The Resolution Foundation, a research body focused on addressing low pay in the U.K., has welcomed the government’s pledge to prioritize improving living standards. However, it offered a pointed reminder, emphasizing that enhancing living standards should be considered “the absolute bare minimum for any functioning government.” Perhaps that could be their campaign slogan!
Labour leader Keir Starmer has promised to collaborate with businesses to create more quality jobs. However, critics point out that his October budget increased employer taxes, a move that could deter businesses from hiring new staff or offering higher wages to current employees.
Achievability Rating: 4/5. Despite the economic uncertainty, this goal seems realistic and well-defined. The government is aiming for metrics like Real Household Disposable Income and GDP per person to improve both nationally and regionally over the course of the Parliament.
2) Preparing Children for School
Starmer is also setting his sights on childhood education, aiming to ensure children start school ready to learn — a particularly pressing priority given the challenges children faced during and after the pandemic.
Here, a measurable goal has been outlined: by 2028, 75 percent of five-year-olds should reach a “good level of development” according to the Early Years Foundation Stage assessment. Currently, this figure stands at 67.7 percent.
The government has identified a range of factors contributing to the issue, including children starting school lacking basic skills such as being toilet-trained or dressing independently. Addressing these concerns will require accelerated progress. “Achieving this will take much faster improvements than we’ve seen, either post-pandemic or in the years preceding it under the older benchmarks,” warned Davies.
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