Tamara Rapajic
The Prime Minister made five ambitious promises for the following year: to grow the economy, half inflation, decrease the national debt, cut NHS waiting lists and stop migrant boats crossing the Channel.
In his first major speech of the year, PM Rishi Sunak outlined his priorities for tackling Britain’s biggest issues. His goal is to create a future which restores “optimism, hope and pride in Britain”.
Sunak outlined the five foundations on which he intends to build a better future:
1. Half inflation this year
Inflation reached a 40-year-high of 11.1% in October but has started to slow down. The PM promised to halve inflation in the next year to “ease the cost of living and give people financial security.”
2. Grow the economy
Inflation in the absence of pay-rises has led to a slump in consumer spending, which has slowed economic growth. The UK is expected to enter a recession shortly as living standards have dropped in the face of rising prices and the absence of pay rises.
3. Decrease the national debt to secure the future of public services
Public sector borrowing has almost tripled in the government’s attempt to shield businesses and households from increasing energy prices and higher debt interest payments.
4. Cut NHS waiting lists
The health service is facing its worst crisis ever as waiting lists for treatments hit an all-time high of 7.21 million in October. NHS trusts have declared critical incidents multiple times in the last year and organised the biggest-ever strike in the NHS history.
5. Stop migrant boats
In the last year, small boats crossing the Channel have hit a new record as 45,756 people arrived on the coast. Sunak is determined to pass new laws to deter those making the crossing and to ensure that those who come to the country illegally are “detained and swiftly removed”.
Five promises from Prime Minister @RishiSunak to the British people. pic.twitter.com/aPbD8Yk7pK
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) January 4, 2023
Mr Sunak described these five promises as the people’s priorities and has promised to work “day and night” to deliver them. He acknowledged that his government might not be able to deliver the promises this year but has asked that the government be judged on the effort it puts into delivering them, not just on the result.
Labour has accused Sunak of focusing on problems which are already improving. For example, inflation has started to fall as economists previously predicted.
Labour is ahead in opinion polls. The Conservative Party hopes Sunak’s vision can turn the tables.
Featured image courtesy of Jordhan Madec on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
