Keir Starmer to unveil plan for change with robust new targets on NHS, crime and dwelling requirements

Keir Starmer will spell out how his Government will change Britain with a raft of new targets on how to fix the NHS, reduce crime and boost living standards.

In a major speech this week, the Prime Minister will set specific goals on driving down NHS waiting lists and boosting early years education so more kids arrive at primary school ready to learn by the next election. The blueprint is also expected to include targets on driving up living standards, policing and delivering clean power by 2030.

The Labour leader first unveiled his flagship five “missions” to fix Britain last year, which he put at the heart of his programme for Government. They are boosting economic growth, making Britain a green energy superpower, cutting crime, fixing the NHS and spreading opportunity.

But Government insiders believe they need to hammer home to voters what this will mean for them by the end of this Parliament.

The targets in the new “Plan for Change” are expected to be tough. But No10 is gambling that the benefits of being frank with voters outweigh the risk of failing to meet their goals – as Rishi Sunak did by promising to “stop the boats”.

Meeting these goals is likely to be a focus for the spending review next year, when Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce how much cash she’s giving to Whitehall departments.

It comes after a tricky few weeks for the Government, following a backlash to tax hikes slapped on employers and farmers in the Budget. Mr Starmer also suffered his first Cabinet casualty on Friday as Transport Secretary Louise Haigh resigned after it emerged she had pleaded guilty to a fraud offence over a stolen mobile phone.

Downing Street sees the speech as a major moment for the PM to set out his vision for the rest of the Parliament – and signal to voters that change is coming. Mr Starmer will promise his plan is “ambitious yet honest” and warn public services must reform and innovate rather than expecting huge cash injections.

“Mission-led government does not mean picking milestones because they are easy or will happen anyway,” he said. “It means relentlessly driving real improvements in the lives of working people. We are already fixing the foundations and have kicked-started our first steps for change, stabilising the economy, setting up a new Border Security Command, and investing £22bn in an NHS that is fit for the future.

“Our Plan for Change is the next phase of delivering this Government’s mission. Some may oppose what we are doing and no doubt there will be obstacles along the way, but this Government was elected on mandate of change and our plan reflects the priorities of working people.

“Given the unprecedented challenges we have inherited we will not achieve this by simply doing more of the same which is why investment comes alongside a programme of innovation and reform.”

Mr Starmer will order his Cabinet and the new civil service boss, who is expected to be appointed before Christmas, to overhaul Whitehall to focus the Government on these goals.

Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden told the Sunday Mirror: “For 14 years the Tories sent the country hurtling backwards as they fought amongst themselves instead of tackling the problems facing voters.

“In too many areas Tory chaos left Britain falling further behind. As families struggled to make ends meet, hospital waiting lists soared and town centres were hit by lawlessness, the last government hopelessly careered from crisis to crisis.”

Mr McFadden said the plans would give “the country the certainty of a clear direction” after years of Tory chaos. “By setting the goals now it will allow the British people to track our progress and hold us to account,” he added. “It won’t be easy but worthwhile change seldom comes easy.”