We're fixing the foundations of Britain - to make it a Britain you feel proud to live in once again, writes Keir Starmer

2 July 2025, 22:30 | Updated: 2 July 2025, 22:38

One year ago, the nation voted in the General Election.

They voted to rebuild Britain with new homes and new hospitals.

They voted to restore trust in politics after fourteen failed years of Tory government.

And they voted to renew our country, fixing our NHS, securing our borders and getting our economy back on track.

Above all, people voted for change. 

There was a sense that the country simply didn’t work for most people anymore.

That those who were doing everything right were always at the back of the queue.

A lack of fairness – a core British value – that undermined our society.

That is what I have been focussed on fixing ever since I first walked into Downing Street.

The first phase of government was about fixing the foundations and levelling the playing field.

That meant making some really tough decisions and asking the more fortunate to pay their fair share.

We stopped tax breaks for private schools. We hiked taxes on private jets. We abolished the non-dom tax status.

And we made changes to inheritance tax for those with multi-million-pound assets.

I know that was difficult for some people.

But it was for a good reason - to make sure that hard working people across the country could get a fair chance at the life and security they deserve.

We have made huge steps towards that goal.

We’ve boosted the minimum wage, so the lowest paid receive an extra £1400 a year.

We’ve rolled out free breakfast clubs and free school meals, so children can focus on learning and parents can save hard earned cash.

We’ve put spades in the ground to build 1.5 million new homes this parliament, so young people can get on the housing ladder.

We’ve strengthened workers’ rights on sick leave, maternity pay and more.

And we promised we’d deliver an extra 2 million NHS appointments in the first year of government – we’ve delivered 4 million.

Now we move on to the next phase of this government.

A major programme of renewal and rebuilding that will transform the entire country.

Once again making Britain a nation where you work hard and reap the rewards. A Britain you feel proud to live in once again.

Today, we’re announcing our major 10-year Plan for the NHS.

We inherited an NHS amid the worst crisis in its history. People languishing on waiting lists, NHS staff overwhelmed with bureaucracy and our society getting sicker.

This government is going to get it back on its feet and fit for the future. And whilst the opposition parties threaten to end the NHS as we know it, we are proposing radical reforms that will fundamentally change the way it works.

We’ll make sure that wherever you live, the NHS will be there for you, with better GP access to end the 8am scramble, and neighbourhood health centres in every community.

We’re taking advantage of the best technology that will revolutionise how we treat and manage conditions, and transforming the NHS app.

It will be like having a doctor, pharmacist, receptionist and advisor pointing you towards local services – all in your pocket.

And we’re focussing our attention on preventing illness before it even happens, with screenings, early diagnosis, mental health support and making healthy choices easier.

Because this is personal for me – my mum, wife and sister have all worked for the NHS.

It was created by a Labour government, and it will be saved by this Labour government.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

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