How Is Keir Starmer Getting on with His Pledges to Deliver Change?

Why It Matters

The progress—or lack thereof—on Starmer’s promises will shape public confidence in Labour’s ability to govern and influence fiscal and policy choices ahead of the next election cycle.

Key Takeaways

• Housing delivery at 200k/year, below 300k annual target.
• Hospital 18‑week target at 62.6%, still far from 92% goal.
• Real disposable income rose 3.1% in 2024‑25; OBR forecasts 0.1% growth.
• Police neighbourhood staffing hit 3,123 FTE, but total force numbers fell.
• Clean power share at 73.3%, well below 95% target for 2030.

Pulse Analysis

Labour’s housing agenda illustrates the gap between political ambition and market reality. The 1.5 million‑home target translates to roughly 300,000 units a year, yet current output hovers just above 200,000. Rising material and energy costs—exacerbated by geopolitical tensions such as the Iran war—have squeezed builder margins, slowing construction pipelines. Compared with the final years of the Conservative administration, the delivery rate has slipped, raising questions about whether policy levers like planning reform or public‑sector funding can accelerate progress before the 2029 deadline.

Health system performance remains a litmus test for Starmer’s credibility. The 18‑week waiting‑time metric improved to 62.6% in February 2026, edging toward an interim 65% goal but still distant from the 92% benchmark last achieved in 2015. Simultaneously, the government’s broader economic narrative hinges on living‑standard gains. A 3.1% rise in real disposable income for 2024‑25 offers a short‑term boost, yet the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast of merely 0.1% growth in 2025‑26 signals a fragile recovery. These mixed signals could pressure the Treasury to balance fiscal prudence with targeted social spending.

Beyond housing and health, Labour’s pledges on policing, early‑years education and clean energy reveal a mixed delivery record. Neighbourhood policing surpassed its first‑year target with 3,123 additional FTE officers, but total police numbers continue to decline, highlighting recruitment and retention challenges. Early Years Foundation Stage readiness sits at 68.3%, shy of the 75% aspiration, suggesting incremental progress but a need for deeper curriculum investment. In the energy sector, clean‑power generation reached 73.3% of electricity in 2025, a modest decline from the previous year and well below the 95% target for 2030, underscoring the technical and infrastructural hurdles ahead. Collectively, these outcomes will shape voter sentiment and determine whether Labour can translate its reform agenda into tangible results.