Labour's 2025 Agenda Focuses on Children, Workers, and Green Energy Amid Mixed Popularity
Labour's 2025 agenda sets a priority on children with initiatives including free breakfasts, cheaper uniforms, and extending free school meal eligibility to 500,000 more children in England. The abolition of the two-child limit is expected to lift about 550,000 people out of poverty across the UK. England will also have nurseries available for all children alongside the establishment of 1,000 Best Start family hubs. Free childcare is claimed to save around £7,500 per year for approximately half a million English families. Arts have been reintroduced to the curriculum, coupled with the creation of 250 new youth centres and an expansion of further education colleges, construction courses, and apprenticeships.
In transportation, the railways have been renationalised, and rail and bus fares frozen. A pay-per-mile road pricing system for all electric cars is planned by 2028. The Employment Rights Act has been strengthened, with the minimum wage increased by around 6.7% in year one and a further 4.1% in April. Employers are required to pay an extra £25 billion in National Insurance contributions. Despite opposition from some unions, the government describes itself as pro-worker.
The NHS has been expanded with more than 2,000 extra GPs and 170 new community diagnostic centres, resulting in falling waiting times. The Renters' Rights Act now protects 11 million private tenants from no-fault evictions. Net migration has been reduced by two-thirds, although small boat arrivals have increased. A £63 billion investment in green energy supports the planned or constructed 1.5 million new homes in England.
The UK is moving closer to Europe again by rejoining the Erasmus programme and recognising Palestine. London has achieved legal NOx limits for air quality, and crime in the city has fallen except for phone theft. Wandsworth Labour council was elected for the first time since 1978. Refugee children received a £50 Christmas gift as part of social support measures. Additionally, a right-to-die bill is advancing through the legislature.
Despite these policies, Labour remains unpopular and faces calls for electoral reform.
