Bloomberg UK Politics A Year of Keir: Labour's Scorecard
Jul 4, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Danny Sriskandarajah, Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation and author, evaluates the Labour government's first year in power. He highlights a significant U-turn on welfare plans and mixed performance metrics, raising questions about future challenges. The conversation delves into tax reform complexities and the need for clear government communication. Sriskandarajah also emphasizes the importance of electoral reforms as disillusionment grows among voters, advocating for a more participatory democracy.
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Labour's Limited Achievements So Far
- The Labour government has few achievements so far, with public investment being a main exception.
- Investment focuses on energy transition, social housing, and health service modernization.
Long-Term View Needed
- Labour's investments will show benefits only long term, while political pressure demands short-term results.
- Patience is critical for positive economic and public service outcomes.
Fiscal Rules Restrict Policy
- Fiscal rules imposed by the Chancellor limit public spending room and caused welfare cuts.
- These self-imposed constraints are not fixed and could be adjusted for nuanced public investment assessment.