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

Why It Matters

The gap between Labour’s promises and early performance tests the party’s credibility on core public‑service and climate commitments, influencing voter confidence and future policy direction.

Key Takeaways

• Labour builds ~200,000 homes yearly, short of 300,000 average target.
• Hospital 18‑week target at 62.6%, far from 92% goal.
• Real disposable income growth projected at 0.1% for 2025‑26.
• Police neighbourhood staffing exceeded first‑year target, overall force numbers falling.
• Clean power at 73.3% in 2025, below 95% 2030 ambition.

Pulse Analysis

Housing remains Labour’s most visible test. The party’s pledge of 1.5 million safe homes translates to roughly 300,000 units a year, yet construction is hovering just above 200,000. Rising material costs, supply‑chain strains and higher energy prices linked to geopolitical tensions have slowed progress, putting the target further out of reach. Comparisons with the Conservative government’s final years show Labour lagging, and the November release of EPC‑based data will be the first clear signal of whether the pace can accelerate before the 2029 deadline.

Health and living‑standard metrics paint a mixed picture. The 18‑week hospital waiting‑time goal sits at 62.6%, a modest rise from the July 2024 baseline but still far from the 92% benchmark last hit in 2015. Meanwhile, real household disposable income is projected to grow a mere 0.1% in 2025‑26, underscoring the limited fiscal headroom for broader welfare improvements. These figures, released quarterly by the ONS and OBR, suggest that Labour’s promise to raise living standards will rely heavily on productivity gains and tax‑policy tweaks rather than immediate income boosts.

Policing, education and clean energy illustrate both early wins and structural hurdles. Neighbourhood‑policing staffing surpassed its first‑year target, yet total police FTEs continue to decline, raising questions about long‑term safety resources. Early‑years readiness improved to 68.3% but still trails the 75% ambition, indicating incremental progress in school preparedness. On the climate front, clean‑power generation reached 73.3% in 2025, short of the 95% 2030 goal and reflecting the technical limits highlighted by the National Energy System Operator. Collectively, these trends signal that Labour must navigate tight budgets, operational constraints, and ambitious timelines to fulfill its manifesto promises.