"He acknowledged "things have been tough in Britain for a while" but said the public should now start to see improvements including lower bills, more police on the streets and new health hubs. It has been a difficult year for the PM, who has been battling slowing economic growth, poor poll ratings and speculation he could face a leadership challenge."
"Sir Keir said he shared "the frustration about the pace of change" but "the challenges we face were decades in the making, and renewal is not an overnight job". He added: "By staying the course, we will defeat the decline and division offered by others." The PM promised that over the next year "things start to feel easier", pointing to frozen rail fares, prescription charges and fuel duty, as well as increases to the minimum wage. "In 2026, the choices we've made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change in your bills, your communities and your health service," he said."
"In her own new year message, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said 2025 had seen "no growth, higher taxes and record unemployment". However, she added that Britain was "not destined for decline" and her party's plan would "back business and fix our economy so we can fund our armed forces, police, schools, NHS and build something that we feel proud of"."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged renewal in 2026, promising lower bills, more police, new health hubs, frozen rail fares, prescription charge and fuel duty freezes, and increases to the minimum wage. He acknowledged prolonged hardship and slow progress, saying challenges were decades in the making and renewal would take time, and urged staying the course to defeat decline and division. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said 2025 brought no growth, higher taxes and record unemployment, insisted Britain is not destined for decline, and vowed a business-focused plan to restore public services. Liberal Democrats and Reform UK look ahead to May local elections.
Read at www.bbc.com
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