Labour's 2025 Policy Focus: Children, Workers, Wages, and Public Services
Labour's 2025 agenda emphasizes significant reforms aimed at improving the lives of children, workers, and the broader public. Policies targeting children include providing free breakfasts and cheaper uniforms, expanding eligibility for free school meals to 500,000 more children across England, and abolishing the two-child limit, which is projected to lift about 550,000 UK families out of poverty.
Early years services are bolstered by the establishment of 1,000 Best Start family hubs in England, a revival of the Sure Start program, and the provision of free childcare benefiting approximately 500,000 English families with support up to £7,500 per child annually. Education and youth engagement receive focus through the restoration of arts into the school curriculum, the opening of 250 new youth centres, the development of new further education colleges, and expanded courses and apprenticeships in construction.
Labour plans to renationalize the railways and freeze rail and bus fares in England, alongside implementing pay-per-mile road pricing for electric cars by 2028. Workers' rights will see enhancements with an expanded Employment Rights Act that aims to improve conditions and address issues like zero-hours contracts, while strengthening the role of unions in workplaces.
The UK minimum wage is set for a 6.7% increase in the first year and a further 4.1% in April, with employers facing an additional £25 billion in national insurance costs. The NHS will receive the largest share of spending, including the addition of over 2,000 GPs and 170 new community diagnostic centres, resulting in a decline in waiting times.
Housing and environmental policies include the construction of 1.5 million new homes in England and a £63 billion investment in green energy. The Renters’ Rights Act will protect 11 million private tenants in England from no-fault evictions.
On migration and international matters, net migration is projected to decrease by two-thirds, with the UK rejoining the Erasmus program and recognizing Palestine. London has achieved NOx air quality limits, experienced falling crime rates, and witnessed the election of Wandsworth’s first Labour council since 1978. Support initiatives for refugees include provisions such as £50 Christmas gifts for refugee children.
