide how it is used for those defence purposes”.

– Improving relations in the EU

The Prime Minister stated that he intends to strengthen ties with the European Union.

Sir Keir’s administration wants to repair the damage to relations with Europe caused by disputes over Brexit and strike a better deal with the European Union than the “failed” trade deal signed by Boris Johnson.

– Position on Palestine

Sir Keir Starmer has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that recognising a Palestinian state as part of the Middle East peace process is an “inalienable right”.

Sir Keir also spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, outlining the “clear and urgent” need for a ceasefire and the return of hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attacks.

Some current and former Labour MPs have admitted there was confrontation during the general election campaign over perceptions of Labour’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

– China relations audit calls

Sir Keir Starmer said his Government was prepared to show “solidarity” in its dealings with China if necessary.

The Prime Minister will conduct an audit of the UK-China relationship to understand the scale of the challenge Beijing poses.

Sir Keir said the Government would “take appropriate action” based on the audit’s findings.